Favorite Destinations of 2013

Posted By Laryssa on Dec 31, 2013

My wish for 2013 was to live the year out of a suitcase. When January 1st rolled around, I had zero plans of putting that into motion aside from a weekend jaunt to Memphis and two weeks in New Orleans for work and celebrating Mardi Gras. Then, in mid-February, it all began: I was swept off by a job to the West Coast, where I spent a grueling five months working and living out of a suitcase while doing my best to enjoy the adventure. Afterwards, I had a healthy bank account and weeks of unemployment on the horizon — I seized the opportunity and finally took off on the Motherland Tour. I was lucky enough to explore what became some of my all-time favorite destinations. And some (most) of these I still haven’t shared with you — so, here’s a little recap!   5. Kiev, Ukraine Kiev had three strikes against it: Cold, windy, gray, and in AUGUST! I would normally run to get on the next train out of town, but Kiev still won me over, and almost instantaneously. When I drove into the city and was greeted by the gigantic Motherland Statue and the Lavra — two landmarks that are so unique and unfamiliar to American eyes, it didn’t feel real. I really embraced Kiev for the stark contrast to the United States and the challenges that came along with it. It was also my first introduction to a Soviet city and I loved the wide roads, expansive parks, and dozens of monuments. As a fan of places with history and architecture older than the 1700s, Kiev has a lot to offer, especially regarding the early years of Christianity (legends suggest the apostle Andrew visited Kiev in 55 AD). There are quirks and challenges around every corner; curiosities and interactions with strangers that force you to think. Everything was in a different alphabet, and few people spoke English. It was the first time in my travels where I was in another world from the moment I arrived — and I loved it.   4. Bremen, Germany My roommate and I hosted two Germans back in 2010 — long before I ever planned the Motherland Tour and had done any research or had even looked at a map of Germany. Our surfers were from a place I’d never heard of: Bremen. They offered an open-ended invitation, but assured us it wasn’t worth any special effort to visit. A year later, I began plotting my Motherland Tour route and pouring over maps. I learned that Bremerhaven was the departure point where my grandparents left Europe for a new life in the United States....