In love with a country... you've never been to?

[TopGunMaverick]

I don't know about you guys but I'm in love with a country that I've never been to. There is something about Australia that has stolen my heart since my teen years. Its probably to do with the climate, the space, the sports endorsing attitude. Once I graduate college and have a little experience under my belt, I plan on moving there.

How about you guys? Are you in love with a country that you've never been too?

[Angela]

I fell in love with Brazil from afar, when I was a teenager.

Ended up selling or giving away everything I owned except what would fit in my backpack, and moved to Rio de Janeiro for a year. Later I travelled north to Salvador, Bahia and found my Magical Spot.

Salvador, Salvador, the music, the people, the language, the land, the history, the food! Even after all the travelling I've done since, it's still the most wonderful place I've ever been.

[drklig]

Don't get too excited about Australia. I'm assuming you're from the USA or the UK, but it may not be everything you think it is. Apart from anything else, there is a world of difference between (and among) the big cities and the bush. I like living here, but it's probably not a bad idea to visit for a while before you decide to move.

[Old Soul]

After watching Casino Royal... the scene where they show France "Prevance"
my heart has been living there ........... this vacation spot is number one on my dream vaction spots

[Love]

Costa Rica and the rainforest. I've always wanted to go there.

[openeyes]

My first such love was Switzerland, now I dream of the Netherlands (bicycle heaven). There's so much to explore, and I'm set on starting to check parts of Europe out next year, as graduation looks to be just 5.5 months from now.

[Namaste]

For me, it's Japan. Everything about the country fascinates me, especially the culture, both contemporary and not-so-much. I don't plan to move there, but living and working there for a while is definitely in the cards.

I'm also in love with a country I have been to - India. But that's another story...

[homeboy]

Many many... including but not limited to Japan, Netherlands, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Brazil... most of them are from stories from friends. I have seen some mentioned in documentaries n such... I'm sure I'll visit at least one of them. But the thought of just living there makes me smile.

[Freelancer]

Originally Posted by openeyes

My first such love was Switzerland, now I dream of the Netherlands (bicycle heaven). There's so much to explore, and I'm set on starting to check parts of Europe out next year, as graduation looks to be just 5.5 months from now.

Amazing, I live in the Netherlands and I've never imagined anybody having this as a dream destination.

[ellie]

Originally Posted by drklig

Don't get too excited about Australia. I'm assuming you're from the USA or the UK, but it may not be everything you think it is. Apart from anything else, there is a world of difference between (and among) the big cities and the bush. I like living here, but it's probably not a bad idea to visit for a while before you decide to move.

I love living in Australia, especially in Melbourne. Not too fussed about Sydney or Queensland though.

I feel really lucky to be brought up in Melbs.

[openeyes]

Originally Posted by Freelancer

Amazing, I live in the Netherlands and I've never imagined anybody having this as a dream destination.

Perhaps you'd understand if you spent a while in America, especially the southern part Though I enjoy much about America (mostly friends and netflix), Europe seems to suit my mentality better, particularly in its views on nudity, soft drugs (and treatment instead of punishment for hard drugs users), a preference for leisure over constant work, longer vacation time, family friendly laws (maternity/paternity leave), fewer restrictions on where I can go (Cuba, for example), on what I can do for a job (be it prostitution or online poker), and the cities seem to be built with pedestrians in mind more than here in most of the US. No telling how my views will evolve as I have more real exposure though. Right now I'm reading "Bicycle Touring Holland", planning an extended trip for next spring.

[Erki]

To me it looks like quite a few middle aged Finnish men are in love with Estonia. Same goes to young British men. (J/k of course)

I have also had a pull to places down under. I'll definitely go to Australia and New Zealand. I've also been attracted to Oceania with all its little countries. Don't know why, really. Maybe because they're located in Pacific Ocean and I quite like peace and tranqulity... Also, a thing to note, if I'm not very wrong then the antipode to Estonia lies somewhere in Pacific Ocean too(or maybe Antarctica...). So perhaps I was born on the wrong side of the planet?

PS: and one thing Australia has and no other place has: Bathurst.

[Freelancer]

Originally Posted by openeyes

Perhaps you'd understand if you spent a while in America, especially the southern part Though I enjoy much about America (mostly friends and netflix), Europe seems to suit my mentality better, particularly in its views on nudity, soft drugs (and treatment instead of punishment for hard drugs users), a preference for leisure over constant work, longer vacation time, family friendly laws (maternity/paternity leave), fewer restrictions on where I can go (Cuba, for example), on what I can do for a job (be it prostitution or online poker), and the cities seem to be built with pedestrians in mind more than here in most of the US. No telling how my views will evolve as I have more real exposure though. Right now I'm reading "Bicycle Touring Holland", planning an extended trip for next spring.

