Last week I posted about the 6 places I’m seriously wanderlusting over and I was thinking: based on how I prefer to travel (i.e. slow travel) how will I be able to see all of these places in one lifetime? I like to live abroad, spend time in a place and feel comfortable there and I don’t think “nomadic life” travel is for me (not that I think anything is wrong with it!).
I came across this piece about “lifestyle travel” and I totally related. Last night my partner said to me “Don’t you want to buy a house eventually?” and immediately I thought, Like I want to be tied down to one place. He knows this and he meant an investment property (which yes, yes I would) but still, why don’t I just want to be like everyone else?
In any case, to round the list out at 10, I wanted to talk a little bit about the cities and countries I would like to spend a little more time in than a fleeting visit:

Dubai
Ethical problems aside (not that you should ever put those aside) it’s pretty much the richest place on Earth. They push the boundaries and limitations of architecture, physics – hell, even reality! Maybe I would just like to see what it feels like to walk along streets of gold, sleep underwater or go up a twisted tower…
I probably wouldn’t be an expat here, but I would definitely like to spend some time there to get a first-hand understanding of the place. I did see in the Guardian after Christmas that Emirates had some pretty sweet rates on flights to Dubai…

Jamaica
I’m being greedy, having already lived in the Caribbean for over a year…but it’s the land of my family’s birth! In university, I took a number of Caribbean history, politics, and popular culture courses and Jamaica is one of those places that just has to be talked about. Sure, the country has a bit of a PR problem (and a drug problem. And a crime problem), but I’ve always dreamed of spending a few months there at UWI or something, learning more about my heritage and researching my ancestors.
I decided that I will definitely make that dream a reality in the coming years, especially since I found this blog, Sweet Jamaica, about a British expat in Jamaica. I was inspired! Not to mention, my dad owns vacation property on the island and surely we know someone who could hook me up with some employment?!

Colombia
I mean, or almost anywhere in South America. I’d love to learn Spanish, eat delicious food, and laze around on the beach. At TBEX, I actually met a number of bloggers who are or were expats in Colombia! Not to mention, my BFF4L a.k.a Vanessa is from here and I just associate it with lots of good vibes. And the movie Colombiana. Yeah, I said it. Sorry – but I really liked that film!
It’s partly Caribbean, the ladies are gorgeous (and I believe that will make me gorgeous by proxy), and it just seems like a really fun place!

India
I’m sensing a trend here – this another place that has often been receiving bad press. Generally, I think that while there are very serious problems there, we’ve just been inundated with the bad press and we think that bad things are happening all the time. I love the colourful images of the country, and the food in India is something that really interests me – I mean, didn’t you see Rick Stein’s India?! Plus, we all know how I love my food!
India has so many different regions and cultures to explore that I think I would just be spoiled for choice for things to do. I would love to spend a month there and do a proper yoga retreat at a genuine ashram.
Where would you like live abroad?
The sivananda ashram in neyar dam was great! Worth checking out if you go
Funny, I’m planning a trip there now and I want to do a retreat – thanks for the suggestion, Scott. I’ll be looking into it!
Do visit Dubai. I lived there for almost 2 years. one of my favourite cities ever.
That’s awesome! What were you doing there? I’ve definitely heard mixed reviews of the place, but I suspect it’s a bit different when you visit vs. live there. Do you speak Arabic?
I have been thinking a lot about where I want to live next. I must admit I’ve even looked into Martinique! Great list!
Martinique is awesome, but also very prone to “cabin fever”! Thanks for commenting, Laura. 🙂
I’d love to live in Colombia too! Brazil and London also make the top of my list! Who knows, maybe in a few months… 🙂
Yes, Londonnnnn! It really doesn’t rain as much as people say it does 🙂
Well, I’m actually applying for the British Youth Mobility visa this year so yeah the UK is somewhere I’d like to live abroad 😉 Besides that though I’d LOVE to live in Italy!
Awesome – when will you be here?! Can’t wait to meet you in real life 😛
I would love to live in Italy! The people, the food, the history!
I also have had a longstanding love affair with India, but I am having trouble going there. Yeah, they are getting a lot of bad press, but the things being reported are giving me more than a little bit to be concerned about. Hopefully, the bad press will improve things not only for travelers, but for locals as well. Here’s to hoping.
E
OOh Italy – yes the food! I have serious concerns about the language there. I mean, I speak French fluently and I have a grasp of German and Spanish, but when I look at Italian, I find it incomprehensible!! You make a good point about India – there are a lot of women doing work in women’s rights in India and I suspect things can only get better, with a lot of work of course. Thanks for commenting, Elana!
I would love to go to Jamaica as well…just not the touristy bits…real life. Colombia too!
Thanks for commenting Corinne 🙂
I WILL go to Jamaica someday 🙂