TTB 134: Documenting the Change in the Developing World

---

This week we spoke with Trevor Cole, who’s photography captures inimitable moments today to reflect upon tomorrow. Trevor’s photography focuses predominantly on culture and landscapes; images which reflect a spatial and temporal journey through life and which try to convey a need to live in a more sustainable world. He seeks the moments and the light in whatever context he finds himself and endeavors to use his photographic acumen to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. 

Trevor also leads small photo tours in Donegal and Ireland but also to other destinations. He lived in Ethiopia from 2006-2010 and since then has returned to take photographers to the Western and Eastern Omo, Harar, the Danakil desert and the highlands of Ethiopia. Additionally Trevor takes photo tours to Iceland, Namibia, Chad, South Sudan, Eritrea and India as well as travelling to discover and capture new locations.  

On this episode of the Travel Around Table, the group discusses some of the issues related to cultural appropriation and how we, as travelers, can become more educated on what it means to appropriate a culture. There was A LOT to unpack here, and I think we did a great job (thanks to our incredibly informed guests) of navigating a very complicated and polarizing topic. By the end of this conversation we had a much deeper understanding of the issue and were able to take away a few things we can do to move the needle in the right direction.  

Charles Hammerton, while in the Royal Air Force, rescued a pet ferret called Bandit. The pair had a great bond and climbed mountains, trekked across countries and raised thousands of pounds for various charities. In 2017, after the loss of close family members and being discharged from the RAF, Charlie and Bandit decided to sell all they had and leave the UK behind to embark on a 10,000 mile road trip across Europe, from the Arctic Circle to Sicily! Charlie is now an author, children’s support worker and business owner... but he’s already planning his next adventure! 

Nikola Kostic, born in Serbia, has lived in Indonesia for the past 20 years. He has a passion for photography with a strong fascination for cultures in transition. With the islands of the Indonesian archipelago, and the vibrant countries of southeast Asia at his doorstep he’s never short of inspiration, and spends much of my time on the road (and on the ocean) capturing the magic of life through a series of fleeting moments.

Inside the Episode:

• (07:58): Nikola starts us off with his experience during the conflict in the Balkans.
• (11:13): We make the transition to Nikola’s introduction to photography. 
• (21:08): Nikola shared some profound moments from his travels and photography that helped shape his philosophy on the world. With an eye for the  individual, Nikola looks for “symbols”. 
• (34:20): Elliot brings up the Monoliths discovered throughout the world in late 2020. This then brings us into a discussion on ancient civilizations. 
• (36:39): The conversation transitions to the cultural diversity and political climate of the United States and its impact on the world. 
• (43:16): Elliot brings up the banana duct taped to a wall...”art”.
• (46:00): We discuss Nikolas's experience as a photographer in Bali. 
• (59:52): Nikola tells us about his twelve part travel guides!
• (01:00:00): Nikola tells us an epic story about his experience photographing a volcanic eruption in Indonesia. Throughout his life, he’s found himself in some incredible situations, including scuba diving with Hammerhead Sharks, the transition of Bali from an undeveloped island into a mega resort-type destination, to living in Serbia during the Balkan Wars of the 90s. 

On this episode of the Travel Around Table, the group discusses:

(03:25): We open up strong with budgeting recommendations (or lack thereof)!

(08:55): Amanda and Ryan get into their long history of backpacking around the world. 

(24:15): We discuss some of the best ways you can ensure your trip is meaningful. 

(37:11): We take a deep dive into the planning aspect of backpacking abroad. 

(47:12): We get into work/travel balance for long term travel as a digital nomad. 

Wen Muenyi is the creator of HercLéon, the world’s first laundry-free clothing. A native of Cameroon, Wen discovered antimicrobial fabric blends after a trip to Iceland. He realized some fabrics held odors longer than others and committed to discovering why. With four successful crowdfunding campaigns under his belt, the company has earned over $700,000 from hundreds of backers on Indiegogo and Kickstarter — $551,000 in 2020 alone. 

Inside the Episode:

(04:52): We start with an introduction of Wen, including his upbringing in Cameroon Africa and some early moments that inspired his travels. 

(35:09): Wen brought us through his hilarious story in Iceland that ultimately inspired his laundry free clothing line HercLeon. He found himself in a common situation among backpackers and travelers - being stuck with smelly worn clothes with no idea where the closest washing machine was. It was in those smelly moments that Wen got innovative. 

(38:18): HercLeon is a self cleaning fabric, (no, the shirts don't know how to operate a washing machine) meaning the fabric itself actively fights off bacteria growth making it a perfect piece of clothing for those of us who live out of backpacks, climb mountains, sleep on airport floors, and don't know how to eat pad thai with chopsticks. We’re all in!