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Where to Go: What Calls You

There are a lot of decisions to make when planning a career break, but perhaps the one that is the most fun to make is deciding where to go. So how do you do it?

What Calls You

[singlepic=871,150,,,right]Most of my travel destinations have been places that have called me. In high school I became fascinated with Vietnam and Cambodia after studying the war and Pol Pot’s regime in the 1970’s. For years afterwards I would read and watch anything associated with those countries. So when I decided to take a three-month career break in 2001, I centered my travels on those destinations.

During my experience I learned a great deal of insight into the atrocities that affected those countries and gained a perspective I could never have learned in the classroom. And by meeting the locals I found that there were no hard feelings associated towards me because of the “American War,” despite the fact that it is still affecting their lives today.

[singlepic=36,125,,,left]I also love ancient ruins and cultures. There is definitely something mystical and magical that can be felt in their presence, despite a lack of structure and definition. Many of my vacations have been planned around visiting temples, including the Mayan ruins of Tulum & the Yucatan, Tikal in Guatemala, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and Knossos on the island of Crete. So when I decided to volunteer for the summer of 2006, I chose to do it in the heart of the Incan Empire – Cusco, Peru.

So think about places or cultures that might call you – they don’t have to be steeped in history like mine usually are. Perhaps there is a cuisine that you love, or a language that you want to learn. Think about some of your favorite movies or books. Inspiration is all around you and you may not even realize it.

Read Sherry's inspiration for traveling to Borneo.

We'd love to hear from you!

Do you have some tips on deciding where to go? Let us know! Share here.

3 Responses to “Where to Go: What Calls You”

jeremy clarke Says:
2010-03-09 23:37
Hey there,
First of all... what a great site. It has been a huge help for me.
So here's the jist of what i want to do.
Im finishing high school in june. I wan't to help people, and i want to surf.
I'v been looking in Costa Rica and am lucky enough to have a teacher who's spent most of his life traveling and exploring. I'll have around $4000 to work with. I would like to go for around a month, leaning towards more then a month.

I wouldn't mind traveling with a group or NGO , but feel that its really tough to do both things in one trip. I don't mind structure, but i really really wan't to explore and experience the culture of it all. I don't want to just go on a surfing trip though.

:S Please help! It would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much,
- jeremy
Michaela Potter Says:
2010-03-10 00:15
Jeremy - I love that you have found our site so inspiring! Just goes to show that travel spans every age.

And I love that you are in high school and wanting to explore the world - you are off to an awesome start. And the fact that you also want to give back is amazing.

Don't feel like you need to chose between the two. $4,000 is actually a lot of money in many parts of the world. Costa Rica is a great place for surfing (and affordable to live). So while you are taking lessons, you can also find places in the community that you can help out by teaching English.

And get in touch with SurfAid International: http://www.surfaidinternational.org/ - They are just one way that you can combine your passion for surfing with helping others.

I hope that helps you in getting started, and can't wait to hear what you do!
jeremy clarke Says:
2010-03-10 10:33
Wow! Thanks so much for the quick response. I will check out all that stuff and let you know where i'm headed asap!

Thanks again.
Take care.
-jeremy

Other comments

9 Comments on "A Year in Paris"

Leah on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:12 am

I really enjoyed reading your post. I am thirty-two soon and have itchy feet that are ready to try out foreign soils.
It is a fear of leaving the security of the day to day grind of paying the bills and living a safe and non-challenging way of life that has put me on hold for some time.
I hope (as it has I) your post will inspire others to go and follow their bliss – Leah 🙂

Patricia GW on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:54 am

Travel and experiencing a new culture really has put it into perspective, and filled that void with purpose (and joy).

In three weeks I’ll be moving to Paris myself for one month. I have the same feeling – the incredible surreal realization that I’m going to be living there…. it’s thrilling!!

Abby on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 2:11 pm

Oh, Jenny! Escargot isn’t palatable — it’s delicious! I love your writing style; it’s so fun and energetic. Can you believe how far we’ve come? Everyone, Jenny and I were in the exact same industry and have known each other online and via work emails for years and years. But we’ve only met once, many, many years ago. And one of those jobs she was sleeping next to her BlackBerry for was one I’d just left. And now she’s 33 and living abroad, just like I was last year. Kindred spirits. Jenny, you’re a true inspiration — I can’t wait to see how your adventure unfolds!

Debbie Beardsley on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 3:22 pm

Your life in Paris sounds ideal. It is nice to read about people who follow their dreams instead of wishing they had! Enjoy the rest of your journey.

Terriaw on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 1:40 pm

Wow, fabulous and well said! I love your new outlook on like. After experiencing career burnout and feeling a little lost and purposeless lately, you have encouraged me. I look forward to seeing Paris someday!

Jenny on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 6:50 pm

merci for all the sweet comments! @abby we are soooo kindred spirits! well except when it comes to our differing feelings on escargot…;) and congrats patricia on the move! thrilling indeed!

shawna on Thu, 9th Jun 2011 1:32 am

you’ve reawakened my travel bug. must. return. to. france. (someday.) eat a croissant for me!

Weekly Travel Blog Links — LandingStanding on Mon, 13th Jun 2011 6:16 am

[…] how badly I want to go to Paris… If only we could afford living there for an extended period of time during our travels! Any […]

G. Michael Schneider on Sun, 19th Jun 2011 3:36 pm

I am a firm believer in living and working overseas, just as you described. However, many of us actually like our jobs and our homes and are simply looking to renew and refresh our lives, not change it. However, you can have the same type of cultural experience without having to reach into your own wallet and without having to quit your day job–by taking what I call a “working vacation.” My wife and I have done this 15 separate times, from Australia to Zimbabwe, Turket to Tibet, Mauritius to Mongolia. I describe how to do it in my blog otherguysdime.wordpress.com and via Twitter at @otherguysdime. Learn how to have fun without having to have burn any of your bridges behind you.