Throughout our Jet Set travels we’ve met people from diverse cultures and backgrounds who all share a certain bond: they “get it.”  They get that a college degree and a six-figure job isn’t as good for the soul as it is for the wallet.  They seek out inspiration through incredible careers across the world.  They are the people whose lives you want to have (but might never think it’s possible), whose stories you love to listen to, and whose voices should be heard.  To salute these life-seekers we’re launching a new profile series called Jet Set Heroes and to kick things off, meet Laura Jane Williams.

Laura in bici

Nationality: English

Job(s): Writer, performer and free-spirit

Currently In:  Italy, teaching English and getting fat off of too much bruschetta, If there is such a thing.

Blogs At: www.mynameislaurajanewilliams.blogspot.com

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My Nanna went backpacking at 71. That’s sort of a lot to live up to.

I’ve travelled all over the world- from India to Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, European capitals, a couple of summers in France- as well as living in Detroit for a while and a stint working in a Sri Lankan orphanage. I was 18, and I didn’t even know where Ceylon was until I got out the atlas AFTER I booked my ticket.

I don’t actually consider myself to be “from” anywhere.

I moved all over the U.K. growing up and now going back to where my parents live it isn’t so much home as literally where my parents live. It just so happens that Derbyshire is beautiful, but that’s beside the point. It isn’t where my spirit can rest up easy with a glass of Prosecco and a big outward sigh.

I’ve felt many spiritual homes on my travels.

Rome stuck with me after I visited when I was 16- something about the rows and rows of trees and the way the boys all looked like beautiful girls- and India often felt like a fit. I remember begging my boyfriend at the time to look for a job in finance over there, and after we broke up I realized that actually, I could find my own job in situ if I wanted it so badly. I don’t think I’d get many visitors though- Mum wouldn’t even come and visit me in the States because the water might upset her tummy and there are too many guns. I’m not sure a diet of dahl and chapti would suit her, although she did once don a salwaar kameez for a curry night she hosted. She’s wild, my mum. (Hi, Mama!)

“For me the karma bank holds more value than the cash bank does.”

My life now is 100% removed from previous lives, with their fifteen hour work days and canceling plans at the last minute and never having the time to stop and talk about the weather; when I was always late or missing something or pent up with anger/frustration/confusion, and it started with taking a chance.  I have stories and memories and adventures to my name instead now.  That’s like gold to me.

I’m the only person I know who has been to Delhi and suffered constipation. Similarly, in Siem Reap, Cambodia, I got “backed up” and took laxative after laxative because they didn’t seem to be working. Five hours later I was I hovered stark-bollock-naked precariously over the squat-and-drop as I projectiled out of my bum, threw up onions all over myself and my boyfriend tried to help me stop sweating bullets. For anybody interested, I’m now single.

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