By Denise Leann R. Tomines

Living a monotonous life is indeed a big joke, and I’ve no plan to live mine that way. It’s always nice to take a break from the chaotic world you live in and plunge into the wonders of the world. Relive the past, feed your mind with the different cultures, explore and refresh yourself with the new setting.

The dreamer that I am, I do hope that I would make at least 90% of the dreams I’ve envisioned for me, come true. Who wouldn’t want to travel around the world? … But the question is, how and where? Never mind the fact that the idea itself may empty your pockets, but the experience you will acquire from this will be priceless, I daresay.

Where? There are 7 continents, 195 countries to choose from—now that’s gonna cause a major headache. Anyway, I’ve managed to narrow it down to three.

Bonjour!

France is definitely one of the most interesting countries for me. I’ve read about it on books and articles and it just made me wonder what it would be like to be actually standing at that place right now. Still, France is a big country. But there’s a certain place that captured my attention the most. RENNES-LE-CHÂTEAU, a medieval castle village in the southwest of France. I first heard about this place on discovery channel. The topic was about the truth behind The Da Vinci Code—a world famous book and a very controversial one, I’d say, written by an American author, Dan Brown. The place is controversial for I’ve read that a resident of the place, Father Bērenger Sauniēre, found proof that a secret society really existed,—the Priory of Sion. This controversy itself is enough to arouse anyone’s curiosity, and it certainly aroused mine.

Annyong Haseyo!

I love everything about Korea. The people, the food, the country itself. Although I find it quite hard to study their language, I still adore them. I’m a self-confessed KPOP and KDRAMA fanatic. I’ve watched 20 Korean movies already and a couple of TV series, I download Korean songs though I’ve no idea what they’re singing about. Their culture is really interesting, especially the CHANGDEOKGUNG PALACE—the principal palace for the kings during the Joseon regime. The palace itself is often seen at Korean TV series about historical pasts. The palace is simply majestic.

Ya Ssou!

I’m a movie-and-book freak. I guess I can’t deny that. One of my favorites was the movie “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” both 1 and 2. It’s about a pair of pants that miraculously fit each of the for friends, though their sizes aren’t of thr same measurement. One of the four was Greek and so a lot of scenes had to be shot at Greece, SANTORINI to be exact.

Living in Greece would be like living in Olympus. The houses were all painted white, their means of transportation was a donkey, the beaches were divine. This is the place to relax. Watching the sunset was the climax, the rising of the moon was the happy ending. A perfect view to end a wonderful journey away from home.

I know that saying “Bonjour!” or “Annyong Haseyo!” or “Ya Ssou!” would mean glee. But a traveler cannot travel forever. Besides, our country has a lot to be proud of. I know I should say “Kamusta?” but hey, “WOW PHILIPPINES!” is still the best, and im not gonna be tired of saying that.

I-BS HM B