My Fantasy Bucket List: Places I’d like to visit but never will
My Fantasy Bucket List: Places I’d like to visit but never will
Fantasy bucket lists are created as guidelines for dreams that may never come true
Fantasy bucket lists are created as guidelines for dreams that may never come true
My Fantasy Bucket List includes experiences that appeal to my love of great theater and magnificent nature. A fascination with fantasy continues with my longing to relive chapters of history long gone. I also yearn to imagine pages yet to be written. This is a peek into dream trips that may come true.
During my career, I visited and wrote about close to 80 countries. The current pandemic situation is especially frustrating. Yes, while my travels face new restrictions, my imagination functions well. I dream about trips to places – some real, others not – that fill my “Want to see” agenda.
Treading the Yellow Brick Road
A very different kind of fantasy bucket list involves a young girl from Kansas who travels in a tornado. It includes a talking scarecrow who longs to have a brain, a tin woodman who wants a heart, and a cowardly lion who dreams of being brave. I could recreate the journey along the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City. I dream of meeting the supposedly “great and powerful” Wizard of Oz. Evidently, Dorothy and crew discover an elderly man manipulating levers and a sound system to fool those who manage to find him. We may have much in common.
Welcoming Willie Shakespeare at the Globe Theatre
The Globe Theatre was Shakespeare’s home. For anyone who enjoys live theater, what bigger thrill could there be than taking in a Shakespeare play by his troupe in the original Globe Theatre? Unfortunately, that building, which opened in 1599, was destroyed by a blaze started by a prop cannon that misfired during a performance.
The current reconstruction continues to offer works by William about 750 feet from the original. My fantasy bucket list dream includes attending a play at the first auditorium, spotting the Bard, and perhaps even chatting with him.
See the Sunken City of Atlantis
Never-never land destinations are penned on my virtual travel wish list. Who wouldn’t wish to check out an island-nation founded by demigods in the mid-Atlantic? Inhabited by exotic animals and festooned with magnificent plant life, the city of Atlantis was created in the works of Plato.
Atlantis served as an example of human hubris. Atlantis was submerged by the ocean when its inhabitants became too arrogant and prideful for the deities. Despite the allegorical underpinning of Plato’s work, some semi-scientific sleuths speculate that Atlantis actually existed. They still conduct expeditions to find it – so far unsuccessfully.
Utopia on Earth
Shangri-La paradise conjured up by British author James Hilton lies in the Himalayas Lost Horizon. This perfect valley world nestled beneath a mountain range far from the ocean seems perfect. People in this joyful heaven on earth age slowly and live for hundreds of years. No wonder the name of the mythical place has become synonymous with Utopia. No, I don’t expect an imaginary immersion to lengthen my life span. I will treasure the opportunity to enjoy the ultimate bliss there for even a brief time.
Walking the Streets of Troy
For an experience rooted in at least some degree of reality, visit Troy. This ancient city awaits those viewing the remains of what may be ranked the most famous city in the history of the world. Homer’s Iliad relates the story of the Trojan War. Depending upon the source, the story took place sometime during the 13th to 11th centuries BC.
In fact, the city of Troy, in today’s Turkey, existed. There may have been a Battle of Troy. Many historians believe the epic poem refers to repeated sieges of the settlement during the Bronze Age (approximately 3300-1200 BC). Greek armies attacked, destroyed, and rebuilt Troy a number of times. Travelers still visit ruins uncovered during archaeological excavations. However, it’s impossible to know which reincarnation of Troy they represent. My preference would be to walk the streets of the famous, and fabled, site when it was at its heyday.
Happily-Ever-Aftering in Camelot
I relish passing the time of day with the Knights of the Round Table in King Arthur’s court. The legendary Arthur and the castled city of Camelot where he reigned were introduced in French romances during the 12th century. The writings placed them in Great Britain, sometimes associated with real cities. Wherever it was or wasn’t, it would be fascinating to share war stories with the likes of Sir Lancelot, Sir Gawain, and their comrads in arms, and armor.
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Mother Nature at her best
What compilation of favorite dream locations doesn’t include Mother Nature? The challenge of culling the lengthy list seems daunting. I would choose a stroll through the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. My dreams show an enchanting oasis lush with floating terraces, deep greenery, and cascading streams. Therefore, Herodotus insured that it placed in the list of classic Seven Wonders of the World.
The story of the Gardens was perpetuated in Greek and Roman lore. Some historians continue their search for seeds of truth in the tales. However, my Quixotic quest for places real or not continues without a guarantee of actuality.
Out of this World
Speaking of which, Mars actually exists. What’s questionable is whether, and when, humans will be able to visit there, much less survive. That challenge is why my aspirational trip list ends with a would-be outing to our celestial neighbor.
Despite similarities to Earth – length of the day, comparable seasons, the presence of water — the roadblocks are many. Both the atmosphere and soil on the Red Planet are toxic, the climate is much colder and severe storms can block sunlight for weeks. Even with these challenges, or perhaps because of them, Mars finds its way into my list of places I would like to visit, but never will.
Photos from Wikipedia Commons
After gallivanting throughout the United States and to more than 75 other countries around the world, and writing about what he sees, does and learns, Victor Block retains the travel bug. He firmly believes that travel is the best possible education, and claims he still has a lot to learn. He loves to explore new destinations and cultures, and his stories about them have won a number of writing awards.