Where would I like to travel?

What kind of question is that?  It is like asking what would I like to eat in an all you can eat buffet?  I want to travel, well, everywhere.  But there are a few places that rank higher, or perhaps rank sooner on my list than others.  I have become fascinated with Ireland.  I love the idea of Scotland.  I have always wanted to go to Finland.  Of course, as a former Spanish Literature student, I really want to go to Spain.  In each of these countries I want to drive around, eat food and meet people, and mostly, I want to hike.  I want to walk all over the countryside, experience the weather and the walkways, the mountains and the lakes, and feel the dirt under my boots.  I want to photograph hills and clouds and waterfalls, lakes, rivers and rainfalls.  I want to experience the country. 

Right now I am not in a position to travel overseas, but I can dream and plan.  I read about places to explore, and I try cooking foods from the different countries.  I look at photo books, blogs, and travel diaries.  I listen to music, and play with learning the languages.  If I never make it to any of these countries, I will have at least learned a few things and inspired daydreams. 

Ireland is a green country, full of fields and rainy days.  I could eat potato and leek soup, bangers and mash, and corn beef all week long.  Everyone speaks English, but in some areas of the country the Irish language is growing strong.  To say hello is to say “God to you,”  (Dia duit) and the reply is “God and Mary to you.” (Dia is Muire duit) I tried for a time to learn a little of the language, but it is a hard one, with complicated pronunciation rules and lots of consonants.  I still play around with the language, but I cannot imagine chatting in Irish right now.

Scotland has always been a misty country filling my dreams.  Bagpipes inspire me, and I can see me traipsing over mountains and dells, pipes filling my ears and green grass under my feet.  The castles and moors have to be interesting, and I am hoping for a chance sighting of Nessie. 

I have a friend from Finland.  She lived in the USA for a while, and she spoke so warmly of her country, and was such a strong ambassador of all things Finnish, that I have to visit someday.  I want to see reindeer in Lapland, watch the Northern lights and enjoy a Summer solstice of eternal day.  My camera is ready to take photos of the boats out on the waters, and of the many lakes.  I want to relax in a sauna, but I do not want to jump into icy cold water.  Music and art is very important in this country, and I look forward to enjoying both while there.

My Spanish dream is to walk el Camino de Santiago, and to eat and visit all along the trail.  I want to live life slowly, in beautiful surroundings, walking everywhere and enjoying nature.  I want to stop in little towns, eat the local meals and rest under the stars. 

For now, I enjoy the city where I live, and the state it is in.  Everyplace is worth discovering, and exploring.  I walked today around my neighborhood, on a chilly but sunny day.  The sky was so blue I couldn’t stop staring at it, and enjoying the contrasts with the green bushes and trees.  I walked to the local library, checked out a book and walked home.  It was a pleasant day.  Adventure and enjoyment are found wherever we choose to find them, whether walking through Spain, or our own hometowns.  I will never give up on the travel dreams, but I am not waiting around, I am enjoying every day in whatever location I find myself.  Adventure is what we make it.