I want to travel

This spring break my friends and I are planning on taking a trip down to Charleston for a few days. Plans aren't actually set in stone but we all are pretty serious about going so I think soon we are going to book a room in a hostel. This is my first big-girl trip and I can't wait. Also, I can't wait to do some traveling on my own. I always see blog posts or articles about traveling by yourself. I have been studying some non-western art for a long time now and have begun to make a long list of places I need to go (preferably in the next 5-10 years.

1. The Yucatan
I studied Pre-Colombian art two semesters ago and now I am dying to see some of the Mayan ruins in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras. These places are always swarmed with tourists so I have to do some research and find out what time the off-season will be. I want to see Tikal, Palenque, Yaxchilan and Bonampak, and then up to Uxmal. The Mayan people were amazing artists and architects, it would be amazing to see the temples and ancient cities they created.

2. India
Oh my goodness, India has been on my radar for a long time now. My sister's friend apparently went to India with a professor to do research then was ditched by the professor and spent the rest of the time traveling India alone. What a cool predicament to be in. I want to see so much in India. I want to see the Taj Mahal and every single Buddha statue in the country. I'm sure that would be impossible but I'd like to see many of them. I am just starting to learn about art in India so I will find more locations soon.

3. Florence
My ex-roommate just studied abroad in Florence and got to see all of the art I studied. The art of the early Italian Renaissance was pretty much all in Florence so I have to go see Santa Maria Novella, Santa Croce, the Uffizi, The Medici Palace, the Rucellai Palace, and Orsanmichele! I have to see the sculptures, frescoes, and churches in person after staring at pictures for so long. I went to Florence when I was about 14 but I didn't quite appreciate the art like I would now. Thankfully at the National Gallery in DC there are a few early Italian Renaissance paintings that I got to look at while on break. Now it's time to cross the pond and see the others.

4. Japan
In my Buddhist art class I took awhile ago we learned about some of the Buddhist art in Japan. This included Buddhist shrines, many Buddhist shrines. They are so beautiful. The Horyu-ji shrine with the Shaka Triad by the legendary Tori Busshi would be incredible to see in person. I'd like to experience a tea ceremony too. So much work goes into the simple act of drinking tea. I want to see the big cities of Japan too. Kyoto and Asuka would be definite spots to see as well as Tokyo. I wanna go so bad!!

5. Barcelona
Back to Europe - I went to Barcelona when I was 16 and got to see only the exterior of the Sagrada Familia. I want to see the interior!! Gaudi is my favorite architect (sorry Mies) and I have to look inside his masterpiece. If I don't I might scream.

6. Machu Picchu
I've already written about going. It. Has. To. Happen. NOW. Well, soon.

So there you have it. I need to go to these places ASAP.