LE VOYAGEUR INTERVIEW

WOMEN

• Small introduction/presentation, job or activity, place of birth or country of origin, training or career, place of living

Hi! My name is Khumoetsile Seamogano ; but, everyone calls me Khumo. I was born in Botswana and spent over a decade and a half living in South East Asia. I am a writer, a serial founder with keen interest in small grassroot organisations and, chief mother at the Girl Gone Authentic Journal.

QUESTIONS :

• Tell us about your place of residence, city or region, activity and if or what you like about your hometown?

For a while, I lived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I consider it my home because I have friends who turned into family and I know where to find the best tofu. This is where I began knowing myself as a woman - what I do not stand for and what I do not tolerate. My time in Malaysia was lighthearted and freespirited. I explored the beaches and islands, the cuisine, and experienced the beauty and complexity of diverse culture and traditions.

I then relocated to Thailand, where I recided in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. You could say that Thailand was for me a place where I put in practice all the self and cultural wisdom that I had gathered over the years. My favourite things about Thailand -aside from cuisine ofcourse- are the rich traditions of various groups of people who came together to form what we now know as Thailand. All the way from spirituality to craftsmanship the intricate componenets of culture have survived and continue to evolve with time.

I am now in my hometown, Mahalapye, Botswana which is a dramatic but much needed change from what I am used to. The nights are quiet except for the occassional chirping of crickets and time is slow.

• Your must-see addresses near you? (restaurant, market, gallery, museum, not-to-be missed, intimate or secret address, etc.)

There is so much to share ! One place that particularly comes to mind in this moment is Siri Sala, a private Thai villa in Bangkok. The place celebrates vernecular architecture offering a bridge between preservation and innovation of material culture. You cannot help but experience the tranquility of a time long gone while in the heart of Metropolitan Bangkok. For me, that is magical.

• Your favorite places on Earth?

Wow. Good question. I believe I am still searching for it.

• Do you think it is important to travel and why?

If you have the means to travel, then travel is a necessity. It opens you up to all the possibilities of the human experience. It expands your mind, and nourishes your spirit in profound ways. Is that not why we are here ? To experience ourselves to the fullest ?

• What do you think about the future of travel and what we (citizens) need to consider?

The older I become, the more I need to travel slow in order to get to know the places I travel to. It has become less about ‘seeing’ and more about experiencing. If at a certain age this happens to most of us, then I would say that the future of travel is rooted in authenticity. There have been great changes in hospitality where we now see sustainability and preservation of the land and local culture at the forefront of importance. As travellers, we need to consider our true contribution to nourishing natural resources (land, food, wellbeing of locals and culture) in the places that we choose to visit.

• What would you advise?

Before going anywhere, do your research. Learn who in hospitality is truly honoring the land and her people. Your money will support generations to come.

• As a woman, how do you judge the future of our land or our societies?

Our land continues to feed us inspite of the harm imposed on in it for humanity’s personal gain. The more we become disconnected from the rest of nature, the more we care less about the earth and her inhabitants. We see this a lot lately. It takes so little to forge merciless wars. Saying this, I do believe that there is a new generation reclaiming this lost connection, so there is hope.

• How do you think you can contribute to it? Women who stand out to you?

I like to think that through the Girl Gone Authentic journal, I remind us of gentler ways of moving through the Earth. I am inspired by the poets : Maya Angelou, the singers : Mariam Makeba. These are women who used their voices to graciously lend courage  to us to speak up.

• What would be your travel dream?

Right now, my wish is to visit the most pristine islands in Africa.

• Who among your close or less close friends should participate in this interview?

Irma at Siri Sala Private Thai Villa (https://www.instagram.com/sirisala.official/)

N.B : Please send us a photo (portrait) in high quality of you!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH

Looking forward to reading your answers!

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