Where Would You Go to Fulfill Your Dream?
Where Would You Go to Fulfill Your Dream?
Another attempt by Buzz of the Orient to provide a fun distraction, a respite from the political pressures at this chaotic time.
This is an opportunity for you to dream up and to tell us all about where you would love to enjoy an all-expense paid one whole month luxury vacation if that opportunity were provided to you. You could go alone or with your companion/spouse and even your children under the age of 18. The first rule for this opportunity is that you must choose only ONE country, and It cannot be your home country, which means that even if you live in New York, you cannot choose America because you want to go to Hawaii. The second rule is that you must relate to the rest of us what it is you intend to do and see in the country you choose.
To provide an example of what is expected, here is what I am submitting should I be given that opportunity.
My wife has never been outside of China and I love to spend time with her and it would double my enjoyment from the experience by sharing it with her and seeing hers. I have been to about 17 countries in my life, and I have already been to European countries, England and Wales, Switzerland, Spain and Gilbralter, and it is a difficult decision for me to choose between France and Italy since both have wonderful attractions, so I have decided on France, and as for when I would want us to be there, it would be when the Cannes Film Festival is happening so we could attend it, cause after all, you all know how much I am into movies. Of course, there is Paris, and there we would take in the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, the Musee D'Orsay, the Champs Elysee, the Left Bank and how could we resist eating some delicious meals at a few Michelin 5-star restaurants? Then outside of Paris we absolutely must experience Versailles, wine-tasting tours of some famous French vineyard wineries. Finally, to relax at the end of our vacation, a restful time at a Mediterranean beach town.
Now, let's see where YOUR dreams would take you and yours.
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Okay, in NO LESS THAN 100 WORDS (I wrote about 250) where would you go, who would you take with you, and what would you want to do and see?
The map is upside down.. it's meant to go this way..
This guy would agree with you. I actually watched him climb the stairs without using his arms and hands.
Maps are fun
Darn-- France was my first choice as well-- but now its been taken!
(Maybe I can just copy and paste what you wrote into another window and use that? It would save me a lot of time and effort!)
Its getting late here-- I will post my new choice tomorrow.
No problem. It's time now for me to watch one or two movies.
LOL. You can choose France if you want, especially if it's your first choice. Just word your reply differently than I did.
Not to worry-- I have several first choices-- I'll just write about a different one!
I was actually thinking of making a list of places (3 in total) a few days before you posted this. (At least one was not practical at this point in time). The list-- not in any particular order:
1. France. I lived in Paris a while many years ago- I took an Introduction to Conversational French-- 5 days a week in class for four weeks-- from the start no language other than French permitted in class. At first no exposure to written French. After the course finished I was actually fluent in French! (Though decades of not using it I am not longer fluent).
On my list I would like to spend some time in Paris, then time in the South.
2. China! A friend who's traveled a lot said China was one of her favourite countries! She said the people were incredibly friendly, and of course the ancient culture as well as the current modern country has so many wonderful things to experience.
3. Wouldn't want to go there until the government changes of course: Iran!
They are not Arabs-- they are descendents of ancient Persians. The culture (before the current horrendous gov't took over) was wonderful. Also their history, architecture,etc. (Most Americans know little or nothing about Persia (AKA "Iran").
I've met a few Persian immigrants in the U.S. They insist they people call them Persians-- not Iranians.
I've met a few Persian immigrants in the U.S. They insist they people call them Persians-- not Iranians.
Jamshid Delshad, a past mayor of Beverly Hills was a Persian-American:
Jamshid "Jimmy" Delshad (Persian: جمشید «جیمی» دلشاد ) is an Iranian-American politician in the state of California. He became Mayor of Beverly Hills on March 21, 2007 [ 1 ] when he was sworn in by Fred Hayman, [ 2 ] and again on March 16, 2010. [ 3 ] ( Wikipedia)
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Do they know their heritage on conquering, enslaving, and empire building?
It took many years to discover that that is true, and during my more than 18 years here I've seen even less than 10% of what there is to see and experience in this magical land. One has to choose, although the saying here is that you don't know China unless you have done at least these three things: walked on The Great Wall, watched the Peking Opera and eaten authentic Peking Duck. I've done all 3 in my first 4 months here, as depicted in these photos. It was Christmas, so it was really cold and windy on the wall.
