A moment with Paula, Naya’s new creative director

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May 18

A moment with Paula, Naya’s new creative director

Paula was born in Ecuador and moved to Caracas, Venezuela when she turned one. From this very early age, she and her family would take trips to nearby towns to unveil what the country had to discover. That is how she began her travel journey.

At age five, she returned to her home country, where she learned the value of Ecuador’s heritage and culture. But it wasn’t until she moved to New York at 12 years old that the appreciation for these elements really sank in. She realized that the abundant nature: the cascades along the roads, the volcanos, and biodiversity, were not as common as she thought.

Growing up in New York, Paula was exposed to a mind-blowing variety of cultures. On every subway ride, she could hear at least five different languages being spoken and on any corner, she came across food from countries she hadn’t even heard of. Although it was not traveling per se, the exposure to different cultures ignited in her the desire to discover new territories. Later, she lived in Berlin for a semester, fell in love with Europe, and moved to Madrid, where she has been residing for 4 years.

Paula’s role is to take every opportunity to uncover new territories, learn about each place’s heritage, taste traditional dishes, interact with locals, and get to know the heart of where she visits. She will travel, document her experiences, and share them with our clients and community. We couldn’t miss the opportunity to have a conversation with her.

What would you say are your three favorite places to eat in the world?

I will start with a place that will always hold a special place in my heart. A magical spot my family and I would visit often in the middle of the forest, 45 minutes away from the capital of Ecuador, Quito, called Las Cascadas del Río Pita (the Waterfalls of the Pita River). It consists of an amazing trail along the Pita River, rich in fauna and flaura, that leads you on a visit of 4 small waterfalls until you reach the incredible 60-meter tall Río Pita Waterfall. After a round trip of an hour and a half, you return to the starting point, a small house-shaped restaurant where a delicious, freshly caught trout is waiting for you. Not only is the trout exquisite, but the adventure as a whole is incredible. A soul-cleansing experience through nature and food.

A restaurant I have been dreaming of returning to is Argo, located on the island of Santorini. Three years later, I can still savor the perfectly cooked octopus risotto with a sweet touch of mastic (a tree resin) and caper leaves; a surprising combination that even caught the attention of my talented chef-husband. Imagine taking a bite of this exquisite dish with a glass of white wine while you admire the beauty of the caldera and the golden sky during a heart-warming Greek sunset.

Last but most certainly not least, is the one MICHELIN star Japanese restaurant Koy Shunka, located in Barcelona. The name translates to “intense seasonal aromas” and it’s a very good summary of the experience. One can taste the expertise, wisdom, and care of the sushi men and cooks on every bite. The acclaimed Ferran Adrià mentioned that Hideki Matsuhisa, Koy Shunka’s chef, makes the best nigiri in the world. If you tried their eel nigiri, you would think so too. A truly exquisite and recommendable experience if you are a Japanese cuisine lover.

What’s your favourite destination?

The Loire Valley is a destination that I would love to return to. The energy, history, architecture, and nature it offers make it an ideal destination for every public. Located in central France, along the Loire River, a very green region with charming small towns, abundant castles, and wineries. You can even hop on a hot air balloon and admire the scenery from above. Every corner I visited was endearing, calming, and pleasant.

And the one you've never visited but you would like to?

I have dreamed of seeing the Northern Lights for as long as I can remember. I have always been captivated by everything that is in the sky, the stars, the moon, the sun, the clouds. When I saw a picture of the Northern Lights for the first time I remember developing an instant desire to see them with my own eyes. It has been on top of my travel list ever since. I don’t have a preference whether I catch them in Iceland, Finland or Norway, I’d love to visit these countries regardless! Hopefully I’ll be able to cross it off soon, now that I live in Europe!

What's the most amazing spot your eyes have seen?

There is a place I visited when I was a child in Ecuador where I felt like I was experiencing magic for the first time. I had fallen asleep in the car when I heard my parents get excited about something. I woke up, looked out the window, and saw a moving red sea all around the car. I rubbed my eyes, looked closer and realized it was made up of hundreds of red crabs that were parting the way as the car slowly moved forward. We had arrived at Mompiche, a then-deserted beach located in the region of Esmeraldas. During the night, a local invited us to do the beach, and I was astounded. The water was shining because of the plankton. As a wave splashed, blue sparks would jump out, lighting up against the dark sky. My father decided to go for a quick swim and came out shining from head to toe. I remember feeling so impressed and grateful for our planet. Unfortunately, a big resort was built there a few years after and the natural magic Mompiche has been lost.

What tips would you give to anyone who is looking to document their travel journey?

The best tips I can think of are to have your eyes wide open and to flow with the unexpected.

I have found that my best travel experiences are the ones where I allow my curiosity to guide me. As a filmmaker/photographer, I am always looking for a special corner, a hidden alleyway that may lead somewhere beautiful, an open door to a building, (of course, always proceeding with precaution). It is good to know what you want to see and have an itinerary, but you can leave space for improvisation. Talk to locals, ask them about their favorite places, and visit them, you may find treasures that don’t appear on travel guides.

Pictures and videos are beautiful tools to help you reminisce of your trip years after, but what I love to do is to take in the landscape first. Really appreciate it while being present. Once I feel like I have taken in the scenery is when I proceed to snap a picture.