Blackpool

Blackpool caught my interest after listening to references from the Beatles and Jethro Tull. The Beatles film (and album and song) Magical Mystery Tour was inspired by bus trips to see the Blackpool Illumination each fall in Lancashire, England.

The lead singer from Jethro Tull, Ian Anderson, grew up in Blackpool and makes reference to the seaside town in the song "Up the 'Pool" on the Living in the Past album. This was one of my favorite Jethro Tull songs while I was in college. I didn't know he was referencing Blackpool until years later.

What additionally attracts me to Blackpool is that it seems to be the British version of Las Vegas, but without the garish Americana of course. Las Vegas has never been a destination of mine, but I think Blackpool would provide enough glitz for me. And I think I could tolerate the British version as we Americans find it more difficult to restrain ourselves.

Samarkand

When someone asks me to name an exotic place, I name Samarkand. Just the name of the city delivers images of times past--the Soviet Era, the height of the Silk Road, the Turkic nomads, Genghis Khan, and the majesty of the Islamic influence. The city is literally at the crossroads of so many different civilizations--the Persians, the Indians, the Chinese, the Turks, and the Russians.

I first came across this city when reading about Marco Polo's travels. When I became interested in Islam, I read about the significance of Samarkand. And now I'm reading about the history of the Turks and images of Samarkand enter my mind again. After being to both Istanbul and the Astrakhan in 2007, I can kind of guess how it might be there. I've met a few Uzbeks while I taught in Russia, but I never asked them about Samarkand. All I know is that it was pretty rough living there. I wonder if the standard of living is better than it was 10 years ago.

Neuschwanstein

My father had a poster of this German castle in my childhood home. It fit my image of what a castle should look like. As I got older, I discovered that not many other castles look like this. It was something like out of a fairy tale, and that was exactly the intention of the "Swan King" Ludwig II who ordered it built.

In high school, I had a fascination with all things German and I would often dream of visiting and even living in this castle. My fascination with German ended quickly and so did my dreams of Schloss Neuschwanstein. What ended those dreams was finding out that the castle is relatively new compared to most European castles. No king really resided there and was never part of the Middle Ages or the Renaissance.

But still I would like to visit this castle and the Alpine region of Bavaria where it is home. Germany has always been a destination for me, but the closest I got was waiting in a departure gate in Frankfurt twice with flights between Russia and the States.

Path of Philosophy

One of my most peaceful memories of traveling in Japan was walking up the Path of Philosophy (tetsugaku no michi) in Kyoto, the cultural heart of the country. My first walk was alone in early November 1999, when I took my first solo vacation from my full-time job in Japan. I got there just a week before the peak season for the autumn colors. I remember eating lunch at a pathside cafe watching the birds flying around. During that time, there were few people walking along the path. I felt quite lucky to have this tranquil stretch to myself.

The second time, I was accompanied with Jenevieve and we took along our video camera. Again it was autumn, but we were closer to the peak season that time. It would be Jenevieve's last vacation in Japan before heading back to Maryland to prepare our wedding.

The third time, I visited briefly during the peak season of the cherry blossoms. It looked just like the picture here. Unfortunately, I was suffering from eating bad oysters and could not enjoy the environment around me. I took pictures, but those pictures were lost in Korea. Nonetheless, the Path of Philosophy is one of the most special places in the world for me.

Provence

For the past few years, Provence has been one of my top dream destinations. Its fields of lavendar attract me the most. After reading more about this destination, I learned that it is was home to many writers and artists. Its Meditteranean climate supported their creativity. I suppose the relaxing nature of Provence was a great muse if not the muse of an artist's human muse.

The French, British, Germans, and basically the rest of Europe know about this great place. Their proximity makes it easier and cheaper to travel to than for Americans. I envy them for that. But then I reflect on what we have here in America. Why am I always pining for traveling abroad when our country has a lot to offer? Nonetheless I have yet to visit or live in Western Europe.