Passionpiece
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About the blog
  • Contact
  • English (US)
  • Polish (PL)
June 13, 2018  |  By Natalia In Blog, People with passion

The Weekly Interview: Follow Your Map

Passion Piece - Follow Your Map - Main Cover

Travels are the best way to get to know oneself and the world. Everyone, who had a chance to experience a summer adventure, knows that it’s an incredible source of experiences and memories, which we come back to eagerly even after many years. I had an opportunity to travel quite often in the past, and I got to know that visiting different countries gives you an amazing possibility to meet great people, their lifestyles and customs, which were nowhere near the same well presented in the accounts of travellers, I had a chance to read.

What besides the willingness to sightsee a new place is making more and more of us decide on holidays abroad? For sure one of the factors may be a possibility to choose corners of the world, which have a good climate and favourable weather conditions for relax during one’s leisure time. Another reason may be a little rush of adrenaline accompanying every trip. Increasingly, more and more people are deciding to follow their dreams and consequently to pursue their objectives. Can we always afford to do that? Does anyone of you think that travelling only during the summer season is not enough?  My today’s interviewees Olga and Krzysiek, who are the authors of a blog – Follow Your Map, have also come to such a conclusion. I hope that this conversation will be a great inspiration for you to plan your next trip, the one which you have been dreaming of for some time.

Passion Piece: Could you tell my readers something about yourselves?

Olga: I’m an eternal student, an employee of a Warsaw corporation, a future post graduate student (at least I hope so). I’m curious about the world, other cultures, local customs and flavours. I’m also a kind of courageous person, who believes that there are no impossible things.

Krzysiek: I’m a student of Geology at the University of Warsaw. I currently work at the Copernicus Science Centre and I spend everything I earn on travelling. I love nature and animals. I can’t resist exploring the unknown, as well as admiring new landscapes.

Passion Piece: What inspired you to set up a blog?

Olga and Krzysiek: Paradoxically – lack of time. We travel quite often (virtually once a month), our family and friends are very curious about our trips. However, due to lack of time, we are not always able to present new photos from our travels to everyone at once. Blog is a kind of condensed form, which is transparent and easily accessible for everyone.

Passion Piece: How travelling has become your way of life?

Olga: I can’t really call it a way of life, because I don’t earn a living in this way. Travelling is a bit of a departure from crowded and always vibrant capital city. It’s also a possibility to satisfy my curiosity of the world.

Krzysiek: While travelling we can have a rest of our monotonous and full of routine daily life: continuous work, learning, as well as hustle and bustle of a big city.

Passion Piece: Which country has made the biggest impression on you? Why?

Olga: Vietnam – definitely! Despite the fact that I had a good knowledge of this country (I wrote my graduate work on this topic), I didn’t manage to avoid culture shock. What surprised me the most? All this hustle and bustle , as well as an enormous number of people in the streets. Scooters driving against the traffic on the pavements. Buses which didn’t have enough space to stop, so we had to get on them at a run, while they were still in motion. And last but not least, communism in its best time (cult of Ho Chi Minh and working together in the interest of the whole nation).

Krzysiek: Vietnam by far. Vietnamese culture is completely different from the European one. Everyday life also totally differs from the one we lead here in Poland. Surprisingly, in spite of the fact that Vietnamese are poor people and they don’t own much, they always smile and are really friendly. However, most importantly, they are very helpful. We could experience that many times during our travel.

Passion Piece: What advice would you give to people planning close or far trips?

Olga: First of all, they should make a good plan. Doing a research and finding particular places on the map – it makes sightseeing much easier. Besides this, it’s a good idea to get familiar with social etiquette, behaviour codes and customs, which are common in the countries they are going to visit.

Krzysiek: I think that if people are planning a trip on their own, they should buy a map of a city or a country they are going to visit. To me it’s the first step I take while planning my travels. On the basis of the map I can get to know the place which I’m going to visit. I can familiarize myself with the most popular sites I can sightsee. I can also get to know how much time it will take me to explore all the spots I’m interested in.

Passion Piece: What’s the most ridiculous adventure you’ve experienced during your travels?

