places I want to visit

I am keen to show my son the world. Literally see the world. Given the cost of crude oil—and from that, fuel—is expected to more or less permanently rise until makes travel prohibitive, I hope to do some of this globe-trotting sooner rather than later. Here are some of the places I want to take him.

But first, one of my many motivators. In comparing the two maps below, you'll see that my map (top) shows rather fewer countries visited than the second map, which is my wife's. In typical spousal harmony, I'm determined that we're going to go to some countries I've not been to but which she's visited—I must catch up!!

priorities

With a list as ambitious as this, you have to assign some items as priorities. These are my "priority" destinations.

1. Turkey
This country with two faces—one European, one Asian—has always fascinated me (maybe it's the two-at-once Pisces in me). The home of the Hagia Sofia and underground cities In Cappadocia. Home of many delicious foods. Home of Empires. Wanna see!

I've had a variety of Turkish dishes over the years and love the food. When my allergies to wheat and dairy permit it, that is. Turkey is one of those countries that gives me pause due to the heavy frequency of wheat (like nearby Italy). I don't know that I'll ever be able to eat the food in that country. But I'm willing to take my chances!

Perhaps unsurprisingly, there are a number of people close to me who also want to see this land. I think my mother and wife agreed to a standing plan to do it some day.

2. China
This is probably on every to-do travel list in the world. I've now visited Taiwan (not strictly China, per se) and Shanghai (which everyone assures me is not 'the real China'). Next, I'd like to start with Beijing, but I'd also like to see the magnificent terraces and river valleys which I understand to be in the south.

From everything I've heard from others who've been, China offers an endless variety of amazing destinations that are all worthwhile. Xian also looks like an amazing destination. And I'd like very much to get out to Xinjiang region—the food is astonishingly good. But next time I'd like it to be Beijing.

3. Morocco
Again with the countries on everybody's list. But seriously, I've had Moroccan food and seen Moroccan belly dancing, but never in their homeland. Plus, it's in Africa, one of the two continents I'm yet to visit.

4. Southern Alberta
Canada never markets itself properly. Its ideas seem to have a hard time going anywhere, and its products remain unknown. So, too, some of its most beautiful places. While tourists flock to Banff, it's south-western Alberta that commands the best views. Here, the high plains come together with the Rocky Mountains in a dramatic series of foothills that provide a surprising array of vistas. This is beautiful country, and a great place to go get lost.

5. Central Ontario
Ontario is my 'home', though once again I'm living far from it. But Central Ontario in particular is place both beautiful and interesting, with its lakes, locks and islands and its varied geology.

"someday"

These are the ones I want to get to ... someday.

Africa

Kenya
Kenya's got the safari thing as well as a seemingly endless human tale to tell. I'd like to poke around.

Namibia
This country in south-west Africa can't seem to catch a break. War, poverty, desertification, AIDS. But from the photos I've seen, it's clearly one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Latin America

Mexico
Mexico, for some reason, draws me. I love its run-down elegance and alternating buzzing activity and complete immobility. I've been there twice, but only in the peripheral sense of having visited Cancun (not really Mexico) and Manzanillo. Next time, I hope to take on Guadalajara and/or Mexico City.

Brazil
Probably another 'gimme', but Brazil's sheer variety and size attract me.

Asia

Vietnam and Cambodia
The former French Indochinese countries seem fascinating. I've been to Thailand but I'd like to spend a few weeks getting to know this part of the world.

India
This country was low on my list for a long time. Then I tried south Indian food, and learned that there is a whole country-within-a-country in that land's southern reaches. It's this area that I'd like to know.

Oceania

Fiji
I spent two weeks in Fiji but it wasn't enough. The snorkeling alone is worth the effort. And then there's the perfect weather, the great people, and of course the food.

Europe

Iceland
While I'm fantasizing, Iceland is another place that's always attracted me. It's the combination of practical people, stunning subarctic vistas, and geothermal activities that I'm interested in.

Hungary and the Czech Republic
I've never been to central Europe. A friend of mine lives in Hungary and has awoken in me an interest in the place. I can't imagine attempting to pick up some of the Hungarian language before going there (especially in the midst of struggling with Japanese) but it's got foods, architecture and landscapes that I want to see. And so it is for the Czech Republic, one of those countries that's always intrigued me (despite being something of a cliche).

summary

So that's it.

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