Adventure Travel with Phil Paoletta - Scoot West Africa

Area/TopicWest Africa, Business, Culture, Food, Scooter TripsPhil PaolettaCo-ownerScoot West AfricaFormerly a middle school teacher in Washington, DC, Phil Paoletta is now a semi-nomad based in West Africa. An obsession with highlife music originally drew him to Ghana in 2005. Once he arrived there, he found other things — groundnut stew, the Twi language, mapouka (both the dance and the liqueur), orange-headed lizards — that he also liked. In 2010, he quit his job to travel back to West Africa. He figured he had enough money for a 6-month trip. He didn’t know it at the time, but that trip would never actually end. Fourteen years later, Phil finds himself based in Senegal, leading scooter trips around the region with Scoot West Africa, and making frequent stops in Bamako, Mali, where he is part owner of the Sleeping Camel hotel and restaurant. Since 2016, he has been collaborating with former tourist guides in Timbuktu on Postcards from Timbuktu, an e-commerce project that supports the guides and their families following the collapse of Mali’s tourism sector. When he is not moving around, he enjoys relaxing on the beaches of Senegal’s Petite-Cote with his wife and two kids.https://scootwestafrica.com/summaryIn this episode, Jason Elkins interviews Phil Paoletta, co-owner of Scoot West Africa, who shares his journey from a transformative concert experience to living in West Africa since 2010. Phil discusses the cultural richness of the region, the importance of music and food in social interactions, and the unique travel experiences offered by his company. He emphasizes the need for open-mindedness in travel and encourages listeners to explore West Africa despite common misconceptions. Phil also shares insights on starting a business in a challenging environment and the rewarding connections made through travel.takeawaysPhil has been based in West Africa since 2010.A concert sparked Phil's interest in Afrobeat music.Traveling in West Africa offers immersive experiences.Food is a significant part of social interactions in West Africa.Phil started Scoot West Africa in 2017.Clients should be open to spontaneous experiences.West Africa is an under-visited region for tourism.Cultural connections are vital in travel.Phil emphasizes the importance of community in West African life.Traveling is about discovering places on their own terms. Big World Made Small guest features are invitation-only and selected based on story, experience, and fit with the show. Some guests support the show through paid production features, cross-promotion, referrals, or other partnerships. This helps keep the show free of third-party ads and interruptions while keeping the focus on real, story-driven conversations.Learn more about the Big World Made Small Podcast and join our private community to get episode updates, special access to our guests, and exclusive adventure travel offers on our website.