Who is Reggie?
Hello All! My name is Regina Busse -aka- Reggie. Backpacker, Travel Writer and Adrenaline Junky are just a few of my M.O.'s! Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska my values are Midwest but my perspectives are global. Venturing to over 50 different countries by age 29, a once far-fetched dream to travel, has become my reality.
College opened the door to my first trip overseas. "Studying" abroad for a year down under. Geelong, Australia. I truly believe the personal growth and change occurring that year, set the tone for the next stage of my life. The wonder and awe of living overseas was addicting. The exciting accents, lifestyles, international friendships and handful of intra-Aussie trips, everything was a discovery! Discoveries that of course, came with a price. If I wanted to continue living and traveling overseas, I would need to work...HARD. Working to live, NOT living to work. A personal practice which persists today. Snagging a radio station internship, along with a well-paid Bartending gig, I funded the duration of my trip in Aussie, not to mention exploration through Southeast Asia and New Zealand. A novice backpackers dream!
After such an incredible year abroad, my transition home was difficult at best. Trying to find parallels between what seemed like two very different worlds, I struggled to balance my life here with there. I settled back as much as was necessary to finish my undergraduate degree in Business Marketing at Kansas State University but never lost sight of my love for the open road.
Directly following graduation, I departed on my next big adventure! A Solo Backpacking mission through Europe. With no itinerary, no time limit and no return ticket, I discovered a feeling like no other, Freedom. Freedom to do as I pleased, not what others deemed necessary. Freedom to choose whatever path I wanted. Freedom to spread my wings and soar! For a glorious 4 months of intra-European backpacking, I pinched pennies, dined on a dime, and yes, slept on more then one floor to save a few precious Euro's. I returned home with barely a cent to my name but a wealth of stories, insights and knowledge.
Next stop, the television production world. Pouring coffees and answering telephones eventually led to a front line job on a variety of commercial sets. Ever-changing and exciting, the production industry abounded in opportunity and potential but, as I soon learned, if your head and heart don't align you will never be truly happy. I made the decision to leave conventional and pursue my world wide love affair.
I continue to be irrevocably hooked on travel and will do anything to retain this lifestyle I love so dearly. Let's see, I've spent time in radio broadcasting, commercial production, title insurance, a handful of pubs and most recently the outdoor adventure industry. Spending the last 6 summers in one of the most beautiful places on earth, Interlaken, Switzerland. A self-proclaimed, "Adventure Sales Chick", I encourage tourists to live their craziest dreams by way of Paragliding, Bungy Jumping, River Rafting and Skydiving!
My winters continue to be a hodgepodge of travel. Spending months on end bumming around India and Nepal, relaxing on the exotic beaches of the South Pacific, getting up close and personal with Africa's Big 5, challenging the various terrains of South America, and struggling through dozens of language barriers along the way. My travels have also unearthed the importance of conservation and sustainable tourism. Visiting dozens of sanctuaries and reserves, I've discovered and nourished a love for wildlife and the great outdoors! I've also been involved with a variety of volunteer opportunities around the world. Building an orphanage in Imuris, Mexico and a school in Cha Chani, Peru, where I was granted the honor and privelege of teaching English to the local community children. These activities opened my heart to the joys of giving back whilst traveling and I encourage everyone to lend a helping hand on their trips too.
College opened the door to my first trip overseas. "Studying" abroad for a year down under. Geelong, Australia. I truly believe the personal growth and change occurring that year, set the tone for the next stage of my life. The wonder and awe of living overseas was addicting. The exciting accents, lifestyles, international friendships and handful of intra-Aussie trips, everything was a discovery! Discoveries that of course, came with a price. If I wanted to continue living and traveling overseas, I would need to work...HARD. Working to live, NOT living to work. A personal practice which persists today. Snagging a radio station internship, along with a well-paid Bartending gig, I funded the duration of my trip in Aussie, not to mention exploration through Southeast Asia and New Zealand. A novice backpackers dream!
After such an incredible year abroad, my transition home was difficult at best. Trying to find parallels between what seemed like two very different worlds, I struggled to balance my life here with there. I settled back as much as was necessary to finish my undergraduate degree in Business Marketing at Kansas State University but never lost sight of my love for the open road.
Directly following graduation, I departed on my next big adventure! A Solo Backpacking mission through Europe. With no itinerary, no time limit and no return ticket, I discovered a feeling like no other, Freedom. Freedom to do as I pleased, not what others deemed necessary. Freedom to choose whatever path I wanted. Freedom to spread my wings and soar! For a glorious 4 months of intra-European backpacking, I pinched pennies, dined on a dime, and yes, slept on more then one floor to save a few precious Euro's. I returned home with barely a cent to my name but a wealth of stories, insights and knowledge.
Next stop, the television production world. Pouring coffees and answering telephones eventually led to a front line job on a variety of commercial sets. Ever-changing and exciting, the production industry abounded in opportunity and potential but, as I soon learned, if your head and heart don't align you will never be truly happy. I made the decision to leave conventional and pursue my world wide love affair.
I continue to be irrevocably hooked on travel and will do anything to retain this lifestyle I love so dearly. Let's see, I've spent time in radio broadcasting, commercial production, title insurance, a handful of pubs and most recently the outdoor adventure industry. Spending the last 6 summers in one of the most beautiful places on earth, Interlaken, Switzerland. A self-proclaimed, "Adventure Sales Chick", I encourage tourists to live their craziest dreams by way of Paragliding, Bungy Jumping, River Rafting and Skydiving!
My winters continue to be a hodgepodge of travel. Spending months on end bumming around India and Nepal, relaxing on the exotic beaches of the South Pacific, getting up close and personal with Africa's Big 5, challenging the various terrains of South America, and struggling through dozens of language barriers along the way. My travels have also unearthed the importance of conservation and sustainable tourism. Visiting dozens of sanctuaries and reserves, I've discovered and nourished a love for wildlife and the great outdoors! I've also been involved with a variety of volunteer opportunities around the world. Building an orphanage in Imuris, Mexico and a school in Cha Chani, Peru, where I was granted the honor and privelege of teaching English to the local community children. These activities opened my heart to the joys of giving back whilst traveling and I encourage everyone to lend a helping hand on their trips too.
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If my efforts can motivate even one wishful traveler to get out and explore our great big planet, then I have succeeded. If your mission is to travel, seek it! Living cheap and backpacking on a budget is how I've afforded my trips and so can you!!
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