Speaking of Budget Travel , the site just published another slideshow that got me thinking. The editors asked readers which passport stamp they were most proud of and compiled their answers into a slideshow. Looking through the responses was fascinating–and it gave me travel envy! People had been to Burma, Tunisia, Cuba, Nepal…even Pyongyang!
While reading the slideshow, I debated which of my passport stamps I was most proud of. My China visa has a special place in my heart. Both of my parents were born in NYC, but all my grandparents are from China. I’d always dreamed of going there, and was thrilled when I finally had the chance to visit Beijing and Shenzhen, three years ago. (Plus, I had a hard time getting that visa. I foolishly listed my occupation as a writer and I had to convince–beg–the visa office that I wouldn’t write anything bad about the country before they granted me one.)
I also love my Bolivia stamp for a few reasons. Before spending two weeks there in 2010, I really worked to learn basic Spanish phrases. English isn’t widely spoken there and I was sick of feeling like a dumb American in Latin America. (Previously, I’d bumbled my way through Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Colombia, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.) But by the time I got to Bolivia, I felt comfortable ordering in restaurants, bargaining in markets and taking micros (passenger vans) by myself. Also: the Salar de Uuyni and Bolivia’s southwestern deserts are among the most gorgeous, surreal places I’ve ever seen.
But I finally decided that I’m most proud of my Australia visa from 2003. I went to the Land Down Under as a 20-year-old college senior. It was my first time out of the country and, to this day, I’m amazed I had the balls to do that. I went from dorming with my best friends and never being farther than a few hours from my family to living halfway around the world where I knew no one. While in Australia, I experienced things completely foreign to me–like camping in the Outback, seeing stars, hiking canyons, sailing and snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef. (Reminder: I grew up in Queens.) That trip also instilled a deep wanderlust in me–which I clearly haven’t shaken!
What’s your favorite passport stamp?
(Image via Pinterest)
Love this question! My favorite has to be my India stamp – because I loved that trip so much. The Cambodia one is beautiful to look at, though!
Now I really have travel envy, Shoko! рџ™‚ Cambodia is way up there on my list of places to visit. India too!
My favorite is my Jordan stamp. This was my first trip abroad and i decided to really take the plunge and go to a unique place. Not to mention it was during all of the political uprisings. Everyone thought i was crazy but it was one of my most memorable trips!
Wow, that’s a great story to go with your first stamp! Thanks for sharing! рџ™‚
I have no stamps!! I just got a new passport 2 years ago and it’s completely blank! I’ve previously been to Italy & Ireland but just booked a trip to South Africa, so my 1st stamp won’t be too shabby рџ‰
I’d love to go to South Africa! What will you be doing there, Jenna? (Also–I need to get a new passport soon, too. It’ll be so weird to start over with a blank one!)
My boyfriend won a photo contest and the grand prize was a trip for two to south africa! So we’re going to try to do as much as we can – including a safari! blank passports are no fun!
That sounds amazing! Congrats! I hope you’ll post lots of photos from the trip!