[Me, Jessica Bailiff Sweet, writing lyrics or fulfilling Tour Manager duties; photographed by Mat Sweet, using a Harinezumi digital camera. We were touring Europe with Boduf Songs in March 2011, traveling in an American Road converted GMC Safari van, which turned many a European head.]
- Name: Jessica Bailiff-Sweet
- Hometown: Toledo, Ohio, USA
- Number of stamps on your passport(s): Not enough! My passport has mainly only been stamped at airports, so here, instead, is a list of the countries I have visited: Canada, England, Scotland, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, Norway, Italy, (drove through Monaco!), Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia…
- First international travel experience: I flew to the UK by myself when I was 26 in a post-relationship escape; first time on a plane, first time traveling alone. I loved it!
- Most recent international travel experience: In March of this year I did a European tour as a member of my husband’s band: Western Europe and Central/Eastern Europe (first time to Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Czech Republic).
- Jobs held that have involved global travel: I’m a songwriter, recording artist, and musician, which has given me many opportunities for global travel.
[Dresden, Germany at AZ Conni – We saw so much bad graffiti back stage, in bathrooms, and in sleeping quarters at venues. Most of it was band names and drawings of penises. I found this happy contribution very sweet. It also related to a conversation I’d had the day before in Berlin with a friend about the past tense of the word “quit” in English, so it made me smile.]
- Top touristy travel destination recommendation: I’m not a beach-goer, so I’d have to say it’s a tie between London, Paris and Rome. These are probably the most touristy places I’ve been, and I’ve enjoyed all three places for different reasons. Gent, Belgium, is my favorite European city, but I hardly think of it as touristy.
- Top off-the-beaten-path destination recommendation: I’m not sure how off the beaten path it is, but I do enjoy the Cotswolds region in England – small villages, a lot of thatched roofs, lovely countryside, and good people.
[Much of our time touring is spent in the van, driving from city to city. The scenes are often spectacular, but there’s no time to get out at take pictures. Here, I’ve shot through the windshield while we’re heading away from Brno in the Czech Republic. It reminds me of how vast and beautiful some of the Czech countryside was. Sometimes it’s just nice to capture the atmosphere or mood of the journey.]
- Solo travel tip: Write in a journal as you go, and photograph even the littlest things you don’t want to forget, as you will have no one else to remind you: “Remember that time in Iceland when we…” Also, PACK LIGHT!
- Family travel tip: Plan for time apart.
- Camera equipment: Lately I enjoy a digital point-and-shoot (Canon is preferable). Before that, it was the Pentax K1000, but I’m not shooting film anymore (it’s inconvenient and it’s not vegan).
[We had a lot of great food, but this dinner was exceptional. We were in Udine, Italy, and someone from the organization that presented our show prepared it for us. He was very passionate about food and cooking, and we were lucky for it.]
- Do you always carry your camera with you? (if so, in what?): When I travel, yes – in a tiny draw-string bag within my messenger bag, with all my immediate necessities.
- What is the best thing about traveling as a part of your job? I love hearing other languages being spoken every day, and meeting like-minded people.
- What is the worst thing about traveling as a part of your job? There’s not enough time to really explore or to get to know a place, usually.
[We played a really great venue in Ravenna, Italy, called Bronson. When I saw this classic western being projected over one of the bars, I knew I had to photograph old Chuck with the Italian subtitles.]
- What recommendations do you have for those that would like to find work in a field similar to your own? Be diligent, work hard, be smart, meet other people who are doing it. Don’t be afraid to try, but be warned that it isn’t easy.
- Soapbox: Many people in the world speak English, but don’t expect everyone you meet to do so. You will be treated so much better if you are polite and kind, and if you can, learn how to say hello, goodbye, please, thank you, excuse me, sorry, Do you speak English? and I don’t speak (insert language here). If someone can speak English, he’ll begin to, once he hears you struggling!
[Another window shot from the van, somewhere in Italy. My husband Mat is using his Harinezumi to photograph the mountains. I’m using the Powershot to photograph Mat photographing the mountains. The power and beauty of a mountain range are not easily captured with either camera, but it’s a nice memory nonetheless.]
- Why is travel personally important to you? I need to get out of my day-to-day life at home and feel a bit of freedom. I need to know there is more out there, and to see new places. I need to travel to help insure that my mind remains open and my heart compassionate.
- What’s the biggest mark travel has left on you? I’ve met most of my closest friends through travel, friends I’ll have the rest of my life.
- What’s the biggest mark you have left on the world? I hope whatever marks I’ve left have been small!
- Jessica Bailiff Sweet on the Internet: Jessica’s music Morc Tapes & Jessica’s music on Kranky
In joy,
Melinda