Connecting and learning through travels

Aurélie Resch: Heather Greenwood Davis, what does travel mean to you?

Heather Greenwood Davis?: Travel means so many things to me. It’s about freedom. It’s about responsibility. And, for me, it’s always about connection and learning.?

A.R: How soon in your life did you travel?

H.G.D?: My parents always loved to explore but didn’t always have the means to take us as far as they’d have liked. But some of my earliest memories are about road trips with my cousins.?

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A.R: You took a year off to travel around the world with your husband and your two sons... How did that impact your life?

H.G.D?: It was, by far, the most impactful thing I’ve ever done. My family remains very close thanks in large part to bonds formed while we only had each other to rely on. And exposing my kids to the world at a young age allowed them to have a sense of perspective many people only get when they’re much older. I recognize how lucky we were to travel that year. And I’ve spent much of my time since trying to offer the perspectives we gained to people who may or may not get the chance to see the places we did. That’s really at the heart of the stories I continue to tell.?We were named National Geographic Traveler, Travelers of the Year as a result of that trip.?

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A.R: You are now an established, awarded?travel writer. How do you choose your assignments?

H.G.D?: This can happen in so many ways. Sometimes there is a destination that I’ve never been to that beckons. Sometimes, I have a personal connection to a place that will offer me the opportunity to tell a story that is unique to that but relatable to readers. And sometimes an editor has asked me to check something out. I always feel very fortunate to be allowed to visit places and like any guest, I hope to connect with it when I arrive.

A.R: Is there?a specific topic you like to focus on? Why?

H.G.D?: No. I think the commonality to my work is that I’m always looking for relatable human experiences. I want to show people new ways of seeing how similar we all really are.?

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A.R: You have mentioned many times how different it is to travel when you are black. Do you think it is because?the world is not used enough to see black travellers? Because the media do not promote brochures or films with black people travelling? Tell us your position on that.

H.G.D?: All of the above…and so much more. The combination of factors that make me who I am (which include being Black, being a woman, being a wife, being a mother, being the child or immigrants, being a former lawyer…) all factor into how I see the world and how the world sees me. I think it’s important that all of those things are accounted for in storytelling. It’s what I would want to see from other writers as well.?

A.R: What impacts travel has on people's life (for both visitors and locals)?

H.G.D?: The potential for travel to impact the lives of everyone who interacts with it is immeasurable. We, the travellers, have to be most cognizant of that potential impact because with our choices, wallets and privileges we can do more harm than good. Travel is at its best when everyone leaves the interaction better for having had it.?

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A.R: In order to reduce the impact on the environment, some people state we should travel less. What's your take on?that?

H.G.D?: I understand the sentiment and I agree that there is a significant impact on the earth when we travel. I also believe that there is an impact when we don’t. During the pandemic we saw some of that: places whose economies suffered for the lack of travel dollars, people whose mental health suffered from the lack of travel as well. There are no easy answers or quick fixes, but I do believe in the importance of all of us going beyond our neighbourhoods as way of fostering understanding and empathy. Choosing where, when and how often we go might be the better solution than ending it altogether.?

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A.R: Could you share 2 or 3 major travel experiences which made a significant change on the way you look at things/people??

H.G.D?: The travels with my family was of course the most impactful. I mentioned that we only had each other to depend on, but that’s not entirely true. The world rose up to help us when we needed it. Whether it was strangers on Twitter, friends of friends on Facebook, strangers on street corners or fellow travellers. I think one of the best things we learned on that trip is that people are not their governments and most people are kind. It’s a lesson I’ve carried with me ever since.?

A.R: You are a strong advocate for family travels. Could you share some good advice??to those who are considering travelling with children or looking at a multigenerational adventure?

H.G.D?: I recognize that it is increasingly difficult to travel with your kids. The costs alone can make it prohibitive and when Instagram is serving you million dollar vacations, it can feel like unless you can take a bucket list level trip, there’s no point. I don’t believe that’s true. Every opportunity you have to spend quality time with your children in a place that requires all of you to open up to your own vulnerabilities, is time well spent. Camping close to home, day trips to nearby cities, exploring destinations with different languages…all of it is travel. And all of it counts towards building resilience, empathy and understanding. Definitely worth doing.?

A.R: What are your travel plans for 2024?

H.G.D?: I’ve got lots of adventures on the horizon. I’ve been reconnecting with winter (not my favourite season) in Minneapolis and New York. And I’ll venture to Antarctica for the first time shortly. I’ve got a fair bit of small-ship and expedition cruising on the horizon as well. I’d like to return to Asia and see the Greek islands as well, but we’ll see what the year has in store for me, I guess.