Bohemian Trails Talks Inspiration
Just like Jade, I was a bit behind on the blogger curve. I was nominated by Bobbi of Heels and Wheels before I even knew what the Travel Inspirations chain was all about. This is also my first time participating in one of these blogger chain posts so here is my stab at getting it right. For those still clueless, here’s a bit of background on the easyJet initiative.
Who: Mickey Mouse
Despite being 25 years old, many times I revel in my days as both a 2 and 5 year old. I’ve told this particular story before but Mickey Mouse and Disney World Orlando had a lot to do with my travel inspirations. So did Bob Barker from The Price is Right. I’ll quickly recap the latter. When I was a kid my sister and I used to sit in front of the TV during the summer and watch The Price is Right. Sometimes, contentants competed for trips all over the world and I couldn’t help but become curious about these exotic destinations glimmering through our television.
Now back to Mickey Mouse. I’ve always been a huge Disney fan but it took getting a fake passport on my first trip to Disney World Orlando‘s Epcot Center that really inspired me to travel. My Dad saw how excited I became as I visited each of the pretend countries so he bought a fake passport in one of the gift shops and from there I spent the rest of the day getting fake stamps. In many ways I really felt like I was traveling but at the same time I knew that I wasn’t. As a result, my travel inspiration deepened.
When: London, Spring 2008
During my junior year in college I decided to study and work abroad. This was actually harder than I anticipated. Double majoring in Psychology and English made it difficult to complete all my classes on time let alone get credits approved across the pond. So what did I do? I took summer classes two years in a row to make my dream possible. I also chose to enroll in a program not affiliated with my school so that I could meet new people and do things my own way.
Spring 2008 in London marked my first time traveling outside the country and in many ways, this was the only real learning experience I needed. Suddenly this small town girl found herself thriving in a big city world and what surprised me the most was how comfortable I felt in the chaotic streets. I also made a point to travel to several other European countries while based in the rainy city.
What: Anonymity
I’m well aware that some people won’t agree with me on this but there’s something very alluring about the anonymity of traveling to a new destination, starting over and living a life different than your norm. I remember deciding to go by “Meg” rather than Megan when I was in London. It felt so daring to chop off nearly half of my 5 letter name but in reality it was much more than that.
Not that I’ve every been a controversial or interesting point of conversation, but starting over in a new place was the remedy to my shyness. Suddenly I had the power to do and be anything I wanted. In reality, there was nothing stopping me before, but traveling definitely demonstrated this to me. I felt the same surge of motivation when I moved to NYC jobless and bright-eyed only two weeks after graduating college.
Where: New York City
When I was a child my Dad used to take the whole family on his business trips to the Big Apple. We’d stay at the swanky Marriot Marquis right in the middle of Times Square and we took taxis…everywhere. For a long time I assumed that this was the real New York City and it was simply too crowded and dirty for me. While the crowds and grime haven’t lessoned since I moved here myself nearly three years ago, New York continues to be my biggest source of inspiration.
This also goes to show that your own backyard (even if it is a huge global city) can be just as eye opening as traveling half-way around the world. Although I have my days of frustration with the city, New York has quickly become one of my best friends. I love hearing ten different languages on the subway and meeting people from countries I have both visited myself or one day hope to check off my “travel bucket list”.
Now it’s Your Turn – forgive me if any of you have already done this 
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23 Comments
For me, just the thought of seeing and experiencing new things is motivation and inspiration enough to want to get out and do something. You are such a trooper for double majoring at a university from a different country! If you can do that you can do anything!
Alexa Meisler recently posted..Mountain Biking Excursion in Miami’s Key Biscayne
aww thanks Alexa!
Megan recently posted..Bohemian Trails Talks Inspiration
Thanks for the invite! We will get right on our post!
Happy travels!
Mike
Mike recently posted..The Fighting Couple on Pinterest?
of course! Looking forward to reading it!
Megan recently posted..Bohemian Trails Talks Inspiration
Great responses! And I frickin’ love the last pic of you. If you’re lost on who to nominate for the next part of this chain, you can rest assured that choosing me will yield an interesting response.
Robert Schrader recently posted..What Third World Travel Has Taught Me
Oh shit you did invite me!
Robert Schrader recently posted..What Third World Travel Has Taught Me
I sure did!
Megan recently posted..Bohemian Trails Talks Inspiration
I enjoyed taking part in this as well. Great list of inspirations. Mickey had a pretty big impact on me as a kid also:)
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..Carbon Offsets – A Worthy Travel Expense?
That’s awesome! He’s a pretty cool mouse.
Megan recently posted..Bohemian Trails Talks Inspiration
Great inspiration! Love the pic in NYC!
The Time-Crunched Traveler (Ellen) recently posted..The Weekly Worldview: Cloisters of Iglesia de Compania
Thanks! I love my city
Megan recently posted..Bohemian Trails Talks Inspiration
The anonymity thing is certainly recognisable – you can just reinvent yourself, try new things, see what happens. I think that is part of what people find so jarring about returning home after long term travel.. the new version of themselves is different to the version people are expecting to return home.
Laurence recently posted..Angouleme–wanders around the ramparts
Very well said Laurence! Yes, I love the feeling of reinventing myself when I live/visit a new place.
Megan recently posted..Bohemian Trails Talks Inspiration
Enjoyed reading your inspirations! I love NYC too – I’d rather live there than visit though =)
Andrea recently posted..My Travel Inspirations
Thanks Andrea! It’s a crazy city but I love it
Megan recently posted..Bohemian Trails Talks Inspiration
Love the photo of you and Mickey! This is a cute idea for a viral post
Leslie (Downtown Traveler) recently posted..PHOTOS: Montreal street art explained! A local artist reveals the meaning behind 8 colorful murals
Thanks Leslie! I actually meant to tag you in this one…not sure what happened haha
Megan recently posted..Bohemian Trails Talks Inspiration
i, too, moved to NYC jobless & homeless, post-college. it was such a fantastic experience that really changed my life. great post!
happy travels – lola
Wow – good for you Lauren! I agree, definitely a life changing experience
Megan recently posted..Bohemian Trails Talks Inspiration
Oh man… there are so many things I want to see based on a thought or a whiff of someone else’s experiences or the littlest of places.
Thanks for the feedback Margyle!
Megan recently posted..Bohemian Trails Talks Inspiration
I definitely experienced the same newfound ability to be who I want to be in a new place. I am often considere shy when I’m at home traveling to foreign places and meeting new people really leaves you no option but to come out of your shell!
Exactly! That’s one of the best parts of travel in my opinion – breaking out of your shell
Megan recently posted..Zip Lining Colombian Style