Hello, my name is Alina. I was born and raised in Romania. Wanderlust flows through my veins but it wasn’t always like this.
2012 was the turning point. I learned how to cycle and the world did not seem this big scary place anymore; two years later I was cycling towards Indonesia.
Every day you get further and further from “home” it gets easier. And the world reveals itself in all its beauty.
Why Indonesia?
I received a one year scholarship to study Indonesian handicrafts at the Art Institute in Padang Panjang, West Sumatra. I lived and traveled with locals, emerging myself in the Minangkabau culture, trying to forget the rules and expectations I grew up with and adapt myself to what living in a small, but very noisy village.
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- Where: Mentawai archipelago, Siberut island
- Photo taken with a mirrorless Nikon camera
With no roads, one must travel by way of water. Local animist beliefs say everything is vibration; so Mentawai people hang the skulls of the hunted animals above the entrance, asking for forgiveness, praying they didn't upset the vibration network of the world.
Bule, mau kemana? Sudah mandi? Sudah makan?
- Caucasian, where are you going? Have you taken a shower? Have you eaten?
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- Where: Rinjani mountain
- Photo taken with a smartphone
The nameless heroes of mount Rinjani are the porters balancing on their shoulders kilos of stuff, in order to make the ascent easier for the tourists. They are also the most underpaid. Becoming a porter is one of the few jobs available to poor uneducated villagers living on the slopes of the terrifying volcano. I am sorry Pak (mister in Indonesian) Porter, I forgot to ask your name...
Getting into the outdoor industry
- My main responsibility was to ensure the safety of children while teaching them different basic bushcraft skills like making a fire or building a shelter. Storytelling, knowing riddles and jokes were also a vital part of the job.
- As a bushcraft instructor, while on camp, we would sleep on a camping mat, straight on the ground, under a yurt, open on all sides. During the free days we slept on staff camp (in personal tents).
My passion for the outdoors led me to become a walk leader, working mainly with UK based companies. My responsibility is to guide safely groups of people, while providing interesting facts and information about the objectives included on the walk. A positive and friendly attitude is crucial: social skills are just as important as the ability to take the clients safely from A to B.
As a walk leader I am familiar with:
- group management
- walking briefs and turn by turn notes as you go
- navigation using maps
- GPS devices and GPS apps (Viewranger)
- handling a budget
Language skills
Skill sets & Passions
With a background in arts and passion for the outdoors and DIY travel, I worked and interacted with various ages and cultural groups, both as a team member and as a leader. My thirst for learning, for new experiences, empowering those around me are skills I cultivated my entire working life. I am looking for a role where I will be challenged to utilize my current knowledge and develop professionally.