Travel

I have always played with the idea of having endless money and traveling to unique, exotic places as an adult.  When I was very young, my family and I took great vacations to far away places, but unfortunately I don't even remember where I have been, and now that my sisters have moved, family vacations are rare.  My "bucket list" of countries continually grows, but the other day I asked my self what top five countries I would visit.  If I could only travel to five countries on my "bucket list," which ones would I pick and why? After hard deliberation and much research, I have compiled a list:

1. Syria: Obviously my number one country for many reasons.  My 50% Syrian heritage, and my dad's childhood in Syria makes me so hopeful to visit this extraordinary country, as I would love to visit the apartment building he lived in and his favorite places to spend time. My sister lived in Syria for a year and loved every minute of it, and of all my 50 cousins, aunts and uncles, the 5 I have never met live here.  My growing interest in Arabic also makes it obvious that I should vacation to this historically rich country.  

2. UAE: Although it seems I add this to my list to see the amazing Dubai and Abu Dhabi, full of majestic malls and over-the-top tourist attractions, and I would be lying if I said that wasn't the reason, I also would love to embrace the mixed cultures of the UAE.  My sister plans to move here in the summer and she has told me about her fascinating experiences in the two big cities.  She told me that although it seems like Dubai and Abu Dhabi would be fake, due to the multitude of immigrants from around the world, she reassured me that each culture that settles in the UAE seems proud and strong to make it's heritage prevail.

3. Spain: After 7 years of studying Spanish, I wish to visit this culturally diverse country.  Known for it's Latin, Roman Catholic, and Islamic inspirations, Spain would be a perfect vacation and a great place to study ancient history, as well as improve my Spanish.  Not only would I enjoy shopping in Barcelona, but visiting the Cathedral of Seville for it's unique antiquity and architecture seems like a great way to spend a vacation.  

4. Morocco: I wish to visit this ethnically diverse, African country for many reasons.  I would love to see it's two prevalent Spanish and Arabic cultures, as both languages and histories greatly interest me.  Moroccan cuisine is also famous for it's Middle Eastern, Spanish, African, Berber and Portuguese roots, which makes it considered very diverse and unique compared to most other cuisines around the world.  Overall, Morocco's strong Arabic culture mixed with Spanish and other cultures makes for a wonderful country and a place I cannot wait to visit.   

5. Greece: I hate to say it, but after reading The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in seventh grade, I knew that I wanted to travel to this Mediterranean and historic country.  Although Greece has a culture and language I hardly know anything about, pictures of this ancient country always make me long to travel here.  The pride of Greeks and their enriching culture leads to my desire to visit the beautiful and enticing country.

I hope that someday I will be able to travel to these exotic countries.  Although I have many more on my "bucket list," I am now confident of which countries are most important for me to visit in my mind.  Hopefully I will be graced with the opportunity to travel to these unfamiliar countries in the future.