Ladybrille Woman of the Month: Teresa Rodriguez Williamson

LADYBRILLE.com: Hey Teresa! How are you?
Williamson: Fabulous! I am [at] the greenroom at ABC Channel 10. I will be doing my regular “travel expert” segment in the next hour.

LADYBRILLE.com: Nice!

LADYBRILLE.com: Okay so let’s talk Tango Diva. You are all about letting women know it is okay to “fly solo” and empowering them with the right resources. Tell us how Tango Diva came about? Williamson: I went through a really bad divorce in my twenties and instead of continuing to see a psychiatrist who wanted me to go under 24-hour inpatient care because I got so depressed, I decided to go to London. It was the best decision I made because it gave me a chance to “get out of myself” and see the world through different eyes. I moved to Australia, modeled and worked on a game show where I got to travel through Australia first-class while staying at 5-star hotels. I ate meals alone and I learnt to spend time by myself and not feel any stigma about it. I started sharing my knowledge with my friends and they all said I should write a book. I never followed through, until I was flying home from Machu Pucchu and we lost an engine of our plane. The cabin filled with smoke and I realized that this could be “IT”; and I never did what I really wanted to do – which was write a friendly book that inspired women to travel the world alone and gain the confidence to fulfill their dreams when they get back to their daily life.

LADYBRILLE.com: Whoa! What a story. How come you encourage women to fly solo, especially after such experience, and when we are constantly told to be afraid of everything in today’s world? Williamson: Ironic, right? Because, “fear” is False Evidence Appearing Real and my mission in this life is to bring clarity, truth, and joy to the art of travel. Most of the “things” we are afraid of, we can’t justify. So, I challenge women to find truth in their fears and to work through them. Travel is my metaphor for change – and through travel there are specific steps that women need to take to be safe, sane, and solvent. That is what my next book is about “Body, Mind, and Solo: The 7 Steps to Successful Solo Travel.” There are places women should not go, that is the truth. So, through a few simple steps women can travel without being afraid.

LADYBRILLE.com: What are the most beautiful places you’ve visited? Williamson: Oh, what a question! I love Thailand. The people are so friendly, the food is out of this world, and the shopping is amazing! I also love Playa del Carmen on the Mayan Rivera – South of Cancun.

LADYBRILLE.com: What is a must have travel item when globe trotting? Williamson: A pashima wrap for the plane and to keep the night chill away. Melatonin to adjust to the different time zones, eye drops and moisturizer, my iphone with books on tape and fun music, my blow up pillow, eye mask, and ear plugs for the plane.

LADYBRILLE.com: I saw one of your clips where you were saying places like Africa can be unwelcoming towards women. Could you let us know which African countries you visited so they know next time to receive you better? Williamson: Ah, thank you. I went to Egypt and I interviewed close to 50 women who traveled throughout Africa. Those who traveled alone said they would not do so again. But the ones who traveled in groups felt safe.

LADYBRILLE.com: I remember when you started TangoDiva.com. It seemed like yesterday. Look at you now! What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned along the way in starting and managing Tango Diva? Williamson: I learned what I am good at, and what I am not. I love writing, mentoring, and inspiring women to follow their dreams. I am not good at managing staff, dealing with day-to-day operations of a company nor do I enjoy writing html code for the website. BUT, if you want to start a business, you need to know how to wear many hats, get down and dirty, and work harder than you ever had before. I also learned how much I like making money!

LADYBRILLE.com: So on point! [laughs]

LADYBRILLE.com: Part of the travel experience is definitely culture whether through music, art, food and fashions. Tell us some of the best music you’ve sampled. Williamson: My first introduction to fusion was a decade ago at the Buddha Bar in Paris. Since then, I have enjoyed the mixes that have come from Monte Carlo DJ’s, Caribbean-African beats from Puerto Rico, Brazilian Sambas with deep spiritual rhythms. One of my favorite moments in travel was when I was in Iceland and a group of Icelanders sang me a Viking Lullaby called: Ridum Ridum – A Sprengisandi. It was a song about trolls and fairy while men rode home on horseback.

LADYBRILLE.com: [laughs] What about food
Williamson: I love spicy! Mexican and Thai are my favorites, but there is nothing as delicious as homemade white truffle pasta with a glass of Chianti at the Four Season in Milan.< LADYBRILLE: I am sooooooo jealous! Let’s talk fashion! Whoo hoo!
Williamson: Shopping girl! Well, I wrote a fashion article for Marie Claire so I was able to go shopping around the world! I had a pair of silk-satin shoe made in Milan at a small boutique called Veronik. I love Bangkok for custom-made suits, London for more shoes, Stockholm for Filippa K jeans sexy skinny jeans, Barcelona for colorful leather handbags, Italy for furs, and Berlin for up-and-coming funky fashions.