‘The best things happen unexpectedly’

Name: Ritty Tacsum
Age: 21
Occupation: Freelance photographer and multimedia artist

My best holiday ever…

So far it has to be south India. I went there when I was 19 years old and was deeply touched by the country.

As long as I’m in good company, I can be happy in the worst country on earth

I really appreciate the simple things in life and being there among people who are happy to livewith nothing more than the company of their family and friends was mind-blowing.

I despise superficiality and its absence in India made me euphoric.

I would never return to…

I don’t have an answer to this question as I’ve always enjoyed myself wherever I went. As long as I’m in good company, I can be happy in the worst country on earth.

The most dangerous place I’ve visited…

I’ve been to dodgy places but I wouldn’t pigeonhole them as dangerous. Adventurous yes, but not dangerous. I wanted to go to Libya last year to take some good shots but alas, my parents and friendsforbade me.

My favourite city…

Barcelona. Barcelona. Barcelona. I can’t get enough of this city… I feel that’s where I really belong.

There’s something enchanting about it, something that pulls me towards it. Barcelona is like gravity; the pull is there, one can feel it but cannot see it.

When I’m there, I can be myself. The city lets me be the crazy humanoid I really am. I don’t have to wear a mask… and that’s awesome!

Most memorable experience on an aircraft…

On the way to Venice. My friends and I bought a bottle of vodka before checking in. As soon as we sat down, we opened thebottle.

The hostess wasn’t too pleased and asked us twice to put it back into our hand luggage.

We ignored her and I don’t know how and why, but it was all gone in about 45 minutes. What happened after that remains a pitch black void.

My most treasured holiday souvenir…

As hippie-ish as this might sound, the bongos I brought back from India. As soon as I start playing them, it feels like I have teleported myself back to that marvellous country. They’re like a time machine. They take me back to 2009.

They are a reminder of how the simple things in life can give great inner satisfaction.

I bought this time machine for about €3; kind of cheap, huh?

My biggest gaffe abroad…

One too many chai teas in Alleppey’s Back Waters, India. I had taken for granted the strong effect milk has on me. As a result, I spent some significant time next to a hole. How I wish I had taken medication with me.

The friendliest people…

I never thought I’d find friendly people in India. But of all the places I visited, I have found India to be the warmest and most welcoming.

I had been dancing all night long, in this beautiful place surrounded by palm trees in the company of about 200 people from all over the world

Indians display intrinsic hospitality; they make you feel at home in their own homes.

They want to share the little things they have with those around them. They really are a loving bunch.

I never travel without...

My camera. I need nothing more, not even a phone. I love capturing these special moments forever on a 6 x 4.5 photo-paper.

In addition, I get pretty paranoid when I’m abroad; I always fear someone’s going to steal my camera, so I always carry about 10 padlocks.

The taxi ride I’ll never forget…

Location: Chennai Airport, India. Time: 11.30 p.m. As soon as we got out of the airport, there were two friends of ours waiting for us outside next to a taxi. They had gotten us a wreath of pink flowers as a welcome.

The driver tried to fit our huge backpacks into the boot and 15 minutes later we were on the way to our hostel.

The driver was driving way too fast. With every wallop on the road, petals from our lei were fluttering around us in the car making it almost impossible to focus on the road.

It almost felt like I was in a film by Tarantino. I enjoyed every second of this drive.

My all-time favourite holiday photo...

It’s of this little girl called Aisha walking barefoot on the sand in India. Her parents had a restaurant on their roof. They were really sweet and very hospitable. They suggested we should go for a trip to the Rameshwaram Islands and Aisha wanted to join us.

An unforgettable hotel...

My flight from Girona had been cancelled because of an attack of snow, so I had to find somewhere cheap to stay. My friend suggested a hostel where we spent two nights.

It was adorable; there were paintings all over the walls, a very intimate kitchen and about 50 youngsters. It almost felt like we were all living together.

My friend and I had a room for six people but there was no one sharing it with us. The first night after dinner, we went back and I realised there was a huge guy sleeping on the bed next to my friend.

I freaked out and accidentally stepped on his phone but he remained asleep. He left before dawn and we never saw his body again.

I return most often to...

Spain. I have quite a few friends living there and it’s always a good excuse to visit. I guess I’m drawn to free accommodation, good food and lovely museums.

Ideal travel companion...

Someone who doesn’t plan my holiday hour by hour. I don’t like following itineraries, I don’t like making plans and I don’t like to be controlled.

Country with the best cuisine...

Spain. I love having a measureless miscellany of tapas accompanied by some fine sangria. I’m still not sure whether I like paella or not, but every time I’m in Spain I have to have a plate.

My next holiday plans…

I’ve just returned from Venice to see Slava’s Snowshow at the Goldoni Theatre. My other plans haven’t been confirmed yet.

My dream trip…

Bermuda Triangle. As soon as I feel that I have achieved what I want from life, I would like to shave off my hair and book a trip to the Bermuda Triangle.

I partied hardest in…

Without doubt in Goa, India. Describing these parties as crazy would not do them justice.

On one particular night, I danced for about 10 hours. The DJ was playing trance music, repetitive beats that make you dance and act like a maniac.

I’m not really into this type of music, but I have to admit that I really enjoyed it over there, especially it being synchronised with psychedelic lights.

It was only at dawn that I realised I had been dancing all night long, in this beautiful place surrounded by palm trees in the company of about 200 people from all over the world.

My travel tip…

Never plan your holiday, the best things happen unexpectedly.