Olga: While hitchhiking in Vietnam, we were asked to show our passports to the driver who stopped his car. Until now, I don’t really understand the reason of this ‘road control’ …

Krzysiek: Before going to Sweden we had bought train tickets ahead of time (more than two months in advance). During our travel, when we were already on the train, there was a ticket control and it occurred that we had bought the tickets for the wrong month (but at least the day was right). Luckily, the whole story ended just with the ticket inspector’s short talk, who was really amused with this peculiar situation.

Passion Piece: Have you ever made any long lasting friendships in the places you had a chance to visit?

Olga: It’s rather difficult to make any friendships when we stay in a given place for one or two days the most.

Krzysiek: From time to time we try to keep in touch with people who helped us during our travels. Most of the times we make use of social networks, which are a reliable way to communicate with friends, who live in different corners of the world. A good example of such a person is a Vietnamese from Murong Man.

Passion Piece: Which country is your dream country to visit?

Olga: My dream – which I have already accomplished – was Vietnam. Now, I’m dreaming of the South America … Brazil, Peru or Chile.

Krzysiek: There are many places, which I’d love to visit such as: Japan, Madagascar, Russia (preferably by Trans-Siberian railway), Norwegian fiords … However, the country, which I’d like to visit the most is Iceland. My dream is to climb glaciers and active volcanoes. I’d also love to see geysers and hot springs, which are situated there.

Passion Piece: What are your other passions?

Olga: I read a lot! I’m a faithful fan of Stephen King’s novels. I also reach for detective stories. Besides this – I learn foreign languages – I’m able to communicate in six languages now (besides Polish).

Krzysiek: My big passion is geology, that’s why whenever I go anywhere, I look under my feet to know what I am walking on. Another thing I really like is solving puzzles and riddles. I also love fantasy (mainly books), anime, board games and many more.

Passion Piece: Where do you see yourselves in the near future?

Olga: I see myself as a postgraduate student, learning about the cultural aspects of wars and armed conflicts.

Krzysiek: I hope to finally find a job as a geologist, which will allow me to travel in the unknown for me places.

Passion Piece: Which motto would you like to share with my readers?

Olga and Krzysiek: ‘The difference between people, who follow their dreams, and the rest of the world doesn’t depend on the size of their purse. The thing is that the latter read about distant countries and dream of adventures for their whole lives, while the former lift their heads from their books, get out of their armchairs and start chasing their dreams.’ – Wojciech Cejrowski.

Passion Piece: Thank you very much for this truly inspiring conversation and I hope that you’ll have a chance to visit all the places you’re dreaming of in the future.

I wish you courage to lift your heads from your books and to get out of your armchairs to follow your dreams – not only the ones related to travelling, but any dreams you’ll ever think of. I hope that Olga and Krzysiek encouraged you to break the barriers and not to pay so much attention to the sizes of your purses. A good organization and planning will allow you to explore new places and make any dreams of your own come true.

See you around!

Yours,

Passion Piece

 

Websites you should visit: http://followyourmap.pl/

Photos by: Follow Your Map

 

Podoba Ci się? Udostępnij!
Previous StoryWith passion in your kitchen, banana drop scones by Ewa Wachowicz
Next StoryWhat is gratitude?

Comments: 56 replies added

  1. Patricia G. June 13, 2018 Reply

    Great interview and post! I love how Olga and Krzysiek are so fond of learning new things (as I am) and are open to learning about other cultures. I wish them the best in their travels and in their studies and careers. :)

    • Natalia June 13, 2018 Reply

      They are a great inspiration! I think I'll try to travel more this summer to learn something new about other countries and their cultures. :)

  2. Christina June 14, 2018 Reply

    I looove this so much! This is so inspiring and interesting. I too love to travel and I’m also learning the importance of seizing the day in terms of travel. My husband and I have been living in a van traveling and it’s been extremely rewarding but also really hard so it’s great to read something like this and have our dreams and ideas reinforced. Great post!

    • Natalia June 18, 2018 Reply

      I admire you for travelling in a van, since I can't really imagine myself doing so. I love comfort too much. I think travels give lots of opportunities to learn new things. :)

  3. kasey June 14, 2018 Reply

    Loved this interview and post! As someone trying to travel more in the coming years, it was really helpful and inspirational! Can't wait to start planning my next trip.

