Stories from travels around the world ignite the imagination and the desire to glimpse into the life of another

Introduce yourself in a few words..

My name is Maria and I am a lawyer by profession. I often feel like an idealist and dreamer. For nearly 20 years, I have been part of the family of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce. I dedicate my professional time, and quite a bit of my personal time, to building a better environment for business development in Bulgaria, but also to living in a more creative society that does not end but begins beyond the front door of our home.

What does traveling the world mean to you?

Traveling for me is always a journey to myself. Because wherever we go, we always carry ourselves with us. Since childhood, I have been captivated by the excitement related to getting to know others – culture, lifestyle, relationships, history. My uncle was a sailor, and my grandfather was an “international driver.” Whenever they returned from a trip, we eagerly awaited the exotic stories about worlds that existed only in our imagination. My grandfather traveled to the Middle East, and my uncle traveled all over the world. My uncle always said – if you want to get to know the locals, go to the market. Feel the aroma of the spices, see how they trade. Stories ignite the imagination and the desire to peek into another's life. When I started traveling, I saw how different we are from others and at the same time, how alike we are. You realize how big the world is and at the same time, how small it is. Traveling provides a different horizon, expands the scale of thinking. It elevates and grounds you. And it shows how beautiful life actually is.

How many different countries have you seen so far? Share an interesting incident or highlights from your travels?

Not as many as I would like, but I plan to live long and in good health so that I can see the world through different eyes as I age. J

My experience as a traveler can be described as modest if I have to list the countries. In fact, I have seen parts of different cities in twenty-some countries. Most of my travels are for work, which greatly limits the opportunity to take time and immerse yourself in the place where you are. To explore, to plan, to give yourself time, to feel, to perceive. I have many different incidents that I often mix up, but miraculously, they end with a positive outcome. Once I had to travel from Bulgaria to Belgium, and from there through Istanbul to Uzbekistan, before returning back to Sofia. This entire trip happened within a week. Since I have always been afraid that my luggage will disappear, I always try to travel with hand luggage, which is a big challenge for any woman! But I imagine my suitcase circling back and forth behind me to different destinations and never catching up with me. So, I finish my work in Brussels. I had stayed in Leuven, as hotel prices in Brussels at that time were nearly triple compared to usual. Leuven is a beautiful little town near Brussels, full of young people because of the university, where fresh Stella Artois flows abundantly, which is produced there. It is very convenient, as it takes about 15 minutes by train to Brussels. The same distance to Zaventem Airport. Trains in that direction left every 10 minutes, so I was calm that I could quickly get to the airport and be on time for my flight to Istanbul. Since I do not like to hang around airports for hours, I usually do not adhere to the requirement to be two hours early, and this sometimes causes me quite a bit of stress J So, I find myself on the platform at the Leuven station and see that the train is about to leave, but the doors are open. I start to board, and in front of me stands a conductor who explains to me that I cannot board because the train is leaving. I wonder why instead of stepping aside and letting me board, we are having an argument during which I could have boarded and disembarked twice. But in the end, I lost the argument, of course, and the train left without me. I told myself, no worries, I will take the next one – in 10 minutes. Yes, but luckily for me, it turned out that the next one is not in 10 minutes, but in 40… This schedule did not match mine at all. I could already see how I was missing the flight to Istanbul, and the one to Tashkent. I was filled with great shame because I also had a work commitment in Tashkent and had no reasonable explanation for why I would not make it there. With these anxious thoughts and growing tension, I waited for the next train and after about 10 minutes, I was at the airport. I told myself – I still have time. Maybe I can make it! My timid hope died the moment I saw the lines for baggage check. I had never seen the airport so full – I don’t know how many people there were, but they looked like thousands. And I had to be on board the plane in 15 minutes. I told myself – I have no chance. But in such situations, there is only one way - forward. You go and hope to reach your destination. I lined up in the queue and hoped for a miracle. And the miracle happened. A visibly anxious young man approached me, asking to go ahead of me as he would miss his flight. I wondered why I didn’t come up with this brilliant idea, and instead, I lined up to wait in the long queue (and for the miracle). I asked him when his flight was, and it turned out to be 5 minutes after mine. I decided that the most normal thing in the world was just to go with this man and together we would pass to the front of the queue. And that’s exactly what happened. When I settled into my seat on the plane to Istanbul, not one, but two bags of stones fell from my back. And this time I got away with it… After a few hours, I landed in Tashkent. It’s different. I had exchanged local currency, took a taxi, and went to the hotel. The next day we had various meetings. My curiosity was gnawing at me. I had no time to read much about the place I had found myself in. I wanted to see a little more. At first, I thought in the remaining time after my work commitment (Friday afternoon) and my flight to Sofia (Saturday evening) to go to Samarkand. It was the weekend, and I could afford it. However, on Monday morning, I had to be in the office in Sofia. I checked how I could get from Tashkent to Samarkand. It turned out that in Uzbekistan, a distance of over 300 km by train takes about 2 hours! I told myself – this is it! I will catch the train and make a little escape, I will see something exotic because Samarkand is an oriental fairy tale, and I love to travel through time. I mentally transport myself back and imagine people dressed in clothes from “that” time, the hustle and bustle in the streets, the merchants, the noise, the smells, the aromas… Samarkand is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia and one of the most famous stops on the Silk Road. Unfortunately, the train schedule turned out to be challenging. Although the incident at the Leuven station and the airport in Brussels was two days ago (and according to my brain at least 20), I still decide not to push my luck. I tell myself – it will remain for next time... I have often told myself that… But I can’t just see the hotel and the conference room. It’s absurd in a way. I finish my part of the business program. I tell the hosts that I would like to buy something as a souvenir and take a walk while lunch lasts. They provide me with a car and a local driver who speaks English to take me to the Chorsu market. I tell myself – great and jump into the car! We talk with the driver. I ask him if he feels nostalgia for the past, how life has changed for them after the collapse of the USSR. The road to the market turns out to be long – we travel for at least 30 minutes. The conversation is casual and candid. The driver is an intelligent man who has managed to start working in the local office of an international organization, albeit as a driver. What impresses me. Almost all cars are the same – Chevrolet! Most are white. The famous brand stores, cafes, restaurants, and products are missing. We arrive at the market, and I tell him that I have exchanged 50 dollars that I want to spend at this market. And he takes on the bargaining.

