Sep-2013
Gábor Margés has got that wanderlust
A few months ago I met Gábor Margés through Twitter where he found my page and we noticed that our interests are very similar and that his nephew is a close friend of mine! So we got in touch and found out that if you do not like travel talks, do not get near us because we will not stop chatting about our adventures!
Since we keep on making each other enthusiastic with our stories, I thought let us share his!
Gábor holding an alligator in the heart of the Amazon
Who are you and where are you now?
“I am a travel entrepreneur, enthusiastic about traveling – especially to South America. I enjoy practicing sports (squash and half marathons), I like people with a lot of passion who have a goal in their life and I am passionate myself as well about so many things. I mainly traveled to South America, Asia and Europe. I currently live in The Netherlands but I consider the world as my home.”
When did you first get wanderlust?
“My parents always brought me along on their holidays when I was younger and traveling has always felt really good. During my study commercial economics in my third year (2003) I decided to travel to Brazil by myself, so I bought a one-way ticket to São Paulo and 6 weeks later I flew back home from Rio de Janeiro. I traveled around in Brazil during those six weeks and I was hooked to traveling and discovering more.”
Gábor in the Amazon
Why do you travel?
“For the adventure, getting to know other cultures, new impressions and being able to discover new things. When I was in my mid-twenties my friends had interests for other kinds of holidays, so I started to travel by myself. I travel for the special moments you get, such as experiencing an amazing sunset at the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio.”
How long have you been on the road?
“I lived in Buenos Aires for two years where I had my own apartment and lived the Argentina way. I worked at a local tour operator and learned a lot about the continent. Before, I traveled quit a lot for my squashing competitions as well. I had to travel to Australia and Egypt, and sometimes I could see a bit of the country after the games. Those were real good experiences.”
Enjoying nature
On average, how much do you spend a day while traveling and how do you fund your journeys?
“I guess I spend about 40 euros with food and excursions, but if I think about the costs of the accommodations such as the guesthouses it is probably more like 50 euros a day. During my professional squash career I paid all the overseas journeys myself, mainly funded by the income I generated with price money, competitions I played in different countries and because I was a squashcoach. After my squashcareer I paid my journeys from my “normal” day-to-day salary.”
What is your favorite way to travel?
“I enjoy traveling with local transport, and I prefer to travel overland to see as much as possible. I travel with my big backpack (75+15L) and smaller daypack.”
Gábor and his travel gear
Have you ever had any major safety issues?
“On my first big journey I went to São Paolo, and when I arrived I visited the main square. At the square were many shows of funambulists, magicians, and dancers, and so there were a lot of people that day. I noticed that there were a couple of guys looking for people who they could rob, but I did not feel unsafe or uncomfortable walking there. In Rio de Janeiro I visited quite some street parties where people got completely wasted, but I have never had any problems with them. I have some Indonesian blood running through my veins and I guess it might be in my favor that my skin is a bit darker than the average Dutch tourist.”
Who is the most inspiring person you have met during your journeys?
“Paolo from Brazil who lives in a favela in Salvador de Bahia was a very inspiring person to me. He worked at the guesthouse where I stayed and invited me to his own home. He owned very few things and did not have much money, but he invited me with his Brazilian hospitality. His wife prepared an entire meal for me and offered me freshly squeezed juice. It was very special to me, because Paolo and his family had almost nothing but they wanted to invite me anyway.
Another very unique and inspiring encounter was when we created a trip to the place in the Andes where the Uruguayan airplane crashed in 1972. Gustavo Zerbino is one of the survivors of the airplane crash who had to survive in the Andes for 72 days afterwards. Together with our marketing director Jose Luis Pastor and cameraman Victor Pellegrini we went to his home in Montevideo for an interview.
My friend Diego from Argentina is also very inspiring to me, because his friendship made my integration to Buenos Aires very easy. We became close friends and we still see each other every year.”
During the interview with airplane crash survivor Gustavo Zerbino (center)
Is there a place you have fallen in love with?
“Buenos Aires! I worked so hard for something I truly believed in over there and experienced so many things during my stay. For example I stepped into a relationship with an Argentinian woman who are very passionate and well… sometimes they can be drama queens too. Unfortunately I decided to return to The Netherlands, she started working as a stewardess and we had to quit our relationship. Buenos Aires gave me many new impressions every single day, and when I compare Buenos Aires to The Netherlands then all the Dutch days look-a-like. Every day after work I could take another street to walk back home and every other new street was like a journey.”
What is on top of your bucket list today?
“I have been to Johannesburg for 5 days for a squash tournament, but I have never seen anything of Africa. I would love to go to Uganda and see the mountain gorillas. The northern lights are also on top of the list, and I would really like to cross an entire continent by car.”
Do you have any tips for people who want to move to another country?
“Terms of language, feel no shame and dare to make mistakes, so you will be able to communicate with the locals quickly. Throw your Dutch norms and values overboard and adopt the new norms and values of the country. The only real tough thing is having to miss your family and friends, but you will make new friends who will take you along to their favorite local bars and you will learn the local habits.”
Exploring the Amazon
You now have your own travel company, what does ‘PLA’ stand for?
PLA stands for Pure Latin America, which is a very decent travel organization, born out of passion and knowledge. We like to treat our customers very personally and respond quick to their needs and wishes. We are there for you to organize a custom made quality trip to South America. My first goal with PLA is not to earn loads of money but to organize amazing itineraries which provide a complete experience that leaves one feeling reborn and fully enriched.
What is your craziest travel story?
It still has to come! There are so many things that I still need to see and do!
Go far – go deep. Let extraordinary things happen, at the limits of possibility. Take travel to the limit and then farther, with experiences reminiscent of childhood dreams, longing for adventure. Go beyond your limits! ~ Gábor Margés
About Renate Rigters
Ever since I left my home country I felt at home at any other place I went to. I enjoy getting to know more cultures by talking to strangers and hearing their philosophy about life. Speaking with gestures when you can not find a shared language, finding places only the locals go to and learn about their customs and values. Hanging out with local people makes me happy. The experience of every new place is a step out of your comfort zone where I like to wander around until it feels like a second home.
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