    • Natalia June 18, 2018 Reply

      Me too! I'm planning to visit Prague this summer. :) It's great when you have a person with whom you can travel the world. :)

  4. Alyssa Dawson June 14, 2018 Reply

    So many beautiful places! I love traveling the world and I love looking at people's pictures of the world! Gives me the travel itch!!

    • Natalia June 18, 2018 Reply

      I also love admiring photos taken during travels. :)

  5. Midori June 14, 2018 Reply

    Such an inspiring interview! I fell in love with all the pictures from their travels and I liked a lot the great advice! As a blogger this is very motivating!

    • Natalia June 18, 2018 Reply

      Yes, seeing their pictures makes you feel like starting your own journey to get to know new places. :)

  6. Emily June 14, 2018 Reply

    I love that they have a passion for travel and created a blog out of it. I’d love to be able to travel that much.

    • Natalia June 18, 2018 Reply

      Me too ... unfortunately I don't like travelling on my own. That's great they can follow their passion. :)

  7. Bradley June 15, 2018 Reply

    Awesome interview! It was very detailed and you really learn a lot about Olga and Krzysiek! Very Inspiring!

    • Natalia June 18, 2018 Reply

      I'm happy you enjoyed reading this interview. :)

  8. Luci June 15, 2018 Reply

    Really great interview. I am hoping one day that I am able to travel around the world.

    • Natalia June 18, 2018 Reply

      I'd also like to travel the world, but I leave it for the future. :)

  9. Terri June 15, 2018 Reply

    This was a great interview. I absolutely love the tip about getting a map. People make fun of me because I get maps for everywhere I go, but it really helps keep the excitement up!

    • Natalia June 18, 2018 Reply

      I wish I could use a map ... I'm lost even with very detailed maps! :)

  10. Marcie June 15, 2018 Reply

    My family loves to travel, too! I think you can incorporate it into your lifestyle even when you don't travel full time!

    • Natalia June 18, 2018 Reply

      That's great that you can share your travel advenures with your family! :)

  11. Daisy June 15, 2018 Reply

    I loved reading this interview very much! It’s inspired me to want to travel more!

    • Natalia June 18, 2018 Reply

      I'm happy you liked this interview! :)

  12. Ina @ Crafty For Home June 15, 2018 Reply

    Love to read this, they are learning a lot through their travel time, I found my self wondering too how to adapt with the culture about busy street things. But over all travelling is part of adventure!

    • Natalia June 18, 2018 Reply

      Sometimes the culture and the customs of a given country can be very surprising ... we can always learn a lot from our travels. :)

  13. Tairalyn Ciulla June 16, 2018 Reply

    Wow you have traveled quite a bit. I wish I did more traveling, but happy for the travel I have done.

    • Natalia June 18, 2018 Reply

      Yes, my interviewees have travelled to quite a lot of places ... they can be a real inspiration. :)

  14. Tabbie June 16, 2018 Reply

    This is a very inspiring post and interview. I hope to be able to travel full time someday!

    • Natalia June 18, 2018 Reply

      I'm really happy you find this interview inspiring! :)

  15. Ashley @ GrowingSpangs.com June 16, 2018 Reply

    I thought it was interesting that they both said they loved Vietnam, which is encouraging, because I've always wanted to visit there too. It's not really a most-wanted tourist destination, but I love that it would be so different than my American way of life, a very different experience. I appreciated that they found the same thing!

    • Natalia June 18, 2018 Reply

      I'd also love to visit Vietnam, as its culture is also totally different from the one here in Poland. Hope you'll have a chance to visit this country one day. :)

  16. karen June 18, 2018 Reply

    taking the time to travel is definitely a way to be able to get to know yourself better.

    • Natalia June 18, 2018 Reply

      That's so true. I'd love to find my travelling companion with whom I could travel the world. :)

  17. Indrani June 18, 2018 Reply

    Good travel advice. Blog is indeed a good way to stay connected with family. Even I have this dream to visit South America some day.

