Where to Go: What Calls You

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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

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.

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.

READ MORE:
Where to Go: Timing |  Where to Go: Comfort Level

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Related posts:

1. Where to Go: Itinerary Round-Up