Luis Enrique Coll is a respected freelance software developer and systems analyst. He is based in Seattle, Washington. He is experienced in building new software for companies in all industries. He helps them streamline their business operations while taking advantage of the newest developments in coding. Coll’s work helps these companies to achieve greater success.
Coll has 15 years of experience in the field of software engineering. His wealth of experience enables him to assess a company’s needs and bring a project to fruition. He is most interested in front-end development, but his experience enables him to build the entire project from the ground up. Together with coding and development, Coll is also experienced in web development. His other skills include leveraging social media presence to make a company successful.
Coll strongly believes in developing coding skills among young people. He devotes his free time to teaching coding to high school students, running seminars and giving private lessons. He believes that young minds have the best chance of developing tomorrow’s most exciting software. They have few preconceptions and a great deal of imagination.
Luis Enrique Coll is a seasoned world traveler who spends as much time in Central and South America as he can. He is also an aspiring artist who is interested in creating landscape works based on his travels. His other interests include running, mountain climbing, and avid reading.
What is your favorite thing about traveling?
My favorite thing about traveling is experiencing different aspects of culture. I love traveling to a new place, meeting the people, trying the food, and enjoying local artists’ work. Street food is one of my favorite things to enjoy. I also enjoy going to musical and dance performances.
“People watching” is one of the great pleasures of traveling, in my opinion. I know a few languages besides English and Spanish, so I can often converse with the people and find out about the best restaurants and places to stay.
Is traveling something you consider a hobby or a lifestyle? How did you get started?
Traveling is a hobby for me. I love to travel, but my work keeps me close to home. I am a systems analyst, and I work long hours. When I do get away, it’s so refreshing. If I didn’t work for myself, I might be able to give myself more time off to travel, but I feel that the rewards of freelancing outweigh the disadvantages.
Do you have any exciting travel dates or itinerary planned for the future?
I am planning a trip to Antarctica, and it’s so exciting. I am going to travel next winter (summer in Antarctica). A group of friends is planning the trip together. I don’t typically do organized tours, but for Antarctica, that is one of the only options open to travelers. We are going to fly in and take a cruise back to Ushuaia.
What are some travel tips you’d give to an inexperienced traveler?
Be sure that you research before you travel. I skimped on my research a few times and found myself in uncomfortable accommodations. Then I wasted most of my trip trying to find transportation. While it’s great to be spontaneous, you should cover all of your basics first. As you become a more experienced traveler, you can take more risks.
Where would you like to go?
Antarctica is number one on my list, and I’m going there this year. I have traveled widely in Central and South America, but I feel the need to start exploring different parts of the world. I’ve never been to Australia, and I’d love to see the country. I’d also like to see Egypt and the city of Petra in Jordan.
Where would you like to revisit?
I do travel alone most of the time. Occasionally I go with a friend from a traveling club. I feel like traveling alone gives me the best experience when it comes to exploring without a set itinerary. It is nice to have someone to eat with and someone to talk to on the plane. Long haul air travel can be lonely. It’s a good time to read.
Do you travel alone? Why?
Machu Picchu in Peru is stunning. It takes some physical conditioning to get there, but it’s worth it. Buenos Aires is beautiful and cosmopolitan. The food is fantastic there as well, especially if you like steak. I also believe that everyone should visit New York City. It’s like traveling around the world without leaving the country.
If you could pick the top three places every person should go, what would they be?
I am a light traveler. I like to combine my stays in hostels and bed and breakfasts with backpacking trips into the mountains, so it’s necessary that I pack light. The only disadvantage of packing light is that on a journey of any length, you’ll often find yourself trying to do laundry. This can be an adventure. Many rural areas don’t have laundromats. However, the benefits of packing light are so amazing. Bring comfortable clothes that can be rolled up small without looking crushed. You won’t go back to carrying the whole house with you when you travel.
