by MK
Every Saturday we’re spotlighting remarkable local females who could change the way we look at the world. This Saturday is Jasna Tuta’s turn, a Triestina with a zest for life and travel who found herself living her dreams on a boat in French Polynesia.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. Are you a Triestina?
Jasna: I was born in Trieste 41 years ago and for most of my life I lived in Sistiana. The first thing that comes to mind when I think of home is definitely Sistiana Bay. But I have many other places I call home all around the world!
Fantastic.
When I was young I felt a bit claustrophobic living in our community where everyone knows everyone. That’s why I went on to study in Ljubljana and after that I worked as a teacher in Koper. Just far enough to have some privacy but close enough to be able to go to all the good parties!
Good thinking!
After 10 years of traveling around the world I now have a completely different perspective. Along the way I learned that being close to my friends and family is very important for me. I love being is Sistiana. And ironically I now like that everybody knows me and my family! It’s a bit like the story of the Alchemist… traveling the world only to discover that the treasure you were looking for was in your hometown all along.
What made you leave Trieste?
I left quite late. I was almost 30, at the age when people get a permanent job, start to think about creating a family and buying a house or an apartment. But I had a strong feeling that was not my path. I said no to the job offer I had and decided to leave for a sabbatical year which then turned into a sabbatical decade.
How courageous.
I organized a huge going away party for all my friends and everyone who showed up got a present – one of the many belongings I could not take with me. I sold the rest on flea markets and then jumped on a plane to Thailand, just me and my backpack.
Why Thailand?
I had an unrelenting feeling that I needed to make a change in my life. I wasn’t happy and I wanted to do something about it, but I had no idea where to start. And in such cases travel is the best remedy.
Why?
I believe that being away from your comfort zone and the people you grew up with lets you see life from a different perspective. It was definitely a turning point in my life and I have later met many people who have had the same experiences. Incidentally, I am currently writing a book about the fact that travel is the medicine both mind and body benefit from.
So what do you do exactly?
So many things! I sail, travel, write, teach, dive … I am passionate about all of these things, but if I had to choose just one, I would pick life afloat. I have always been passionate about long distance travel. And when I discovered that you can explore the world by sailing places, I instantly knew it was my thing.
What’s that like?
It is such a simple, natural, no-fuss lifestyle which suits me perfectly. It is like traveling on land, but better, because you can take all the comforts of your home with you – your bed and your kitchen. I am not sure I will ever be able to live on land again, at least not for a long period of time. Once you experience the complete freedom of the sailing lifestyle, it’s very hard to go back.
Do you ever feel like coming back to Trieste?
I love coming back home as much as I love to travel. In different periods of life I need more travel or more staying home and I adjust accordingly. I usually try to be in Trieste in summer – my favorite season at home.
Great!
Actually, I love all seasons and this is one of the things I really miss while living in the tropics. But I feel alive when I am outdoors and in summer in Trieste I can be outdoors all the time. I spend most days on the sea, working as a sailing instructor or just sailing with my friends.
Sounds perfect.
I leave my car at home and go everywhere on my e-bike. I dive, swim, climb and sup just minutes from my house… I really cannot think of a better place to live. But when November comes with its gray weather, I like to escape to somewhere warmer. At the moment I am in French Polynesia, but by the end of the year I am going to come home because I have my promotional book tour and lots of other exciting projects coming up.
Fantastic!
I feel lucky and grateful for having the possibility of swapping one wonderful world for another. Although I want to stress the fact that luck has very little to do with it. Everything I have in my life was my choice. Except being born in Trieste – that was just pure luck!
Agreed.
Our lives are the result of our decisions and it is very important to choose things that we feel are right for us. We have to do what makes us happy, not what the society or the people around us think we should do. I believe that happiness is not just our right, but also our duty. Happy people make a better world and we really need a happier world right now.
Inspiring article. Thank you.