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When it became clear that I, an American girl traveling through Eastern Europe, would remain in Romania during the 2020 COVID-19 lock-down, my virtual social circle expanded. I’d previously joined an expat group on Facebook, something I commonly do when staying in a new city. This can be an unparalleled source of resources and support when traversing foreign lands, and the Sibiu group proved to be no different.

Through this expat group and a mutual friend, I made the acquaintance of Matt, an Italian writer/traveler. Matt was (is) also ‘stuck’ in Transylvania during the lock-down (albeit 145k east from me), and this mutual bond created an effortless friendship. In an effort to quell our boredom and to facilitate to our readers (and ourselves) an opportunity to know one another better, we decided to informally interview each other for our respective sites. We compiled a list of questions, and, well, here they are - just for fun!

What is your website about?

Matt

About people! The main topics are art, photography, music, and travel but Cowboys from Space is definitely about them. I try to involve different kinds of people, with different backgrounds, interests and writing styles. It’s a kind of collage.

Jade

My website mainly focuses on travel, with a healthy dose of mindfulness and self-discovery.   

What inspired you to create it?

Matt

I wanted to create something that allowed me to interact with new people (still dealing with a bit of shyness) and improving my writing skills. In August 2017, when I was a volunteer in Bulgaria, I was invited to a Greek island by a friend of mine. Talking on a beach about my confusing idea to invite people to write stories on a website. One month later, I decided to create, without realizing how many interesting chats it would bring me to. Few weeks ago I told him that I would like to use my writing skills even more professionally and he started to exult: “Yeah! Finally, you have decided to do it! You love it and you’re good at it!”.

Jade

When I first really submerged myself in a yoga practice, the internal changes that manifested were profound.  I wanted to take that same attitude of curiosity and mindful approach to travel, in some way fusing my two great loves.  But the real catalyst was my job as an environmental scientist. I really loved my job, but when the other person in my department quit, I could potentially have a hefty raise as well as significantly more freedom.  My boss mentioned this to me, but the VP of the company didn’t go for it.

So, long story short, someone else got hired to work with me in my department, but there wasn’t enough to do - so I was bored and disappointed much of the time.  It was then that I vowed to become location-independent.  I didn’t want to deal with the monotony of going to the same job every day.  I also wanted the freedom to travel more. So, here we are.

We’re both stuck in Transylvania due to the Coronavirus pandemic. How are you coping with it?

Matt

It’s not so easy. I’m really missing meeting people and spending a good time with them. These days I should have been in Hungary or in Austria, before going back to Italy (even if I wasn’t thinking of staying there too long). Now it’s so hard to plan something. At the moment I’m hosted by the family of the organisation with which I have worked for in the last months. I’m trying to use these days for doing some courses, writing and improving my English a bit (even thanks to an English teacher from New England XD). I’m talking with many people that I met in the last years, sharing ideas and keeping up morale. I wish that we will be able to face this situation as well as possible, maybe taking the first steps to something good in the future.

Jade

Could be better! I’m trying to stay grateful and keep myself in check. I still have a job and a source of income. I wasn’t forced to go back to the United States due to lack of funds like some other friends I know. And I’m ‘stuck’ in a really affordable place, so that definitely helps. I have my dog, food, wine, and good friends and parents to video chat with when things seem too lonely. I’m an introvert and a loner for the most part. I can’t imagine how it would be if I were more extroverted or craved more human interaction. Still, I am going a little stir crazy, haha! There are so many things to do in Sibiu, and it’s tough not being able to!

The craziest situation you have dealt with during one of your trips, besides Coronavirus pandemic?

Matt

My trip to Istanbul, December 2017. I was coming back to Sofia by bus to celebrate the New Year’s Eve, but a policeman stopped at the border. According to him, my document wasn’t valid for going outside Turkey. They made me wait for another bus and come back to Istanbul, spending New Year’s Eve there. It was a disaster. I lost money in the taxi for going to a party in a hostel with other volunteers. A party that didn’t exist. A taxi driver screwed us for a very short ride to Taksim Square. The group split in two and we didn’t manage to rejoin, wandering around the sunrise. At least when I tried to cross the border few hours later I wasn’t stopped again…

Jade

Thankfully, my travels have mostly all been smooth sailing, so to speak.  My worst travel memories always involve planes and extreme turbulence - something I don’t cope with well.  Flying into Barcelona airport with my mom (she was seated about ten rows in front of me), we began descent and then all of a sudden the plane seemed to turn on its side and we were once again in ascension.  I watched the ‘minutes to destination’ go up, up, up. An attendant came on the intercom and announced, ‘We had to abort the landing,’ but did not give any indication as to the reason. I don’t remember what it was now, but something to do with the wind.  

Another flight to Ecuador (via Panama) got stranded in Panama at the wrong airport due to extreme weather.  I was alone for that one, and crying in my seat - the poor Indian family next to me was trying so hard to make me feel better.  

