Finally. . .

Finally, FINALLY I’m going to be doing some travel again.

As you all know, my name is Mo and I like to travel.  That’s why I started this blog.  Since starting it, I have discovered a new city, taken plenty of weekend trips, had fun rediscovering old adventures, and become part of a kick-ass blogging community here on wordpress.  I’ve also realized that I’m fairly good at this travel-writing thing, whatever the good people of the World Nomads writing scholarship thought.

I do have a few more small trips coming up this year.  Later this month, I will be taking a weekend trip with my favorite gang of Jewish gals from LA (expect tales fueled by wine).  And in the summer, Zac and I are planning a Gold Rush road trip, where we explore the many towns and Gold Rush sights up here in Norther California.  I’m a history buff and Western fan, so am super jazzed about that.  We wanted to take this trip over his winter break from school, but many of the places we wanted to visit would have snow and we are so unequipped for that.  I’m glad we waited, as it’ll be much more fun to see the sites in warm weather and we can do some camping and hiking as well.

But I also have bigger things in the works.

I have been really wanting to take another big trip (like my 7-week European extravaganza) again while I’m still in my twenties.  And I know what people say, you don’t need money to travel, you should just do it!  Um, yes, you do need money to travel, even if it’s a shoestring.  Perhaps if I didn’t have a car with car insurance or slept on someone’s couch or had no life, then I could take a big trip right now.  Otherwise, I just couldn’t see it happening for me anytime soon.

But on my birthday, I came into a bit of money when an investment account was turned over to me.  Even though I’ve been referring to said account as my “Riches”, it’s not very much.  I couldn’t buy a house or a car or anything of value with it.

But I can definitely take a trip.

After so much thought and agony, I’ve finally decided to go to Eastern Europe!

I was trying to decide between there and Asia (China, Mongolia, Japan, etc, not SE Asia) but decided I couldn’t beat the cheapness of Eastern Europe.  The decision was also helped by the fact that my good friend Sara will probably be there around the same time, my twin sister Mel is down to go with me for part of the trip, and that Zac might be in Turkey on a trip with his dad.  While I would like to make part of the trip on my own, I am such a social creature, and love the thought of discovering new places with my loved ones.

On my last trip to Europe, we stayed mostly west, only venturing to the east to hit up Prague and Krakow.  Those two cities were definitely highlights of the trip for me.  I didn’t realize how awesome Eastern Europe was.

This time, I want to hit up those cities again, but spend more time in Czechoslovakia and Poland.  Czesky Krumlov and Warsaw are also supposed to be awesome.

I also want to hit up Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria, and meet Zac in Turkey of course.  Although it’s not really Eastern Europe, Greece would be cool too.  I was really into Greek mythology as a child and would love to see where that’s all from.  And this is probably a pipe dream, but I would love to go to Ukraine.  Our family immigrated from a town that no longer exists outside of Kiev, so it would be amazing to see where we come from.

World travelers, is there anything else I’m missing?  I’ve not yet begun to do proper research but I can’t wait to start sharing my progress with you all!

Easter European Extravaganza is set for Spring/Summer 2014.  I cannot freaking wait!

Good Luck and Happy Travels,

Mo