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The Peking Opera could be one of the noisiest things you've ever heard.
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In an authentic Peking Duck restaurant in Beijing the chef slices up the duck beside your table. He's wearing a mask for hygiene - it's only 2006.
You must have been really happy there then, because rather than somewhere you've never been to before you made it your first choice.
I'm aware of how nice the modern-thinking Iranian people are, the problem is their fucking religious fundamentalist government and their devoted followers (similar to the political division in the USA). I once worked with an Iranian girl who immigrated to Canada with her family when the Shah was deposed. I really liked her, gave her a beautiful book about the Shah that was in my library.
I spent some time in Iran fifteen years ago. Fascinating.
I'd recommend the country for the reasons you give, and I'd agree about waiting for the ayatollahs to fall.
Basically, they've had the same borders for thousands of years.
The Great Wall in deep December. Fond memory.
Where we've now finally settled is Chongqing, my wife's hometown, which is known as one of the three furnaces of China, and it was aptly named this last summer with temp reaching 106 F remaining hot even at night so I almost never left our airconditioned apartment for a couple of months.
This is relevant ( Jewish Virtual Library ):
Reports on Religious Freedom: Iran 2002
Section II. Status of Religious Freedom
Legal/Policy Framework
The Government restricts freedom of religion. The Constitution declares that the "official religion of Iran is Islam and the doctrine followed is that of Ja'fari (Twelver) Shi'ism."
It also states that "other Islamic denominations are to be accorded full respect," and designates Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians as the only "recognized religious minorities," which, "within the limits of the law," are permitted to perform their religious rites and ceremonies and "to act according to their own canon in matters of personal affairs and religious education."
Islam (Shia) is of course the official religion of Iran-- and Iran is a Theocracy. Note however:
other Islamic denominations are to be accorded full respect," and
designates Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians as the only "recognized religious minorities,"
(deleted)
I recommend France... but since I live there half the time, it's not my own choice.
Or rather... metropolitan France isn't my choice. (That's French for "European France".)
France has lots of overseas territories. Since my health is not great, and France‘s health care is among the best, my choices are Réunion, Guadeloupe, and even St Pierre & Miquelon (not quite the same as the others). Or maybe some of the itty-bitty islands. Kerguelen?
Did you read the article? Here is a reminder of part of what it said:
"The first rule for this opportunity is that you must choose only ONE country, and It cannot be your home country, which means that even if you live in New York, you cannot choose America because you want to go to Hawaii. The second rule is that you must relate to the rest of us what it is you intend to do and see in the country you choose."
Please name ONE place that is NOT a country that is one of your two homes.
The Réunion is not my home... but... ok.
Italy. Museums.
I can't walk much, so scenic destinations would be hard. New Zealand has always fascinated me, but if I can't walk.
Many years ago I used to feel that if I ever moved to another country, it would have been to New Zealand. But I'm so glad that I eventually chose China.
Morning Bob.. NZ has excellent disabled facilities from public transport to accommodation etc..and tours also cater for peoples needs with disabilities...
You should check it out and you just maybe surprised..
The plane trip down would be about 14 hours so could be a bit of a pain but plenty of people do it..
I'm thinking more about "what to do and visit". We see so much magnificent scenery in photos and video. I don't doubt that everyday accessibility is good.
Long ago I spent a week in Martinique. But I didn't see much of Martinique as it was a week in Club Med!
Club Med was wonderful at the time-- but apparently its "gone downhill"-- not so great anymore.
I took my young family one Christmas vacation to a Club Med on Eleuthera (in the Bahamas). It was idyllic. I can still remember the beach. I'm sorry if the Club Med resorts have gone downhill, I thought it was a great concept.
When I was there I liked it so much I seriously considered applying to be a G.O., a member of the staff. (G.O: stands for a "Club Med Gentle Organizer". ) IIRC they are required to be fluent in French & possibly (?) fluent in English. Don't remember but since Club Med was so sports-oriented possibly proficiency in a sport was requied?
(Going there for a week room and board was included, as well as many, many sports. A few sports requiered additional payment). Also there was nightly entertainment by the G.O.s)
I forgot to mention --I also went to another Club Med-- that one was on Paradise island (Bahamas).
