345: From Colombia to Botswana: Life-changing Safaris, Immigrant Solidarity, and Co-Founding Africa Culture Journeys with Paula Gean

Episode Summary

Learn about the similarities between Colombian and Botswana culture, and how to take a life-changing camping safari. Paula Gean joins Matt for a wine night and talks about her experience being born in Colombia amidst the cartel violence of the 1980s, immigrating to Chicago and living in poverty, and then growing up in East Texas and navigating her Colombian-American identity.  She reflects on the complex experience of going back to Colombia at age 14, then talks about the origins of her lifelong activist journey and gives tips on how to stand in solidarity with immigrant communities in the U.S. today.  Paula then explains how she learned about Botswana through her husband, describes her magical first trip to the country, and shares her journey learning about the history and making connections between Colombian and Botswana culture.  She talks about co-founding Africa Culture Journeys with local Botswana people, and explains how she navigated the neocolonial dynamics in the African tourism space to build a sustainable company that empowers and benefits local people.  Finally, Paula describes how you can experience a life-changing trip to Botswana with Africa Culture Journeys and get a special Maverick Show discount.

Get The Maverick Show's

Monday Minute Newsletter

Unsubscribe at anytime. You can read the
Privacy Notice and Terms of Use here.

Get 3 recs from Matt for travel, culture & living beyond borders you can read in 60 seconds a week.

Paula Gean

Paula Gean is a Colombian-American world traveler and the co-founder of Africa Culture Journeys which offers camping safaris in Botswana that celebrate the country’s culture, heritage, wildlife, arts, traditions, and cuisine. It’s a mission-driven company that offers once-in-a-lifetime journeys which include unique cultural experiences, promoting sustainable tourism, and driving local economic support. She grew up mostly between Chicago and Texas and was a featured speaker at this year’s Latino Travel Fest.

What You'll Learn
  • Similarities between Colombia and Botswana culture
  • Why a camping Safari in Botswana can be life-changing
  • Why Botswana is such a uniquely special country and how to visit
Links From the Episode

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. If you click through any links and make a purchase, you should assume that Maverick will receive financial compensation (at no additional cost to you). We greatly appreciate you using our affiliate links because it helps to support the show and cover production costs of the podcast.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAVERICK SHOW’S MONDAY MINUTE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

CHECK AFRICA CULTURE JOURNEYS
(Get a 20% discount on a Botswana Camping Safari with code “Maverick”)

CONTACT AND FOLLOW PAULA

FOLLOW THE MAVERICK SHOW AND DM MATT

OTHER MAVERICK SHOW PODCAST GUESTS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

#1 BOOK THAT PAULA RECOMMENDS

#1 PERSON WITH WHOM PAULA MOST WANT TO HAVE DINNER

 TOP 3 FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

TOP 3 BUCKET LIST DESTINATIONS

COMPANY MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT IMMIGRANT RIGHTS IN THE U.S.

OTHER PEOPLE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

LOCATIONS WHERE THE INTERVIEW TOOK PLACE

WINE CONSUMED IN THIS EPISODE

OTHER PLACES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Time Stamped Show Notes

**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.

[1:17] Introducing Paula

[2:52] The Latino Travel Fest

[4:53] Immigrating from Colombia to Chicago

[10:33] Growing up in East Texas

[13:16] Going back to Colombia at Age 14

[15:35] Becoming an Activist

[17:32] How To Support Immigrant Communities in the U.S.

[19:58] Connecting with Botswana

[25:49] Bessie Head

[26:37] Cultural Similarities Between Botswana and Colombia

[28:27] Founding Africa Culture Journeys

[31:10] The Ethical Dynamics of Running a Tourism Company in Africa

[32:57] How to Experience Botswana with Africa Culture Journey

[37:11] What Travel Means to Paula

[39:25] The Lightning Round

[42:11] Find, Follow and Connect with Paula