Have you ever fallen in love with a foreign land?

[Selkie]

Have you ever been to a foreign land and fallen so completely in love with it that you never wanted to leave? Or have you been to a foreign land and loved it so much that you made your home there, even if it was only for a little while?

That was my experience in the magical land of Andalucía, in the ancient, magnificent and regal Kingdom of Spain. Pure magic. Pure love and enchantment with the land and its people.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l78VNe_dhAM

found it!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmvOOaSftp8

So I would like to invite peeps who have fallen in love with a foreign land to share their experiences here.

[Limor Wolf]

My strong connection to the misty island of Great Britain was evident from an early age, I dreamt about it, watched the British dramas on Telvision, visioned the earlier periods, loved the humor and simply felt 'connected'. I went to live there (and felt at home) after my military service, and was only brought back (careful choice of words), due to a love relationship.

Silkie, Have you ever checked your past life? you may find some interesting roots there. Sometimes even with certain same players..

[Rex]

Hawaii... Even knowing the illegitimate way it was forced into the US, and the continued heavy handed treatment, the vibe coming off that place is just awesome and wonderful. Unfortunately I don't live there, but maybe some day.

[Selkie]

My strong connection to the misty island of Great Britain was evident from an early age, I dreamt about it, watched the British dramas on Telvision, visioned the earlier periods, loved the humor and simply felt 'connected'. I went to live there (and felt at home) after my military service, and was only brought back (careful choice of words), due to a love relationship.

Silkie, Have you ever checked your past life? you may find some interesting roots there. Sometimes even with certain same players..

Thank you for sharing, Limor. I am so glad that you got to live in place that you always dreamed about, and that you felt at home there. I dream of visiting Great Britain, too. I want to see the ancient half-timbered buildings, with their age-blackened woodwork.

In the Bhagavad Gita, it says that the place you are thinking of when you die is the place you will go. I don't believe in past lives, but having said that, I'm going to hedge my bet and say that on my death-bed I am going to think of the valley in Andalucía where I lived, so that if the Gita is correct, I will go there.

p.s. But to answer your question, although I do not look it, I am part Gypsy, which would explain a lot, I think.

[Gaia]

I found the place in my country in Northern Quebec with aboriginal culture.

[Matt P]

Barcelona, Spain for me. At 23, I just packed up a bag, with $500 bucks in my pocket, got on a plane and went there. I have family from northern Spain and always felt a pull. Ended up living there about a year and I would LOVE to move back.
2nd love was Amsterdam. At the end of my Barcelona adventure, my girlfriend (now wife) and I thought we'd spend a couple days there and ended up staying 4 weeks. Another place I could definitely live in.
I'm a country boy so I was always enamored by big cities, which is why I lived in those two, as well as NY City and Tokyo.
I can never get the country out of me, though, and love the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, which I spend a couple weeks each year in.

Matt

[Selkie]

Barcelona, Spain for me. At 23, I just packed up a bag, with $500 bucks in my pocket, got on a plane and went there. I have family from northern Spain and always felt a pull. Ended up living there about a year and I would LOVE to move back.
2nd love was Amsterdam. At the end of my Barcelona adventure, my girlfriend (now wife) and I thought we'd spend a couple days there and ended up staying 4 weeks. Another place I could definitely live in.
I'm a country boy so I was always enamored by big cities, which is why I lived in those two, as well as NY City and Tokyo.
I can never get the country out of me, though, and love the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, which I spend a couple weeks each year in.

Matt

I am so glad to hear that you love Spain, too. I am a country girl, and I was fortunate enough to live in the countryside near the town of Gaucin. It was simply marvelous. I never got to Barcelona, but Marbella is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen; awash in flowers and the sea air.

p.s. While I was in Spain, I went to Amsterdam for 3 days. It is another one of those magical places, especially at twilight, and I had a little fantasy of renting a 5th floor garret and living as a starving artist for awhile.

p.s. I had no idea that the hookers stand in windows to advertise themselves!

[Kano]

Hawaii... Even knowing the illegitimate way it was forced into the US, and the continued heavy handed treatment, the vibe coming off that place is just awesome and wonderful. Unfortunately I don't live there, but maybe some day.

I can certainly attest to this as I used to live on the north shore of O'ahu. The land there is simply magical.

[ghostrider]

I love Scotland , its on my bucket list... Even the accent ... Love it , it seems like home... past life memories...

[Selkie]

I love Scotland , its on my bucket list... Even the accent ... Love it , it seems like home... past life memories...

Hoots man!

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b0/4c/ba/b04cbae5c41ec6549518e79b950b9f7e.jpg

[Bluegreen]

I loved Belgium.

Everywhere I went I met some of the friendliest people on Earth. I was identified almost on sight as an American, and opening my mouth removed all doubt. As I traveled around I realized it was kind of a weird country, in that half was Flemish and half was French, and it seemed neither wanted to even so much as acknowledge the others existence. So maybe they were nice because they knew I wasn't a Belgian. :rolleyes: I don't know, that was my impression. I sure had a great time with some great people. Maybe some Belgies can provide some insight.

