Mihaela Patap, from Romania, loves Somalia’s natural beauty.
Although she has spent only a few hours in Mogadishu, she has already visited the sand dunes and taken in the Indian Ocean coastline.
“The desert was so beautiful to see. I have also enjoyed the beach, and the ocean. It is inspiring,” she says.
Having travelled to Somalia from neighbouring Ethiopia, she says she has been struck by the people’s friendliness.
“I don’t see anything dangerous. I feel safe and the people are warm,” she says.
An experienced traveller, Mihaela says she prefers to visit new countries without having preconceived ideas.
“I travel the world to see new places, to see countries, to see the differences. I don’t take a picture in my mind to compare the reality with. I’m just expecting the new to come to me,” she says.
She hopes to share her experience and encourage others to visit Somalia.
“I’m going to post my pictures and say good things about what I’m experiencing. I’m going to promote it,” she says.
For Sucdi, that potential is personal.
She is continuing a family profession while building a business in an industry with few women and using digital platforms to reach audiences far beyond Mogadishu.
“Somalia still has a long way to go before tourism becomes a major industry,” she says.
“Through my tours, I am giving visitors an opportunity to experience its landscapes, our culture and people beyond the familiar negative headlines.”
For her, every visitor is another opportunity to tell a fuller story of Mogadishu.
