Hilary for Park Ranger with Hilary Billings

Living in Las Vegas, I have been lucky enough to meet Hilary Billings – The NomadGrad – in person a couple times.  Actually the first time I met her in person was when I accidentally ran into her while attending my first Swing and Lindy Hop dance night at the Aruba – Thunderbird Lounge in Vegas.  

And let me tell you, can this girl dance!  

Hilary has quickly become one of my favourite people in Vegas mainly because of her love for life.   Her enthusiasm is infectious!  You just can’t be around this girl (or even talk with her on Facebook) and not get smiley.  So when I heard she was up for Park Ranger in Australia’s Best job in The World contest, I couldn’t help but be super excited for her.  

And I am thankful to announce, that Hilary has made some time in her ridiculously busy schedule to let me interview her about her blogging, how she became one of the 25 people on the short-list for Park Ranger, and how you can follow her/support her for this job.   

Hi Hilary, so where are you from?

Originally from Southern California, but I have been raised in Las Vegas and attended college at The University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

How old are you?

24 years-old. But depending on the day, I may act like an excited twelve year-old.

When and why you became a travel blogger?

I started my blog after I graduated college.  I faced the biggest rejection of my life when I was rejected from graduate school, even though I graduated summa cum laude and was named Outstanding Graduate of my class.

I decided to attend this surf retreat in Nicaragua, run by this awesome pro-surfer, Holly Beck.  And right before I left, I decided to blog about the journey.  After all, my life was suddenly more ridiculous than fiction.  Little did I know that two years later I’d still be blogging and have an amazing following from around the world.  Now the amazing and ridiculous is my everyday.  And I encourage others to find everyday adventure as well.

What’s the most unusual/unique/craziest thing you have ever done?

Over the past two years, I’ve done some pretty unusual and crazy things. But the one that sticks out right now is volcano boarding down the world’s most active cinder cone volcano.  As if that wasn’t crazy enough, I did it during a thunderstorm, which apparently is a big no-no.  Turns out volcanic ash is a great conductor of electricity, so now I know.

You recently entered Australia’s BEST JOB IN THE WORLD contest and got picked as one of the 25 finalists (from over 45,000 people) for the Park Ranger job. What made you want to apply for this contest?

I was on Facebook one day and saw a lot of my travel blogging friends (including Going Nomadic) talking about this amazing contest and I had to go check it out.  It seemed too good to be true… getting paid generously to travel, explore, conserve, and share my adventures with the world? It really couldn’t get any better.  So I figured I had to give it a shot.

Why did you apply for the Park Ranger position?

I love nature and being outdoors. I’m an adventurer and advocate for wildlife conservation. We’re so lucky to live in a world that offers such awe-inspiring landscape and I feel like it’s our job to not only enjoy it, but preserve it for future generations as well as all the other creatures we coexist with.  I’ve worked with sanctuaries in the past and thought I would be a good fit for the position.

How long did it take you to make the video?

It took about two weeks to plan, write a script, pick locations, photos, and edit it together.  Of course, a lot of that time was deliberating back and forth as to whether I was taking the right angle and ensuring I was addressing everything that Tourism Australia had asked for in their terms and conditions.

Were you nervous?

Incredibly. I wanted this so much, but I didn’t tell anyone that I had entered because it sounded like such a long shot.

Did you ever think you’d get on the shortlist? (be honest)

No. I believed in my video and my abilities, but there were 600,000 applicants.  And it’s a tough situation because you’ve got amazing candidates from around the world and you have no idea what their videos or backgrounds are.  And at the end of the day, you never know what they’re really looking for, or what conversations are being held in the decision room.  So I wasn’t going to believe it until it happened.

How did you find out you got on the shortlist?


My parents told me. They called screaming and hollering and telling me to pack my bags. But I reserved my happy dance until I saw my video up on the website.

What was the very first thing you did when you found out?


I probably spent ten minutes jumping up and down.  And then I think I sat on the floor to let it sink in.  It’s all such a blur.  But I remember feeling sky high!

What part of the Park Ranger job are you most excited about doing?

Oh man. There are so many great things about this position.  Not only would I get to learn alongside experienced guides, but I’d get the opportunity to talk with The Aboriginals, play with wildlife, and most importantly to me, keep their state parks protected.  But, as is the driving factor behind my blogging, I love to share what I’m doing with others and inspire and motivate them to have their own adventure.  So the most exciting part for me is showcasing all that Australia has to offer and getting people interested in visiting and helping to protect their parks.

Have you ever done anything like this before?

