Anywhere in the world just pull you back like a magnet?

[Anonymous]

The Serengeti in Tanzania, South Island of New Zealand and Tuscany.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For me, it is east Africa. The draw to go back is so strong. If i never went anywhere else in the world again, but there, I'd be content. It is like the dust and permeated every cell in my body.

That is monumentally pretentious.

I expect you'd have a bit of fun absorbing the dust when so many people around you are desperate to escape it and everything else which goes with living there.

Is it wrong to visit these places then? I have a similar feeling about Africa as other posters have noted. The only African country I have had the chance to visit is South Africa, and I certainly ovserved the poverty, but still loved the country. I feel the trip made me more aware of the realities of life there. And besides, don't some of our tourism dollars trickle down to at least some of those in need?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For me, it is east Africa. The draw to go back is so strong. If i never went anywhere else in the world again, but there, I'd be content. It is like the dust and permeated every cell in my body.

That is monumentally pretentious.

I expect you'd have a bit of fun absorbing the dust when so many people around you are desperate to escape it and everything else which goes with living there.

Completely agree. and cannot believe the tone deaf responses here. But ok. This is where we are.

+1

But I expect nothing less of DCUM

I wonder if it's the same poster who claimed a biz owner in South Africa berated her about the US handling of Katrina. The idea of a South African berating anyone about human rights violations is laughable.

[Anonymous]

It's trite, but Hawaii. The natural beauty just speaks to me. When I'm there, I feel like I'm where I belong.

[Anonymous]

Yes, several places OP -

*Norway
*Turks
*Caymans
*South Beach
*La Jolla
*London
*Paris
*Rome
*Oh heck...just about any nice beach in the Caribbean

[Anonymous]

Grand Cayman

[Anonymous]

For me, it's being out on the ocean. Not on a cruise ship or anything gigantic like that, but a fishing boat or similar, where you can see the water up close and feel the waves. I've spent weeks at a time out to sea on 30-150' boats, and there is something magical about watching the sun rise from the ocean and set into the ocean, no land in either direction. Completely disconnected from the rest of the world, watching how the ocean changes with the weather. The smell of the ocean gets into my brain and has that magnetic pull on me. I come from a long line of boat people and I swear I was born with saltwater in my blood.

[Anonymous]

Paris. If we have enough money we'll probably spend a few months there each year during retirement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's trite, but Hawaii. The natural beauty just speaks to me. When I'm there, I feel like I'm where I belong.

Same. I'm asian american and everyone asked if we were locals. It's different than being in Asia (where I am seen as american) & different than being on the mainland (where I'll always be seen as asian). I felt like I was among my people even though I'm from dc.

Plus it's beautiful beyond belief and the food is awesome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For me, it's being out on the ocean. Not on a cruise ship or anything gigantic like that, but a fishing boat or similar, where you can see the water up close and feel the waves. I've spent weeks at a time out to sea on 30-150' boats, and there is something magical about watching the sun rise from the ocean and set into the ocean, no land in either direction. Completely disconnected from the rest of the world, watching how the ocean changes with the weather. The smell of the ocean gets into my brain and has that magnetic pull on me. I come from a long line of boat people and I swear I was born with saltwater in my blood.

Me too. My DH and I sail and are most at peace out in bluewater.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's trite, but Hawaii. The natural beauty just speaks to me. When I'm there, I feel like I'm where I belong.

Same. I'm asian american and everyone asked if we were locals. It's different than being in Asia (where I am seen as american) & different than being on the mainland (where I'll always be seen as asian). I felt like I was among my people even though I'm from dc.

Plus it's beautiful beyond belief and the food is awesome.

+1. I'd rather be in a natural disaster there over anywhere else. People help each other and there is respect for elders.

[Anonymous]

Windhoek, Namibia
Nantucket
Yellowstone
London
Hong Kong

[Anonymous]

Lauterbrunnen Switzerland

[Anonymous]

Kiawah Island

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Very specifically- my home of Oak Park in Illinois. The gorgeous, charming, unique homes. The tree lined streets. The kids playing on the sidewalks. The walkable downtown and the "big" downtown (Chicago) just 20 minutes away by train. The diversity and integration. The real sense of community that I just haven't found yet here in the DMV.

Internationally - Ireland. Gorgeous + warm, friendly, and funny people.

When I visited Chicago (reluctantly) I was shocked by how beautiful it was. And it seems so American in a very iconic, John Hughes way. Just like you described it.

I think about it often.