The summer before I graduated college, I traveled to southern India to spend a month interning at a music magazine. It was the first time I'd taken a trip without my family, and I was terrified - as the plane touched down in Bangalore, I contemplated turning right back around and going home. But as you can probably guess, I didn't, and I'm so grateful for that. I had the time of my life. Toward the end of my stay, I remember thinking, I could do this forever. As long as I can travel, I'll be the happiest person alive.
Travel's been on my mind a lot these days; I daydream constantly about my next big trip. I've always wanted to return to India (in four weeks, I barely made a dent), but I'd also love to stroll the streets of Marrakech, sample Spanish seafood, see the padlocks of Paris - the list could go on and on. These watercolors, by the Sketching Backpacker, are only fueling the wanderlust.
What's your favorite travel destination? And where are you going next?
Planning a trip to new Zealand Australia Bali Malaysia and Nepal. I can't wait. It's been a long time and every time I read anything about travel my heart hurts!
ReplyDeleteundoubtedly it would be PARIS for me =)
ReplyDeleteIt's a fabolous experience! India is different, and as my guide said me a few years ago " in India all is possible".
ReplyDeleteIf I were a rich woman, I would be travel all the year! Open my mind, and change completely my live!
I need to do at least one time a year! I love above all, Asia! Is magical!
If you need some information, please let me know ;))
xoxo from München
La Vie Quotidienne
www.laviequo.com
I'm taking my BF to a family reunion in Peru!! I can't wait for him to really experience the culture there and to see where I practically grew up!
ReplyDeleteFlying there we are going to have a connecting flight in Costa Rica, and the time between flights is 6 hours...you think I have enough time to run up to see the Volcan Poas, and run back to the airport?
These water color paintings are so dreamy! There are so many beautiful places I'd love to explore! I recently started a list of the 102 places I would like to see in life, and I'm hoping to make Montreal one of my next destinations. Marrakech is on there as well :)
ReplyDeleteWhat is it about Spring that causes such a bad case of wanderlust? I'd love to take a trip of Italy. I'd take my Fuji Instax instead of watercolors, but it would be lovely.
ReplyDeleteI was lucky enough to travel abroad for 6 months and I hit up 22 European cities!
ReplyDeleteI really want to go to Chile and Argentina (my dad always says that his dream would be to retire to Chile). South America just has so much intrigue for me! (I also want to go to Thailand so I can play with tigers - my obsession!)
xoxo,
mon amy
Hopefully going to Italy! These watercolors are really inspiring, Thank you for sharing!! Next time I am on a trip I will try to keep a sketch book!
ReplyDeleteEverywhere & anywhere in Europe! We're sooooo close :)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite place so far was Venice, but I'd love to experience a place by living there for a few months.
ReplyDeleteI am going to South Africa in September (my bf won a prize) so I am so excited for that opportunity. But I'm still searching for a way to make travel possible, for a long period of time! If you figure it out, please let me know ;)
India and Morocco are on the top of my list, along with Cairo and Beijing, so basically all over the place:) Paris and Vienna are two of my favorite cities in the world, and I definitely wouldn't mind going back--perhaps with my watercolors in tow this time.
ReplyDeleteThose sketches are gorgeous! And they're making me want to travel more, too. I have several short weekend trips planned for the spring, but I'm really looking forward to taking a longer vacay in the summer--hopefully Slovenia and Croatia!
ReplyDeleteAll of these travel plans (and fantasies) sound amazing! I absolutely loved reading through these comments.
ReplyDeleteJenna, have you considered traveling somewhere as a volunteer? I've done that a couple of times, and had great experiences. I also did WWOOFing (working on organic farms) in New Zealand. Since I worked in exchange for food and a place to stay, I saved a lot of money - and learned a ton!
New Zealand, man...New Zealand. And Patagonia. I just got done hanging out with some friends who were in LA for a long layover on their way to Australia, and when I dropped them off at the airport, it was really hard for me to drive away...is it weird that I like the smell of airplane exhaust fumes? I'm wanderlustin' my little heart out over here.
ReplyDeleteMy fiance and I have been living abroad teaching at an International Kindergarten for the past year. The incredible experience has afforded us the opportunity to travel all around Southeast Asia. This summer we head back home to plan a wedding, but I'm sure we will get anxious to pack our bags again! Maybe Central America/South America this time?
