Traveler Interview: Tamara Deal
Even in locations like Durnstein, Austria on the Danube River, Internet Marketing Consultant Tamara Deal is able to stay in touch with her clients.
As an Internet Marketing Consultant, Tamara Deal helps small businesses establish and improve their internet presence. A WSI franchisee, she works with clients on their internet marketing solutions.
In addition to obtaining two degrees from Iowa State University, Tamara spent a year abroad in Canterbury, England studying at the University of Kent.
The backbone of her company — the internet — enables Tamara to travel without disrupting her business. Her computer always travels with her and she also uses internet cafes to stay in touch with customers.
Tamara and several family members recently took a river cruise on Europe’s Danube, Main and Rhine Rivers. We were curious to learn about her travel experiences.
The Jones: What inspires you to travel?
Tamara: It’s fun! I like learning new things, seeing different places, and experiencing other cultures.
Constructed in the 13th century at a ford in the Vltava River the ÄŒeskí½ Krumlov Castle overlooks the town of the same name in the Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic.
Have you always enjoyed travel? What contributed to your love of travel?
Tamara: Yes, I’ve always enjoyed travel. I got my 1st set of “wings” for flying on an airplane when I was just a few months old. My dad was in the Navy and his family was back in Iowa, so my parents were taking the baby (me) back for everyone to see.
My grandma also loved to travel so it might be inherited. She graduated from high school and took a trip from Iowa to Yellowstone National Park and San Francisco in the early 1900’s. Before her death, she visited every continent except Antarctica.
What is your favorite destination? Why?
Tamara: That’s a tough question. There are a lot of places that I’ve visited and really liked – London, Telluride, Cesky Krumlov, Montserrat* (the Caribbean island, not the Missouri town) and Chichen Itza. The next place that I’m going to visit is also always a favorite!
It’s a tough question because all the places that come to mind are very different and the reasons that I liked them are just as different. Each is a beautiful and interesting place in its own way.
Renaissance paintings cover the courtyard walls in ÄŒeskí½ Krumlov Castle. Photos courtesy of Tamara Deal.
What did you like most about river cruising?
Tamara: It was a very relaxing way to travel! The rivers are beautiful and it’s so easy. No need to pack and unpack all the time. Once you were on board the boat, you were settled until it was time to leave.
In Europe, rivers were the interstate highway system of previous generations. So the older, more historic parts of the towns are near the river.
Why do you think that travel is important?
Tamara: The world is becoming more global. I think it’s important that we learn about other cultures and other countries. America has been fairly insulated, especially here in the Midwest.
The Bone Cathedral near Kutní¡ Hora houses the bones of 40,000 people who died during the Black Death in the mid 14th century and the Hussite Wars in the early 15th century. This coat of arms was constructed from the bones.
What destination has surprised you the most, either good or bad?
Tamara: Mondsee – the church where Maria’s wedding in The Sound of Music was filmed. The cinematography made the church look much bigger in the movie than it seemed in person.
From your travels, do you have a practice or insight that makes your travel experiences more enjoyable?
Tamara: I try to learn more about where I’m going before the trip. What I get done varies – I’ve studied the architecture, cuisine, language, history and religions to learn more before I go.
Tamara: Pack light!
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*When seeing Montserrat mentioned in Tamara’s interview, we thought of the a place we enjoyed visiting – the Montserrat mountains outside of Barcelona, home to Santa Maria de Montserrat, a Benedictine abbey.
Tamara’s mention made us curious about the Montserrat in Missouri. A quick Google search turned up several interesting stories.
According to this link on Waymarking, the village of Montserrat, Missouri – an unincorporated town near Knob Noster and Warrensburg, Missouri – was named by its founder John A. Gallaher, who operated a coal mine in the hills above the village. The terrain above the village reminded him of the Montserrat Mountains in Spain.
Today little remains in Montserrat, Missouri, but the village is still notorious for an October 1904 train disaster. One of the crowded passenger trains carrying families to the St. Louis World’s Fair crashed into a freight train at “Dead Man’s Curve” near Montserrat.
Lyndon Irwin wrote a book on the train tragedy, called “There will be a wreck!” Read more about the train wreck in this article.
We enjoy learning about other people’s travel discoveries. What fuels your travel passion? Please share in comments.
Read More Traveler Interviews:
- “Be flexible. Un-planned events are our favorites.” A Travel Chat with the Johnsons, former European Ex-pats.
- “When I travel”; it’s the differences in how people approach things that really inspire me “;” A Travel Chat with an Advertising Man
- “You can read about other parts of the world, but until you experience it, you don’t truly appreciate what is out there.” – A Travel Chat with an Investment Advisor
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