It started with me going to a Sivananda Yoga Ashram on the Island. But I only stayed there about 3 days-- The setting was beautiful but I didn't like the way they taught Yoga there. I knew there was a Club Med a short walk down the Beach-- so after 3 days at the Ashram I called the Club Med and asked if I could come for less than a week.
I checked out of the Ashram, walked down to the Club Med and checked in, threw my stuff on the bed in my room, asked where the bar was-- went there, sat down, and had a few stiff drinks! (No alcohol was allowed on the Ashran and of course it was strictly vegetarian).
One of the things I really liked is that for dining the tables were big and round so that 2 or more families would sit together. IMO that was a brilliant touch to help guests to get acquainted and made eating an even better experience.
On another trip I took we stayed on Paradise Island as well, but in a regular hotel this time.
LOL. You don't enjoy being tortured?
I remember that-- IIRC that was the same as all Club Meds.
At the time I was at Martinique Club Med I remember that Guadeloupe allowed families with children, Martinique did not allow children.
I was there with my girlfriend at the time-- we meet many wonderful people-- in fact for some time after we returned to the US we stayed in touch with many friend we made the-- who lived in different parts of the U.S.
Yoga, when taught properly, is by no means "torture". In fact its quite gentle, But at the time Sivananda did not have the peoper approach. (I imagine that after a while they eventually changed that..)
I've noticed them for many years (on maps), know very little about them. . I would imagine there's not much of interest going on there, at least compared to most of the other places you've listed.
Fishing, mainly. Some logging. It's like the Maine coast, but harsher.
The election is in 10 days. I hope you are not going to be claiming a need for distraction on election day.
Is this election day? Am I stopping anyone from voting for your candidate? I don't want anyone to bother with this article if it distracts them from casting their vote, and I'm sorry if it prevents anyone from doing so.
You say the same thing every time you post a new seed. I think everybody gets that you'd like to have more comments on your non political articles.
New members who sign up or the 394 visitors (as you can see at the bottom of this page) may not have ever seen that message before. You're probably the only one who links what I said to wanting more comments - my sports article has 180 comments and I said it there. You're the only one who bitches about my posting it.
Often the entire process doesn't take much time.
Many people have mailed in ballots in advance. In some states you can get a blank ballot in advance and put it in a "drop box".
And in most states voting places are close-- so for people who choose to vote in person it doesn't take that long. Finally, there are some places of business in some areas that let employees take off during part of the day.
This all varies by state.
I didn't mean for my criticized comment to be a distraction from voting, I meant it to be a distraction for the daily combative rhetoric.
But OTOH, you tend to keep complaining about the same thing about Buzz -- every time Buzz posts a new seed!
So I guess we can call it even!
Okay, good thought. We're both compulsive.
In my experience, most people (perhaps even all people?) want to have more comments on their articles!
(And that goes for political as well as non-political).
Australia with my wife. Australia is a land of diversity:
... and...
And Vegemite..
LOL
Maldives for sure, I've been there twice and had a great time both visits. Scuba diving, sea kayaking, exploring the many islands (both habitated and uninhabited) walking the many beaches looking for seashells and maybe some treasure (lol) relaxing, socializing, drinking would be my main diversions.
BTW I've been to Cannes during the film festival, waaaayyy to crowded and expensive for me. Although all the superrich yachts at hje marina are impressive
I've heard really great things about the Maldives.
BTW I've been to Cannes during the film festival, waaaayyy to crowded and expensive for me.
Unfortunately its that way with a lot of great place and events. More and more people find out about them and its gets ridiculously crowded.
(Of course one possible solution is to become wealthy-- then on vacation, whenever you wish you can retreat to your yacht.
And crowded restaurants? No problem-- just go to those that are outrageously expensive-- they tend to be less crowded!
Remember that I said "LUXURY" vacation, which means you would be among the wealthy.
Oh, OK!
It is my intention to become fabulously wealthy! (its just taking a little longer than I had planned/)
Okay, good luck with that.
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Sorry, I couldn't hear that.
Well, that's probably because you're not eating enough Vegemite. I recommend you increase your daily consumption-- threefold!
