Meeting Sally

Traveling is always that one thing that each of us desires.....some of us plunge in, while some of us live vicariously through travelers like our Kenyan travel expert and highlight of this week, Sally. I officially met Sally for the first time in Las Vegas at the famous Kenyan after party spot AKA Watering hole, Planet Hollywood. We were both pretty hammered, and we devoured some Earl’s sandwiches with extra zeal and gusto. I am not sure whether whatever we were talking about was directly proportionate to our giggles and laughs or it was the effects of whatever we had imbibed - but we had a great time. She’s as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside and I’m glad that she agreed to let us in into her fascinating world and life. 

Here’s Sally unmasked in our very first interview Afrotraveling blog on iDiasporan. 

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​Please tell us about yourself in a nutshell 

My name is Sally Gachunji. I am 39yrs old.  I am currently living a nomadic lifestyle after quitting my job in Atlanta and selling all belongings to travel the world indefinitely.

Please tell us a bit about your background.

I was born & raised in Nakuru town. I went to Mama Ngina & St. Xavier’s Primary Schools followed by Menengai High School.  I later attended Connecticut School of Broadcasting in Atlanta.

When and how did you came to the US? 

I came to the USA for an internship program at Johnson Controls.  This was sponsored by  Internships for America. It was an 18 month program.

What does being a diasporan mean to you?

This is such a huge topic to explore.  To make it short, being a diasporan makes me a global ambassador of my country.  Whenever I meet people people of different backgrounds outside of Kenya, it’s my responsibility to represent Kenya in the best light.  I find myself encouraging others to add Kenya to their list of destinations to visit both for business & leisure. There are many opportunities & beautiful destinations to explore. Being a disporan also means that I am exposed to many more opportunities/ideas and that has made me multi dimensional as a result.

Sally in the Bahamas

What doors have been opened by virtue of your living here?

I would say that living here has exposed me to international standards of doing business & being able to relate with people of different backgrounds. I have developed the skills and confidence that I have used to rise up in my career in hospitality management.

What’s your professional background, and how has it influenced your travel?

Until last September (before quitting my job to travel the world) I was a Catering Sales Manager at a large chain hotel for about 12 years. I studied Broadcast Journalism.  My biggest travel inspiration/idol is Anthony Bourdain.  His shows have inspired my wanderlust like no other.  I always envisioned hosting a show of my own featuring unpopular destinations that have so much to offer but yet they are under-looked.

Why did you decide on traveling?

Traveling chose me :-) I inherited my wanderlust from my dad.  It’s been part of my life since childhood.  We went on many trips across the country & I knew at an early age that I enjoyed exploring.  It just intensified as an adult.  

Traveling brings me immeasurable joy! Setting out to a new destination, meeting people, experiencing a new culture, food, getting off the beaten paths  and even getting lost has enriched me in ways I never thought possible. Traveling is also highly educational & inspiring.

Sally in Millan, Italy

What are your parents background, and did they influence the trajectory of your life and choices so far?

My parents are both from Nakuru.  They both worked hard (as civil servants) to raise our family & instilled the value of education both in a classroom setting & outside of it to make us well rounded and responsible individuals. As said earlier, my dad inspired my travel bug.

What advise would you give to diasporans about life in general in the diaspora from your experience? What survival tactics have you employed and they have worked for you? 

Take advantage of all the opportunities available to you! They are in plenty.  Some employers offer tuition reimbursement or free courses which are amazing in both professional and self development. For those in America, especially the newbies, knowing & understanding your credit is key for success in being financially savvy.  There’s a free download online explaining it easily by Fannie Mae.

Survival tactics:  Never give up! Being open minded is key.  Respect everyone from all walks of life.  Your subordinate could be your boss tomorrow or someone who can open doors for you.

Sally in Dubai

Some of us cannot travel because of lack of opportunity, finances, time constraints, family, travel documents and many other reasons few and far in between but our Sally has tips on how to make those local and international trips a breeze...especially for your pockets! Join us on the other half of her interview for this and more!

You can also follow these Links to all her social media.

Website:      www.SallygWorld.com

Instagram:   www.instagram.com/MsSallyNG

Twitter:        www.twitter.com/MsSallyNG

Facebook:   www.facebook.com/sallygworld

Snapchat:   MsSallyNG