Interview with Shabana Sayyed

Interview with Shabana Sayyed: Shabana Sayyed is a famous travel blogger from Pune. Shabana always creates a creative content on new places, cultures, food, reviews and ratings. We had a great discussion while Interview with Shabana Sayyed.

Who is Shabana Sayyed ??

Amar Ajnalkar: Tell our readers about yourself?

Shabana Sayyed: Hi, I’m Shabana Sayyed from Pune. By profession I’m an accountant and travelling is my passion. I belong to a middle-class family & being the head of the family I had to take care of all family responsibilities & then plan my trips accordingly. Love to know about new cultures, their foods, different languages and to meet local people to interact with them about their thoughts. On social media, people know me as a solo traveller. 

Amar Ajnalkar: How did you come up with the name for your Instagram account?  

Shabana Sayyed: I always thought that people should know about my personal travelling experiences to different countries in regards to cultural information, being foody I like to explore the places with good food. I personally prefer Street foods, where I feel attached to the foods. So, I came up with this special name that shows my separate identity Solo_Traveller_Shabana, to connect youths who love to travel.

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I have never stayed in hostel while traveling. It's was my first time experience that I stayed in hostel mix dormitory at Zostel Paharganj. Stepping into a hostel for the first time can be quite a daunting experience for some people it could be from fear, not knowing what to expect, not being socially confident, sometimes it could be from other guests being intimidating. It was amazing experience for me. I made many friends over there. Staff was very helpful. I choose zostel because of many Solo Travellers recommendations. Thank you solo travellers. #nature #holiday #vacation #adventure #ig #roadtrip #foto #explore #passionpassport #travelblog #mytripmyadventure #instatraveling #travelingram #lonelyplanet #explorepage #photoofday #sightseeing #wander #instagram #beautifuldestination #solotravel #solotraveller #picoftheday #photography #travellingthroughtheworld #travel #incredible #travelphoto #traveltheworld #wanderlusting

A post shared by solo_traveller_shabana (@solo_traveller_shabana) on Feb 28, 2020 at 9:39pm PST

Amar Ajnalkar: What is the best thing about being an influencer?

Shabana Sayyed: I never thought of becoming an Influencer, I only believed in Loving myself, travelling is my hobby, being Female I started motivating my family and friends. I don’t remember when I became an Influencer for them, after completion of my journey they used to have a craze to know my experiences, get to know the culture and they would appreciate me and started to share their experiences when they travelled to those places. You never know, When & How you may Influence them with our experiences. 

Amar Ajnalkar: What is the best collaboration experience that you have done with a brand?

Shabana Sayyed: Not yet received any Collaboration with any kind of Brand, but looking forward and love to gain experience.

Amar Ajnalkar: How many hours a day do you work and how is your daily schedule?

On weekdays the regular working hours is 8 -10 hours. My morning starts with Yoga or walking to keep myself fit & healthy, other household works. In my free time, I like to read books, watch web series or movies. Sunday’s I like to explore nearby places.

Amar Ajnalkar: Is the influencer profession affecting your family life? if yes then how?

Shabana Sayyed: NO…! Rather it has inspired my other siblings & cousins. I am the first Female Solo Traveler in my both Paternal & Maternal family. 

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News paper article on 21/02/2020 sorry sharing late. Translating this for those don't understand Marathi language. "Pigeons can have eagle feathers, but the skyscraper has to be in the blood. Because the sky cannot be adopted. " – W B. Shabana Sayyed, a 'solo traveler' who is a skyscraper, realised what a 'skyscraper' really is when he overcomes all his dreams, overcoming financial, social, family, educational difficulties. A girl who has not been able to move or visit relatives in her childhood has traveled alone to six countries, some states, cities, treks in India. First solo trip – Thailand. Being a girl how to travel alone that too abroad, language barrier was the main concern. So I decided to overcome the fear of English speaking, "says Shabana. On her next trip, she met many solo travelers like her from other countries. Coming from middle class family & being the head of the family she had to take care of all family responsibilities & then plan her trips accordingly. The rules she follows are a guide for each of us. She makes sure that traveling abroad will not exceed Rupees Fifty Thousand. She stays in Hostels, Instead of a cab, she rents a local bike & Travel on it. She opts for street food or local dining instead of Expensive Restaurant & hotels. All this factors help her in experiencing the local culture closely. Moreover, she has a separate bank account for her travels. So that she can travel a maximum of two countries and four cities a year. "Every journey is a new experience. The ethos of culture, exchange of cultures enriches me. Fulfilling my dream as well as family responsibilities gives me a independent identity. "With her traveling enthusiasm and confidence, she has become popular among her family, relatives. Everyone wants to know about her traveling experience, few of them want to travel solo same as her. And Shabana is always happy guides them. "Plan any journey without underestimating yourself. If you respect yourself, other people will respect you too. While solo traveling, you get to know yourself better. " Isn't it? #gogirlguides #wearetravelgirls #travelgirl#womenwhotravel #sheisnotlost #girlboss#instatravel #travelette #solo

A post shared by solo_traveller_shabana (@solo_traveller_shabana) on Mar 26, 2020 at 7:34am PDT

Amar Ajnalkar: What motivates you in life?

Shabana Sayyed: Exploring all countries in the world is the biggest achievement and Solo goal of my life. Love to live my life for my family & friends but on my terms & conditions without hurting anyone. Exploring life, Flying like a bird and to learn survival in every condition.

Amar Ajnalkar: What are your favourite books or movies related to your niche?

Shabana Sayyed: The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, The Secret and Who will Cry, When you Die are my Favorite Books & Favorite Movie is “Into The Wild “,” Highway”, The Trip -Series”

Amar Ajnalkar: What surprising lessons have you learned while influencing?

Shabana Sayyed: Travelling to each place is itself a Surprising lesson, as we never know or imagine How, Where, When we shall face something beyond imagination or expectations. This may be a Climatic condition, People, Food, Nature.

Amar Ajnalkar: Top 3 skills required to become a successful influencer.

Shabana Sayyed: 1. Passion to travel & Explore life.
2. Go with the flow.
3. Creating good memories.

Amar Ajnalkar: How’s your experience with Amar Ajnalkar?

Shabana Sayyed: I appreciate the hard work of Amar Ajanlkar, the way he explores & searches people like me to influence other youths to join this revolution. 

Amar Ajnalkar: Two lines for our reader.  

Shabana Sayyed: Believe yourself, follow your heart and focus on your goal, lastly to live our life in Present. Remember only good memories in Past and never worry for Future, because we can’t do anything in this phase. We all have a set pattern in our life which is education, Securing job, earning for Family, Living our self for our family, later when the age is passed many people lose many things, their dreams, the love of their life which may be anything like hobbies, passion or dreams. So only love your life with a true heart.