Hello friends, I’m Sixtina!

Yes, Sixtina is my real name, just like the number 16.

Here is me in a few words:

Expat. World Traveler. Explorer. Volunteer. Storyteller. Nature Lover. Consumer of anything edible. Infinite Learner. Mom of two.

But let’s start from the beginning…

I’m a German girl made in the 90s, from Erfurt, a small city in East Germany. My expat life started early. As a teenager, I spent a year at an American high school to learn English. Then I studied four years in the Netherlands, with a semester in Mexico and an internship in Spain, six months each.

After studies, I moved to Ireland for work and stayed four years. I’ve got to experience island life, wild nature and green views. It’s where this blog was born and I first started writing down my adventures and life abroad.

Next, I took a break from the corporate world and fulfilled a long-desired dream: a trip around the world. It was shorter than planned though (six months only) because the pandemic had other ideas.

I came back to the Netherlands for another four years of corporate life. That’s when I also became a mom for the first time. Four years in the Netherlands, four in Ireland, four more in the Netherlands… this seems to be the magic number, eh?

Then I took another break from corporate and moved to Portugal for two years, living off savings and the money from selling our house. I enjoyed that time as a family and being fully present. I got pregnant again in Portugal, and my second child was born there.

After that, I moved back to the Netherlands AGAIN, and this time I’m here to stay. It’s my third time coming back, and I’m now a mom of two, still figuring out life abroad one small win at a time.

Fun Facts

1. I’m from Erfurt, where people say we have a funny accent. Do I?
2. I’m a big horoscope fan, and I often ask people for their birthday right when we meet.
3. I love a casino night. While living in Amsterdam, I even had a casino pass.
4. I’m always looking for other Sixtina’s on social media. Know one? Send her my way!
5. I always mix ketchup and mayo. Otherwise, no thanks.
6. I am scared of fish and therefore don’t swim in the ocean.
7. I am scared of flying even though I travelled quite a lot.
8. I do handstands everywhere I go.

Want a few more? Watch the video below.

FAQ

Do you prefer long term or short term travel?

Hard to say. Of course, I love both, but I think you get more out of traveling long term. After all, I won’t be alive long enough in order to actually have lived in each country on this planet.

My personal goal is to visit one new country each year and discover at least 2 new places which don’t necessarily have to be abroad. I am also a big supporter of local travelling, meaning in your own country.

Best travel experience to date?

Being invited to an African wedding of my friend in South Africa. I got to dress up in traditional clothing of the Zulu tribe and experienced the traditional rituals/ceremony from the first row.

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Another amazing travel experience was visiting an Indian remote village near Jodphur. Due to our car breaking down we even got to stay there longer than expected. It was the best that could have happened.

How has travelling influenced my life?

Travelling and living in diverse countries has definitely contributed to the person I am today. From a rebellious teenager, who only wanted it her way, was intolerant and very stubborn, to a simple woman who speaks several languages (more to come), is super open-minded, tolerant, patient, funny as well as spontaneous.

My life motto/mission?

I’d like to spread the message that the world is not a scary place, but rather full of beautiful souls.

People around the world are all the same, just live under different circumstances. However, we all share the basic needs/desires of love, being understood and belonging to a community.

I’d also like to promote the message that travelling does not have to be expensive, but is affordable with the right actions.

Since I want many more people to experience the pleasure of travelling the world for many more years to come, it is important to take care of our planet. Therefore, I’d like to share tips and tricks on how you can travel sustainably.