| Evelyn Hannon
We sent the question
out in a newsletter. It went something like this... ' They
say that every seven years a woman becomes a completely different
person. If you could magically choose the city you'd like to live
in for the next seven years, tell us in 75 words or less which
one it would be and why.'
It was as if the
floodgates to our JW members' travel dreams opened and the messages
just kept coming and coming and coming. Some respondents were
older, some just starting their journey and many, many women in
the age range of 35-50 told us what they wished for 'in their
future.'
We heard from
JourneyWomen located all over Canada and the USA. They wrote,
too, from the West Indies, Czech Republic, Kuwait City, Australia,
South Africa and many more juicy spots around the world. They
chose Italy as their dream destination (a lot) and Paris and Malta
and New York City and the Galapagos along with many, many more
juicy spots around the world.
It was great fun
for us to compile. It gave us incredible wanderlust. We hope you
have fun reading...
Southwest
England...
I'd nestle into Glastonbury,
once known as the "Isle of Avalon" and said to be
the final resting place of King Arthur and Guinevere. This
ancient town in Southwest England once opened out to the sea,
and nearly every morning, a milky mist still swirls around
the countryside, slowly burning off to reveal emerald grasses,
the mystical hill known as the Tor, and scatterings of sheep.
Whimsy and spirituality play a delicious game of hide-and-seek
here, and speaking of delicious: the Indian restaurants and
the pastry shops served up some of the best food I've ever
tasted!
Marilyn, Kensington, USA |
Paris...
If I could pick up and move to anyplace on earth for the
next seven years, it would have to be Paris. I would rent
a small apartment close to Montmarte and experience the art,
beauty, food and the wine (always the wine) of this extraordinary
city. I love Paris because it is always fresh. The streets
radiant excitement and people watching is an event. I could
wander the city with abandon and become part of its story.
It's a magical place where everyone can live out their dreams.
Whether you choose to be a part of the crowd or stand alone,
Paris will never let you down. C'est la vie!
Phyllis,
St. Louis, USA |
Santa
Fe, New Mexico...
The colours of the
sky, night and day
Stars you can touch
the colours of adobe
The spirit and energy from the Pueblos
This energy turning into creativity of artists
Opera, visual arts crafts, and how Sante Fe folks wear their
clothes
The sense of peace in the desert
The beauty in the flowers
Majesty of the mountains
The spirit of the ancients inhabiting that area.
Hot springs and bathing in the shadow of mountains
Glorious
Georgina, Toronto, Canada |
| Seville,
Spain...
For seven years? Hmm... so many choices... Tokyo, Paris,
New York... no, no, my first gut answer: I would love to
be in Seville. I visited Seville over twelve years ago and
it was 'le coup de foudre'. It's hard to describe how there
was this connection between this city and me.
Lara, Montreal, Canada |
New
York City, USA...
If by magic I could
live anywhere for the next seven years, I would choose New
York City. I was born in Brooklyn, went to high school in
Manhattan, then left at 18 to study at McGill University in
Montreal where I have stayed for 40 years. New York calls
me back; I want to live in its 24/7 rhythms and find inspiration
for my art through all my newly excited senses.
Christine, Montreal, Canada |
|
Tuscany,
Italy...
I raised eight small kids
- between nap time, piles of dirty laundry and stacks of dirty
dishes, I found a few minutes to write every day. Traveling
very far wasn't an option back then - we had so many mouths
to feed and money was sometimes of short supply! Now, the
nest is empty. For the next seven years, I could live in Tuscany
, Italy in a little private villa in the midst of a beautiful
vineyard.
Marcella, Logansport, Los Angeles,
USA |
Edinburgh,
Scotland...
I'm approaching my 75th birthday. The next seven years
may be my last. All my life I have been reading mystery
stories set in Great Britain. Ian Duncan writes about Edinburgh
and the surrounding area. I read avidly everything Alexander
McColl Smith writes about this city and its residents. It
would give me great pleasure to be there long enough to
walk Edinburgh streets and feel just a bit at home.
