Split- My Favorite Place
There are many places that we visit in our lifetime. Some that we visit once, some we visit a few times, some we never want to visit again, and some that we never remember going to for the first time, but somehow it became ingrained in our lives. My favorite type of place is the last one. Maybe we were young when we first visited, or maybe we would go there on the weekends, spend holidays there, visit during certain seasons of the year. Maybe there is a certain person at this place, an animal, maybe even a overly comfortable couch. Whatever it may be, this place is etched onto your heart. In reality, the place itself may be nothing more than a basic building. To an outsider, the place may have no worth or significance. But to you, you know what this favorite place holds. Whether you can explain it or not, there is something about it that tugs at your heart. The place may make you feel comfortable, it may put your soul at ease. When you walk through that door, any worries you may carry, or negative feelings you may harbor, are left on the outside. For me, my place is as simple as a tiny kitchen, in a tiny apartment, that sits on top of a hill overlooking what I think is the most beautiful city in the world. For as I walk through that door, I know there is nothing more important going on at that moment, than just my mere physical presence.
Second Home
It is a powerful feeling to know that you have a "home away from home," a place of refuge out there in the world where you will be able to feel like yourself. The Bay Area is that for me; when I went back to Oakland for a friend's birthday last fall, it felt like I had never left. Meanwhile: Split! That is a place I would love to visit someday. When I was very very very young, we went to Dubrovnik, but I barely remember it. It would be such a great adventure to go there, and a language adventure too: it is fun for me trying to figure out Croatian words based on what I know in Polish and Russian. :-)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your writing style! I know exactly what you mean by a place that is forever ingrained in our life. My place is in Florida, on the coast. I lived there when I was young, and as soon as I get out of the car each year and smell the salt and listen to the waves, I instantly feel at home. Nothing relaxes me more than the feeling of the ocean breeze and the white sand between my toes. It is nice to see that some one else gets the same type of feeling in their special place, I hope everyone gets to experience it at some point!
ReplyDeleteYour writing is beautiful and every word sounds so genuine. My favorite place is Saigon, Vietnam because my grandparents and all of relatives from my dad's side are still living there. Sometimes, being around my grandparents, tasting my grandma's foods is enough to make me feel at ease. Split seems like a beautiful and peaceful place. I am glad that you get to experience such feelings!
ReplyDeleteYou have such a cool writing style that makes it seem super genuine but also really interesting to read the whole time. I would love to visit somewhere like Split, it sounds like such a unique and fun place to go. I love places that feel like home and that's so cool that it seems that you have found so many of them!
ReplyDeleteYou took this post so much deeper than just a favorite place and I love it! You spoke more of your emotional connection. I focused on a place that I found beautiful. I’m not saying your place is not beautiful though. The picture you included is stunning. I just honestly didn’t think to consider places that made me feel good about myself. Your take was definitely creative. I think almost everyone has a place where they feel comfortable and safe. Vacations to pretty places are always nice, but after a while, I want to be home in my bed. That’s where I feel my best.
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