We find ourselves in a unique place – an oriental atmosphere, people, aromas, colors. The market has been there for nearly 500 years! There were a lot of painted ceramic vessels and decorations. Of course, spices, dried fruits, and everything one can imagine. My eyes are hungry! The driver and I sink into the crowd. I try to be quick. I feel sorry for the driver – after all, he is a man, dragged to the market, and I went out supposedly for a little while during lunch, while the road one way was 30 minutes, and I am not on a tour. I started with the ceramics, which I didn’t need at all. It was just beautiful, and I wanted to own it. I also wanted to give a little beauty to close friends and family. I bought 3 or 4 wall plates and fruits. I continued with spices and dried fruits. Then I remembered my hand luggage. But that didn’t matter. Believe it or not, he managed to fit almost everything. Well, a small bag remained outside the suitcase, but Turkish Airlines are not that picky (I thought about what would happen at any European airport). But there you are a guest, not just a client. You relax in your seat on the plane and set off on another journey – not somewhere, but actually to yourself!

On Monday, from the oriental fairy tale, only the memory remained. Our daily routine spins us, and everything experienced is quickly organized in the drawers of memories from travels. And so, until next time!

Do you like to repeat destinations? Give examples and motivation “for” or “against”?

I repeat destinations that I visit for work or to which I can drive. In one case, simply because I have to, and in the other – because it is convenient. Usually, wherever I travel, I trust my feeling about the place. Some places I feel as my own. For some inexplicable and absolutely irrational reasons, some places outside my homeland evoke childhood memories or a sense of lightness and merging, serenity. I would return to such places because of the way they make me feel. But with such a big world, and so little time we have – I wish to discover new places that give me those feelings.

What was your first trip that truly changed you as a professional and can be said to have changed your thinking?

There is no such trip – at least for me. It doesn’t happen from one trip. It happens from a series of trips. And you have to be able to perceive the world, your place in it. This makes you accept others, accept differences, not be rigid in your thinking, and expands the fan of your perceptions. It makes you generous in some way. The more you find yourself among people with different cultures, different lifestyles, the more you see how insignificant your problems are and how much broader your horizon should be.

What do you learn about yourself and your professional skills when you are in a new cultural environment?

I learned to value myself more. I was convinced of the truth of the maxim that the more you learn, the more you realize how little you know. And how much there is to learn – while you are alive.

Have you met people or ideas during your travels that have influenced your career Vand path?

