A woman who quits her job and sets out to explore the world Solen Yucel. His journey, which started in India, was instrumental in discovering both the world and himself. When his journey is over, he is inspired by the story of his departure. Dragons, Elephants and Kisses book He spent 5 months in partial seclusion on the Indonesian island of Bali. I met Şölen the day we shared the same stage at an event of the Traveling Women's Group. I learned later that Şölen, who immediately showed herself with her positive energy, wrote a book.
We met with Şölen to talk about both her world tour and her book, and she hosted me at her house. I would like to thank Şölen again for this wonderful hosting, enjoyable interview and this insatiable book.
Solen Yucel Interview
Şölen Yücel is the author of the book Dragons, Elephants and Kisses and is also a traveller! Thanks again to Şölen, who has been traveling the world for about 2 years, for answering my questions sincerely and for hosting. You can watch our interview as a Vlog or read the extended version below.
Şölen, can you tell us about yourself? Who is Solen Yucel?
I was born in Izmir, I moved to Istanbul after studying at the university in Ankara. After my 17-year professional advertising career, I quit my job in 2015 and hit the road.
How did you decide to quit your job and go, can you give us some details?
In fact, it all started when I became a member of the Couchsurfing system. I loved to travel, but I did not realize that it is possible to travel with such low budgets. When I started hosting travelers at home, I realized that such a world was when I saw how cheap they were traveling with couchsurfing or hostel accommodation with low budgets. With every guest who comes to my house, my vision is opened a little more.
In 2014, I wanted to try backpacking, too, and went to South America alone, taking a one-month unpaid leave. I spent a tremendous amount of time in South America and decided that I needed to do this longer. After that day, I saved money like crazy, I didn't really spend a penny, and at the end of 1 year, I quit my job, put my things in the warehouse, took my bag and started my world travel.
Can you tell us a little more about your departure story? Many white collar jobs want to quit but can't, how did you make this decision?
It's not an easy decision. There are a lot of habits, there are comfort zones. I questioned myself a lot while I was packing my belongings to put them in the warehouse, I even cried… I kept asking myself questions like am I doing something so ridiculous or am I throwing my career away? If you have a feeling that there is something bigger waiting for you in life somewhere and if what you have is not enough for you, you need to take a step. Things that I think will make me happy when I just graduated from university; I had a good career, a good house, a closet full of expensive clothes, nice things. Let me go to Europe, go to America, do a lot of shopping, not wait for the beginning of the month to buy something, these were sufficient criteria for a happy and comfortable life. I guess you have to have them to understand that these are not the things you really want, once you have them, I realized that happiness is not here. The main thing is to have the courage to let go of them. If it weren't for my long studies and my advertising career, I couldn't have made that financial savings. Everything in life has a reason...
Let's talk a little bit about your book, what does Dragons, Elephants and Kisses tell us about?
The book is actually the story of the departure of a woman named Nisan. When her life turns upside down, Nisan decides to realize her dream of making a world tour that she had dreamed of many years ago. Nisan is a woman who is fond of the comfort zone, loves to wear brand clothes, makes plates and can be called a "kokoş" white collar woman. She leaves all this and starts a journey from India with her backpack. The book tells about Nisan's journey both to Asia and to herself.
How do you name this book as a genre, is it a travel book or a novel?
This is a travel novel.
Are the events in the book your own road stories or fiction? The question on everyone's mind: Are you April?
First of all, I am not Nisan 🙂 There is not much about me in Nisan's life. Some of the events that happened during Nisan's journey are real. There are people I meet and get inspired by in real life while shaping the characters. We can say that 60% fiction, 40% real.
Will there be a sequel to Dragons, Elephants and Kisses? Will Nisan's journey continue?
There will be a sequel to this book, but not April. When I started writing this book, I planned to make a trilogy, I want it to be a trilogy called women stepping the world. The first will be about April in Asia, the second will be the South American adventure of another female character. We'll hear from April again, maybe we'll find out what's going on, it's hard to say since it hasn't been written yet 🙂 My intention is to connect two characters.
Is it time for the new book?
