Summary

Jordhan Robinson, a personal trainer and delivery driver from a mixed British and Trinidadian background, shares his passion for travel, cultural exploration, and personal growth through his experiences, with a particular fondness for Vietnam.

Abstract

Jordhan Robinson, featured in the Globetrotters Writer’s Spotlight, embodies the spirit of adventure and cultural immersion. Born in 1996, he attributes his wanderlust to his diverse ancestry, which he humorously suggests has instilled in him a legacy of exploration and open-mindedness. Robinson values travel for its ability to expose one to new perspectives, break down cultural barriers, and foster connections with diverse individuals. His travel ethos emphasizes engaging with local cultures through food and conversation, and he has a deep appreciation for historical sites. Although he hails from the Midlands of England, Robinson's heritage and travels have shaped his identity as both British and Trinidadian. Aspiring to a nomadic lifestyle, he dreams of traveling full-time, either as an EFL tutor or a writer. Robinson's favorite destination is Vietnam, a country he admires for its resilience and complexity, offering both emotional highs and lows. His hobbies include Muay Thai, writing, cooking, hiking, and he imparts wisdom gained from his travels, advocating for mindfulness and flexibility in itineraries.

Opinions

Jordhan believes that travel should challenge one's comfort zones and preconceptions, and that it is a means to understand the unique aspects of humankind.
He considers food as a cultural gateway, asserting that sharing meals with locals is the best way to integrate into their environment.
Despite his introverted nature, Jordhan values conversations with locals and fellow travelers as a way to gain different world perspectives.
He has a profound interest in history, making visits to historical sites a must during his travels.
Jordhan identifies with both his British roots and his mother's Trinidadian heritage, reflecting his mixed background.
He is not fond of traditional work and prefers the self-employed lifestyle, with aspirations to travel and work simultaneously.
Vietnam holds a special place in his heart due to its vibrant cities, natural beauty, and historical resilience, despite its tumultuous past.
Jordhan enjoys training and competing in Muay Thai and has recently taken up writing as a hobby.
He emphasizes the importance of being present and mindful during travels, rather than rushing through destinations.
If given the choice, Jordhan would prefer a nomadic lifestyle, possibly basing himself in South-East Asia for its affordability, diverse cultures, and cuisines.
He prefers traveling on foot when possible, to fully immerse in the surroundings, but also likes to vary his modes of travel.
Jordhan advises travelers to maintain a balance between having an itinerary and allowing for spontaneous exploration, to try local dishes, and to prioritize connecting with people over just visiting places.

Globetrotters Writer’s Spotlight: Jordhan Robinson

Seeking adventure since 1996.

He tried scamming me seconds after this ‘wholesome’ picture was taken. Photo by Author.

Hello Globetrotters! Here’s a little information on me and how I like to travel.

My name is… Jordhan Robinson. You may be wondering why I have an ‘H’ in my name, I’m just as clueless as you (the ‘H’ is silent by the way).

I love to travel because… I love getting to know this big beautiful world. I reckon it’s my ancestor’s fault as my ‘My Ancestry DNA’ results cover almost every continent. So I like to think I come from a long line of adventurers who weren’t so picky about who they got it on with.

Seriously though, I love to travel because it allows me to see what makes humankind unique. Whether that be through our traditions, our food, or our pasts. Travel should rip you from your comfort zone, expose your prior preconceptions and bring you into contact with people you’d have never met otherwise.

My number one travel activity… Is to sit amongst the locals whilst I enjoy a good meal, watching the world go by. As you are stepping into their environment, this vulnerability and willingness to engage with their culture through their food is the best way to integrate. I always believe that food breaks down barriers.

Despite being a bit of an introvert, talking to locals and fellow travellers alike is a fantastic way to get a different perspective on the world. I also love history, so exploring historical sites is a must.

I come from… A mixed background, therefore it’s always been a tricky question to answer. Technically I am from the midlands of England, from the counties of Warwickshire and Staffordshire to be precise. I spent the earlier part of my youth in a place called Stoke-on-Trent, which is located in Staffordshire. Our summer holidays however were spent in the Caribbean.

See, my mother is from the twin-island nation of Trinidad & Tobago, a country I have spent a considerable amount of time in. So I consider myself both British and Trinidadian.

I work as a… Personal trainer/delivery driver for now. The aim is to travel full-time, working either as an EFL tutor or a writer of some description. Self-admittedly, I hate ‘work’ in the traditional sense, so the self-employed lifestyle suits me.

The best place I’ve been to is… Vietnam. From its fast-paced, energetic cities to its stunning, almost surreal natural beauty; Vietnam is incredible. However, the country’s beauty is betrayed by a dark past.

Nearing a full century of war, revolution and some of the worst atrocities to take place in modern history, visiting Vietnam is a complex endeavour.

However, this complexity is what makes Vietnam fascinating. The country is raw, authentic, and oftentimes unapologetic. Vietnam will knock you from your comfort zone only to reward you for your effort.

I believe a visit to Vietnam should be a rollercoaster ride for your emotions, with the highs bringing immense joy and the lows bringing great sorrow.

In my spare time, I like to… Train and compete in Muay Thai, which is my second biggest passion besides travel. Writing is a recent hobby of mine, which I thoroughly enjoy.

Cooking (therefore eating) is another big love of mine. Last but not least I love hiking and being in the great outdoors, especially with my two hiking companions. ⬇

Christmas walk with Lucy and my best buddy Simba. Photo by Author.

My top travel tip is… Be in the moment. Not only a travel tip but a life tip, take a few moments to stop and just breathe rather than rushing from destination to destination.

If I could live somewhere else… I would be everywhere and nowhere. I believe this world is too vast and intriguing to only settle in one place. I think I would base myself in South-East Asia, the cultures interest me, the region is very affordable and the cuisines are incredibly diverse.

My favourite way to travel… Is on foot. Something about feeling the ground beneath your feet adds an intrepid vibe to the journey. Otherwise, I like to mix it up.

Three lessons I’ve learned from travelling are:

Have an itinerary to avoid missing out on places, but also leave a few days free to explore as you please.
Try local dishes, region-specific if possible.
Connect with people, hear their stories and tell them yours. Pretty locations and beaches are great, but the heart and soul of a place are found in its people.