Rather, my career path brings me into contact with many different and interesting people. I have been most impressed by people who have reached far in their careers but have retained a human and down-to-earth attitude towards others, lacking the arrogance and haughtiness born from their own achievements. With whom you can have a cup of coffee and talk as if with an old friend – without prejudice – for a long time and openly. And then never see them again. Or when you meet them again, you don’t have to introduce yourself. They remember you just as you remember them.

Do you think that your travels help you expand your professional network? How?

Of course – definitely! One can be surprised to see how many similar challenges people from different countries go through. Communication provides different perspectives. Sometimes it confirms some of our approaches and beliefs, other times it naturally changes our views. In any case, it is enriching.

What skills do you develop the most when you travel, and how do they reflect on your work Vand?

I learned to travel with little luggage! Outside the joke – I learned to process large amounts of information quickly in a short time. This allows me to have a good base, and my preparation for each subsequent meeting becomes easier. I see how different systems work at different levels – at the European level, but also to some extent at the international level. Everything good that I have seen, I try to apply daily in my work. In fact, my travels show me more clearly the enormous untapped potential of Bulgaria.

Is there a city or country that has inspired you to start a new business or project?Vand inspired you to start a new business or project?

City or country – no. People – yes.

When you are in an unfamiliar country, do you feel more motivated or more distracted? Why?

I feel a surge of energy because I am about to see something new! My curiosity is triggered, the little girl in me wakes up, and I hurry to feed her with new experiences and emotions.

Are there destinations that act as a “restart” for your creativity and ambition?

Usually, these are places that help me relax my mind, free it from the noise of everyday life, and make room for dreaming. These places are warm, sunny, and by the water.

How do you manage the balance between work and pleasure when you travel?

It’s difficult. But one must set it as a task. Whether it’s dinner with a glass of wine in pleasant company or a walk – work should never be the only thing that fills the day while traveling. In fact, this applies to the time when we are not traveling as well.

How have travels changed the way you perceive the value of money?

I am among the happy people for whom money has never been an end in itself or a measure of success – for themselves or others. Money is a means. What matters is what we use it for. And the more money a person has, the greater their opportunities to help others. I think that such people can be found everywhere, and traveling helps us realize this better.

Are you traveling to find new ways to earn money?

No. In my opinion, this is quite a meaningless goal for traveling. One can travel to discover new opportunities, new business partners, and this has been done since the dawn of time. Money comes as a result of this.

What lessons about financial independence have you learned from different economies and cultures?

First, I am glad that I was born in Bulgaria. It was through my travels that I realized that many women do not have the opportunity to be financially independent, to choose and practice their profession. After university, when I started working, my salary was modest and I could hardly afford what I wanted. Life introduced me to people who taught me to plan my income and expenses. Thus, at one point, it turned out that money actually started to be enough for me. After that, I learned how to earn more. I believe that financial literacy is key and that it should be taken very seriously in education, starting from the earliest age of children.

According to Inyour opinion, is it better to spend on experiences rather than material possessions?

It depends on where we are in Maslow's pyramid and what needs we are satisfying. In any case, a person needs basic material security in the broadest sense of the word. Personally, I combine both.

How do you see the future of digital nomadic life?

I see it as part of the new ways we will live and work, but by no means as a predominant part.

Are there specific countries that are more favorable for work and investments?

The answer to this question is very relative. I will avoid the professional answer, according to which it depends on the business environment, regulations, taxation, levels of corruption, people with whom to work and develop business.

It is most difficult to break into established markets with high standards and relatively distributed markets. I am not saying it is impossible, but it is more difficult. Some companies may find good business opportunities in developing markets, where the level of competition in a given niche is not high, by offering technological transfer or simply a solution to an existing problem. Others, as part of the supply chain of larger or multinational companies. It depends on a person's innovativeness and creativity. Because, whether we are talking about a company or employees, we are always talking about people and their dreams, ambitions, skills, and perseverance, things will happen. As it is said – those who seek, find. I believe in that.

If you could choose one place in the world to develop your next big idea, what would it be and why?

In Bulgaria. Because my heart is deeply connected to it.

What are the destinations you would definitely recommend to be visited and why?

I don't have any. Every person knows what they are looking for and the answer will be different for them. I would say – just travel.

What is the career advice you would give based on what you have seen around the world?

Never stop learning and studying the world around you. Dream and pursue your dreams. Be brave: if you are afraid of something – do it! Be patient – work does not start with success. In the beginning, failures are more. Do not be afraid to fall. Just get up and keep going. The responsibility for your own life is in your hands! Just act!