Traveler Profile: Priscilla Tenggara
Nothing excites me more than meeting someone with Indonesian roots when I travel. Not only did I find someone to obsess over Indonesian food with, I also had the chance to spend an evening with Priscilla chatting about being a Third Culture Kid, travelling, and thinking about the future over aperol spritz and white wine in the narrow streets of Florence. Priscilla had the opportunity to graduate early but instead used the opportunity to go on study abroad programs in different continents. One of the cities she chose is Rome and though she's no longer in that city, she's continuing her pursuit to make the perfect cacio e pepe.
1. How did we meet?
We met in Florence, Italy. During my visit in the Boboli Garden, I befriended another solo traveler. Moments later, we found ourselves making dinner plans and she invited me for drinks, where I later met Nadia. It’s amazing how three people from different parts of the world coincidentally met and shared so many interesting commonalities. It was definitely a night to remember during my stay in Italy so far.
2. Where is home?
Home, to me, has so many different meanings as I’ve had the chance to live in Jakarta, Manila, Berlin, Hong Kong, Madrid and California. Despite living in Southern California for 15 years of my life, for me, I felt most at home in Berlin and Madrid where I had the chance to really explore my interests in art, technology and design.
Through an internship in Berlin, I was able to learn more about the booming startup scene in various European cities and how it’s changing Berlin as a whole. I also found the city fascinating as its home to a mix of cultures evident in its diverse art and music scene. This fascination with culture definitely carried over in my time in Spain where I had the chance to get to know the different regions and took road trips around the southern and northern parts of the country. Whether its the heavy seafood culture or the vibrant art scene distinguished by different eras, Spain truly felt like home, especially living in Madrid.
3. What drew you to where we met?
What drew me to Florence was the proximity to Rome and amazing stories about the city many of my friends have shared. I’m currently based in Rome and found cheap tickets for the weekend, so I figured it would have been the perfect weekend to explore a new Italian region.
4. Where to next?
Good question... as of this weekend, I’m heading back to Berlin. I’m exited to see some of my friends and the family I stayed with when I was living there. I’m trying to move back this September, so I wanted to visit it one last time before I make the final decision to move.
5. Place you’ve always wanted to go?
The Netherlands is still on my list. I have so many friends there and have heard so many amazing things about the various cities there, so I hope to visit it very soon.
6. Odd thing you always travel with?
Something I always carry with me is my little black umbrella. When traveling, I’ve learned how unpredictable the weather can be; so bringing a small one will always guarantee dry clothes
7. Book or artist suggestion that fits your frame of mind while traveling?
I’m currently reading, The Italians by John Hooper because it places an interesting depiction of Italian culture from its historical roots to its present day values. As a foreigner living in Rome, there are so many cultural nuances that differ from the Asian or American culture I am used to, so the book really pairs well with my travels in Italy and my integration in the local community.
8. What would you say to those who’ve always been itching to explore but don’t?
If you have the means to do so, please please go out there. Even if you don’t, saving up to travel outside of your home city will be a growing experience within itself. I always have this phrase I share, “life is much easier when you know what’s going on… so go out there and find out.” This applies directly into my personal growth through living and working abroad. I feel like living in new environments really pushes you to think and take chances. Traveling is honestly one of the most enriching parts of life since you really get to go out there and see how others live.
“life is much easier when you know what’s going on… so go out there and find out.”
Priscilla currently works in the Global Marketing Solutions team in Facebook, and is currently based in Chicago (though knowing her she's bound for different cities!). Learn more about her on her website.
Words and photographs by Priscilla Tenggara.
Interviewed by Nadia Pritta Wibisono.
Photographs are taken in Rome, Amalfi Coast, and Berlin.
More on Birds of Passage
A discussion on the slightly darker side of ‘needing to go’ paired with Stevie Smith’s She got up and went away poem.
There’s a few things I say over and over again when it comes to travel, and you might have heard them all before, quietly making its way in to the paragraphs of a range of articles and musings here. The one I’ve said most often is along the lines of “immersing yourself in a new city like a local”. But the one I’ve repeated, maybe here, maybe in my journal, and maybe in my many attempts of explaining why I travel to my loved ones is this: Travel is my reset button.