I'll do that. 3 X 0 = 0.
Thank you!
Sounds like a really comfortable place to rest from the usual slings and arrows of normal life.
Morning... hmm would be a toss up between Canada and USA..but not the tourist traps where I have been in the US..more the mid west and Montana has always appealed..
But I think I would have to go with Canada..would love to go in Autumn when all the leaves are changing colour and if I could hack the cold have a White Christmas..
It always looks so beautiful when you see movies etc with all the lights...
Well, you might like Quebec City for a bit of a continental experience,
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Algonquin Park in Ontario for the fall colours,
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Banff Mountain Resort, Alberta, for the beauty of the mountains
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Vancouver, British Columbia, where you can ski down the mountain in the morning and play golf in the afternoon
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If you want the most unique winter experience in the world, spend a night at Quebec's Hotel de Glace.
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If you want to see the most incredible Christmas lights, Butchart Gardens in Victoria, British Columbia
But if you just want a white Christmas, it's pretty well right across most of Canada.
In the city
In the country
And Christmas in downtown Montreal, Quebec
Evening... stunning photos Buzz..thank you...
All are from the internet.
About Quebec's Hotel de Glace...
Sounds like a great place to go..and just chill!
Yep, best hotel in the world in which to chill out.
Quebec City is another fond memory.
What I think about Quebec City, what I remember most was the waiter in a restaurant saying under his breath, when I ordered our dinner, "Tête anglaise", which I'm sure you know is an insult.
Je ne comprends pas l'anglais.
Neither do I.
No one here does!
This is going to be a difficult decision. I’ve been to over 50 countries in my lifetime and enjoyed something about all of them and I’m down to two and for different reasons.
The one country that I missed in my travels but has always fascinated me is Mongolia, I’ve read and studied the countries for years and would love to experience living with the herders and their horses in a Yut. There is something about riding across the plains of Mongolia in the footsteps of the great Kahn that calls to me, and of course we like the Mongolians are know as the horse people. I also read everything available about the great Kahn and the empire that he and his sons built. Simple amazing in the scope of it all and the also some of the great cities that the built. If your not aware of it the grave of the Great Kahn has never been found. What a discovery that would be, a world shaker so to speak.
OK, Buzz I am going to violate the rule and name another for a very different reason, it is your home country that I have been to many times but in this visit I would love to be a time traveler and be in Manitoba from the late 1700 to around 1870 or so in the Red River Valley and Red River settlement. The ancestral home to the Métis people (pronounced May tee) and meet some of my ancestors from that area and time period. Chief Little Shell and his wife Techomegood or Clear Sky Woman, who are my great grandparents x4 and the whole history of the area from there down into ND and MN. A fascinating time in Canada, MN and ND history.
My avatar is Chief Little Shell lll who the last heridatory chief of the Little Shell band of Ojibwe and also an ancestor of mine.
I'll take into consideration your entitlement to go unhindered back and forth over the Canada/USA border as a reason to permit you to override the rule. As well, I think you know that I know how to pronounce Metis, not only because I studied Louis Riel in school, but because 2 Metis, Yvonne and Yvette, worked in my father's factory.
I was pretty sure you knew how to pronounce it but my explanation was for the masses of people that read NT and have no idea in hell what Métis is, was or how to pronounce it.
I've known the names of many Indian tribes (and how to pronounce them) but I had never heard of the Metis until you mentioned them on NT)
Americans probably know a lot less about Canadian History than Canadians know about American history.
Did they join the Louis Riel rebellions?
Well, hopefully none of them received the same fate as Louis Riel did even if they did.
Yes, they did, Freefaller and later in North Dakota my direct ancestor Chief Little Shell lll gathered up Métis, Ojibwe, Cree, and French voyagers/fur trappers and drove out the settlers that were overrunning our land.
Sadly some did before the Red River rebellion and after my great grandfather x 4 Chief Little Shell l was killed in battle with the British/Sioux as was his son and wife a few years later. Many headed south after the rebellion since Manitoba, North Dakota and Minnesota were basically one land and settled around Turtle Mountain ND and northern MN. There is a town in Minnesota that is named ‘’Little Canada’’ and I’m probably related to everyone in that town…LOL.
