Q&A with Taryn Adler from Wanderista
We are so excited to sit down with seasoned traveler, Taryn Adler of Wanderista to pick her brain on packing, travel essentials & treating yourself. An ex-editor herself, Taryn quit her job, bought a one way ticket to Mumbai & has been on the road or planning her next trip ever since.
You went to 20 countries in 11 months, seriously, how did you pack?
I’m a total minimalist so it wasn’t actually as hard as it sounds. I always stick to one color scheme (black) and basic is always best: jean shorts, leggings, a solid colored bikini, flip flops and some white Gap tanks. I picked up incredible jewelry/scarves/accessories along the way so I never felt as boring as my packing list might suggest.
Tell us the strangest meal or food item you ate during your trip
I’ve eaten grasshoppers, scorpions, guinea pig, camel milk ice cream, durian…I’ll try anything once!
What are your makeup essentials while traveling light?
Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer (in Sand) was all I wore on most days—it makes my skin look perfectly creamy and even, plus it has SPF; I also became obsessed with Lucas’ Papaw Ointment over in Sydney. I used it as everything from lip gloss to eyebrow tamer.
What would you say is the best ‘treat yourself’ splurge to rejuvenate while traveling?
I traveled on a major budget which often meant 12-person dorm rooms and 30-hour train rides. I didn’t splurge on a lot, but sky diving was worth every single penny. For a more traditional treat, I can’t resist an authentic local bath house—I’ve soaked and steamed all over the world, from Turkey to Tokyo.
Which spot left the most long lasting impression on you?
India is where I started my journey and also where I spent the most time (3 months), so it holds a special spot in my heart. With a bit of bias, I also just happen to think it’s one of the most amazing places in the world. It’s so vibrantly alive with culture, color and chaos. Totally magical. [Photos are some of Taryn’s favorite spots in India.]
What’s the best piece of clothing you picked up along the way?
I picked up an incredible statement necklace in Laos that I’ve worn almost every day since, a funky silver eagle ring (my last name means eagle in German) and a great butterfly printed scarf in Bali…those are my three bests. Plus my beloved Lucas’ Papaw ointment, which is so good it’s worth mentioning again.
Now that you’re back in the US, we hear you are plotting a trip to Cuba? What do you have planned so far?
I’ve been dying to get to Cuba for a while now, but John Jeremiah Sullivan’s article in a recent The New York Times Magazine put me totally over the edge. It’s much easier to get the necessary permits if you sign up with a tour group, but I’m trying to work around that. I’ll keep you posted.
