Gigi Khatamaze in Focus: The Diary Originals

| Ana Tsikhelashvili |

If you're a fan of travel content but find yourself bored with the same old vlogs, looking for something with a bit more flair, then Gigi Katamadze is the content creator you've been waiting for. With his unique approach to exploring the world, he offers much more than the typical travel experience – he takes you on a journey that’s rich in culture, adventure, and unexpected discoveries.

Some people are born to stay at home – they spend their lives in familiar surroundings and never step outside their comfort zone. Others follow the call of the road, moving towards the unknown, constantly searching for new experiences. Gigi is one of them. The young traveler, also known as - Gigi On the Road, embarks on a journey to explore both himself and the world, taking his audience to remote corners of the world and introducing them to people from different cultures.

For Gigi, the narrative each country carries is of great significance. However, in his videos, he focuses on capturing the present – exploring the lives, cultures, and experiences of the people he encounters. Gigi has shared with The Diary that his storytelling will extend beyond the phone screen, as he plans to publish a book in the nearest future, offering an even deeper exploration of the world he so passionately documents.

Today, Gigi On the Road is a guest on The Diary Originals, a segment where we share stories about interesting and exceptional Georgians. The interview was traditionally recorded at the chicos.tbilisi café.

Gigi, recall the moment when you decided you wanted to explore the world?

Gigi: It was about two years ago. I had always wanted to see at least 50 countries, but I never had the time. During that period, I quit my job and decided that I would travel for 6 months and visit about 25 or 30 countries.

How do you plan your travel routes?

Does everything happen spontaneously? Gigi: 90% of my travels are spontaneous. I don’t like planning. I might not even have a hotel booked before I arrive in a city. When I get there, I’ll find something, ask people, and based on that, I’ll decide where to go.

When did you experience the biggest cultural shock?

Gigi: It was in India, then Pakistan, and lastly Israel. India has a very different culture. One of the cities was Varanasi, where people were cremated in public. I didn’t expect what I encountered. As I mentioned, I don’t look up information about a country in advance; I arrive and learn everything on the spot.

What qualities help you find common ground with everyone?

Gigi: I always imagine that if someone were to come to our country and ask me something, I would definitely help them. Communication is something everyone loves; they want to talk about their country, and share with you, so you shouldn’t have a barrier. You need to talk to them. At least try, because you might never see this person again.

Since becoming a traveler, what has been the most unexpected or strange lesson that life has taught you?

Gigi: I got to know myself better. In life, I shouldn’t worry about many things, because people have much bigger problems, they live differently, and I should be grateful for what I have today – a place to stay, or even just clean drinking water. The more I travel and meet people, I realize that everyone has a different mentality, which comes from their family, etc. And I think that if you only live in your own country, you’re in a closed space, a so-called bubble, but traveling helps you get out of that bubble and make you think that if I hadn’t been born here, I might have lived differently or even chosen a different profession.

What do you consider when choosing a country to travel to?

Gigi: The country must meet at least one of three criteria. It should either be good for entertainment, provide a cultural shock in terms of a different religion and lifestyle, or have a history, like Syria did. Nature is also an important factor.

Which country do you associate with fear, and which one with lightness/joy?

Gigi: To be honest, none of the countries are associated with fear. In every country, you’ll find kind people; every country has its good and bad sides. As for lightness, I associate that with South American countries, like Colombia and Brazil. That’s when I realized that even if you’re going through tough times, you can still enjoy yourself, dance, and sing.

If time travel were possible, which historical era would you visit?

Gigi: The period of the rise of Rome. I would be a gladiator or a warrior.

How does your perception and idea of countries change before and after visiting them?

Gigi: It always changes, which is why I try not to have too much information in advance. I avoid having expectations and prefer to define things for myself after I arrive. When you travel, you should visit at least three cities in one country to understand and evaluate the environment. Everything depends on individual experience, so you can never say that one country is this way or that way.

The most unexpected, strange, or funny encounter during your travels...

Gigi: While I was in Portugal, my favorite content creator, Chris LeBlanc, was also in Portugal, so I DMed him to see if we could meet up. I had been doing this work for about 3 months and had about five thousand followers, while he had millions. He replied that a group of content creators was meeting, and if I wanted, I could join them. I spent a week with them.

What would be your advise to those who seek adventure but can’t take the first step?

Gigi: Start with baby steps, travel in Georgia or nearby countries. The important thing is to begin. If you really want to, you’ll start, even with a small budget. I want to prove that budget is not an obstacle. For example, I came back from Croatia by hitchhiking. With just a tent and money for food, you can create an experience of a lifetime that you’ll never forget. I used to be a materialist, and then I thought – why do I need things if I won’t have time and I can’t do what I love?

Imagine that years later you’re writing your autobiography. What would you write as the first sentence?

Gigi: Take Action!