    • Natalia June 18, 2018 Reply

      South America can offer its visitors a lot! I think this continent attracts quite a lot of travellers. :)

  18. Charlie | The Barefoot Angel June 18, 2018 Reply

    I always love reading about other travelers and their exciting adventures. It is such an incredible motivation to move and explore! Thank you for this lovely interview - it has made me want to put Vietnam next on my list... :) Charlie https://thebarefootangel.com

    • Natalia June 18, 2018 Reply

      I also find such blogs really encouraging! Hope they will inspire me to travel the world one day! :)

  19. Jenn June 18, 2018 Reply

    While traveling may be a privilege for many, it definitely a learning experience for all. Your interviewees have been to some amazing places. I love their passion for travel.

    • Natalia June 20, 2018 Reply

      I also love their passion for travel ... thanks to them we can learn a lot about travelling too. :)

  20. Joleen Pete June 19, 2018 Reply

    I love to travel and have traveled a fair amount with my son in the US but not internationally yet. Hope to be able to eventually!

    • Natalia June 20, 2018 Reply

      Hope you'll have a chance to travel with your son abroad soon. :)

  21. Rebecca June 19, 2018 Reply

    Thanks for sharing your interview with us! We love traveling and have spent time in Warsaw. We would love to go to SE Asia next! A little planning does go a long way for a smoother journey! Thanks!

    • Natalia June 20, 2018 Reply

      That's great you had the opportunity to visit our capital city ... and yes, travelling requires a little bit of planning. :)

  22. Zoë June 19, 2018 Reply

    This looks like a great blog! They really do know how to travel and their photos are fantastic!

    • Natalia June 20, 2018 Reply

      I also fell in love with their photos! :)

  23. LEah June 20, 2018 Reply

    Sounds very adventurous! Loved the Q and A portion very informative great tips for travelers!

    • Natalia June 20, 2018 Reply

      I'm happy you enjoyed reading this interview! :)

  24. Mr. MM2K @Make money 2000 June 20, 2018 Reply

    Culture is a great motivation for any travel blog. I am glad it motivated you too

    • Natalia June 21, 2018 Reply

      Yes, a new culture is one of the best things you can learn while travelling. :)

  25. Natalie Aubele June 20, 2018 Reply

    Really interesting invterview! I wish I could travel once a month!

    • Natalia June 21, 2018 Reply

      Me too ... but it seems rather impossible in my case. :)

  26. Aarika June 20, 2018 Reply

    This was such a great interview! I loved learning more about Olga and Krzysiek, and they share such fabulous travel tips. Thanks!

    • Natalia June 21, 2018 Reply

      I'm happy you find their travel tips useful. :)

  27. E. Smith June 20, 2018 Reply

    I really enjoy following travel blogs and learning about difference places around the globe. Such a great interview, it was great to learn more about them.

    • Natalia June 21, 2018 Reply

      The world is so diverse that we can learn loads of new things while travelling. :)

  28. Christine July 17, 2018 Reply

    So true that travel brings forth so many great things in life...memories, knowledge, experiences...etc. This is really inspiring! A great read...thank you!

    • Natalia July 22, 2018 Reply

      I couldn't agree more with you! I'd love to have some more time for travelling! :)

Join in: leave your comment Cancel Reply

(will not be shared)

Search

Menu

  • Blog
  • Books
  • Chasing dreams
  • Cooking
  • Inspirations
  • People with passion
  • Travels
  • Uncategorized

Najnowsze

  • The weekly interview: Rachael Bouley-Djorgonoski
  • The weekly interview: Natasha Lévai
  • The weekly interview: Johnny Ray
  • The weekly interview: Corinne Isasako
  • The weekly interview: Veronika Tietz

Tags

#bestage #books #celebrities #christmasiscoming #christmasmarkets #dreams #fashion #fight #food #goodtimes #greece #happiness #inhibitions #lifestyle #LO3 #love #magicofchristmas #memories #modernsociety #mylittleparadise #newstart #newyearseve #opportunities #overcomingtheodds #passion #passionpieceblog #reachinggoals #reachingyourgoals #resolutions #reunion #schoolmates #sea #societyproblems #success #summer #travels #vienna #youth Akureyri hostels Iceland interview passionatepeople

