David Amaya

A Digital Storytelling Coordinator passionate about transmedia storytelling and helping our clients connect with their audiences in more innovative and impactful ways.

WhereNext’s Digital Storytelling Coordinator, David Amaya.

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Introducing WhereNext’s Digital Storytelling Coordinator, David Amaya. As a social communicator and journalist with 10 years of experience with public institutions, media agencies, and think tanks, David brings a wealth of knowledge to our Digital Marketing team. He’s passionate about transmedia storytelling and helping our clients to connect with their audiences in more innovative and impactful ways.

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Tell us about yourself.

I am David Amaya, a former globetrotter now enjoying time in my beloved Bogotá. The two activities I enjoy the most are working as a journalist and digital media strategist and going to the mountains looking for challenging hills to climb. I don't usually go on vacation like a typical tourist. I don't usually go to big cities, but to the climbing spots where I can enjoy the outdoors, meet new people and, of course, go rock climbing a lot! Working at Where Next is an excellent opportunity to exercise my creativity on projects that promote nature and the outdoors. That's why I am happy to be here.

What was your most memorable travel experience?

I have been lucky enough to visit a lot of beautiful places. The most memorable trip was when I went to Thailand and climbed in an exotic spot called TonSai, in the south of the country. You can find rocks next to the ocean and many monkeys around there. Take care if you go; the monkeys can plan a strategy to steal your food supplies! Somehow, that country reminds me of Colombia because of its abundance of coffee fields, jungle, nature, and tropical weather.

David is passionate about helping our clients to connect with their audiences in more innovative and impactful ways.

Dead or alive, who would you like to join you on an adventure?

There was this famous journalist and American writer called John Hersey. He wrote Hiroshima, the story of six survivors before and after the atomic bomb. I guess he would have been a great travel partner due to his passion for traveling and ability to engage with people from diverse cultures.

What are your travel equipment essentials?

My climbing gear, a camera or smartphone to take some pictures, and some toilet paper!

When did you feel happiest?

Overall, I feel full of joy when I realize that I am getting better at any activity that I perform. For example, when I figure out the best way to make an idea come true, or when I work hard on a climbing project, and finally, I find the way to do that step that looked almost impossible before. The former could take even months!

Who taught you your biggest life lessons, and what was it?

My mother taught me that honesty is the key to sleep tight. My brother taught me that knowledge is the tool to accomplish any goal in life. Once, I heard a quote from an astronaut on a YouTube Channel: "The more you know, the less you fear." So, let's keep learning new things!

David at his favorite restaurant in Australia.

You can teleport to any restaurant on Earth: where do you go, and what do you order?

I lived in Melbourne, Australia, for almost five years. There is a small restaurant called Laksa Bar in the city center where you can eat the best curry laksa ever. It's a mix of two kinds of noodles, and you can order it either with crispy crab (my favorite) or chicken. It is very spicy and heavy, but it is yummy and exotic. That's a Malaysian recipe, but it's widespread in other South Asian countries such as Singapore and Indonesia. So, there is a discussion about its origin. Similar to arepas, people from Colombia and Venezuela argue over who owns the recipe.

What was the most adventurous food you’ve ever eaten?

I went to a silk factory in Vietnam. There, I ate the cocoon of a silkworm. Eating it like fried peanuts with a few drinks is very common. So I decided to try it, and it wasn't too bad! I guess it is similar to eating hormigas culonas, a traditional snack from Santander, Colombia, where locals fry these ants known for their large butts.

Drink of choice?

I always enjoy a good craft beer with some friends. I also like warm sake that goes very well with some noodles.

Where do you feel most at home?

Without a doubt, I feel most at home when I am at my family's house. It wasn't until I returned from Australia at the beginning of the pandemic that I realized how much I missed spending time with my family. I also feel very comfortable in Bogotá. While some may argue it's not the most attractive tourist destination, I couldn't disagree more. Bogotá has a lot of hills and climbing spots around, so for me, this city and its surroundings are everything I need.

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