And one very bad flight to Bermuda, where the turbulence was so bad they wouldn’t serve any food or drinks.  I really, really, REALLY hate turbulence. I’m convinced I’m going to die every time. I close my eyes and tell myself that it’ll be quick.  My palms sweat and, since I’m usually alone, I always grab the stranger next to me out of instinct. It’s embarrassing.  

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Matt

Probably cheese. I would like to say pizza, pasta with pesto or chocolate, But not so healthy for a long time XD

Jade

Does hot sauce count as a food?  I’m going with it. Any food I can put hot sauce on (which, for me, is almost anything).  The spicier, the better.

Would you rather have true love or win the lottery?

Matt

Even if “money is the anthem of success” (and I’m very likely to be broke) I would say true love. I’m not a romantic person and I struggle to understand human behaviours. But if true love means finding someone that believes in you even when you don’t, that makes you happy and that helps you to be a better person, I would prefer it.

Jade

True love, all day.

What was the most significant plot twist in your life?

Matt

Going to Bulgaria in 2017. I had already started a personal change process before that experience. But that move was the trigger that made me aware that something in me was changing and I needed (and I still need) to find answers. Those months, interacting with people from other countries and living in a different way, had a huge impact on my life.

Jade

Life has been full of plot twists.  I’m going to mention the most positive one.  Finding work with VIPKID teaching English online - a few years ago I never would’ve dreamed that full-time travel would be my life.  Although I’m not sure how long my patience will be able to sustain this type of work, at least for now it’s afforded me a lot of really great opportunities that most people don’t ever have.

What was the last book you got really into?

Matt

I don’t read so many last books (I prefer articles and short stories). But there is a book that I would like to have with me but that, unfortunately, I didn’t bring with me in Transylvania: This Is A Call. It’s a biography about Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters front-man and Nirvana drummer. I bought it when I was in Brighton (U.K.), my first solo trip abroad ever. I remember when I read it on the shingle beach in the evening, close to the pier. So relaxing…

Jade

I’m reading a book on Romanian history right now that I’m pretty into.  I also recently finished the book Little Soldiers by Lenora Chu, about the education system in China.  The author is a Chinese-American woman whose family went back to live in China after having grown up in America.  She parallels the school systems between the true countries, and it is, let me tell you, quite shocking at times. Another was Hillbilly Elegy, about a Yale-educated lawyer who grew up in the Rust Belt of Ohio.  It’s a memoir of his life and lends a lot of insight into how Trump won America’s 2016 election.  Sorry, that was three.

How different do you act around acquaintances versus people you are comfortable with?

Matt

I think I’m more direct with people I am comfortable with. I feel freer to share my opinions and thoughts with them, even if they couldn’t agree with me. As someone told me a long time ago sometimes I like a computer: I observe people, I listen to them, I elaborate information, but I often struggle to open my mouth. Especially with people that I’m starting to know. I always have the fear of saying the wrong word in the wrong moment.

Jade

Hahah. Around acquaintances I am more reserved, VERY quiet, but somehow more confident.  Also awkward. With people I am comfortable with - I’m OK with my awkwardness, which comes out as humor - somehow, I can be funny around my friends and family.  I’m more bold and direct, and more forthcoming about my own issues. I tend to speak my mind no matter who my audience is, though, which offends many people - especially when I question their dearly-held beliefs with logic!  

What does your perfect morning look like?

Matt

No alarm clock. A long breakfast with coffee, a cake, and a lovely talk. And later a walk at the beach or in the mountains.

Jade

Yoga, coffee, comfortable pajamas, an un-rushed breakfast, and maybe a hike or long walk with the dog.

What is your go-to series or movie that you always put on when you can’t find anything?

Matt

YouTube is the way! I often watch videos from TV shows like The Simpsons, Futurama and How I Met Your Mother. Occasionally I watch some anime like One Piece, Attack on Titan and Dragon Ball (I grew up watching it!).

Jade

How I Met Your Mother.  It perfectly elicits equal amounts of laughter and emotion.  I like to have it on in the background while I do other things.

What is the strangest way you’ve become friends with someone?

Matt

In June 2017 I was coming back from a street art festival in Bulgaria by bus. A woman went to me complaining that I was sitting at her spot and I moved close to a guy. We started to talk a bit, mentioning him about a festival in which I would be involved a few weeks later. Some days later he texted me asking for further information about it, telling me that we would come there with some friends of his. In September 2017 he asked me to go hike Musala, the highest peak of the Balkans with him. I can just say that it wasn’t definitely a not ordinary weekend.

Jade

Aside from becoming pen-pals with a stranger in a foreign country while we are both on a pandemic lock-down?  Hah! One of my best friends and I met when he was a regular where I tended bar. Another dear friend, who has sadly since passed, was from South Africa.  He came to my bar and ordered a drink. I didn’t realize he was foreign and had an accent, I just thought he was wasted - so I didn’t serve him, haha! I made a lot of friends bartending, I guess.

At the time of this writing, both Matt and myself (along with the rest of the world) are still on lock-down. Long days consist of working, writing, wine, chocolate. The nights are filled with Hangout App and video chats. In the meantime, all we can do… is wait. Hang in there, everyone. And, please, #staythefuckhome

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