Writer's Block: Dream Vacations
How relevant this is! After about 12 weeks of hemming and hawing, the DoS FINALLY gave me a passport! Now, as they say, "The world is yours." How I've been itching to take a trip somewhere outside the US. It's a bit sad, really - 23 years alive and I've never left American shores. Not even to Mexico (I'm about 6-8 hours away from the border) or Canada (well that's a bit further, but still). My family's never really had the finances or time or actual interest to go abroad, but I'm the oddball anyway. That said, below is my LIST OF PLACES ABROAD TO SEE IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS:
1. Australia (Sydney, Canberra): I have wanted to go to Australia since I was 6. Really! Every single research report I've done where we get to choose a country to study, it's always been Australia. I want to see a kangaroo in the wild (and not get kicked in the face!). I want to see the Sydney Opera House on New Year's Day. I actually do want to take a trip to the outback - maybe just for an afternoon, though, I'm not an outdoors-y girl. I want to see the beaches. When I get to take this trip (AND I WILL TAKE THIS TRIP), I want to make it last. I will stay for at least 2 weeks. Even if I have to go by myself, it will happen.
2. The Azores: These islands are actually owned by Portugal, but they look so beautiful in the pictures - they're so GREEN! And there's windmills that aren't Dutch! I watched a special about the Azores on Travel, and the cuisine looks like it is to DIE for (just as long as it's not shrimp, I'm allergic!). I want to get to know the culture here, especially because it's like a hidden Atlantic paradise.
3. London/Ireland: Sure, England and Ireland seem to be the "obligatory" abroad trips, but because so many people have traveled there, I hope to see some of the off-road places. And, uh, I also am on the hunt for Colin Morgan in particular. Sure, he's kind of famous, but I just want to hang out and chat - he seems really cool. Play some Guitar Hero or Halo 3...have ice cream? Whatever. I know he frequents there so that would be Objective #3 of the trip. I want to spend a little more time in Ireland, though. I love almost everything Irish! Gaelic, the feis...The food's actually really really good, at least as far as they have Irish restaurants here in America. I haven't got a SINGLE drop of Irish blood in me...maybe I can be an honorary? I also want to see the Blarney Stone (but not kiss it, I might get herpes or something) and Stonehenge.
4. Japan: Another longtime favorite of mine. Some of the things I've read, I don't believe. I need to go see it in Japan for myself. I like how most things are bright and energetic, while still maintaining a strong sense of order and balance. I want to get an authentic bento box for lunch. I'd like to see a Shinto blessing. I want to see the love hotels - NOT STAY IN ONE, JUST SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE. Japan's also got a very interesting mix and mastery of architecture - much of the minimal, modern style I like is Japanese-inspired. There's a lot to be said about having things so very simple.
I have a much longer list of places I want to see before I kick the bucket (see: Brazil, Antarctica, Indonesia, Bahrain, Switzerland, Amsterdam, Greece), but these are the tops for the next 5 years.
1. Australia (Sydney, Canberra): I have wanted to go to Australia since I was 6. Really! Every single research report I've done where we get to choose a country to study, it's always been Australia. I want to see a kangaroo in the wild (and not get kicked in the face!). I want to see the Sydney Opera House on New Year's Day. I actually do want to take a trip to the outback - maybe just for an afternoon, though, I'm not an outdoors-y girl. I want to see the beaches. When I get to take this trip (AND I WILL TAKE THIS TRIP), I want to make it last. I will stay for at least 2 weeks. Even if I have to go by myself, it will happen.
2. The Azores: These islands are actually owned by Portugal, but they look so beautiful in the pictures - they're so GREEN! And there's windmills that aren't Dutch! I watched a special about the Azores on Travel, and the cuisine looks like it is to DIE for (just as long as it's not shrimp, I'm allergic!). I want to get to know the culture here, especially because it's like a hidden Atlantic paradise.
3. London/Ireland: Sure, England and Ireland seem to be the "obligatory" abroad trips, but because so many people have traveled there, I hope to see some of the off-road places. And, uh, I also am on the hunt for Colin Morgan in particular. Sure, he's kind of famous, but I just want to hang out and chat - he seems really cool. Play some Guitar Hero or Halo 3...have ice cream? Whatever. I know he frequents there so that would be Objective #3 of the trip. I want to spend a little more time in Ireland, though. I love almost everything Irish! Gaelic, the feis...The food's actually really really good, at least as far as they have Irish restaurants here in America. I haven't got a SINGLE drop of Irish blood in me...maybe I can be an honorary? I also want to see the Blarney Stone (but not kiss it, I might get herpes or something) and Stonehenge.
4. Japan: Another longtime favorite of mine. Some of the things I've read, I don't believe. I need to go see it in Japan for myself. I like how most things are bright and energetic, while still maintaining a strong sense of order and balance. I want to get an authentic bento box for lunch. I'd like to see a Shinto blessing. I want to see the love hotels - NOT STAY IN ONE, JUST SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE. Japan's also got a very interesting mix and mastery of architecture - much of the minimal, modern style I like is Japanese-inspired. There's a lot to be said about having things so very simple.
I have a much longer list of places I want to see before I kick the bucket (see: Brazil, Antarctica, Indonesia, Bahrain, Switzerland, Amsterdam, Greece), but these are the tops for the next 5 years.