OT: Where have your travels taken you lately?
Lauren Gottlieb: I stay continents away from my
OT: Your most memorable holiday…
Lauren Gottlieb: My family and I were once going to Hawaii on vacation. The flight was overbooked, so the airline announced that if anyone was willing to take the next flight, they would offer some travel vouchers. It sounded exciting, so we thought we’d hang out at the airport. After waiting for four hours, the next flight too was overbooked! We took the offer again. Finally, after eight hours, we boarded a flight, and pretty much got our entire vacation travel paid for. Trust me, the wait was worth it.
OT: What do you enjoy most on holidays?
Lauren Gottlieb: If I’m at home, I enjoy doing nothing at all; I simply laze around. If I’m travelling, I love exploring the place, especially checking out spas and shopping.
OT: Who packs your bags?
Lauren Gottlieb: I like to do it myself because, that way, I know exactly what’s where.
OT: And what do you always carry in them?
Lauren Gottlieb: I cannot do without my dry shampoo, especially if I’m travelling for work or a performance: my hair gets very sweaty after dancing. If I’m driving somewhere, it would be my portable speaker since I’m fond of music. It also helps keep my driver awake! High boots are a must: my feet get cold on flights. Other travel essentials are my sunglasses and Hindi notes, so I can practice.
OT: What do you splurge on while on holiday?
Lauren Gottlieb: Gadgets, music, clothes and shoes.
OT: Some of your favourite destinations…
Lauren Gottlieb: I’m not saying this because India is home now, but I do feel that I have a spiritual connection with India. I don’t know if it has a connection with my past life, but in my heart and soul, I feel like an Indian. Now, even if I have friends coming over from abroad, I am constantly giving them travel tips about India: what’s okay and what’s not, and places to go to. I love the buzz of Mumbai and the food in Delhi. I find Rajasthan stunningly beautiful. There’s so much of India I want to explore.
OT: Any destinations on your wish list?
Lauren Gottlieb: Globally, it would have to be Dubai and Australia. In India, I want to explore South India extensively because I am besotted by Bharatanatyam. I want to learn the dance form. I also want to travel to Lucknow: I’ve heard so much about the food!