Enter contests?  Not really. I won’t even call when there are giveaways on the radio. There was something about this that called to me and I’m thrilled that I listened to my intuition.

Do you have any other talents that you think would help you do this job?

I’m a great communicator, and am so lucky to have a following that believes in my writing.  I know I can tell a story, I know I can engage readers and I know I can market.  I also have a TON gumption and spice for life, so having a new adventure everyday appeals to me greatly! I think my travel experience and coming from Las Vegas, a city that boasts 40 million tourists a year, are also additional brownie points.

What skill would you like to learn as a Park Ranger in Australia?

I think I’m most excited at the potential to immerse myself in the culture, land, and history as a whole. There’s so much knowledge to be had on such a thrilling backdrop.

What animal are you…

 - Most excited to see?
A cassowary. They look like real characters!

 - Want to hold?
Certainly koalas because they are fuzzy and adorable, so who wouldn’t want to snuggle that?  Also would like to pet a kookaburra. But really, I’m such an animal lover, you’d have to convince me not to cuddle a snake because it’s poisonous.

 - Want to learn about the most?
I think as a surf enthusiast and beach bum, I’m looking forward to learning about sharks and colorful marine life.

What is your plan to get picked for this job now?

We’re all in the middle of battling it out via social media.  I can’t give away my secrets just yet, but know I’ve got a plan and it’s growing daily due to increased involvement and community interest.  Please check for updates on my Facebook page and blog as to what I’m up to!

What can people do to help support Hilary For Park Ranger?

I need as much social media support and help as possible!  Please LIKE my Facebook page, FOLLOW on Twitter, and check out my blog to see what crazy adventures I’m getting into along this journey.  I can only do this with your help! So please support  #TeamHilary  for  #ParkRanger!

Contact Info: (click the links)

Blog: www.NomadGrad.com

Facebook:  HilaryForRanger and TheNomadGrad

 Twitter: @TheNomadGrad  and @HilaryForRanger

Support Hilary by sending her tips and ideas on how she should prepare for her Park Ranger position!  Want to see the video that got her on the shortlist?  Check it out:

Playa Blanca finally starts to come into view. In the distance I can see the sun beaming off the white sand. You can’t miss the beach up ahead. It’s like looking into the sun it’s so bright.

I’m getting seriously nauseous too and just want to get off this boat. I’m trying to drink the tepid water we brought with us, to no avail at settling my stomach. The crew comes set anchor in waters that, out of nowhere, have turned clear blue.

I lean over the rail to get photos of water I can see straight to the bottom of. I can make out the rocks, which only look a few feet below us, but we are a good couple of football field lengths off shore. The boat stops moving and passengers have once again started to clamor to the side of the boat, where flat platoon like vessels are coming to take us all off to the beach. There is no way we are getting on the first boat. None of us; Diego, Jorge or I, have any desire to fight our way on to this first boat, and I’m not too keen on getting smushed in with all the passengers fighting to make land first. We wait for the second boat, which is just behind the first, and, with all our gear again, carry everything off the main boat with us.

It’s a can of sardines – hot, smelly, nauseating sardines – riding to the beach. Even in the open air of this pontoon, we are smushed so close all I can smell is thick sweat. Sweat mixed with perfumed sunscreens. I’m trying not breathe, throw up, or think about wanting to throw up. All I want is shade something cold to drink. Lunch is waiting for us on the beach, but the thought of a huge and heavy Colombian lunch right now is making me gag.

 We are almost at the beach when some of the younger male passengers jump off the side of the platoon boat into the beautiful blue water. How I wish I didn’t have my camera with me, because all I want to do is jump off the side of the boat, and into the cooler water myself. But nope. I get to stay crammed here trying not to hurl on strangers. Finally (ok, it was only like 3 minutes later) the platoon boat beaches, and I’m off as quickly as possible. We head to food, and I throw the boat ticket stubs, which we need to claim lunch, to Diego and Jorge and head to sit down. As the boys are grabbing food, I find seats in one of the buffet style tables that are so cramped there is no moving room between them. At least they are under a makeshift tent. At least I’m out of the sun.

Diego and Jorge show up a few minutes later with plates of food, and luckily way more drinks than everyone else is given – one of the benefits of being the last people in line for lunch. I am so thankful for this and down 2 tiny cups of lemonade right off. The food is just what I expected; a whole fried fish, fragrant coconut rice, salad (which is a fresh, crispy coleslaw), and fried, greasy arepa-y things. I pick at the coleslaw, because its light, not made with heavy cream-based sauce (thankfully), take a few bites of the rice, and drink a couple more drinks. I also take some of the Gatorade we brought, which has started to turn back into liquid from ice, so it’s – thank god – ice-cold.

