the stories | blog
Follow me as I adventure around the world to explore a variety of cultures.
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india
From slum searching to exploring the world's largest open air laundromat, Mumbai is a city full of colorful energy - this travelogue of Mumbai seeks to expose the most photogenic street corners and hidden treasures one must experience while in the 'hollywood' of india.
A series of portraits from India that were recently found on a lost memory card.
It is hard to believe that just one year ago I was sitting in this same exact seat against the backlit window of the United Lounge at Newark Liberty International Airport. As I sit and sip a delicious mimosa, I watch massive 777 planes take off to Beijing and Mumbai, or local 737's land and depart domestically to locations like Miami or Houston. Every single person has a unique traveling story which is why I find airports so relaxing, some may be traveling for work and many others for pleasure.
It is safe to say a lot has changed since last year - for the better of course! First off, it was exactly one year ago to the day that I was sitting here in Newark Airport launching this concept of a photo journal / blog whilst on my way to study abroad in the south of France. WHEREISPER was born to inspire my friends and followers to dive into the vast world in which we live. Getting out and creating your own stories are far more superior than reading Buzz Feed articles 'top destinations in your 20s' type of thing. With that being said, I have had the absolute best time sharing my journey via photo stories and blog posts with those who are interested. Within the last year alone WHEREISPER has been viewed in nearly 1,300 cities and 100 countries worldwide, a numerical figure that far surpassed any goal I had ever intended for when launching this concept of a website. With destinations like France, Italy, Sweden, Germany, Austria, India and Nepal added to the list in 2013, I have much greater plans for travel during the start of summer in 2014. With my relocation to Germany, I am making it a personal goal to take WHEREISPER to the next level and be much more consistent with photo stories & posts making things easier to follow and interesting to read.
Here are a few of my favorite moments from the past year - I am looking forward to sharing what the future holds for me as I start a new chapter in my life.
Speak soon,
Per
Sun bathing, Studying & Wine tasting.
Sailing on The Yacht Week, Sicilian Road Trips & Volcano Trekking
Flying in Gothenburg, Sailing the archipelago, interning & Summer BBQs.
Sun, Ski & Snow - need I say more?
Arctic Tundras & Sunday Brunches
Beer gardens, Hostels & The Ski Week.
Overnight trains, Traditional Curry Dishes, Tuk-Tuks, Silk Factories & Elephant Baths.
Easter, Wine Tastings & The Eiffel Tower.
Deep in the pink city of Jaipur, India I had the pleasure of meeting a 21 year old Indian tuk tuk driver who's enthusiasm for life created an aurora of cosmic energy that could make anyone smile. With his initial french impressions, to his "No College No Knowledge" quote this driver knows how to take life with a grain of salt - after all he has 101 girlfriends.
I would like to say that I have slept in some rather interesting places including the floors of Newark Airport, a room above a pub in Ireland, or an overnight train from Beijing to Xi'an, China. For those who know me they know I will sleep pretty much anywhere, but nothing compares to that of an overnight train in India.
Train Station at 10:30pm filled with tons of people, cows, dogs & noise.
The train station itself is out of a movie, I can imagine average train stations across the world would probably be slowing down for the evening at 10pm as the last few trains approach - which is not the case in Orchha , India. As our Tuk tuk approached the station the hustle and bustle of the night was just getting started. Hundreds upon hundreds of people gathered outside the station sleeping in rows with packed sacks of items to take back to their local villages , or the more harsh reality was because the overly populated India left these people with no where else to sleep.
As We entered the station we were greeted with women in colorful sari's , men in punjabi's, barking stray dogs, and cows taking an evening stroll literally on the train tracks. As each and every train approached, I sat and watched as people sprint alongside the train while progressively hopping on and off in hopes of getting a spot on the second class car (which is not air conditioned , has no beds, and has bared windows as if it were out of a jail.)
Our class was T3-AC which has 64 beds in one train car with 8 beds per compartment although each and every bed is open. I have never in my life seen anything quite like it - the atmosphere was parallel to a crowded concert line or Times Square in NYC (stressful, smelly, loud foreign sounds, and even stronger foreign smells). As I approached seat 32 (my home for the evening - also the direct middle
Of the train car) I realized there were 6 Indian men sitting across from me, barefooted - staring at me as if I were an alien from another planet. It's quite understandable considering the man to woman ratio on this train car is probably 29:5. I settled in to my middle bunk and watched as people pushed their way through to find their bed (pepper spray in hand).
The light above my head flickered for hours as if I were in an underground night club in Berlin , men walked by stopping to stare, the aroma was strongly influenced by garlic, curry and body oder while the car festered at a uncomfortably warm temperature. I knew I was in for one hell of a ride when I realized this was my home for the next 15 hours as we made our way from Orchha in MP to The holy city of Varanasi.
9 hours later I woke up to an entirely different group of men sitting watching me sleep - safe to say I was mildly petrified but flashed a smile and turned around. this was certainly an experience for the books that made me not only very appreciative for the luxury of space, but it was also amazing to see a society interact in a situation that I would consider similar to that of a cattle car.
Proud to say after a 4 hour delay we made it to the city of Varanasi in which I fell down a crowded staircase of a hundred people. Sounds typical!
Speak soon,
Per
Ever since I can remember I have been waiting for this day. Not in any particular rush, but rather the day in which I can navigate a path for myself in any direction I desire. Four years ago I came to the Savannah College of Art and Design on an academic and artistic scholarship to pursue photography. I enjoyed taking photos on family trips to China, and Switzerland but I had never actually considered what career path I would follow. Four years later, I am graduating with my BFA in Fashion Marketing and Management and concentration in Business Entrepreneurship (well isn't that a mouthful). On a daily basis I am constantly asked "So Perri, Where will you go next? What will you do? What is your plan?" To be honest, I think it would be rather closed minded of me to have a direct answer because I don't think anyone ever knows. Throughout my experiences thus far I will be able to make a decision on where I will move and what job I will take because it fits in with my personal wants and needs as of this very moment in my life.
With that being said, there is one thing I do know. I will keep on traveling. There are only a few years of every person's life where one can explore, dream, desire and live with no barriers. I have the ability to live inexpensively and simplistically in a place I love because there is nothing holding me back. For the next month, I will be traveling to Germany, Austria, India and Nepal. From skiing in the alps to backpacking throughout India and Nepal there truly are no words to describe my excitement. I hope to have the opportunity to capture the emotions of diverse cultures and the people of whom I am surrounded by to inspire you to take a moment out of your life to travel.
I have recently been asked several questions on how to fund trips. There are a variety of ways to save money while traveling. There are plenty of opportunities to pursue a short term (3-6 month contracts) as an Au Pair, English teacher, Chalet Host, freelance designer, etc. It may not be a high paying job, but it will give you the opportunity to see the world in a way that has changed my life. If you are traveling with friends post-grad I suggest staying in hostels, splitting food costs and buying a few books to guide you along the way. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have as you plan a trip - I am happy to help.
Anyways, I leave for the airport on Thursday, March 13 and will be returning one month later. I will try to upload photos on instagram @perrirothenberg, and will post when I return home.
Speak soon,
Perri
