Marysia Maciocha is the girl behind the famous travel blog, My Travel Affairs. It all started for her way back in 2008 when she decided to travel with her friend to Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. Originally from Poland, Marysia has been travelling solo for years now and has been to several off the beaten path destinations like Iran, Benin, Kazakhstan and Oman. She loves the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa, and has been to Israel and Turkey a number of times. We caught up with "The Luckiest Girl in the World" to ask her few questions about her travel adventures around the globe.
What kind of traveller are you and what inspires you to travel?
Curiosity for unknown; for different cultures, landscapes and religions.
I think I'm an unconventional and adventurous traveller. I like a bit of adrenaline here and there but rather into extreme sports; uncovered places and stories than pure craziness but yet again it is all a matter of an opinion. Do you find visiting a Voodoo priest in the middle of Beninese jungle alone with 4 African men crazy or travelling alone through steep of Kazakhstan insane or checking war zones unreasonable?
What makes you the Luckiest Girl in the World?
I guess my eternal luck ha ha. Being serious I really think it is more about my attitude than luck in its pureness although I do more often than others find money on the street; I won a little fortune on the horse racing in Chile by betting on the horse that was meant to loose but looked very good to me (my parents have horses so I have some basic knowledge in this matter).
My luck is an outcome of my positive attitude to people and everything that is happening around me. My eternal smile and good people skillsare the key. I could talk for hours how I always end up meeting someone who can exactly help me with my problem but generally I always seems to be in a right time at the right place.
What was it about your Asian trip in 2008 that inspired you to carry on travelling?
I think it was a total immersion in the experience that made me realize that this is what I ant to continue doing for the rest of my life. I said that many times but travelling, discovering, meeting people, observing and learning was invented for me ha ha I hate monotony, it kills me, my mood, my spirit and I do not have attention problems, I'm just fine with staying in one place for longer, reading books, being lazy but than I have to go and recharge my batteries. Feed my curiosity and need for adventure.
Which are the places you cannot wait to visit again and why?
One of such places is Iran, the best trip of my life. Everything about this country is perfect for a traveller like me. Food, architecture and most amazing people in the World.
I'm generally always in favour of visiting new places but we all know it is not always possible, especially when you live in Europe and have your family and friends spread among different countries, so there are places you keep oncoming back for numerous reasons and occasions like weddings, birthday, christening, weddings etc
Few places I wouldn't mind coming back are Iran, Oman, Lebanon, Kazakhstan, Norway and Finland. As you can see Central Asia, Middle East and Nordic countries. You can see where my weaknesses are
You have some stunning pictures on the blog. How do you choose that one photograph for Friday Lens Affair? Do you follow some sort of theme?
I wish to say that I do but I really don't. Whatever strikes me fancy, but there are some little patterns in that for sure. People portraits are one thing I often go for but mainly because I myself not very good with people photography. I'm always on the hunt for a good story behind picture, and here intuition is my best friend.
Tell us something about your volunteering work.
When I was younger I was very much involved in working with homeless and all kind of substance addicts. It was tough at times but it teaches you things and strengthens your character but it changes your outlook on life completely.
I must admit that recently I didn't have much time getting involved in any stationary and longer projects but those days I'm more into my private project which involves always helping one family or person in the country where I travel but I do not ant to talk too much about it, it is not a publicity project.
You have a long list of loves. Do these 'loves' influence your travel plans?
Yes, very often, especially food, wine and diving ïŠ Only few months ago I went to the States to spend 2 weeks in Napa and Sanoma to make my research and opinion about American wines. It was not my first visit to this region but a first totally focused on wine. I tell you after 2 weeks of constant tasting I was afraid I won't touch red wine again in my life and that would be a disaster
Tel Aviv is among your favourite destinations. There's a dedicated section for it on the blog! What has impressed you the most in this Israeli city?
The question is what not impresses me about this city ha ha Tel Aviv is one of the best cities in the world for me for different reasons: omni-present art, huge culture of coffee drinking, superb restaurants, fine wine and 300 days a year of beach weather. Tolerance both sexual, religious, which in a country as Israel can come as a surprise to some. In one word freedom.
You have ticked off quite a few bucket list items. Which one has been the most memorable experience so far?
From my bucket list, to be honest there is many things I didn't cross off yet but already have done them in life, just simply no time to write about the experiences. Too busy travelling I guess
But the best one so far was Finland, Arctic Circle in winter and Northern Lights. I tell you I have seem the nicely one once and already totally addicted to this natural phenomenon.
What's next in 2016?
Poland, Italy, Romania, Hungary, France, Israel as every day family and friends connected travels.
But in summer I have a big trip coming up. Starting in Moscow, Russia and all by land and maybe a bit by sea through Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, possibly Finland to Poland. Really looking forward to this trip. And after summer I hope for Central America but nothing set about it yet.
Connect with Marysia Maciocha on Instagram
This interview with Marysia Maciocha is a part of Travel Trolley's ongoing 'Best of the Travel Bloggers' series. We are interviewing popular travel bloggers who encourage and inspire people to travel. Check out all the bloggers we have interviewed and learn about their interesting experiences, adventures, travel stories as well as useful holiday tips.