Joan, Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Canada |
New
York City, USA...
Ahhh New York, New
York! The number “seven”, is often a biblical
period of servitude resulting in profound insights, or a spectacular
return on the investment. New York certainly fits the bill
for a seven year odyssey. Each year could be dedicated to
an aspect of life in the Big Apple: history, culture and ethnicity,
the arts, gastronomy, urban space and architecture, spirituality
and last, but not least, what makes a New Yorker and New Yorker!
Lynda, Toronto, Canada |
Sorrento,
Italy...
I would like to live in Sorrento,
Italy for the next seven years. Italy has always fascinated
me and I would love to experience the Italian way of life,
learn the language and become fully immersed in the culture.
I feel that Sorrento is "calling me." I would like
to complete my life's journey by living in this piece of paradise.
I think it would provide me with the most perfect travel and
living experience as well as providing me with many wonderful
memories.
Margaret, Montreal, Canada |
Sydney,
Australia...
I would love to live in Sydney for the next seven years
to find out whether Australian’s really do enjoy a
laid back lifestyle that they are known for or whether this
is infact a myth!
Also I’d like to catch up with my aunt who emigrated
when I was a child to find out what my dad was like when
he was younger as he doesn’t talk about family much.
Sharon, Salisbury, United Kingdom |
Caya,
Caulker, Belize...
The place where
I would live in for the next seven years would be Caya Caulker,
Belize. After one day people say hi using your name, there
are no cars, sand covers the entire island. It's the one place
on earth that is still slow paced, if you walk too fast the
locals will tell you to go slow! Best of all some of the pubs
were canadian owned so it felt like home.
Rosie,
Saskatoon, Canada |
Seven
years too long...
The thought of spending
seven years in one city is more than I can bear. Two years
is the most I could fathom in any one place, especially having
been magically transported along with a magical unearned income.
My next stops, to intensely learn about and love two years
at a time, would be (in order): Yosemite Village, San Francisco,
Brewster, MA and one year in Los Angeles. Further explanation
is longer than 75 words!
Margaret, California,
USA |
Paris,
France...
My destination would be
the lovely and alluring city of Paris. I’d entrench
myself in the language and culture, living the life of a true
Parisian. My morning routine would start with a stop at a
neighbourhood café for tea and croissants and afternoons
would be spent either visiting the many museums I haven’t
had the time to see, renting a bike to ride out to the suburbs
or strolling through the numerous parks.
Sue,
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada |
Torino,
Italy...
My Italian adventures have convinced me that I belong
in Piemonte. Torino is a beautiful, small city; an easy
drive to mountains or sea. Food. If you have eaten in Piemontese
restaurants, you KNOW the food is some of Italy’s
best. Wines. Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera…and many
more that don’t begin with the letter ‘B.’
And finally, why else would I have been spending so much
of my spare time with Rosetta Stone?
Susan, Siler City, North Carolina, USA |
Valletta,
Malta...
The city I would like to
live in for seven years has to be Valletta. Valletta, capital
of the islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino and a UNESCO heritage
site. A most beautiful city surrounded on three sides by the
sea and enclosed by 16th century bastion walls. A city full
of history and beautiful buildings, being founded by the Knights
of St John in 1565. Whether it's meeting the Maltese, swimming,
walking or taking a cruise around the islands, Malta holds
a very special place in my heart.
Sandra
A. Maguire Cape Town, South Africa |
Florence,
Italy...
If every seven years a woman becomes a new person, then
I want to become a sketcher...and what better place than
Florence, Italy? Since I write and take photos sketching
is the next piece of my puzzle. Florence...its streets,
bridges, domes and markets will provide me with subjects.
Florence...its delicious food and wine will sustain me.
Florence...its gelato will encourage me. Florence beckons.
Grab my sketchbook and passport. I'll send you postcards...and
sketches.
Wendy, California, USA |
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