The first magazine that I ever subscribed to, paid for with my own money, was Gourmet. I’m not sure the late 90s counted as any magazine’s heyday but magazines like Gourmet, Vogue, Architectural Digest were fat guides to not just a better life but to The Best Life. So many pages, so much detail, rich photography, art books really that you could buy for $2.95.
Avoiding books in the bath (because, water and trying to be a good role model for my daughter whose dropped one too many), I was paging through April’s Vanity Fair last night in a very hot bath. There’s a piece called Grow and Behold which features a review of a resort in the Maldives. It sounded absolutely sumptuous: delicious vegan food, “water gardens” with baby sharks and rays and of course massages, sun rise yoga and swim-up bars with ice cream. Incredible! And still my dream destination is to take the original Paris —→ Istanbul route on The Orient Express. I love train travel, Agatha Christie and crossing borders in small compartments.
These Friday questions provide such a welcome moment for reflection for me. Thank you! Having just returned from an epic vacation I feel lucky that my typical wanderlust feels sated at the moment. I was reflecting with a friend the other day that the older I get, the less I feel a sense of FOMO or scarcity when it comes to visiting dream locations. That's been making me both happy and sad! I miss the youthful part of myself that felt like she had to see everything. And at the same time I am thankful for a life that I don't want to escape.
However, the Orient Express sounds absolutely divine.
Oh, thank you! That's so kind, Allison. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts here. And oooh, that's such a wow realization: the noticing of what the younger Allison thinks about vacations and what present day Allison does. I hadn't considered the question from that vantage. You've got me thinking! And welcome back! I LOVED seeing your travel diary (the pastry!) over on Instagram.
Maldives is definitely up there for me, not sure I’ll get to see it before it is swallowed up by the rising waters. Lately I’ve been thinking about how much more accessible travel is today than it was 30 years ago. And while a great thing in many ways, maybe I should strive for balance and cultivate responsibility to the world I live in. Like what if I don’t see all the places I dream of and learn to really love the dream for what it is? Anyway, on that thread, I dream of a place with a remote beach and fresh fruit, solace and comfort under a palm tree with a cool breeze, a wide brimmed hat and smiles, trails for exploring, and a local watering hole filled with live music and laughter. Seems like a place I could visit over and over again.
A weird, fun thing about me is I'll go just about anywhere. The world fascinates me. I do love to wander a city on foot, and I also love remote places that feel removed, where things bend a bit at the edges. The most memorable random place I once went was Sudbury, Canada. Not much there but mining that makes the place look like another planet, a cool science museum, and a mini golf place lovingly curated by a person obsessed with mini golf, which can only be played a few months a year up there. The world--and its inhabitants--are wondrous.
I feel like a cracked record here but your answer, Julia, is one of my favorite parts of these Friday Questions! The shares that are offered here are so different from what I think/want/believe. The answers here always give me pause to consider something else. I love learning this about you, Julia. And it sure sounds like you and Holly need to go somewhere...anywhere!
I can find peace and happiness in about anywhere. My dream would be Bali or Boon Lotts Elephant Sanctuary. I would love to experience elephants in their habitat enjoying their taste of freedom. Bali would be amazing to visit the temples and learn the culture. Then again, the lake in a tent , NYC ducking in and out of stores and restaurants, clams at a road side clam shack in Conn. I think you find the beauty of a place, any place if you open your mind and heart to our amazing world and the joy that comes with travel big or small!
I have never heard of that elephant sanctuary! Now I’m gonna go Investigate because that sounds totally up my alley.
But what a smorgasbord of fun, simple visits (“road side clam shack” 😍) you’ve outlined above. Love all the feels you’ve shared here, June. Thanks for chiming in!
These Friday questions provide such a welcome moment for reflection for me. Thank you! Having just returned from an epic vacation I feel lucky that my typical wanderlust feels sated at the moment. I was reflecting with a friend the other day that the older I get, the less I feel a sense of FOMO or scarcity when it comes to visiting dream locations. That's been making me both happy and sad! I miss the youthful part of myself that felt like she had to see everything. And at the same time I am thankful for a life that I don't want to escape.
However, the Orient Express sounds absolutely divine.
Oh, thank you! That's so kind, Allison. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts here. And oooh, that's such a wow realization: the noticing of what the younger Allison thinks about vacations and what present day Allison does. I hadn't considered the question from that vantage. You've got me thinking! And welcome back! I LOVED seeing your travel diary (the pastry!) over on Instagram.
I've had so much fun posting those photos! I hope you'll keep us all updated with lots of photos when you're in Berlin.
Oh my yes!!
Wanderlust softening into "thankful for a life I don't want to escape" <--- 1000% 💜
Maldives is definitely up there for me, not sure I’ll get to see it before it is swallowed up by the rising waters. Lately I’ve been thinking about how much more accessible travel is today than it was 30 years ago. And while a great thing in many ways, maybe I should strive for balance and cultivate responsibility to the world I live in. Like what if I don’t see all the places I dream of and learn to really love the dream for what it is? Anyway, on that thread, I dream of a place with a remote beach and fresh fruit, solace and comfort under a palm tree with a cool breeze, a wide brimmed hat and smiles, trails for exploring, and a local watering hole filled with live music and laughter. Seems like a place I could visit over and over again.
"learning to love the dream" however that looks or wherever it is. Mmmmm...I like that Holly. Thank you!
A weird, fun thing about me is I'll go just about anywhere. The world fascinates me. I do love to wander a city on foot, and I also love remote places that feel removed, where things bend a bit at the edges. The most memorable random place I once went was Sudbury, Canada. Not much there but mining that makes the place look like another planet, a cool science museum, and a mini golf place lovingly curated by a person obsessed with mini golf, which can only be played a few months a year up there. The world--and its inhabitants--are wondrous.
I feel like a cracked record here but your answer, Julia, is one of my favorite parts of these Friday Questions! The shares that are offered here are so different from what I think/want/believe. The answers here always give me pause to consider something else. I love learning this about you, Julia. And it sure sounds like you and Holly need to go somewhere...anywhere!
Same, Julia. Someone says “trip” and I’ll immediately throw my proverbial hat into the game!
Haha, love this. Sounds like we might make good traveling buddies :)
I can find peace and happiness in about anywhere. My dream would be Bali or Boon Lotts Elephant Sanctuary. I would love to experience elephants in their habitat enjoying their taste of freedom. Bali would be amazing to visit the temples and learn the culture. Then again, the lake in a tent , NYC ducking in and out of stores and restaurants, clams at a road side clam shack in Conn. I think you find the beauty of a place, any place if you open your mind and heart to our amazing world and the joy that comes with travel big or small!
I have never heard of that elephant sanctuary! Now I’m gonna go Investigate because that sounds totally up my alley.
But what a smorgasbord of fun, simple visits (“road side clam shack” 😍) you’ve outlined above. Love all the feels you’ve shared here, June. Thanks for chiming in!