Intentions are to make it to the book fair by November, my publisher wants me to make it to November 🙂
Coming back to the world trip, what changed between the Feast before departure and the Feast after departure?
I don't consume as much as I used to, this is an important change in my life. I live with more minimal and fewer items and I am very happy with it. My perception and awareness of the world increased. It is not easy to understand such distant geographies from here. When we go and live, I realized that we are a bit spoiled when I see the conditions there and how hard people are trying to survive. We live very comfortably. I have a friend from Bali who worked in Turkey, she said, “You women in Turkey have everything, you have a washing machine, a dishwasher, a car, but you are still very unhappy. I don't understand why you are so unhappy.” People who have everything always want more, and we haven't discovered that they don't have happiness. Although now the personal development industry is heading in this direction, breathing therapies are like yoga… I hope it will be useful for those who want to spend some money here 🙂
What was the most challenging for you on the way? Food or solitude or something else?
There were countries where I had a hard time eating. I was pretty hungry in the Philippines and Vietnam, and I was getting sick of those smelly fish sauces. But somehow you adapt and you always find something to eat.
I was very tired mentally, I had the most difficulty there. After the sixth month of travel, seeing a new place every day, changing places… Your brain is constantly stimulated, this is a very good thing, but after a while your mind starts to go crazy. In fact, maybe it would be better to travel for 6 months and then stop and rest for 1 month. The longest I stayed in Bali for 3 weeks, I finally rested in Bali to relieve the tiredness of Indonesia in 10 months in Asia, I didn't have any cure left to travel 🙂 My schedule in South America was also very jammed. I was robbed in Peru, my passport was stolen, I had to stay there longer and I had plans to be in Ecuador for Christmas. Again, I had to walk around in a rush.
No matter how long we travel, I guess time pressure is always on us?
After a point, I started to say that I should not see this place, I will visit it next time I come. But my first three months passed as I must see everywhere, but I realized that it is not possible. Have we seen everything in Turkey? We did not see it, we have to admit that we cannot travel everywhere in the country we go to. In many places in Asia, visas are 30 days, so there is time pressure anyway.
You've been to so many places, what's your favorite place?
Bali. I really love Indonesia. I also went to a language course there, I speak a little. I love Thailand, especially the north. Ecuador has become one of my favorite countries in South America.
Do you have a plan for the next?
It's not a plan, but I'm currently freelancing, copywriting and translating. On the other hand, I collected jewelry while traveling the world, I have a business where I sell them. I have some income from there too. We shouldn't talk too big, but I don't plan on going back to a 9-6 life. I want to be able to finance my trips with one foot in Turkey.
I am going to Bali again for 1 month in the summer, I intend to spend the winter in Asia. Now I want to have a house where I can come and open my door with my key, throw the dirty ones in the washing machine and lie on that sofa 🙂 There are people who can travel longer, I appreciate it, but I can't really describe my tiredness right now 🙂
Do you have any suggestions for those who say they want to travel the world and take my bag and go out?
Yes, get out, what are you waiting for 🙂
Let them set their priorities well. When I decided to travel, I stopped eating out and taking a taxi. Instead of going and buying the third color of the same pants, put that money aside. You can't believe how much money has been saved… Those seemingly small expenses, what you say will happen to 15-20 liras cost a lot in the long run. It allows you to spend a comfortable month in an Asian country. If you really want to hit the road, set your priorities well and save money.
I don't believe in people who say it's free. Maybe you can set out with 20usd in a pocket of courage at the beginning of your 100s, but it is very difficult for our age. People want to feel a little safe. You also need money for the places you want to see in the places I go. Entry to Angkor Wat is 30usd today, 4,5tl in dollars. Have some money in your pocket, do not take shelter in the creator 🙂
Last question: Does he who reads a lot or who travels a lot?
One would be incomplete without the other. Just theory or just practice is not enough. I am a person who reads a lot, but I could not understand some things without seeing them, but there is no point in traveling without knowing. If you leave without reading, Angkor Wat will be no more than a pile of stones for you, and the Taj Mahal will be just a white building… Therefore, both those who read and those who travel know, the two complement each other very well.
Thanks again to Şölen for this nice interview.
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