ReplyDeletewww.wander-well.com
Isn't there something magical about the streets of Spain? The Spanish markets that sell copious amounts of ham serrano, quirky friendship bracelets or tubs of olives. My dream was to live and travel in Spain, I used to think of nothing else (well, apart from blogging of course!) In September 2010, I got to live my dream, I moved to Spain, Valencia to live with my Spanish boyfriend and study to become a translator. There is nothing that makes me happier than living in this beautiful city, and travelling to other Spanish cities. To hear Spanish everyday, not just sample, but eat regular plates of seafood Paella (I recommend that if you have never travelled to Valencia before, you come just for the paella, it is simply to die for, it's the best to unwind with friends) makes me oh ever so happy! There are snippets of Valencia on my blog, http://aimitafollows.tumblr.com/
ReplyDeleteFeliz jueves!
greece, andalusia, cinque terre, marrakesh, iceland and the list goes on but in a week's time i'll be flying across continents to visit your wonderful city! :)
ReplyDeleteSo far, my favorite travel destinations have been Mexico and Paris. I have been dreaming about a trip to the Caribbean, the beaches look amazing there!
ReplyDeleteRoad trips are always a nice relaxing alternative though....
It so inspiring to read through all these travel experiences and aspirations. I will have to pass this along to my sister who's looking to take a trip when she graduates in June.
i think WE should plan a trip!
ReplyDeleteParis, hands down. It's my most favorite place in the world. Bf and I are hoping to make it to Italy this year...really hope it happens. :)
ReplyDeleteSpent time in India for a month sounds wonderful! Greatest place I've ever been to is definitely Greece islands (Mykonos and Santorini)! I wish I can go back there again :) p.s. I always enjoy reading your post. You're a great writer!! xo akiko
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Fitz, how exciting! There's no place like NY :)
ReplyDeleteLydia, YES! That would be so much fun!
Akiko, so nice of you - thank you. Greece sounds awesome; I'd LOVE to go someday!
hi shoko! I did look into voluntourism a couple years ago, but completely forgot about it. I'll have to look back into it, farming in NZ sounds pretty amazing :) I'm trying to decide between finding my perfect job niche & traveling. it's a tough one!
ReplyDeletebtw just stumbled upon this book, we should probably get this! http://www.newhighmart.com/shop/item/1852/Getting-Out-Your-Guide-to-Leaving-America/
That looks like such a cool book. Yes, we do need it! :) And I know what you mean about deciding between work and travel - it's a toughie. I'm right there with you!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog! And I totally feel you on the wanderlust. Constantly, in fact. Sadly, I have never been overseas. Though I had intended on traveling to Europe a couple of years ago, I let my plans fall by the wayside because I had no one who was able to go with me. Do you NEED someone to go with you? Of course not. (You're obviously proof of that.) But I'd so much rather do it that way. Clearly, I need the motivation that comes with a travel buddy, too.
ReplyDeleteCassie, thank you! And I know how you feel - having a travel buddy is awesome and I often wished I had one when I was alone. It's so fun to share a life-changing experience with a friend. Keep me updated on your travels when they do happen - I'd love to hear about them!
ReplyDeleteI loved reading this. I did something similar to you in that I went to study abroad alone and figured I would just meet people when I got there...and I did and it was amazing.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing like travel. It opens your mind and rejuvenates your spirit. I feel like a new person when I'm away, trying new foods, smelling new smells, seeing something I could only imagine in my dreams. You can read all about a place and see photos but until you are there - I remember the first time I walked inside Notre Dame the smell and the cold of all that stone was overwhelming. Speaking of Paris, it is one of my favorite cities to visit. There is just so much history - it's like the city is haunted and every corner has something new to be discovered.
Every place that I've traveled has been special for a different reason. We went to Thailand and Cambodia almost 5 years ago and it was one of the most intense experiences of my life. Seeing a place like Angkor Wat and trying to imagine how they built that...I can't wrap my head around it.
really favourite one is Prague:) i love to travel, so everywhere where i was had a wonderfull memories:)
ReplyDeleteI really loved Mongolia and its expanse. It was a very magical trip. And just that region of the world is so fascinating to me - I liked Kazakhstan. I loved western China.
ReplyDeleteOh, and Italy - it's been nearly 10 years since I've been and I am still haunted by images there. And Burma - I love Burma.
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