Amayzine Questionnaire
Geraldine Kemper
Okay, this woman probably has the coolest job on television. She works with Jan Versteegh (also not unpleasant) and travels all over the world for BNN with ‘Trippers’ and ‘3 op Reis’. A standing ovation for Geraldine Kemper (27), who also has a book in the shop now. Yes, and you want to have it. The best part is: you write along yourself, because it is a Travel Journal (and you just order her book here). We picked up the phone to catch up with Geraldine.
Your book, tell us all about it...
“I noticed that I forgot things on my travels. It’s just so nice to write down your adventures or a tip. It’s not a biography of me, because I can’t write at all.”
Would you like to share one tip from your book with us?
“Always talk to the people around you. You discover so many things. Sometimes you forget it or don’t feel like dealing with strangers on vacation, but it’s the way to get tips. Go into a bar, start talking, and ask where you should be. What’s fun on a warm day, where do you like to eat or have a drink? You always have a connection with someone.”
How many travel journals have you filled out yourself?
“Not one yet, but I’m definitely going to do that from now on. It’s really ridiculous how much I forget. And then occasionally take a photo with a Polaroid camera to stick in my journal.”
By the way, what was your first job?
“In my uncle’s fish shop in Almere. I started doing the crappy jobs at fourteen, but eventually learned everything.”
And what did you want to be when you grew up?
“I still have the idea that I need to grow up. So it sounds very adult that I’m now filling up gas. But I didn’t know. I loved sports, so I started studying sports management and then ‘Sterretje Gezocht’ from BNN came along. I thought: how cool would it be to earn money making television? I didn’t even dare to think about traveling as work.”
(Geraldine pays pump 11 to the attendant in between)
What do you always pack in your suitcase?
“My own sunscreen. I was always careless, especially when I was younger, but now I want to tell everyone that you have to apply it. My skin specialist also sees that I spend a lot of time in the sun, not on the surface but in the deeper layers. Oh, and my passport. Traveling is such a routine for me that I sometimes forget the most important things. It has definitely happened to me three times.”
In which city do you have to make time to shop?
“In Barcelona, but also in Berlin. The latter for going out as well. And I would love to go to Tokyo. It seems so cool to shop there, with all those weird little shops and strange items.”
Who do you prefer to travel with?
“With my boyfriend Paul, in the ideal situation. But I also like to travel with a few directors within BNN. Kim for example, she has even become one of my best friends.”
Where do you go with your love and where with your girlfriend?
“I was with Paul in the Philippines, it was so incredibly beautiful. Those beaches and islands and the water, it really surprised me. With friends, you can go anywhere. I like city trips or hanging out with friends in Ibiza. Not necessarily for going out, but just renting a villa in the quieter north with everyone. You can book those last minute for a great price.”
What do you eat when calories are not a factor?
“I’m not into the hashtag fitgirl. I exercise to eat and always take a little extra. I understand we need to stay healthy, but I have a social edge because I still eat that slice of pizza and drink that glass of wine. No one hates me for it. I love sour mats, pizza, Indian food, warm waffles, basically everything with calories.”
After ‘Try Before You Die’ this must be difficult, but never have I ever...
“Jumped out of a plane. I did bungee jump once, but I was stiff with fear. I have quite a fear of heights. The G-force is super cool, but I didn’t like the bungee. A parachute is supposed to be relaxing. In ‘Jan versus Geraldine’ I had to jump from something very high, I believe thirty meters. I cried, I didn’t dare, I didn’t want to, I couldn’t function anymore. I did it anyway and I got a lot of respect from people who also have a fear of heights.”
What was your most beautiful trip so far?
“The road trip through Madagascar in a small, beautiful, red Renault. It was very old. It’s so beautiful there, the nature changes every hour and many animals live only there. That was such a special
trip. I thought: if they fire me now, at least I did this.”
And what do you actually do to relax?
“Read a book on the beach. I was just free for a day in the Netherlands, then we went to Wijk aan Zee . Filled the cooler, took my boyfriend along, and did nothing all day. But on vacation, I can only do that for a few days, then I need to see a church or go diving again.”
With whom would you like to have coffee or wine, dead or alive?
“With Michiel Huisman. I find him so interesting. He’s not only very handsome, but he just does it among all those Hollywood stars. I would like to say: well done, boy. Oh, and with Obama, but then I actually don’t want to talk about politics.”
If you could choose, where would you like to go next?
“Japan and India are high on my list. My mother has been to India before. I think it’s because of the photos in our house from her trip. Those people, the culture, and that food.”
In how many countries have you actually been?
“Fifty-three, I happened to count them. But next week I’m going on a road trip through the Balkans, so then I’ll be heading towards sixty. Haha.”
Name the last three things you bought:
“Gasoline, you were a witness to that. A sandwich with fish, I really love fish. Oh, and a nice necklace from Anna + Nina with a palm tree. That’s just the sign of vacation, maybe because we don’t have it in the Netherlands. But it also just makes your photos prettier.‘
Favorite book of all time for traveling?
“Something easy. I recently read ‘A Little Life’ and that was quite heavy. I really like ‘The Rosie Effect’. And ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho remains my favorite.”
