Exploring is one of my passions. Whether it's just walking through the woods in my neighbor’s backyard, hiking up mountains, or finding delicious coffee shops in a small town, I have done my fair share of exploring but I am not done exploring new places yet. I live in a fairly small city in metro Atlanta, so I reach out into different cities around me to find new places. My goal is to travel the world, one step at a time. Exploring and traveling to new places opens up opportunities that one cannot find by staying in one city their entire life. Traveling unwraps new cultures, food, people and different perspectives on life itself, and you will be surprised what you will find once you step out of your comfort zone.

To the people scarred of stepping out of the comfort zone, change does not mean bad-- it means different. People get so used to their jobs/careers, friends, restaurants, or the city they live in, that they forget there are seven continents on Earth. There is so much more to life than working the same job you might hate for the rest of your life and never finding the “right time” to travel. Let me tell you something, there is NEVER a “right time” for anything. If you want to do something then go do it. People tend to make the mistake of waiting for the right time, or put it off until they finish what they are doing when in reality anything can happen and your world may change forever.

To people who think it is expensive, sure it may seem like its expensive but it all depends on the country you visit. A plane ticket can be pricey but there are plenty of countries where you get your dollars worth. Go to work, spend less on things you don't need and save for a trip of a lifetime.

I am from Bosnia and Hercegovina, so I have been back home a few times. In 2015, I had the opportunity to travel to Turkey to teach English to a group of children varying ages eight to twelve-years-old. My excitement was through the roof; I could not wait to go to Turkey. I visited Istanbul for three days and then I traveled north to Giresun, located on the coast of the Black Sea for the rest of my stay. The picture below was the view from my apartment I stayed at with an English-speaking woman. My jaw dropped as soon as I stepped out on the balcony. Every evening when I got home I would go sit outside on the balcony by myself, enjoy some Turkish food, my time alone and just listen to music. Looking out into stunning view during the day, birds flying, the sound of nature, or in the evening the bright lights and traffic passing by is an unexplainable feeling.

My experience in Turkey was unforgettable and amazing. The people in Turkey are so welcoming, willing to help with anything I needed. Being a Muslim country, Turkey has a different culture than in America. They walk, take the bus or sometimes have their own car to travel to work or nearby places. The majority of people travel by bus or walking. Sounds tiring right? Well, if you are not used to walking so much then 20,000 steps a day may be exhausting- but it is totally worth it. Experiencing a new culture, bright colors, welcoming people, foreign food, different personalities, shops on every corner, people fighting for their life by working in a little shop selling homemade goods changes your perspective on life. This picture was taken in Istanbul just walking around in the city.

The picture below was the highest point in the city of Ordu, about 30-minutes from Giresun.

Oh and the food?

The above dinner includes soup, baklava, sarma, pita. All delicious foods.

This delicious dish is called Lahmacun, or Turkish pizza. It is minted meat, vegetables, herbs and other spices.

One of my favorite views in Turkey was the Black Sea, as pictured above. There was not a cloud in the sky, mid 70's and the prettiest blue water I have ever seen. I had the opportunity to go swimming here and it was amazing. If you ever get the chance to travel, whether its another city in your state, another state or outside of your country, take that chance. You never know what could change your life, for the better. My experience in Turkey was amazing and I would go back again, to see the children I taught, to have another dinner with all of the wonderful people I met and to see more breathtaking views I cannot get in the United States.

All of the pictures in this article were taken by myself, Sabina Torlo.