I spent 5 weeks doing a work exchange at Howzit Hostels on Maui — listen to volunteers’ perspectives on their experiences overall.

Apply for this work exchange on Worldpackers.com

find me on IG @lydiaschultzz for more info !

for those feeling a bit lost…

welcome to part 5 of a series all about modern day colonialism (aka neocolonialism) within travel!

on this episode you’ll learn:

* why the world is NOT your oyster

* the ethics of bargaining

* do’s and don’ts to be a responsible tourist

find the full article here

https://gottacaseofwanderlust.com/2025/07/22/a-comprehensive-guide-to-modern-day-colonialism-in-travel/

additional resources:

• ​https://gotravelandtalk.com/blog/travel-through-neo-colonialism-lens
• ​https://www.easternstandardtimes.com/episode/when-you-travel-dont-be-a-colonizer
• ​https://linktr.ee/baniamor
• ​https://rootedstorytelling.com/rethinking-tourism/decolonizing-tourism-community-diversity-nature-culture/

thank you entering this conversation with an open-mind to becoming a better traveler :)

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connect with me here :)

Instagram:

✨ @lydiaschultzz

https://www.instagram.com/lydiaschultzz/

✨ @gottacaseofwanderust

https://www.instagram.com/gottacaseofwanderlust?igsh=MTJjZ2p6bWZpdXBrYw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

✨Travel Blog:

gottacaseofwanderlust.com

welcome to part 4 of a series all about modern day colonialism (aka neocolonialism) within travel!

on this episode you’ll learn:

* what is exoticism?

* the ethics of responsible travel photography and posting online

* the problem with the word “authentic”

find the full article here

thank you entering this conversation with an open-mind to becoming a better traveler :)

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connect with me here :)

Instagram:

✨ @lydiaschultzz

https://www.instagram.com/lydiaschultzz/

✨ @gottacaseofwanderust

https://www.instagram.com/gottacaseofwanderlust?igsh=MTJjZ2p6bWZpdXBrYw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

✨Travel Blog:

gottacaseofwanderlust.com

“You’re always gonna be a haole, just don’t be a f***ing haole.”

What does this even mean? Listen to find out… if you plan to visit Hawaiʻi, it’s the key to being an unproblematic tourist.

Celest and I met on my first visit to Hawaiʻi in May of 2022.

We reconnected to talk about her experience living on the Big Island for 5 years before recently moving back to LA.

on this episode, we chat about:

- what Celest learned from living in Hawaiʻi

- how to a respectful traveler/tourist to the islands

- important Hawaiian words and cultural norms to know before visiting

featured questions:

1. What are some ethical guidelines to know before traveling to Hawaiʻi?

2. Did you ever experience resentment as an outsider during your time living in Hawaiʻi?

3. What’s the greatest lesson the islands taught you?

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connect with Celest here!

✨ Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/celestdablessed?igsh=bmlkdjd6a3ljd2x0

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learn more about Hawai’i here:

🌺 Hawaiian words to know https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/media/1682/maemae-glossary-of-common-hawaiian-vocabulary.pdf

🌺 https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-dark-history-of-the-overthrow-of-hawaii-sydney-iaukea

🌺 https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/learn-the-rich-history-of-hawaii/21599/

🌺 https://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/what-native-hawaiians-want-you-to-know-about-visiting-hawaii

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connect with me here :)

Instagram:

✨ @lydiaschultzz

https://www.instagram.com/lydiaschultzz/

✨ @gottacaseofwanderust

https://www.instagram.com/gottacaseofwanderlust?igsh=MTJjZ2p6bWZpdXBrYw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

✨Travel Blog:

gottacaseofwanderlust.com

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welcome to part 3 of a series all about modern day colonialism (aka neocolonialism) within travel!

on this episode you’ll learn:

* how we objectify cultures if we are unaware

* cultural appropriation vs. appreciation

* cultural commodification and examples in travel

find the full article here

thank you entering this conversation with an open-mind to becoming a better traveler :)

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connect with me here :)

Instagram:

✨ @lydiaschultzz

https://www.instagram.com/lydiaschultzz/

✨ @gottacaseofwanderust

https://www.instagram.com/gottacaseofwanderlust?igsh=MTJjZ2p6bWZpdXBrYw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

✨Travel Blog:

gottacaseofwanderlust.com

Aishola was born and raised in Kyrgyzstan, specifically the northern part of Kyrgyzstan in a town called Karakol. She currently lives in Bishkek, which is the capital of Kyrgyz Republic.

Aishola is also the founder of Travel Atelier & Production 4274°, in which she leads conscious-oriented tours and assists with documentary filming in Central Asia.

on this episode, we chat about:

* what it’s like to live and grow up in Kyrgyzstan

* Aishola’s solo travel adventures on her bike

* Travel advice and recommendations to know before visiting Kyrgyzstan

featured questions:

1. What makes Kyrgyzstan distinct from other parts of Central Asia?

2. What was it like growing up in Karakol?

3. What recommendations/advice do you have for people traveling to Kyrgyzstan? Specifically, solo female travelers?

4. Can you talk more about solo bikepacking and completing the Silk Road Mountain Race?

5. What’s your take on responsible tourism in Kyrgyzstan?

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connect with Aishola here!

✨ Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/aishoolaaisaeva?igsh=dGZ0bzgxNXczbjlw

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connect with me here :)

Instagram:

✨ @lydiaschultzz

https://www.instagram.com/lydiaschultzz/

✨ @gottacaseofwanderust

https://www.instagram.com/gottacaseofwanderlust?igsh=MTJjZ2p6bWZpdXBrYw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

✨Travel Blog:

gottacaseofwanderlust.com

✨Travel Guides:

https://www.thatch.co/@gottacaseofwanderlust

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welcome to part 2 of a series all about modern day colonialism (aka neocolonialism) within travel!

on this episode you’ll learn:

* the “bucket-list mentality”

* an intro to unequal power dynamics and why you should be aware of your privileges

* the dark side of voluntourism… are you unintentionally guilty of the “savior complex”?

find the full article here

thank you entering this conversation with an open-mind to becoming a better traveler :)

━━━━━━━━ ⟡ ━━━━━━━━

connect with me here :)

Instagram:

✨ @lydiaschultzz

https://www.instagram.com/lydiaschultzz/

✨ @gottacaseofwanderust

https://www.instagram.com/gottacaseofwanderlust?igsh=MTJjZ2p6bWZpdXBrYw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

✨Travel Blog:

gottacaseofwanderlust.com