With Thanksgiving fast approaching, we thought it best to reflect on what we’re most grateful for and how travel positively impacts our lives. Our staff and guides from around the world took time to express gratitude and reflect on the last year. What travel experiences are you most grateful for?
Kale Sherpa - Kathmandu, Nepal
What are you most grateful for this year?
This year was very surprising for me. The most grateful thing for me was that I didn't expect my old guests from OneSeed would come to visit Nepal and have me as their guide once again. I am very grateful for all the recommendations that I got from OneSeed guests this year and to finish my grateful year. Lastly, I got the opportunity to visit Thailand and learned about their culture and traditions, plus I got to learn new guiding skills and different tourism practices.
How has travel positively impacted your life?
Traveling is one of the best things in my life. It has always kept me fit mentally, physically and emotionally. It has taught me to face various difficulties despite the hardness of the situation I face during a trip. But all of the difficulties pale in comparison to all the smiles and friendship of my guests which makes me stronger.
Glenna Barron - Denver, CO USA
What are you most grateful for this year?
I'm thankful for my family as well as technology to connect me with them no matter where I am in the world. I know that even if I'm in Kathmandu, my family is only a FaceTime away. I'm in Denver and my niece and nephew are in San Francisco and I'm able to receive regular pictures, videos and FaceTime chats to keep in touch and watch them grow up.
Are there any specific travel moments that have left a big impact on you?
I recently traveled to Nepal and Bhutan and accompanied a group of 35 travelers. One distinct moment that stood out was about half-way through the 2-week trip, a client turned to me and said, "I need a hug. I'm feeling homesick and I miss my family, and I need a hug". I had been feeling the exact same way; I missed my family, my boyfriend, my friends and was feeling down that morning and she completely turned my day around. You can be vulnerable and sad and then ask for help.
Ramadhani Kambi - Moshi, Tanzania
How has travel positively impacted your life?
Three years ago I helped guide a great group of 11 travelers. Among them there were three women, one of whom got sick on the way back from the top of Kilimanjaro although I managed to get her down safely and she recovered. From day one of that trip she had told me, “Rama make sure you get me on top!” From the beginning I noticed she needed some help with her backpack so I helped to carry her things. While it was tough, she made it to the top and back. Once we returned to the gate at the foot of Kilimanjaro and completed the trek, she was so happy that she was crying with joy. I will never forget Frida from North Carolina!
Herlin Apaza Tumpay - Cusco, Peru
What are you most grateful for this year?
I am so thankful for sharing our culture with travelers who come to Peru. I am very grateful to have the chance to travel within my country and I hope to see more places. My dream is to journey outside of Perú one day.
Ombeni Lema - Minneapolis, MN / Moshi, TZ
What are you most grateful for this year?
We (me and my family) are grateful for all the wonderful blessings nature has blessed us with, including the chance to live and breathe freely in this world. With this chance, we meet wonderful people with wonderful travel experiences. Travel is one of the best tools for learning. I have learned so many new ways of life and about other people's cultures.
Are there any specific travel moments that have left a big impact on you?
My trip to Denver for the OneSeed Staff Summit stands out. It will be used as a point of reference for anything related to my work in tourism; from planning, expanding, and experience in general. I had a chance to meet wonderful friends and learned from them too.
The greatest of all is how Chris (OneSeed’s founder) strived a lot to make sure we traveled as "kids" and he was a really a "dad" to us during our four-day kayaking trip. Guys, the experience of seeing Chris carrying almost everything that we needed for the trip in his giant raft, including (I'm whispering here) "our poops" (now I'm speaking loud!) really humbled me and I never stop thinking about how much that meant to me. I STRONGLY RESPECT THAT.
Kate Mason - Denver, CO USA
How has travel positively impacted your life?
It started with road trips around the US with my family and grew into a love of discovering new places and seeing different ways of living around the world. From some of my earliest memories scrambling across the deserts of West Texas to living and working across continents, travel has impacted every facet of my life by introducing me to the most amazing people and places. My perspective is constantly evolving and I continue to learn and expand my understanding of the world. The people I meet leave the biggest impact and most are just a WhatsApp chat away!
What are you most grateful for this year?
Over the past two years I've flown to 10 countries on five continents thanks to the little blue book I keep tucked away in my jacket pocket. It's taken years of travel to truly understand the value of my American passport and the freedom it awards me. To be able to cross borders so freely, to experience other cultures and other lives, to make new and wonderful friends, and to visit loved ones living far from home. It's a reminder of the privilege I have, a reminder to value every travel moment both good and bad. To keep my eyes open and to express deep gratitude for the freedom of movement and the freedom to choose.
