Gabrielė Gurčiūtė: a talented ceramist, a wonderful photographer, your favorite yoga teacher, a true world explorer—and most importantly, an amazing friend and a person you want to keep close. She’s all of these things and so much more. If you’ve had the pleasure of meeting her, you know exactly what I mean. If not, this interview will give you a glimpse into who she truly is. We talked about her travels, her passions, and her unique approach to life—a life worth living.
I&P: Gabriele, could you share the number of countries you've had the opportunity to explore thus far?
G.G: Uh, a tough one to start, had to take a look at the map - I’d would say around 42
I&P: Was there a destination during your travels where you immediately felt a sense of belonging?
G.G: No, not immediately upon arrival I am usually like a child seeing everything for the first time. Want to try, see, touch and understand every new thing. Only after this initial excitement I start feeling new places on a deeper level and start to develop connections.
I&P: We believe that traveling enriches our perspectives and broadens our horizons. What aspect of travel resonates with you the most?
G.G: I love everything about it - from planning all the sightseeing to understading and seing my own power and privilege more clearly. Traveling makes you expand, be open and grow in multiple ways while grounding and making appreciate your roots at the same time.
I&P: You started year 2024 in India, a place renowned for its unique essence, have you made any noteworthy observations? What drew you to this destination?
G.G: It’s been mind - bending. I knew and expected India to be very colourful and something very different to what I am used to, but it’s more than that. Spirituality is a big part of everyday life here and it is being cultivated from early days. It amazed me to witness so much joy, happiness and this effortless ease of life, I wished I could pack it in my backpack and bring home to share.
I&P: Given your extensive travels to diverse countries with distinct cultures and languages, which culture resonates with you the most?
G.G: It’s very interesting to see how people live on small islands and in vast countries or in the furthest, most remote parts of the world, but nothing beats the feeling of coming back home. The only things that I keep yearning for is the warmth, openness and happiness of the people living in the south. Thinking of Italy, Portugal, Mexico always brings a smile on my face, I instantly picture joy, laughs, spending your days outdoors, having big dinners around the table with your loved ones. That easiness and warmth is something I always long for during cold and dark months back home.
I&P: They say the way you begin a new year sets the tone for the rest of it. A solo trip to India at the start of 2024 was quite significant. Do you feel the impact this trip made?
G.G: There’s been a lot of personal growth, I feel at least 5 centimeters taller on a spiritual level.
I&P: Do you journal while traveling? You see and experience so many things, is writing one of the tools to capture the moment on paper?
G.G: Yes, it’s actually one of my latest discoveries, I’ve started doing morning pages recently and it helps to clear my head first thing in the morning, also serves as diary to look back at and notice the small things that often gets forgotten quite easily.
I&P: As we conclude our Q&A, could you share with us your favorite phrase or mantra that inspires you and gives you strength when needed?
G.G: It’s happening for me, not to me. I just heard it recently from one of my teachers and it really resonated. I’ve been using it as a tool to take each experience, whether it’s bad or good, as a lesson and a reminder that there are always two sides to every story. It is also a way to practice gratefulness, to be open to everyone and everything that comes my way. 🖇