Ah right, well I guess if you live with those benefits all the time you get a bit blinded to them and take them for granted.

Funny thing though that the biggest complain most dutchies have is the weather and the government on a close second...

[Tuumble]

The only two places I'd consider moving from the UK to are Canada and New Zealand. Vancouver I think was rated the best place to live on Earth and as it's not too hot it'll suit me.

I've not left Europe yet so I've seen relatively little.

[Erki]

Originally Posted by Tuumble

Vancouver I think was rated the best place to live on Earth and as it's not too hot it'll suit me.

Aside from Vancouver, I think there was something like five Aussie cities in top ten...

And Canada and New Zealand are in my wishlist as well.

[Chet]

I have been lucky enough to spend the last few years traveling. Spending months in various countries, getting to know them, not just the tourist stuff.
Currently in Costa Rica San Jose has weather like a never ending spring, this will be a hard one to leave.
I do like most of Europe, for many of the same reasons Openeyes gave.

[Akashic_Librarian]

I love the UK countryside. Not so much the cities. Although Leeds is quite nice. And Halifax is a stand up place

I fancy moving to America because its so big.

[Erki]

Originally Posted by Akashic_Librarian

I fancy moving to America because its so big.

Funny. The largeness of America(USA) is the thing that pushes me away from it. And I don't mean the land area either - Australia is damn big as well. It's just that I've got the impression that the USA is the place with huge highways and car parks and even huger cars and trucks and 18-wheelers. The USA is a big place though so maybe there are places for all tastes.

[Akashic_Librarian]

Big people as well...

No offence to healthy Americans but statistically...your a fat country

[Xin]

Japan.

It got me with anime when I was younger(), but now that just doesn't matter. The language, the culture, the paisages, the cuisine. Definitely, I'm going there.

That aside, I'm in love with almost every country, mainly European. I'd love to check all the countries. So beautiful and rich in history. And the people! Lucky me, I'm already in Europe.

[FuZe]

I can't believe no one has mentioned Germany.

[Erki]

Originally Posted by FuZe

I can't believe no one has mentioned Germany.

Me neither. (It's my motivational video btw)

[Freelancer]

I must say that the view in germany is quite nice, especially in the second picture.

My love is actually Australia and Japan, the Australian attitude (no worries mate, gotta love the language) and nature is amazing. Japenese culture just fascinates me somehow...

[Jams]

Mine is Iceland, pretty much since falling in love with the band Sigur Ros, and seeing the beautiful country in their music videos. Perhaps it's because i don't know much about the place, it has an enigmatic appeal. I like the idea that it's the 'newest' island on the planet, i also love the fact that it seems seperate somehow from the rest of the world. It seems to just sit quietly in the corner of the world minding its own business, while all the other countries bicker and argue amongst themselves

I challenge anyone to look at these pictures and deny it's the most beautiful place on earth!

[Iksander]

I ditto Iceland. I also am in love with Ireland.

[Ibanez]

I think there is always an aura of romanticism for foreign countries. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but there needs to be a little rationalism in the approach too, mainly experience before moving.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Ibanez

I think there is always an aura of romanticism for foreign countries. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but there needs to be a little rationalism in the approach too, mainly experience before moving.

Hmmmm, if I had been thinking rationally and had listened to all the rational people who were strongly advised me not to go, I never would have moved to Brazil. My decision to go had a lot more to do with emotion than with rational thinking. And I'm so, so, so glad I went.

[Erki]

Why did you come back?

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Erki

Why did you come back?

Who, me? After almost a year in Brazil, the guy I had left in Los Angeles decided he couldn't live without me, so we met up in the Algarve in Portugal. We lived together there for almost a year before we figured out that we could indeed live without each other. So I moved to the island of Maui, stayed there for two years, and then came back to L.A. when my mom became ill.

Eventually I met Danger Man here in L.A. (he had spent his youth running around the world, too -- he's a model) and we love living here, at least until we move on to our next oceanfront living situation. Probably we will buy a place in Hawaii next.

But I keep trying to talk him into a vacation in Salvador!

[Ibanez]

Originally Posted by Angela

Hmmmm, if I had been thinking rationally and had listened to all the rational people who were strongly advised me not to go, I never would have moved to Brazil. My decision to go had a lot more to do with emotion than with rational thinking. And I'm so, so, so glad I went.

Well, I can understand other people saying stuff like that. Most people receive resistant for even very basic stuff, like majoring in field X in college.

What do you do down there?