What are you most grateful for this year?
Gabriel Makwaiya - Moshi, Tanzania
OneSeed Expeditions is the best in Tanzania! I say this because as a Mount Kilimanjaro Guide, it is very important to be professional and the best at your job. Through OneSeed Expeditions I had the opportunity to attend a WFR course (wilderness first responder course) this year so I am feeling grateful for the opportunity to continue learning.
Said Daudi - Moshi, Tanzania
Working with OneSeed Expeditions and for clients who have been happy with my service. Travel has provided me a way to positively tackle problems or challenges.
Gabriel Makwaiya - Moshi, Tanzania
OneSeed Expeditions is the best in Tanzania! I say this because as a Mount Kilimanjaro Guide, it is very important to be professional and the best at your job. Through OneSeed Expeditions I had the opportunity to attend a WFR course (wilderness first responder course) this year so I am feeling grateful for the opportunity to continue learning.
Bishnu Thapa - Kathmandu, Nepal
How has travel positively impacted your life?
As we know, there are different cultures, people, and belief systems. Travel teaches me to become more open and it helps tie us all together. Similarly, it helps me to experience and explore new cultures. Travel has given me a perspective I didn’t have before: for instance, how people survive and struggle and realizing and evaluating my own value. Travel has taught me to understand how totally different social culture can be somewhere else. I can feel a mix of happiness and frustration, especially in new places. It teaches me how to deal with difficult situations and patience, like problem-solving and managing stress when things are difficult.
Lastly, travel helps me make my own decisions and do things by myself, especially when traveling alone. It helps me to become independent and more confident and helped me to become more flexible. Once I visit a new place and meet different people, it teaches me to speak up and interact more as I hesitated before I had traveled anywhere. Travel has increased my desire, curiosity, and appreciation of the small things. It has definitely made me a happier person.
Matt Leach - Denver, CO USA
How has travel positively impacted your life?
In one word: perspective. In many words: perspective on what is important in life: connecting with others; perspective on how privileged I am to live where I do and have the experiences that I have; perspective on just how many ways there are to go about life on this planet of ours. And food. I love trying new food and attempting to replicate it when I get back home
What are you most grateful for this year?
If I had to choose just one thing, I guess I would have to say that I am most grateful for all of the incredible travel experiences I have had this year. In March, I traveled to Nepal as a client of OneSeed to trek to Everest Base Camp. I found out that I’d be joining the OneSeed team just before leaving Kathmandu to begin the trek - what a way to start a new job! Getting to know my new coworkers in Nepal, daily servings of dal bhaat, and experiencing epic views of the Himalaya with good friends made the trip unforgettable (as if Base Camp wasn’t enough).
I also took a road trip to South Dakota with my family, including my grandparents who are both in their mid-80s. I’m extremely fortunate that they were willing and able to do this with me, and it was a great reminder that travel doesn’t have to be exotic or physically grueling to be meaningful: it is all about the people you experience it with.
Backpacking trips with friends, checking a few more 14ers off my list, my first-ever multi-day rafting trip on our semiannual OneSeed Summit, and a bike trip to Utah were the frosting on my travel-cake this year.
Beatus Mtui - Moshi, Tanzania
What are you most grateful for this year?
Am so grateful for OneSeed Expeditions because through their motto “to explore the world, invest in people,” as their Kilimanjaro guide, I have benefited so much. Economically, they have improved my family income by providing to me not only enough work but also great advice on how to plan for the future (thanks, Lema!) which has resulted in many positive ways. OneSeed has also offered us further studies through Wilderness First Responder (WFR) trainings which has prepared me for different situations on the mountain. Without this, it would have taken a lot of time and money for me to learn it on my own. There's a lot of positive impact from porters and local institutions in my life as well. Many thanks to Chris, Glenna, Catherine, Lema, Renalda, and all members of OneSeed!
Tek Bahadur Dong - Kathmandu, Nepal
How has travel positively impacted your life?
Traveling has significantly impacted my life. Traveling is not only about the recreation or vacation, but there are so many chances to understand cultural diversity in the world. I have visited many popular trekking areas of Nepal including Everest, Annapurna, Langtang as well as North and South American countries such as Mexico and Peru. Both were meaningful to learn about global culture, traditions and hospitality. This fall I had an opportunity to host 35 people who were very high end clients in my life. I actively involved and shared my knowledge from beginning to end to their tour in Nepal.
Are there any specific travel moments that have left a big impact on you?
In August 2017 my wife and I attempted to board our scheduled flight to Mexico from Munich, Germany. Despite having all our valid travel documents, we were denied entry citing that our visa stated “December” as “DIC” and was “not correct.” We explained that our visa was in the Spanish language but they were doubtful of our intentions to travel. Thank god, the next morning, the senior police officer allowed us to fly to our destination.
