The Covid-19 crisis has unfortunately brought a huge setback in many industries and verticals. The travelling industry has undoubtedly been affected, especially for those who travel all year round. As far as how much we have learnt about the virus, Covid-19 crisis is not short term. It’s long term and it’s here to stay. We need to find alternative solutions that will help us cope with this problem. Travel geeks are also trying to come up with alternative means of global explorations and most of these endeavors are taking place digitally. This crisis is more about pondering and reminiscing the bygone times, to recollect the memories and to strengthen kindred bond – So when the crises is over and we are done with quarantine for good, we can go out and explore to our hearts fullest and be satisfied. Many have opened up online chat sessions to interact with their followers. The digital world is now exploding with more positive vibes from people who are trying to help us forget about the COVID-19 crises. We need people to come forward and influence others so that we can all look forward to a new horizon. Just like Shebs- a traveler, photographer, writer, videographer – I am not sure if there is enough titles to describe him but what I am trying to say is that he is a bandwagon of inspiration. In one of our conversions, Shebs has shown me some of his incredible work that he has done that has helped him to wade through this rough times and I am pretty sure that by the time this ends, he will soon emerge with flying colors. This time with different flavors. Here are some of my top inspirations from Shebs that I thought of sharing with you –
Have you ever wondered that music can be a very effective way of communication during a crisis? As a musician, I know how it feels but never have I imagined the magnitude of the impact it left on my creative mind. It started from someone in Italy quarantined at home and standing on his balcony playing a musical instrument for the entire community to cheer up. I don’t know how the idea came about but it sure did influence everyone around the globe as slowly people from other countries also started to work on musical projects, collaborate with other artists, and enter into live streaming online. Creativity got its wings amidst the lockdown and the kindred bond once again was enflamed with the spirit of unity in diversity. Maybe Shebs felt the same when he said –
“As I couldn’t travel, I wanted to unite my friends and family from around the world. So I had the idea of doing a sing along with them”
But Shebs did not stop here. His creative wings took him to new directions.
“I then started going Live on Instagram talking to people about their travel”
Initially starting with the intention of talking to fellow travelers from around the world, Shebs wanted to create a platform where people could share their experiences with enthusiasts. In these shows, Shebs and his guests talk about various different aspects of travel and their journey in detail.
“We talk about various things, and not just about how pretty a place is. Things like how we built confidence because of travel. We keep the conversation real and I think people have taken that on board very well”
His followers and well wishers saw him bring the likes of travel photographer, radio personality and Keynote speaker ‘The Travel Camel’ Shane Dallas; travel blogger, writer, journalist, and author Alex Schnee from ‘Alex on the Map’ and Diana Bancale, who is a renowned travel blogger, writer and journalist from Italy. Plus TV Travel Host Ernest White II from the hit American travel series ‘Fly Brother’ on his show.
“I have had some amazing numbers. My show with Alex was watched by over 120,000 people and with Ernest over 50,000 people”
“Diversity is a subject I have tackled and I thought it was right I spoke about it”
Surviving a crisis is about how one deals with the blow. It is about finding a solution that will help to overcome the problem and continue one’s journey in a brand new way.
Afterall, if you cannot continue being creative, you will eventually face extinction. Nobody wants to perish. And that is why we always look up to how someone is doing it so that we too can follow. Shebs’s efforts have been received with positivity and recognition from everywhere.
And his journey towards success has just begun. Shebs continues to explore himself in a different way…
“I’ve written my story on my journey through the 7 Wonders of the World which I am ready to publish. People can look out for the news on my social media handles @shebsthewanderer”
“I even designed a brand new logo which I hope people will recognize all over the world”
Shebs continues to make his well wishers wonder and love him even more. Let me conclude this article with another thought by Shebs when I asked him why he had named his show “15 Minutes.” Here is an excerpt from what he had to say –
“The show is called ’15 Minutes’ as I took Andy Warhol’s famous quote and made it into a show. Everyone should have a chance to tell their travel story’s and so guests who come on my show get that ’15 Minutes’ they deserve. I am finding out that people who have a small number of followings have the best stories. They know how to tell it. It has been a joy to talk to all of these people.”
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