I can trace ancestors to the Red River Settlement when Manitoba was called New France and Ruperts Land. Long before there was a country called Canada.
The song, ‘’Red River Valley’’ was written by a Métis woman at the Red River Settlement to her British lover as he left for the East Coast.’
For those that don;t know or are not familiar with the Métis they are one of three indigenous groups in Canada, Inuit in the far north, First Nations (what we call Native Americans and the Métis who are very unique and are a combo of either French or British and indigenous women who have their own language, culture, customs their language is a combo of French, Cree and Ojibwe. They are by far the largest indigenous group in either Canada or the US, they number around 700,000 in Canada not counting the Métis in the US. The Canada government has said that if all Métis registered they would number one to 1.5 million.
I can only trace as far back as my great-grandfather and great grandmother on my paternal side and my grandfather and grandmother on my maternal side. They were all immigrants to Canada. At least I knew all of them personally.
I’m kinda of lucky on my fathers side I can go back as far as the early 1600 and on my mons side early 1700s.
Very cool family history you have, mine is so convoluted I'm basically a mutt
Hi Kavika. A while back I discovered a guy who travels to various countries & posts videos of his travels on YouTube. These are not like commercials by a country's tourist dept., but rather he really mingles with people of the country-- also comes up with a lot of interesting facts that aren't widely known.. (He shows the postives about each country, but on rare occasions he will actually give "negative reviews" to a country).
Here's his first video about his trip to Mongolia (and after that he has more videos re: Mongolia and other countries as well):
WHY AM I IN MONGOLIA?
P.S: If you click on the message here (that you can only view his videos on the YouTube site) you should have no problem viewing the video).
Buzz: Since you can't view YouTube videos, try using yiour search engines to search for "@NasDaily" or similar words/phrases.
For anyone else: You can find his other country videos by first going to the Mongolia video linked above and then you can get to his YouTubechannel and find other countries.
Thanks for the link, Krish.
Actually I can open @NasDaily and on bilitbili I have a whole lot of videos about Mongolia not necessarily @NasDaily.
You're welcome.
Here's done a lot of videos. And even visited a few countries, mainly in Africa, where there's very little tourism.
Incidentally his background is interesting. He was a Muslim-- but also an Arab citizen of Israel. Currently he no longer practices Islam. He has some close friends-- both Muslim and Jewish!
IIRC he's done a short series on the world's religions, but IIRC he doesn't strongly identify with any of them. I saw his series on world religions but I don't remeber what his current personal religious views are.
He is very open minded, and does not say that any one religion is better or worse.
I would love to travel the Scandinavian & British coasts via private boat. My wife would love a private tour of Egypt.
IMO the best thing I did in Egypt was to take the boat trip down the Nile. They make many stops along the way where you get off the boat to some of the best sites in Egypt. (many of which are all right at the river's edge).
And that boat cruise might be a good way to get an idea of the major sites-- then perhaps you could see others (or have more time) at sites in a private boat? Or not-- there's a lot of available tourist info re; Egypt
I went in the summer-- the heat is unbearable on land but there's little or even no line at major sites.. Apparently the climate is nice in Winter but that's high season-- often there are very long lines at the major sites.
Although the ancient ruins in Egypt are amazing!
Check with the U.S. goverment-- the may be danger for Americans in Egypt now (???). (Their government has fairly good relations with the West. Also with Israel now (they were forced to!) but some people may be very angry at Americans and/or other non-Arabs.
Of all the things I've seen in Egypt, perhaps the one I liked best was Luxor (my Nile cruise stopped there but of course there are other ways to get there)
A couple of views of Luxor
And its even much more impressive in person!
Let me know if you get to see the Loch Ness Monster.
My home here in SW Colorado. Living where I and my late wife raised our boys, enjoying evenings with a fire on the patio, preparing and sharing meals with friends and family, watching the sunrise…no where else I would rather be, the memories are priceless…oh, how I miss her…
Morning afray...yep sometimes we are very content with what is in our own backyard..
As much as I enjoyed my own world travels for 1.5 years straight, soon as my feet hit Aussie soil I knew I was home..
Hang on to your memories and keep on what you are doing..sounds a lovely place to live..🌄