As we eat locals mill around the tables trying to sell bracelets, seashells, and, ugh, hot soup and sickeningly sweet snacks. Just looking at the hot and sweet foods makes me feel ill again, and I can’t eat anymore. The drinks have helped settle my stomach a bit, but I really need a full body cool-down in that clear salt water.

I gear down to my bikini and grab a few photos of the beach and a women balancing a basket of something on her head. Then, leaving my gear with Jorge, Diego and I head into the water for a bit. I play with my GoPro, grabbing video of my wooden anklet floating in the water (to show off how clear it is), and a few photos of some anchored boats.

“I think we should go back and give Jorge a chance to go I the water now”, I say after about 10 minutes of frolicking.
I’m feeling better, the liquid lunch and dip in the ocean rehydrating me and I’m no longer nauseous.

We head back up the beach, and I go to switch off with Jorge so he can play. “I think I want to take a walk and see if there’s a less crowded spot”, he tells us.

Ok. Sounds good to us. We have a while left on the beach, and off Jorge goes to find us a less packed area to play on.

About 5 minutes after Jorge leaves, the boat which docked only 10 minutes before us, calls out for passengers. What? How can they be leaving already? They are only 10 minutes ahead of us, and we’ve only been on this beach for a total of about 35 or 30 minutes. What happened to spending some time here? Diego and I look at each other and realize we don’t have until 4 or 4:30 on the beach. We get a whole hour…from the time our boat first set anchor!

 And Jorge is nowhere to be seen. I’m hanging out by where the pontoon boat will pick us up, looking nervously at Diego, as we realize its getting closer to when our trip is up, and still not seeing Jorge. Finally, they call our boat and still no Jorge.

 “What should we do?”.
Diego gives me all our items and says, “Get on the boat and grab our seats. I’m going to run down the beach to find Jorge” and takes off.

 I get back on the pontoon, alone, with all our gear, and head back to the boat. I’m one of the first ones on the boat, and now I’m just waiting. Waiting to see if I’m taking this trip back solo…

I’m hosting another blog carnival – this time about all the little strange, weird, and amazing things that people see when they travel.  Everyone finds different things absurd (and absurdly awesome) so here are what some other bloggers have discovered during their travels.

  by  phot0geek 

 

Wandering Albatross relays a story about a hitting a sandbank while on a nighttime Amazon boat trip and his lack of “Bear Grylls skillz”.  (Glad you are ok.)

In A Parisian Bug Story, Correr es mi Destino tells about her bug filled hotel room in Paris and the fine art of French diplomatic negotiations to get another room in the middle of the night.

A Twenty-Something Abroad gives us 2 stories from her travels. First she talks about how she ruined Mancakes morning (by the way, mancakes sounds like something I need to make my boyfriend) due to way to much interest in a holy well that appeared magically one morning on her daily jog (walk).

She also tells us of the unique history behind the small Belgian town of Leuven – and how she became infatuated with the women béguinages (basically nuns without the rules).  It’s actually an interesting story and a bit of history and culture you probably haven’t heard before.

And lastly, Finding the Universe gives us a beautiful and absurd photo essay on the most scenic toilets in New Zealand.  I kid you not.   Turns out New Zealand has some of the most scenic toilets I have ever seen photos of.  I want to go to New Zealand for nothing more than seeing these toilets randomly in the middle of great views.

These are this month’s Absurd World posts.  I’m going to keep doing this.  Want to contribute your own post?  You can: HERE. 

On this week’s edition of my first travel photos, we look at

SCULPTURES

Sculptures are timeless, classic, and sometimes make beautiful photos.
But not this time…

Low contrast, blown out sky, and weird, slanted angle makes this photo awesome….awesomely bad!

I zoomed in for this, which makes it better, but the sky is still all blown out, and the contrast is still quite low, making this statue look rather dull and silly, not powerful and stoic.

Do you know what is wrong with all three of these statues?  If you said they are blurry and taken at a HORRIBLE angle – YOU ARE RIGHT!

These photos are also part of the “Horrible Tourist” film rolls.  We jumped on the back of a German tour in Dubrovnik, Croatia, and every time the group looked up, ‘ooohing’ and ‘aaahing’ and snapping photos, I’d point my camera in the same directions and snap without looking.  It ended up being hilariously fun, and I ended up with 3 horrible rolls of film.  Ok, I had A LOT more horrible rolls..but these ones were on purpose.  I swear.

