73. Lungile Mashele on Solo Travel, Freedom & Self-Discovery

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What happens when a song inspires you to book a solo flight to New York City in the middle of winter? For Lungile Mashele, it was the beginning of a lifelong love affair with solo travel. In this debut episode of the Chica Travel Podcast Season 2, host Lelo Boyana sits down with Lungile: Banker, Wine Connoisseur, and World Traveller to talk about the beauty of travelling alone, navigating safety as an African woman abroad, finding your most authentic self far from home, and why South America has her whole heart.
Whether you've been dreaming of your first solo trip or your fortieth, this one's for you.

Connect With CHICA Travel Podcast
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@chicatravelpodcast?si=pW4gjMI6rfwLx9Xo
Instagram: @Chicatravelpodcast / @MsLeloB
Chapters
  • 00:00 Welcome and introducing Lungile
  • 01:00 Her relationship with travel begins
  • 02:00 First solo trip to New York
  • 04:00 Finding yourself in a foreign country
  • 05:00 Solo travel and navigating safety
  • 07:00 Solo travel versus travelling with others
  • 10:00 Why South America has her heart
  • 12:00 Turning 40 in Brazil
  • 18:00 The cancelled flight that changed everything
  • 20:00 Letting travel unfold
  • 21:00 India and challenging assumptions
  • 23:00 Choosing when to travel solo
  • 24:00 Solo travel habits and daily structure
  • 27:00 Travelling for experience versus content
  • 31:00 Advice for women who want to travel alone
  • 33:30 The two versions of me
  • 34:45 Having something to look forward to
  • 36:00 Greece, jazz festivals and planning trips
  • 37:45 Balancing a 9 to 5 and travel
  • 39:00 Final reflections
19 Feb English South Africa Places & Travel

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