Have you ever had a travel experience that has haunted you for years after? Our first backpacking trip abroad was to Japan and I still find it filling my dreams at night and constantly on my mind. We consistently list it as our favorite country (which, looking back, means it has an incredibly high bar). One of my personal favorite locations was the shrine of Fushimi Inari.
We live in a world that is fast paced and constantly on the go and you never really realize how much noise the world has until you find yourself in a place of peace. For the first time in my life, I had felt true calm. It was so hard to leave!
I know that the next time we find ourselves in Japan that we’re going to schedule extra time in Kyoto. I need a whole day just to wander Fushimi Inari.
Have you experienced a place that really stuck with you? Where would you return to if you could RIGHT NOW?
***Crazy to think that I shot this on an analog Canon camera!***
The answer to that question is always Alaska – but as I’m currently in Alaska I guess I’d say Arizona.
Italy will always have my heart. It was my first “big trip” away from home, and I constantly get homesickness pangs from it. That picture of yours is brilliant though!
Gorgeous photo – just can’t break away from it.
Perfect balm on triple digit day during a drought. Thanks!
Brasil!
Italy
Taipei. That’s where I would go if I could right now at this moment. So. Much. Shopping.
Italy! I would if I could in a heartbeat. And that’s a gorgeous photo. But then again, analog always has a special place in my heart.
I love Fushimi Inari (and Japan)! But Thailand captured my heart and I’ve yet to get it back. Would hop a plane to Bangkok tomorrow if I could.
I think Arizona is STUNNING. Seriously, you get every bit of nature you could possibly want AND their Mexican food is passable. <3
Aww! We get Japan pangs often. While Barbados was our first country, Japan was our first backpacking experience. I feel lucky I get to work setting up tours for people in Italy. I know how special it is.
Little do you know that it was 100+ degrees in this picture in a city more humid than Houston. I kid you not. <3
I swear your answer always changes lady! I swore you would say Argentina! xoxo
Why am I not surprised? 😉
I think that is the most unique answer. I’m scared of what it is going to do to my bank account. I LOVE BOUTIQUES.
YES! Analog just feels right. I really need to pick it up again (even though I have no clue where to develop film now).
NICE! I think that is where our next “big” trip will be. I’m really curious.
Oh Argentina is my second home, but my favorite country has always been Brasil! That’s where my husband and I want to live one day. We’re obsessed! 🙂
Reading your first sentence, and particularly the word “haunted”, the place which came rushing through my poor-excuse-for-a-brain was… Japan. And I’m still not sure why. I’ve been lucky to have visited a few of the most magnificent locations in our extraordinary world, from Venice to the Serengeti to Sri Lanka, and they still keep my heart glowing. However, even now, as I’ve begun long-term traveling with my lady and am currently enjoying the beautiful colors (and amazing food!) of Mexico, my answer to your last question would be Japan. Definitely Japan. Always Japan. I was there for only 2 weeks in 2010, but have not stopped thinking about it since. I want to go back, but I’m afraid I’ll never leave again. Japan is my favorite ghost. So yeah, um.. I can relate. Oh, and I loved Fushimi Inari too. Thank you.
HA! Isn’t it crazy how it just stays with you? I do love Mexico and plan on living there one day but there is just something about Japan. *swoon* Thank you so much for your lovely comment.