But if you keep looking, these ‘purposely bad’ photos are still not the worse….

If you are ever in a church, and not allowed to use flash, the best thing you can do, is hold the camera in your hand, and take a long-shutter exposure.  Because blurry is so much easier than carrying a tripod.

Backlighting is beautiful! Or backlighting is not beautiful.  It was one of those.  I wish I could remember which….

You don’t need the bottom of the statue when you have low-contrast and a SUPER light background.  And don’t forget to add random people.  Random people rule!

Beautiful memorial wall of some sort?
Keep the mystery alive by backing way up, and making the words barely visible in the morning light.  Because who wants to REALLY know what this is all about anyway?

Blurry, overexposed, and cropped funny – it’s the trifecta of how NOT to take a photo!

So here are some of the many styles of brilliantly horrible statue photography out there.  Seems I’m just awesome enough to have spanned the spectrum of badness. Go me!

Stay tuned for next weeks My First Travel Photos, and don’t forget to check out the post that started it all:

My First Travel Photos – People

Cheers!

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Welcome back to My First Travel Photos.   This week we look at landscapes (and cityscapes).   This week we look at:

LANDSCAPES

Ah yes, landscapes are always one of the most beautiful and moving styles of travel photography, unless you have no idea what you are doing.  Take this beaut for instance:

A beautiful scenic horrible photo of a nighttime cityscape.  Forget using a tripod and long exposure.  Let’s handhold the camera and use a flash so only a random car and reflective street sign are in view.  No buildings, no trees, no, well, anything of notoriety or interest.  Well played.

Since nighttime didn’t work, let’s try a cityscape in the day.  Again, a bunch of random cars and a street sign, but this time lets skew the horizon and put a random post in the photo.  Let’s also not actually get any landscape.  Brilliant.

Here’s a great landscape shot.  Despite the blurriness, (which is due to a low resolution scan,  the actual slide is in focus-ish), but the color cast is very off and the details are way too dark.  Again, a tripod and longer exposure would have made this a million times better.

This photo is almost good of the shore of Komiza Harbour on Vis Island.  Maybe with a bit more saturation and not a random part of a boat with a blue sail, hanging out in the bottom of the photo, it would be better.  Because barely identifiable things at the edges of photos isn’t distracting at all.  Also, that white thing in the bottom left is driving me nuts.

Ah yes, giant wooden stick-pole  and barbed wire fence in front of foggy morning mountains is always amazing.  So is not backing up to get more of a view, or getting closer to cut out the fence and wood.  Let’s just split the difference and go with this.

I don’t even know what to say.   If there was an idea here, I am totally lost as to what it was. part of what I think is a wall, a top of a tree, and an obscured mountain is one of the greatest combinations ever. 

A beautiful sunrise over the harbour in Vis City, so let’s make sure we also get a couple of vans, and the loading dock obscure the ship, the harbour, and everything else landscapey.

Here’s a nice landscape of a cemetery in Sarajevo.  This is such an awesome photo, I can’t even tell you if this is the Infamous Jewish cemetery the Serbian snipers hid in.  All I know is that the tree and road are awesome.  Because I am an American, and walking a few feet to the left, and down the hill to get in front of both, is just WAY too much effort I guess….

Because taking photos out of closed bus windows is always a good idea.
(I think I’m sitting next to Spider-Eyed Satan Rabbit.  WTF is that?)

It’s almost something.  I did almost fall off the cliff getting this shot outside of the Beograd Castle in Serbia, but maybe that’s because this shot sucks and shouldn’t be gotten.  I’m a real fan of the distant person, even more distant radio/cell tower, and totally blown out city.  ‘Cause who needs city when you have a wall and some vines.  Though, I am really interested to know what is in that cave down there.

I tried with this.  I really did.  I actually love this gigantic chess game I found in Sarajevo, but wish the person in the background was more visible or someone was next to the pieces so you could see just how big they are.  But there is no details in the trees and the front chess pieces are not totally in focus.  I also cropped the chess board a bit funny.  But I tried.

So what do you thing about my first Landscape photos?  Yes, some are cityscapes, but same concept…same sucky-done concept.  Good thing I have a tripod now.

Want to see my photography skills 8 years later?  Head over to my photography page at LaGringaPhotos – Travel, where you can see, and buy recent photographs.  I promise, you do get better.  

Stay tuned for next week when we look at:

SCULPTURES

CHEERS!

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