Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Where to celebrate?

I turn 40 in April. I’m on a quest to find the perfect place to celebrate this momentous passing. I want to take 3 weeks, rent a house, and put down 3-week roots in my new home. I want all my family and friends to pay me a visit at some point during my stay. I want to become a short lived local. I want to love this place so much, I ponder quitting my job and working at the local flower stand. I want to relax, and reflect and ponder the next 40 years on this earth. And I want peace.

But I’m in a quandary on where this perfect place should be. I’ve researched Italy, Buenos Aries, the Outer Banks. I’ve considered Spain, Jackson Hole and Big Sur. And for a woman who usually has no problem making decisions, I can’t seem to come up with one here. My expectations are probably too high. And my consideration of the needs/wants of my family and friends I’m sure are making this more difficult. I just want a place to relax. A place me and my camera can be inspired. A place with vistas, where I look out over the land and see history.

My very diligent, process minded mind is considering everything with this decision. For instance:

- the dollar against the euro
- big occasion, I should go abroad and not stay in the US
- don’t repeat a location I’ve already been to
- love the waves, but do I have to have them
- finding a house everyone will love
- finding a location that has something to do/see
- weather/climate at that time

I think what I would like is if the place could somehow pick me. To try somewhere without research, serious consideration, major planning…all things I have a want to do, and yet without all that, still works out.

I’m open to ideas.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

honestly... i can't possibly think of a better way to celebrate.. i'm smiling still thinking of it.

opinion:
April...
I'd pick Italy for sure... but if you want something different (now, let me note here that i have absolutely no idea where you live.. i just linked to your very fabulous blog from waiterrant where you posted a delightful response..) then you should look at something in the Gulf Islands of British COlumbia.. in Canada.. they're paradise. and can offer some fannnntastic houses for that period of time.. before the tourists really hit. you can see islands where hippies still exist.. where you can actually survive on the 100 mile diet.. mMmmmm fresh cheese... check them out. I say it's paradise.

-sous-what?

Just a Girl said...

Thanks for stopping by – glad you enjoy my writing!

Great recommendation – I’ve hit Vancouver and Victoria before, but have not explored the Islands. Looks like Sonoma is my destination. Have a beautiful house with vineyard views – it’s as close to Italy as I could get.