Childhood flight sparks Shaneika Smith’s passion for adventure

It was a hot summer like this one when Shaneika Smith took her first flight. At only nine years old, the fourth grader travelled solo to Curaçao to spend the holidays with her aunt. Flight attendants were assigned to look after her, and Smith recalled their kindness and the great sense of security they provided. She also became fast friends with other minors of similar circumstances. This adventure ignited an interest that led her to travel solo to South America years later.

“Looking back, I think that trip sparked something in me. It was my first glimpse of how exciting it could be to experience a different place, meet new people, and step outside of what was familiar. That’s when I truly fell in love with travel, and that curiosity has only grown stronger over the years,” she told Saturday Living.

Leaving Jamaica as an adult to see the world felt less like a choice and more like a necessity. She worked for years in the media and reached a point where life felt stagnant. “There didn’t seem to be much room for growth and, for a long time, I felt like I was living the life I was expected to live rather than the life I truly wanted. Deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was a much bigger world waiting to be explored. My faith has always been the foundation of my life, so I spent a lot of time praying and asking God for direction,” she said.

That feeling only grew stronger with time. But the turning point came with the death of her maternal grandmother in 2023.“My grandmother was 88 years old. She worked hard her entire life but she never had the opportunity to travel or pursue dreams beyond survival,” she revealed. “Watching her life come to an end forced me to confront a fear I had never admitted out loud. The fear of reaching the end of my own life and realising I never truly lived. Her passing reminded me that life is both precious and unpredictable, and that waiting for the perfect time can mean waiting forever.”

So, Smith made the decision to quit her job and set her sights on the unknown. “Quitting to travel the world wasn’t impulsive. It was a result of years of reflection, prayer, and choosing curiosity over comfort. I trusted that the experiences waiting for me beyond my comfort zone would teach me things I could never learn by staying where I was, and they absolutely have.”

BACKPACKING ADVENTURE

During her journey, the world traveller backpacked through seven countries in South America and Central America, namely Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Brazil. She also made brief stops in the United States and Canada, but her heart was truly set on her backpacking adventure. “Each destination offered something completely different, from hiking the Andes and exploring ancient history to immersing myself in local cultures and meeting people from all over the world,” she said.

As a budget traveller, Smith admitted that, prior to her departure, she ensured that she had enough savings to cover her travels and financial responsibilities back home. “Planning ahead gave me the freedom to enjoy the experience without constantly worrying about money.”

And, to keep costs down, she exchanged her expertise in social media management for free accommodations and sometimes breakfast. The arrangement of partnering with hostels and bungalows allowed her to stretch her budget, gain meaningful experiences, and build relationships with people from all across the world. “It wasn’t just about saving money; it was about creating a more immersive way to travel.”

Among the highlights of her trips was hiking to Machu Picchu in Peru and standing at one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. “Backpacking has a unique way of bringing together travellers from every corner of the world. Some of the friendships I made were completely unexpected, and sharing experiences with people from different cultures became just as meaningful as the destinations themselves,” she revealed.

Her favourite city to see was Cusco, a location rich in history, culture, and tradition. “What stood out to me most was how proudly the people preserve and celebrate their heritage. Everywhere you turn, you’re surrounded by history, colourful traditions, and a deep sense of identity,” she recounted, noting that the food was, in her words, “chef’s kiss”.

“Peruvian cuisine completely won me over. From the local dishes to the vibrant food culture, every meal felt like another way of experiencing the country. Cusco is one of those places that leaves a lasting impression long after you’ve left,” she explained.

But with every high came unfortunate lows, like being robbed in Brazil. “I’m not going to pretend I handled it perfectly. I cried. That card was my primary source of funds and, after everything that had already been weighing on me, it felt like the final straw. After the initial shock wore off, I found an unexpected sense of peace. Rather than seeing the incident as the reason my trip ended, I saw it as confirmation of what I had already been feeling: that it was time to go home.”

With the help of a friend, Smith managed to book a flight out of Brazil the same day and head back to her base in Canada. Upon her return home this year, she had no idea what the next chapter looked like. But she knew it would include travel.

“I have an exciting project called Go Anyway, which was inspired by my own journey and my belief that so many people are waiting for the perfect time to explore the world. I want to encourage people to step beyond fear, embrace new experiences, and discover more of what life has to offer.”

Her advice to those seeking to see the world is to research desired destinations, create a savings plan, look for affordable opportunities, travel with an open mind, and be willing to learn about other cultures. “Start where you are, with what you have, and take it one step at a time. Sometimes the journey begins with simply deciding to go anyway.”

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com