Welcome to "About Us". My Name is John and as the site suggests I am passionate about travel! I should probably thank my parents for it. When I was six months old my parents decided to move the whole family from Russia to Germany. Who doesn't love a screaming baby on a plane, especially when he is hungry! Once settled into this new place we took family vacations almost every year: North, South, East and West. That was the beauty of living in the centre of Europe! Years later, now at age 15, (still not the best age to yet make another big move) the whole fam moved to Canada! The globe trotting was embedded, my University years were filled with travel. I spend a semester abroad in Uruguay to study, or should I say mostly travel! Side trips to neighbouring countries were always on the agenda. In 2011, I met Ashleigh at University, and we had to spend our first semester 1000 kms apart. My adventurous other half then flew off to Ecuador to experience living abroad and to catch the travel bug (A short visit from me was a must). Shortly after in 2012, I set off on my first Around the World Trip with my Dad heading west to China, and traveling mostly overland with multiple stops to Europe. Ashleigh joined me heading east in summer meeting me in Germany, so we could check out more of Europe. After University we went out into the working world: First full time day job, a few weeks of set holidays, the flexibility was almost gone! In spring of 2014, Ashleigh and I left behind our home, belongings & job to travel the world, not knowing when we may return. It was an eventful 14-month journey with many highlights and it has shaped us into the people we are today. Once exposed to travel as a lifestyle, we had many more adventures over the last years: Exploring the laid back countries of Central America & the Caribbean, an epic adventure to Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe as well as a trip to the South Pacific. During this time, Ashleigh & I also got married, settled down in Calgary, bought a house and welcomed our son Kilian and daughter Kalina to this world! Thank you all for the support and we always appreciate sharing travel moments with you! Here is to many more adventures!
"Who lives sees, but who travels sees more."
Ashleigh Schelesnak Countries Visited: 107
Las Vegas Blvd, USA
My name is Ashleigh and I was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. I have an International Management degree with a minor in Spanish from the University of Lethbridge. Before I met John in March 2011, I had always wanted to travel but not to the extreme of wanting to see the whole world. I have travelled with my parents throughout Canada and the northern US in the RV and enjoyed the resorts in the Caribbean. I never really travelled extensively until my third year of University when I spent 4 months in Ecuador on an international exchange and was very immersed in a different culture. From then on I really wanted to travel to learn how others live and to experience everything the world has to offer. In the summer of 2012 I spent two months in Europe. One month in Germany with John and another month on a Expat Tour with my cousin going to 14 countries in 3 weeks. The tour was very fast paced and it left me wanting to see more. John has inspired me that there is so much more to see in the world and there is only one way to experience it...Pack the backpack, travel to wherever is possible and never look back. Our around the world trip gave me a whole new perspective about life. I never thought I would be able to "go with the flow" for 14 months, but after the first week in Iceland, I realized that it's way more fun to travel not knowing. This was a must have when traveling around Central Asia! I am super excited for our next around the world with our world traveler in training.
"Be Inspired, Be Adventurous, Be Yourself!"
Kilian Schelesnak Countries Visited: 37
At the airport to go to Germany!
Hi! I am Kilian and have joined ourwanderlust family in 2019. I am almost 4 years old and have already visited over 30 countries. I love playing with new and different toys that I find in new places and meeting new people. I am not adventurous in trying new foods, but as long as I have fruit (and some sweets) I am happy. Follow me as I explore the world, one place at a time! "The adventure awaits!"
Kalina Schelesnak Countries visited: 31
Hi, I am Kalina! I joined ourwanderlust family in 2021. I just completed my first ever trip and I did great! I enjoy watching my big brother all day long and hoping that he will share his toys with me. I love being smiled at and I will almost always smile back. I am looking forward to my family showing me this wonderful world!