The Beginning of Justine Tibesar’s Global Journey

Marie Justine Tibesar’s journey from a small Luxembourg village to global adventurer is a story of extraordinary determination and courage that began in her teenage years. Born on May 15, 1909, in Ell, Luxembourg, a small village near the Belgian border, Justine’s early life gave little indication of the remarkable adventures that awaited her.

Breaking Free from Convention

At the age of 16, Justine’s independent spirit first manifested when she disappeared from her home without warning. Her family eventually located her in Esch, Luxembourg, though the circumstances of how she supported herself during this period remain unknown. Concerned about her rebellious tendencies, her parents enrolled her at a boarding school run by the Sisters of Notre-Dame in Arlon, Belgium.

The structured and disciplined environment of the religious boarding school proved ill-suited to Justine’s free-spirited nature. According to accounts from this period, she was considered “a stone of scandal” in the establishment and eventually had to leave. Upon returning home, a pivotal moment arrived when her aunt from Dunkerque, France, came to visit.

First Taste of Independence

For the young Justine, Dunkerque represented the exciting unknown world beyond her rural upbringing. Seizing an opportunity to escape the confines of her small village life, she asked her brother for money. With just 150 francs in hand, Justine boarded a train for Dunkerque.

In this French port city, Justine demonstrated the resourcefulness that would characterize her later adventures. When her modest funds ran out, she did not return home in defeat. Instead, she rented a handcart and began selling oranges on the Dunkerque quay. This entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to take on whatever work was available would serve her well in her future global adventures.

Moving Toward Greater Adventures

Justine’s life took another unexpected turn when a traveling theatrical troupe visited Dunkerque. Drawn to their nomadic lifestyle and the promise of adventure, she joined the performers. When the troupe decided to tour America, it presented an exciting prospect of international travel.

The exact details of how Justine first reached America remain unclear from the available documentation. What is known with certainty is that by late 1929, she had made her way to Europe, where her path would cross with the Wanderwells, leading to the next significant chapter in her global adventures.

The Wanderwell Connection

In late 1929, Justine’s path crossed with that of Walter and Aloha Wanderwell, founders of the Work Around the World Educational Club (WAWEC). The Wanderwells had been traveling the globe since the early 1920s in converted Model-T Ford automobiles, promoting international peace and understanding through their “law, not war” philosophy.

According to research by Randy Eustace-Walden, Aloha Wanderwell had spent time in Belgium as a young girl and may have first met Justine during this period. Their paths crossed again in Europe in the fall of 1929, and Aloha persuaded Justine to join the Wanderwell Expeditions.

On November 1, 1929, Justine sailed from Le Havre, France, aboard the S.S. Ile de France, arriving in New York on November 7. Ship records describe her as a 20-year-old Belgian citizen, standing 5’4″ tall, fluent in three languages (Flemish, French, and German), and working as a nurse. Her passport had been issued in London just weeks earlier, on October 7, 1929.

Joining the Wanderwells

In late 1929, after her American arrival, Justine’s path continued to evolve as she joined the Wanderwells’ global expedition. Her association with this famous traveling couple would provide structure and purpose to her wanderlust, setting the stage for her journey across America and eventually to Asia.

In Christian Fink-Jensen and Randy Eustace-Walden’s book “Aloha Wanderwell,” Justine is described as “a cherubic-faced brunette with a quick tongue, able to silence any of the male crew members. She had an affinity for long silk scarves and liked to throw them around her neck with a flourish like Isadora Duncan, before sauntering into a car or away from a boring conversation.”

This vivid description captures the spirit of independence and confidence that characterized Justine’s approach to life and travel—qualities that would serve her well in the adventures that awaited her with the Wanderwells and beyond.

These early adventures—from selling oranges on a French quay to crossing America as part of an educational expedition—formed the foundation of Justine’s global journey. They reveal a young woman of extraordinary adaptability, courage, and determination—qualities that would soon be tested on an even greater scale during her historic motorcycle journey across Asia and Europe.