Sunday, November 30, 2014

5 Travel Experiences that Changed my Perspective on Life

It's getting a bit more personal today on the blog, so I hope you're up for it. Long before I had a dslr camera to capture everything around me I was traveling and exploring the world. That was back in the times of film cameras, Polaroids and point and shoot cameras. Still, different cityscapes and landscapes were in front of me that made a mark in my life.


Travel is undoubtedly a big part of me, and the wanderlust, as the Germans put it so nicely, sparks regularly. I think that I have, on some level, created this blog for myself as well. I wanted to have a place where I could collect all these moments. On the other hand, it HAS always been about sharing the beauty of this world with others.

So without further ado, here are the 5 Travel Experiences that Changed my Perspective on Life. Some on a larger scale, then others, but nevertheless they somehow influenced my desire to explore the world.

click on the images for a bigger view

1. Visiting the USA

This might come as a surprise to my dear American readers, but I have actually visited the USA. I never wrote about it on my blog, simply because the images I took were not that presentable. But nonetheless, visiting the USA has hugely influenced my travels today. I was part of a Youth Legacy Leadership Program that was funded my the US Government, and they flew 15 students from Bosnia and Herzegovina to the USA. I stayed for three weeks on the east coast, specifically Washington DC and West Virginia (Lynchburg and Roanoke).


In Washington DC, we visited the US Senate (we were given a private tour actually), the White House, the various museums, memorials and the botanical garden. I was never this far away from home, I had to rely on my knowledge of the English language, and actually speaking it there with nothing to fall back on, really helped me in mastering the language further.


I promise to do a full post with my images from the USA at some point. Maybe a new scan of the images will better the quality.

2. Korucla, Croatia

This might be a head-scratcher for some. I associate this wonderful small island on the Adriatic Sea, with my first travels, post-war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was at a time, that I still traveled with my whole family. We visited this place many times, and I even went back there, when I was older. Click here to read more about this beautiful island.


3. Cologne and Elsen, Germany

I have written about Cologne a couple of times (like the 10 Reasons why you should visit it this Winter, or the wonderfully charming Christmas Markets of the city), but during our stay there, we also visited Elsen, a small town where I lived for four years. Being back, brought up many memories and it was wonderful to walk to my old school and the apartment where my family and I lived.

 My sister and I in front of our old school in Elsen

Selma and Jasmina on the Christmas Market


Workers on a stand on the Christmas Market (Linking to City Daily Photo)


4. Trondheim, Norway

This was one of the first travels on which i went without people I knew before. I was still in high school when the offer to visit Norway with a group of other people came. I immediately said yes even though I was afraid of flying back then (still am a bit today). We stayed in a beautiful small hotel in Trondheim. I remember I had a room all by myself. We explored this wonderful little city in the north of Norway, and I was immediately gripped by its charm.

 

5. Istanbul, Turkey

I visited Istanbul with my school and It was one of those trips, that you wouldn't make today anymore in that fashion, but back then it represented a really great period in all of our lives. Somehow, when you leave for college, you get robbed of the innocence of youth and this was one of those moments where everything fell into place. Istanbul is a magnificent city, and one I explored on this blog previously in a three part photo series, that you can visit here.




Thank you all for stopping by.

What were some travel experiences that changed your perspective on life?



53 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing this slice of your life. It is such a pleasure to learn more about you, specially on the trip side... Travelling is so good for photographic inspiration.

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  2. I wonder if you realize how fortunate you have been to be able to see and visit the countries of such varied cultures at such a young age.? I fervently wish that experience could be available to all citizens of the world; we would live in a different place if that were possible. Meeting, knowing, and understanding other people is the real key to world harmony and peace.

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    1. Your last sentence brings it to the point. Traveling simply broadens your horizons like nothing else. Thanks for your lovely comment Kate.

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  3. you definitely have the travel bug and an appreciation for all you see and share with us. :)

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  4. How beautiful! I love your image of Trondheim. We've been there aboard Splendour of the Seas (as well as by car) many times. Thank you for sharing your wonderful images.

    I apologize for not getting in here to visit your blog more often. We are still at sea where I don't have a satellite connection fast enough to download much more than email. In two more weeks we will sign off and head for home to enjoy the holidays with family and friends.

    All the very best,
    Lois

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    1. Thanks Lois for visiting. Trondheim is really great, and I'm happy that you got to visit it as well.

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  5. So glad that you chose to share these personal pictures. You had me great opportunities as a student and it is nice to see this glimpse into your life.
    :-)
    Traci

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  6. i knew you love to travel but had no idea you are a veteran world traveler.. the travel that changed my whole life happened at age 10, we drove 12 hours from our home in Georgia to the state of Kentucky to live there for the next 5 plus years... that 12 hours was like time travel, we stepped back into a time that was like 1853 not 1953... and for that i am a better person... living like they did a hundred years before my birth taught me much. i have been in most of our states but never outside the USA

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    1. I bet it was harsh leaving your home, but that you also gained a lot from it. The United States offer a lot to see so I bet you saw quite a few different styles of living on your travels.

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  7. Desde luego curiosa y muy completa entrada... Un saludo desde Murcia...

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  8. I loved reading about your travel experiences. You've done quite a bit of it! Nice photos of Korucla and Trondheim.

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  9. Wonderful post and photos, Mersad!! I've been very blessed in my life to be able to travel and live in different countries for periods of time and that has been a wonderful experience. My youngest daughter was born in Spain. Thank you for sharing! Terrific captures for the day as always!! Have a great new week!!