Archives

  • January 2023 (1)
  • December 2022 (1)
  • November 2022 (2)
  • October 2022 (1)
  • September 2022 (1)
  • August 2022 (2)
  • July 2022 (3)
  • June 2022 (1)
  • May 2022 (1)
  • April 2022 (2)
  • March 2022 (2)
  • February 2022 (2)
  • January 2022 (4)
  • December 2021 (1)
  • November 2021 (3)
  • October 2021 (2)
  • September 2021 (3)
  • August 2021 (2)
  • July 2021 (2)
  • June 2021 (2)
  • May 2021 (2)
  • April 2021 (4)
  • March 2021 (4)
  • February 2021 (4)
  • January 2021 (4)
  • December 2020 (4)
  • November 2020 (4)
  • October 2020 (5)
  • September 2020 (4)
  • August 2020 (4)
  • July 2020 (6)
  • June 2020 (4)
  • May 2020 (4)
  • April 2020 (5)
  • March 2020 (4)
  • February 2020 (4)
  • January 2020 (4)
  • December 2019 (5)
  • November 2019 (4)
  • October 2019 (5)
  • September 2019 (5)
  • August 2019 (4)
  • July 2019 (5)
  • June 2019 (4)
  • May 2019 (4)
  • April 2019 (5)
  • March 2019 (4)
  • February 2019 (4)
  • January 2019 (5)
  • December 2018 (4)
  • November 2018 (4)
  • October 2018 (4)
  • September 2018 (4)
  • August 2018 (5)
  • July 2018 (4)
  • June 2018 (4)
  • May 2018 (5)
  • April 2018 (3)
  • March 2018 (4)
  • February 2018 (6)
  • January 2018 (6)
  • December 2017 (5)

Pageviews

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About the blog
  • Privacy policy
  • Contact

About the blog

This blog has been created with the readers in mind, the ones whose passions help them pursuing their success and self-realization … but not only! I’ll also write for those of you who feel that there is a raw potential hidden somewhere inside your true self! I keep learning new things about myself everyday and I try to find new passions which allow me not to get crazy and get away from it all once in a while!

Recent Posts

  • The weekly interview: Rachael Bouley-Djorgonoski January 20, 2023
  • The weekly interview: Natasha Lévai December 14, 2022
  • The weekly interview: Johnny Ray November 16, 2022
  • The weekly interview: Corinne Isasako November 8, 2022
  • The weekly interview: Veronika Tietz October 19, 2022

Archives

  • January 2023 (1)
  • December 2022 (1)
  • November 2022 (2)
  • October 2022 (1)
  • September 2022 (1)
  • August 2022 (2)
  • July 2022 (3)
  • June 2022 (1)
  • May 2022 (1)
  • April 2022 (2)
  • March 2022 (2)
  • February 2022 (2)
  • January 2022 (4)
  • December 2021 (1)
  • November 2021 (3)
  • October 2021 (2)
  • September 2021 (3)
  • August 2021 (2)
  • July 2021 (2)
  • June 2021 (2)
  • May 2021 (2)
  • April 2021 (4)
  • March 2021 (4)
  • February 2021 (4)
  • January 2021 (4)
  • December 2020 (4)
  • November 2020 (4)
  • October 2020 (5)
  • September 2020 (4)
  • August 2020 (4)
  • July 2020 (6)
  • June 2020 (4)
  • May 2020 (4)
  • April 2020 (5)
  • March 2020 (4)
  • February 2020 (4)
  • January 2020 (4)
  • December 2019 (5)
  • November 2019 (4)
  • October 2019 (5)
  • September 2019 (5)
  • August 2019 (4)
  • July 2019 (5)
  • June 2019 (4)
  • May 2019 (4)
  • April 2019 (5)
  • March 2019 (4)
  • February 2019 (4)
  • January 2019 (5)
  • December 2018 (4)
  • November 2018 (4)
  • October 2018 (4)
  • September 2018 (4)
  • August 2018 (5)
  • July 2018 (4)
  • June 2018 (4)
  • May 2018 (5)
  • April 2018 (3)
  • March 2018 (4)
  • February 2018 (6)
  • January 2018 (6)
  • December 2017 (5)
Copyrights © 2018 Passionpiece | Wdrożenie strony 13design