Where in the world is Maria? Look no further to find out (and see some of the things I am planning to do and see at each stop)!
Location
|
Arrival Date
|
Departure Date
|
Things to Do!
|
Phuket, Thailand
|
10/14/2011
|
10/17/2011
|
Patong Beach, Heroines' Monument, Wat Phra Thong buddha, Temple of the White Blood, go snorkeling!!!, canoe ride in lagoons
|
Bangkok, Thailand
|
10/17/2011
|
10/20/2011
|
Morning tai chi at Lumpini Park, Samutprakan Crocodile Farm, main square (Sanam Luang), Chatucak Weekend Market, Grand Palace, visit a floating market
|
Chiang Mai, Thailand
|
10/20/2011
|
10/27/2011
|
Spend a night in a bamboo hut, ride an elephant through the jungle, night market, learn to make Thai food
|
Beijing, China
|
10/27/2011
|
11/1/2011
|
Learn to cook dim sum (bbq pork buns, yum!), Tiananmen Gate, Great Wall of China, Lama Temple, Temple of Heaven
|
Bucharest, Romania
|
11/1/2011
|
11/6/2011
|
Stavropoleos Church, Triumphal Arch, walk the Dambovita River, world's 2nd largest building (Palace of Paliament), row boat on one of the city's lakes
|
Belgrade, Serbia
|
11/6/2011
|
11/9/2011
|
Belgrade Fortress, St. Michael's Cathedral, Zemun Tower, Zeleni Venac Market, strolll the Sava River
|
Budapest, Hungary
|
11/9/2011
|
11/14/2011
|
See a performance of the Hungarian ballet (Anna Karenina!), Hungary State Opera House, walk the Castle District, hiking Gellert Hill/Citadelle/panorama of the city, St. Stephen's Basilica, explore the Jewish District (synagogue), eat some Hungarian food at the Central Market Hall
|
Vienna, Austria
|
11/14/2011
|
11/17/2011
|
St. Charles Church, Heroes Square, museums galore!, Danube Island, Tree in Iron, giant ferris wheel at Prater
|
Munich, Germany
|
11/17/2011
|
11/20/2011
|
Peterskirche Tower, eat a legitimate pretzel, Nymphenburg Palace, BMW Headquarters (I feel like while I am there...), Englischer Garden, the Golden Friedensengel
|
Prague, Czech Republic
|
11/20/2011
|
11/23/2011
|
Charles Bridge, Dancing House building, Old Town Square, Prague Castle, admire the cottages of Golden Lane
|
Berlin, Germany
|
11/23/2011
|
11/26/2011
|
Berlin bike tour, the infamous wall, walk the Spree River, Pfaueninsel, Ernst-Reuter-Platz (just because I like the name!)
|
Amsterdam, Netherlands
|
11/26/2011
|
11/29/2011
|
ING House, Anne Frank House, Canal Tour, Van Gogh Museum, Vodelpark
|
Paris, France
|
11/29/2011
|
12/2/2011
|
Learn to make some amazing pastries, Napoleon's Palace, catacombs, Louvre, eat a crepe in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower
|
Brussels, Belgium
|
12/2/2011
|
12/6/2011
|
Atomium, Erasmus House, chcoolate!, Scientastic Museum
|
Sevilla, Spain
|
12/6/2011
|
12/9/2011
|
Maria Luisa Park (only the coolest people are named Maria Louise!), Traditional Arts and Customs Museum, Metropol Parasol
|
Bilbao, Spain
|
12/9/2011
|
12/12/2011
|
Visit the beach, explore the Casco Viejo district, learn some Basque
|
Madrid, Spain
|
12/12/2011
|
12/16/2011
|
Torres KIO, Parque Juan Carlos (one of Europe's largest parks!), the fountain at Plaza de Cibeles, Templo de Debod
|
Barcelona, Spain
|
12/16/2011
|
12/19/2011
|
Joan Miró Park, see the amazing architecture all over the place (like Casa Milà), Sardana Dance Statue
|
As my solo trip becomes a reality, I can’t help but appreciate all the amazing opportunities I have had in my life and how blessed I am. In June, I graduated with my Masters in accounting, I am one test (and some paperwork) away from becoming a CPA, I just finished an awesome temp job in Seattle (with some pretty amazing people), I am about to spend 2 months traveling the world and when I come back I am working for a company listed as one of the “Best Places to Launch a Career”. Is this really my life? I am seriously overwhelmed.
A friend put things into perspective when they recently texted me: “Hi Maria, as you get closer to your trip, know that I’m so inspired to see you making your dreams come true!” It is true. My dreams are coming true on an almost daily basis and I can’t believe this is my reality.
Anyone that knows me knows I love a good motivational, leadership or business book. Two in particular led me to the conclusion that I just HAD to do some extensive travel before joining corporate America. My more current obsessions include Tim Ferriss (author of 4-Hour Workweek) and the Road Trip Nation series. Tim’s premise is that life is meant to be designed in that you can dictate what you want your life to look like from how much time you spend working to the activities you participate in and the places you travel to. Road Trip Nation was the result of college graduates who were trying to find themselves and clarify what they wanted to get out of life through traveling across the country and interviewing people who were successful in their respective fields. The common theme among 90% of the interviews was that great new business ideas originated out of travel, seeing an idea in another location and adapting it to their environment in the states.
What is my goal over these (almost) nine weeks? Maybe I will come back with an idea for the next Starbucks or Redhook Brewery; both companies’ leaders were featured in Road Trip Nation and both ideas originated from travel. Maybe I will have some epiphany and have a greater understanding of what I want to contribute to the greater world throughout my life. Or maybe I will come back with stories illustrating how truly blessed I am, which has been a product of every other adventure I have taken. Either way, I think it is money well spent and I am completely looking forward to the journey ahead! The world is literally my oyster and having that feeling is overwhelming, but in the best way possible.