Top 10 Travel Wish List

My mother and I were talking this morning about Branson, MO. She has decided to go and pretend to look at timeshares in order to get a free mini-vacation. We got into a somewhat heated debate about where, in fact, Missouri is in our great nation.

(Just in case you need the reference...)

From there we started talking about travel and things we want to do; she wants to go mining for gemstones in the Carolinas, I want to go to a cowboy ranch in Wyoming or Montana. Why? Why the hell not? I feel like it would make a good story, which is pretty much the reason that has propelled me to do basically everything in my adult life. (Well, not getting married, but frankly, he's such a character that it just fits right in.)

So. To get myself organized for any possible upcoming adventures, it feel it prudent to create a-

TOP 10 TRAVEL (TO-DO) WISH LIST*

1. Barbados

Here's what I like about it: 

-Beach

-Gorgeous

-Can get all-inclusive for a lot less than Jamaica, Aruba, etc.

-Rihanna's island of origin

Not so thrilled:

-Ummmm...it's not really impressive, you know? People won't say, "Oh, wow, Barbados!" It'll be looped into the Aruba/Bahamas/typical beach fare. Not that this is really important, but it's the only negative I could come up with here.

2. Greece

Here's what I like about it: 

-History

-Culture

-Food

-Variety of landscapes

-Island-hopping

-It's mother-effin Greece

Not so thrilled:

-Cost

-These people take vacations whenever the hell they want and hours can be erratic

-I've been told the streets in Athens, because of the stone used, are slippery-isn't that weird?

3. Kenya

Here's what I like about it: 

-Adventurous

-Never done anything like it

-New continent

-Animals

-Photo-safari!

-This picture reminds me of the Lion King

Not so thrilled:

-Cost

-I'm thinking visa/passport stuff will be a total pain

-I picture a lot of sweating

Could go either way:

-It seems like a trip when, coming home, I would be really excited that I survived

4. Alaska

Here's what I like about it: 

-Beautiful, cool, clean

-Cruise and land tour

-Animals

-Scenery

-Photo-safari!

Not so thrilled:

-Cost, and not like the other ones where I get they need to be pricey- why is going to Alaska so expensive? Come on, now.

-Most trips include a 1-2 day transfer in Seattle. I don't know why this annoys me; I do want to see Seattle at some point, but something about this really bothers me. Hmm.

5. Machu Picchu, Peru

Here's what I like about it: 

-Spiritual

-History

-Hiking

-Natives have gerbil cuy on the menu, an animal I dislike

-Can easily segue into other trips in the city/surrounding area

Not so thrilled:

-This is the trip that I've always wanted to do, but I procrastinate, which means I will travel anywhere and everywhere before I ever actually get to this place. I picture this as my "trip that got away". 

6. Egypt

Here's what I like about it: 

-History

-Architecture

-Mysticism

-Camels

-Exotic

Not so thrilled:

-Camels spit and smell bad, so I've heard

-I expect Cairo to be the top spot as the "place I will most likely be pick-pocketed" on my list

-There are enormous bugs that would seriously make me buzz cut my hair to avoid having any get tangled up so close to my face

7. Australia

Here's what I like about it: 

-In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson

"...I encountered the startling fact that in 1967 the prime minister, Harold Holt, was strolling along a beach in Victoria when he plunged into the surf and vanished. This seemed...astounding to me...that Australia could just lose a prime minister..." (italics are the author's own).

-Snorkeling/Scuba

-Beaches

-Culture

-Nightlife

Not so thrilled:

-Expense, obviously

-Long flight

-Unless staying in one city, really the only logical way to get around is by plane since the major cities are so far apart

8. Scotland

Here's what I like about it: 

-also, my best friend from college studied in Edinburgh and had nothing but brilliant things to say about it; she also returned home with a drinking problem

Not so thrilled:

-Cold and damp

-I studied in Ireland, so I would be let down if they turned out to be basically the same and it was a not-so-exciting trip

9. Russia

Here's what I like about it: 

-Architecture

-History

-I'm kind of scared of Russians since they're always the bad guys in 80's movies

-I was constantly assumed to be a Russian prostitute when I taught in South Korea- some of the native prostitutes around J's base were really mean to me before they found out I was American. 

-It's cold enough that I could wear a really furry hat and one of those little hand-muff things and feel old-world glamorous

Not so thrilled:

-I don't picture Russians being extremely outgoing and friendly

-They might assume I'm a prostitute

10. Continental U.S.

Well, duh.

Honorable Mention: Iceland

Ooohh, geothermal spas!


* J refers to this type of color/font as my "spam mail" typeface.