Silvia Lawrence

Silvia Lawrence authors "Heart My Backpack," a travel blog that explores off-the-beaten-path destinations and shares unique travel experiences. Born in Massachusetts with Norwegian heritage, her early life involved extensive international travel with her university professor parents, which cultivated a deep interest in global exploration. Having visited over seventy countries, she focuses particularly on less-traveled regions such as Central Asia, the Middle East, and former Soviet countries, often solo backpacking through Iran or undertaking extended hitchhiking journeys across the "Stans." Lawrence began blogging while backpacking through Southeast Asia, China, and Central Asia, later launching "Heart My Backpack" to independently chronicle her adventures. The blog blends practical travel advice with emotionally vulnerable reflections, which has attracted a dedicated following. After years as a full-time nomad, including time based in Chiang Mai, Thailand, she settled in Mosjøen, Norway, in 2015. Her work now balances continued international exploration with insights into life and travel in Norway. Lawrence advocates for travelers to follow their own interests and prioritize cultural immersion, often highlighting the universal kindness and unexpected connections encountered on her journeys.