Globetrotter Writer Spotlight — Andrea Hoymann
G’day from a German expat living in Down Under
Hi Globetrotters. My name is… Andrea Hoymann.
I love to travel because… of the sense of perspective it provides. No matter how stressful life gets, leaving the daily routine behind for even a weekend reminds me of what is truly important: exploring new places, experiencing different cultures and meeting people from different backgrounds.
My number one travel activity is… hiking, mountain biking or working up an appetite through some other activity. Tasting the local cuisine is even more fun when your tummy is rumbling from a day spent outdoors.
I come from… Newcastle/Australia, but I was born in Essen/Germany. I’ve lived in Australia since 2007, when I spent a year studying at the University of Sydney. I fell in love with the place — and a man — and decided to stay. I’m now fortunate enough to hold both a German and an Australian passport which is an incredible privilege, not least because of the access to visa-free travel they grant me.
I work as … head of strategy at a digital marketing agency. I’ve been working remotely since December 2020. It’s been one of the nicer side effects of the pandemic and has given me a lot more flexibility and opportunity to explore. I started my career in journalism, though, and was lucky enough to be able to work for a German travel guidebook company once in my first summer as an exchange student here in Australia.
The best place I’ve been is… such a tricky question to answer! Some of my best travel memories are probably from a short trip to Brazil. I went there with a friend from Australia who was born in São Paulo and gave me the insider’s tour. We ended up seeing a full rehearsal of the carnival in Rio de Janeiro, an experience I won’t ever forget.
In my spare time, I like to… read (preferably with my cat on my lap), hike, ride bikes and do yoga.
My top travel tip is… to ditch Google/Apple Maps when you explore a new city (if it’s safe to do so). You see a place differently if you navigate it the old-school analog way. It forces you out of your comfort zone and increases the chance of memorable encounters with locals. It also makes it more likely that you will get a little bit lost — all of which I consider essential ingredients for a good trip.
If I could live somewhere else, I’d live in… Newcastle/Australia. I love where I live and feel privileged to call a place with such beautiful beaches, access to the outdoors and great local food my home. At the same time, I’m still close to a major city (Sydney is only a couple of hours South of here).
I do like the idea of living in different places depending on the season, though. I could picture myself spending the summer in the mountains and moving to the subtropical North in the winter.
My favourite way to travel is… Human-powered. I love travelling on foot or by bike. There’s something about the slower pace that makes you experience a place more fully. I also enjoy a long train ride much more than a long flight — even though these are unavoidable if you like travelling and chose Australia as your home base.
Three lessons I’ve learned from travelling are…
- Be intentional about the photos you take. Photograph the people and wildlife you meet more than the landscapes you encounter. They make for much better memories. Plus, no matter how amazing the photo of a perfect beach or majestic mountain range may be, it can never fully captivate the sense of awe and happiness you’ll feel in the moment.
- Read a work of fiction or watch a movie set in the place you’re about to visit before your departure. It’ll enhance the delicious anticipation for your upcoming trip.
- Spending an hour people-watching in a local cafe or bar is almost always more worthwhile than queueing to get into a world-famous sight.