Sospeter Shekika - Moshi, Tanzania
How has travel positively impacted your life?
OneSeed Expeditions has really helped improve my life by allowing me to guide trips up Mt. Kilimanjaro. I feel strong and am able to pay the school fees, supplies, and transportation for my kids.
Are there any specific travel moments that have left a big impact on you?
I guided trips up Mt Kilimanjaro in February and June of this year, which was really great.
Sergio Nuñez - Santiago, Chile
What are you most grateful for this year?
I am grateful that I can enjoy my life, my family, and my work. There are many travel experiences that have left a big impact on me, but in general, the smiles of the people bring me the most joy and to know different cultures and lifestyles.
Lal kaji Gurung - Pokhara, Nepal
What are you most grateful for this year?
Traveling helps us to discover the hidden things and places in the world, enjoyment, and knowledge. When we see beautiful places it broadens our mind. The older I get, the more interest I have in gaining knowledge about the universe. I have recently realized that I have started acquiring plenty of general knowledge about the entire universe and it has made me feel as if this world is just a single village and I am an inhabitant there. I’m feeling far closer with this world now and will continue to observe this earth deeper in the days ahead.
How has travel positively impacted your life?
The journey to next place always brings a lot of experiences that teach us so many lessons. I have visited some places outside of my country and have gotten the opportunity to exchange languages, culture, and hospitality. This gives me a kind of joy I will always cherish. The stay I had abroad in the past has taught me to broaden and change my perspective on life once I got back to my homeland. As a result, I now feel myself that I have changed my way of living with different principles and focus.
Are there any specific travel moments that have left a big impact on you?
I was in India some years ago and last August I was in Tibet. I got an opportunity to know and learn so many things. I was greatly impressed.
Chris Baker - Denver, CO USA
What are you most grateful for this year?
I'm most grateful this year to be working with an incredible team, scattered around the world, leading expeditions and supporting entrepreneurship every day of the year. The work that we do spans 9 countries, many languages, and connects people from all walks of life. I'm grateful to do good work with great people.
How has travel positively impacted your life?
Travel has been a big part of my life for a long time. When we were kids it was traveling with my family or taking trips to the cabin in southern West Virginia where I grew up. I then spent a good chunk of my early 20s living and traveling in a lot of the places where we operate OneSeed today. As a student I studied anthropology mostly as an excuse to visit new places. These days I'm fortunate enough to travel for the work. There's a big list of places I'm excited to visit for the first time as well as those special places I keep returning to again and again.
Are there any specific travel moments that have left a big impact on you?
I remember our very first season scouting routes in Nepal. We were hiking for weeks at a time to document trail conditions, meet with our partners, and train our first group of guides. It was such a special time of building this company and continues to shape our mission today.
Travel creates these powerful experiences that come from meeting and connecting with others. Through travel we connect with the world in a really low tech way. We eat meals together, we learn new words in unfamiliar languages, and we recognize how much we all value many of the same things.
Brighton Baraka - Moshi, Tanzania
What are you most grateful for this year? :
Honestly, this year tourism has been a little bit slow because there are fewer travelers coming to visit Tanzania. But thankfully we've been working and earning enough to take care of our families. I am also learning new skills, working with travelers to make their holiday the best possible as I pick them up and drop them off at the airport in Tanzania.
Goma Thapa - Kathmandu, Nepal
What are you most grateful for this year?
This year I found that I matured as a person in terms of work as well as personal growth.
Are there any specific travel moments that have left a big impact on you?
The earthquake in 2015 made me a stronger person while I was guiding with OneSeed Expeditions.
Brad Carothers - Denver, CO USA
What are you most grateful for this year?
I am thankful for family, friends, and life. Life gives you both positive experiences and negative experiences, and I am thankful for the lessons that can be learned from both the positive things and the negative ones. Life is a journey!
How has travel positively impacted your life?
Travel is more than just the physical act of going somewhere for me. It's not the landmarks, but the experiences and interactions that I have while traveling that make traveling fulfilling and addicting to me. Travel has opened my mind and heart to other people, cultures and ideas.
Are there any specific travel moments that have left a big impact on you?
There are two experiences that have made a big impact on my life. The first was my first backpacking trip with my brother. He provided me with an opportunity and an experience that I would not have had at that stage in my life. That experience with him changed my life and I am super thankful for him and that experience. The second was the 'Camino de Santiago'. The 550-mile hike across northern Spain helped me to understand what is actually important in life and what isn't.