Meet My Friends, Gabi

An interview to a friend I met during my trip to Bolivia.

Welcome to Meet My Friends, a series of interviews with people I met during my trips, special people who became my friends. I enjoy meeting new people while travelling, which is why I often volunteer during my trips. I think it is important to meet local people to know more about the culture of the place you visit, and sometimes you meet people with fascinating stories. In these interviews, I want you to know a bit about my friends and their countries, their stories and why they are special to me.

This interview is with Gabi. Fernanda and I met Gabi in Bolivia. We spent three days together exploring Salar de Uyuni, several lakes, the Siloli Desert, and Eduardo Avaroa National Park. We shared the freezing nights in the altiplano, the awe of seeing incredible places, and the spirit of adventure of being in for three days without a phone signal, on a jeep where there are no reads, and in accommodations with electricity rationed and no hot water.

Please meet my friend Gabi, I hope you enjoy this interview.

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Please introduce yourself, where you are from, where you are right now, what you do, and how your typical day is.

My name is Gabriela, I’m from São Paulo, Brazil, and I’m spending the end-of-year holidays in Montevideo, Uruguay, with my family. I’m 29 years old and I work in HR. In my free time, I also work as a clinical psychologist. Weekends are reserved for exploring the city, spending time with friends, and enjoying family moments.

What does travelling mean to you?

Travelling is an opportunity to broaden my horizons, understand the world from different perspectives, and rediscover myself with every new destination. Each place provides unique, enriching, and transformative experiences.

What is your favourite destination? Why?

I don’t have a specific favourite destination, but I love places where I can connect with nature. Living in a big city has its advantages, but when it comes to choosing my destinations, I prefer to prioritize places different from where I live.

From friends, family, and people around me I heard that travelling, especially travelling solo, in Brazil and South America in general is dangerous, what is your opinion?

Safety while travelling depends on many factors, such as gender and region. For women, extra precautions are often necessary, especially in certain areas. However, I believe the challenges in big Brazilian cities are similar to those in other countries. With proper planning and attention, it’s possible to travel safely and enjoy the best Brazil has to offer.

Something that someone should not miss to see in São Paulo, and something that is out of the tourist route.

São Paulo offers endless range of attractions, from amazing bars and restaurants to theatre performances and live shows. For something off the beaten path, I recommend exploring samba circles in Bixiga or Barra Funda. They provide authentic cultural experiences you won’t forget!

Places in Brazil that are out of the tourist route and deserve to be visited.

Brazil is a mosaic of natural and cultural wonders. For beach and ecotourism lovers, the Rota das Emoções (Route of Emotions) is a must, showcasing stunning landscapes across Maranhão, Piauí, and Ceará. For fans of waterfalls and trails, Chapada Diamantina in Bahia is an incredible destination full of charm and adventure.

In Bolivia you were travelling with your parents, do you travel often with them? How is it?

Yes, I grew up travelling with my parents, starting with road trips to cities near São Paulo. This became a family tradition, and we still take at least one trip together every year. They’re adventurous and always up for new experiences, making every trip fun and full of stories to tell.

One or two dishes you shouldn't miss while visiting Brazil.

Brazilian cuisine is a world of its own. In Minas Gerais, pão de queijo (cheese bread) is famous, but my favorite dish is feijão tropeiro. In the Northeast, "baião de dois" is a must-try. In São Paulo, don’t miss the pastel with sugarcane juice at a street market or a slice of São Paulo pizza—some say it’s even better than Italian pizza! Hahaha

How did your trip continue after Uyuni? How was your experience?

After Uyuni, we headed to our final destination: Copacabana, Bolivia. Unlike the vibrant Copacabana in Rio, Bolivia’s Copacabana is peaceful and culturally rich. From there, we visited Isla del Sol on Lake Titicaca, a sacred place for the Incas and full of energy. Ending our trip there was truly fantastic.

Your next trip is already paid for, where would you go?

Without a doubt, I would choose Norway to explore the fjords and get to know one of the best countries to live in.

If you could be a character in a movie what would you be and why?

I would choose Nanisca, played by Viola Davis in The Woman King. She is an inspiring warrior, a symbol of strength, courage, and female leadership.

Thank you to Gabi for participating in Meet My Friends. If you enjoyed it, please consider subscribing, updating to a paid subscription, or buying me a coffee. Also, you can share it with people you think might like this content.