Wednesday, January 5, 2011

A List for the New Year

Last year has come and gone and it is only natural to embrace the possibilities that 2011 has in store for each and every one of us. I don’t know about you, but I was most certainly not sad when 2010 came to an end. Yes, there were happy and glorious times (my graduation and amazing European trip), but the amount of stress I put on myself…I am never more happy to see it behind me.

One thing I have learned during my hardships of 2010 (and even dating back several years before then), was that every hardship I face is there for a reason. I firmly believe that life will always throw curveballs at us, and sometimes those curveballs will take us to a place we never thought we would ever see; however, through God’s graces, he will always see us through it. I had to constantly remind myself that “what does not kill me makes me stronger.” I’m still alive so, I’m only hoping now that what I have dealt with and experienced in my past will only help to make me stronger in the coming year.

So, in regards to the New Year, I have decided to start fresh…in many areas of my life. Not only am I following in the same resolutions as much of the world (losing weight and exercising), but I am going to make more time for God, so that I can have a deeper and closer relationship with him. In no way do I wish to force this notion upon anyone else, but for me personally, it is something that has been a long time coming and the time is now. Seeing as I will dedicate the time to work on my spiritual and physical health, I also wish to work on my aspirations and “goals” if you will.

For those of you who have seen “Eat, Pray, Love” you will remember that Julia Roberts claims to have a box, under her bed, full of the various destinations she hopes to travel to one day. I have decided to do the same. I may not have a box, but I have a brain and I figure that as long as I make a list than I’m good to go.
However, I’m not naïve in thinking that all of the places I wish to see will be easy tasks to fulfill. For travelers, not only do you have to have the want and desire to travel, but you have to have the need, the determination, and of course…money. Due to the fact that my current income is quite small, it may take me some time before I can begin to actually travel to these places. However, I will get there one day.

So…without further ado, here is a list of places I hope to travel to in my lifetime (Over time, the list will grow much longer…I am sure of it):


Dublin, Ireland
London, England
Edinburgh, Scotland
Auckland, New Zealand
Prague
Munich/Berlin, Germany
Bali, Indonesia
Nanking/Hong Kong, China
Verona/Florence/Sicily/Naples/Milan, Italy
Manila, Philippines
Athens, Greece
Lisbon, Portugal
Moscow, Russia
Vancouver/Quebec/Montreal, Canada
Madrid and Barcelona, Spain
Morocco
Cannes/Monaco, France
Santiago, Chile
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Sydney, Australia
Papua New Guinea
Nepal

For anyone who has visited or even lives in these countries, I would love to hear from you. I would love to hear your stories, recommendations, advice, and anything else you would be willing to share. My list may seem far-fetched and unrealistic but like I said before, I do not expect to travel to each of these places every year. As a young, aspiring traveler, I realize it will take time and lots of hoping and praying in order for me to visit these destinations. However, what is the point of setting a goal and having a dream if you don’t plan to at least TRY and attempt to achieve that goal, right?

10 comments:

Tracy said...

Nicole - I am following you now - please visit me! I hope you get to see all the places on your list!
www.havingfunsaving.com

Unknown said...

Love it Nicole! Ahhh to be 25 again. Do it all before the kiddies come into the picture, then the picture changes. You can check out what that looks like through my blog:
www.momsguidetotravel.com.
We are on opposite sides of this beautiful fence. Following you now.
Tawanna

Cottage By The Sea said...

Good for you! There is nothing quite like travel and with the blog world out there now, making friends in new places is so much easier. You should be able to find out all the pros and cons of each place you want to visit even before you go. I've been to many of the destinations you have on your list and my favorite is Ireland. I'd suggest County Cork and everywhere in between Dublin and there. My favorite town is Leap in County Cork. All travel is so much more fun if you can meet up with people you know (even bloggy friends). Mingling with the people who actually live there makes most places, especially Ireland where they love visitors (and even Americans)! Way more fun. Good luck; I hope you get to every one of your destinations someday.

Mice Aliling said...

If you ever drop by Manila. Holler! I would love to take you around! I love to travel, too. I save up and travel, that's my thing. :) It's my rhythm :) Prague is charming, Berlin is cosmopolitan :) Milan is a delight. Make sure you go to Athens first before you ever go to Efesus in Turkey (although it's not part of your list. Glad to stumble upon you. And I hope we stumble upon each other in the future!

Anonymous said...

Can I say that I am so happy I found your blog? via 20sb I might add.
I too absolutely love to travel and i think its one of the things I am most passionate about.

Your list is quite impressive and has inspired me to make my own! I mean I have a thousand places I want to go to, but I think it would be great to actually write it all down.

Anyway!

I dont remember London since I was young when I went but thats on my to go back list.
I did a study abroad trip in 2009 to Milan and it was breathtaking. We stayed in Lake Como which is a must see it is just soo scenic. We also took a day trip over to Switzerland which was also very nice and what better place to enjoy some swiss chocolates!

Cannes and Monaco is also another must. How about Nice which is in the middle of the two? Monaco is so fun to dress up and go to Monte Carlo and gamble. Do you gamble? I have never but I did because hey Im in Monte Carlo. 70 euro's gone late Im not sure I had the same sentiment but it sure is fun!

I could go on and on. But your list is far from far fetched and is in fact quite realistic.

Traveler24 said...

Thank you Alyssa! It makes me feel so good to know you're so happy to have found my blog :) I love to write and travel so to be able to share it with all my readers is just so amazing!!!! Oh I'm following your blog and I love it!! :)

Anonymous said...

Aww thank you! And I truly am. We are fairly close in age, and its very rare that I find someone else who isnt in their 40's who shares the same passion for travel.

Traveler24 said...

:) Well Alyssa, I was talking to my mom last night and told her that when I'm 50, I don't want to look back on the first portion of my life and regret not doing what I love and seeing the beauty of the world.

To be honest, I've always loved to travel, but after seeing "Eat, Pray, Love" and reading the book, it reignited this passion inside of me.

Rebecca said...

This list is totally doable! From your list, I can tell you that Edinburgh is amazing (I live about an hour and a half from Edinburgh so I consider it in my neighborhood :) ) and if you have the chance to go for New Years you totally should. Hogmanay there is amazing.

And if you're looking for anything places to add to the list, let me suggest Reykjavik, Iceland. Amazing views, amazing people, and Iceland is one of the most breathtaking places I've ever been.

Traveler24 said...

Rebecca, I've always wanted to go to Edinburgh. My best friend went there a few years ago and fell in love with the place. It is a definite must see on my list :)

Thanks for the recommendation though on Iceland! And for following my blog!!! :)

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