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  10. This edition was a lot of fun, Mersad, and I also enjoyed Korucla and Tronheim!

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  11. The shadows of the castle are most interesting!

    Finite Shadows

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  12. Beautiful places and great photos; I would love to see Norway one day!

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  13. What amazing experiences you've had and I am glad to hear you visited the USA and saw DC and WV!

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  14. A beautiful collection of photos. I am most interested by your Norway shot.

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  15. Ah! You are very fortunate to have seen so much of the world at such a young age. It's great that you have so many photos to help remind you of what you saw and your feelings about it.

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  16. Fascinating post. It says so much.. about you and your past travels and experiences.
    You are so fortunate to have these memories.. and we are equaling fortunate that you shared them with us.

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  17. Travel educates a person like nothing else can. How wonderful that you have been able to travel so much!

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  18. You have had wonderful opportunities for travel, Mersad. You are very fortunate. I grew up in a small town in Massachusetts and had very few travel opportunities when young. I spent a summer in Washington, D.C., after my junior year of college, and began traveling more in my 30s, both on my job and on vacations. Now that my children are out of the house and I am retired, I travel quite actively, making up for lost time. You are lucky that your travel opportunities came while you are young.

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  19. A wonderful post, Mersad. My husband and I lived in Ecuador, South America, for a number of years. Travel really opens one's eyes to see people in a new light. We are all products of our culture and understanding different cultures helps us to see people differently. Basically we all want the same thing - security, hope for the future, love, family.
    There is a blogger who lives in Trondheim who posts lovely photos like yours. The island of Korucla is stunning with that castle.
    Thank you for sharing. Have a wonderful week.

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    1. Thank you for your comment Lorrie. If you give me the link to the blogger from Trondheim I will check him out gladly. I agree on your views about travel. Korcula is always a highlight.

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  20. Great to know about your travels. You are lucky. All I've been to outside India is Singapore and I simply loved it. Lovely photos especially the one with colorful houses in Trondheim.

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  21. What wonderful images and experiences. Thanks for sharing. Tom The Backroads Traveller

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  22. You are very lucky to have traveled to much... I wish I had the opportunity

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  23. I agree completely with Kate's comment. If I were a wealthy person I'd start a foundation dedicated to sponsoring travel for the world's youth. I can't think of a better way to learn and promote peace and harmony.

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  24. You are so fortunate to have traveled. I would love to visit the places you've been. It is such an enlightening experience. I have wanderlust. Keep traveling and sharing with us!

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  25. You've been to some great places...thank you for sharing your journey♪ http://lauriekazmierczak.com/celestial-views/

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  26. I so do enjoy looking at your photos. You are well traveled and no doubt there are many places you and your camera will visit in the future. Enjoy it all!

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  27. how great and so neat to see your virginia photos...well, you know i'm right outside of roanoke and lynchburg isn't too far from me...it looks like you were at thomas jefferson's poplar forest? or monticello? it's hard to tell from the angle...well, we are originally from san diego but in 2001 moved to missouri, then a few years later to georgia and now here in virginia...it's been wonderful getting to see so much of our own country and able to take the kids to so many historical spots out here...one day i'd like to make it to europe! can't wait to see more of your american tour photos :)

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    1. Thanks so much Tanya. I know you live in the region, since I sometimes recognize the views you show on your blog. I think it's important to visit ones country as well. So many highlights can hide in plain sight sometimes.

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  28. So much wonderful travelling behind you and hopefully more ahead! Fabulous pics.

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  29. I would love to visit Norway one day. I am not a fan of the idea of a long distance flight so I doubt it will happen. Wonderful post, thank you for sharing it.

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  30. Great post and amazing locations. I love your travel spirit!

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  31. USA is one of my favorite travel destinations. I visited there numerous of times yet recently i just come back from my bus tours boston to washington dc with my friends. And through i could say DC, Boston and New York these are hub destinations of USA.

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  32. Wonderful images!
    Please come link up at http://www.image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2014/12/summer-memories.html

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  33. I really enjoyed this post and appreciate that you share travels with us!

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  34. I believe very strongly in travel as part of a person's well-rounded education. It is SO important! Looks like you not only received some excellent doses of travel education, but that each of these places pricked your heart. I am thrilled to know you visited Virginia, my husband's home state (and Washington D.C. our nation's capitol). We actually originally planned to retire in the western part of Virginia, near Lynchburg. And Poplar Forest that I see in one of your shots, is one of our favorite spots. I have traveled as the child of a Navy man, and wife of an Army and later Air Force man...but my travels have largely been limited to the continental U.S. I did live in Hawaii for one year (before it became a state) and then Midway Island for two years (almost NO pictures!!!), and I have visited Ireland with my Mom on an unforgettable trip with her. But, I didn't go when my husband traveled across Europe when our daughter was small, and I have always regretted that. Maybe one day I will get to go. And one day I hope you get to see the western part of the U.S.

    Love your blog so much, Mersad. You are an interesting and talented young man!

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  35. I love this post. You certainly traveled widely.I loved the photo of Trondheim, so exotic.

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  36. It's a gift to be able to travel. The Norway photo is particularly wonderful.

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  37. Oh, you were in Virginia! I grew up in the suburbs of Washington and now live in the Shenandoah Valley. Sounds like you have traveled extensively. Keep having fun!

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