[M0JFK]

Ireland for me. The country is not spoiled by development much and the people are just out of this world with regards friendship. Do anything for you anytime of the day or night, I say night because we almost ran out of petrol in the mini bus and it was 4 in the morning and the owners got out of bed at the petrol staion (in their jim jams) and came downstairs out onto the forecourt and switched on the fuel pump and gave us the petrol for nothing, only a gallon or two but for nothing you dont complain do you?...would not happen here in the UK they would shoot at you first or just tell you to f-off. And for some strange reason I really like Edinburgh City in Scotland. I just love that city. In most cases I cant stand them like Liverpool, Manchester and London But Edinburgh just makes me feel at home for some reason.

[Selkie]

Ireland for me. The country is not spoiled by development much and the people are just out of this world with regards friendship. Do anything for you anytime of the day or night, I say night because we almost ran out of petrol in the mini bus and it was 4 in the morning and the owners got out of bed at the petrol staion (in their jim jams) and came downstairs out onto the forecourt and switched on the fuel pump and gave us the petrol for nothing, only a gallon or two but for nothing you dont complain do you?...would not happen here in the UK they would shoot at you first or just tell you to f-off. And for some strange reason I really like Edinburgh City in Scotland. I just love that city. In most cases I cant stand them like Liverpool, Manchester and London But Edinburgh just makes me feel at home for some reason.

Ireland sounds like a place I would love :)

[grannyfranny100]

I have loved brazil for 60 years. Their hearts are so open and the mixture of races creates great beauty!

[Selkie]

I have loved brazil for 60 years. Their hearts are so open and the mixture of races creates great beauty!

Have you ever seen Black Orpheus? The way the Brazilians can dance...wow!

[Philaletheian]

As a child i was brought up in the land of Oman, one of the most beautiful and peaceful countries you can ever be in. I even love the king who is a great man, who did great things for the country. And as a land in the middle east one can easily dismiss it as a barren desert, you are in for a surprise the best pastures and natural green lands and vegetation of almost all kind, and this is coming from a keralite. There is one for all types of adventurer. Even the people are one of the most friendly. The mystic land of Sindbad, Burial ground of Cleopatra and Job and the playground for friendly Djinn.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://ertourism.com/file/2014/04/Rossetti_Salalah-Oman_Oct10_-012.jpg&imgrefurl=http://ertourism.com/package/the-salalah-extension-tour/&h=684&w=912&tbnid=MTp2Adt6yztWeM:&docid=swBqQG5L4C9WJM&ei=fIrBVfXBCZGOuASfjKGIAg&tbm=isch&ved=0CDEQMygAMABqFQoTCPXv85qHkccCFREHjgodH0YIIQ
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.peninsularity.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Green-Salalah.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.peninsularity.com/2013/11/a-middle-eastern-road-trip/&h=410&w=586&tbnid=pRYFzKuG47_p4M:&docid=bLV6ZpBYPSe6rM&ei=fIrBVfXBCZGOuASfjKGIAg&tbm=isch&ved=0CHMQMyg6MDpqFQoTCPXv85qHkccCFREHjgodH0YIIQ
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://img.ev.mu/images/reportages/199/520x342/07.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.easyvoyage.co.uk/report/venture-off-road-in-oman/the-pristine-pools-of-wadi-bani-khalid-1815&h=280&w=420&tbnid=ig_6F3QwuQe8LM:&docid=Kylq5tnKqQIwBM&ei=GIvBVeuZH4e2uASx3pXIBg&tbm=isch&ved=0CDMQMygIMAhqFQoTCOuFu-WHkccCFQcbjgodMW8FaQ
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.omantrekkingguides.com/Photos/600x450/Jebel%252520Shams%25255CP1020867.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.omantrekkingguides.com/circuit-en.asp?circid%3D1273&h=450&w=600&tbnid=GacQYXOzT240GM:&docid=3y0KRlcGFv2VkM&ei=8IrBVaHECYaRuASS2LWAAQ&tbm=isch&ved=0CB4QMygCMAJqFQoTCKH8m9KHkccCFYYIjgodEmwNEA
http://www.brendansadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Oman-12.jpg
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.2luxury2.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Jabal-Akhdar-1024x682.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.2luxury2.com/first-luxury-hotel-in-oman-mountains-to-open-next-year/&h=682&w=1024&tbnid=AUKOkksAHlHbgM:&docid=JDyo6tVyLLp0HM&ei=torBVcPhHMiUuQTB0rKADA&tbm=isch&ved=0CCIQMygGMAZqFQoTCMOU27aHkccCFUhKjgodQakMwA

[Feritciva]

Japan! Their land, culture, language, lifestyle. I always loved everything about Japan from my childhood. I thought that's understandable because somewhat everybody loves Japan and South Korea in Turkey. I don't know why. Maybe an ancient deep connection that is not known by official history.

Then I went to Japan 10 years ago. Realized it's not only some deep connection, it's probably past life memories. I fell in love with every inch of Kyoto.

Japan is the best! :)

[kirolak]

For me it was Thailand; even as a child I made scrapbooks and collected information and pictures of the old Siam, including Siamese cats! I lived there for 7 years, teaching English, working on the radio, and trying to drop my farang (foreigner) status. I married a Thai (since passed on) and adore Thai vegan food, especially laap mangsawirat and som tam. I often dream I am going to eat a Thai meal, but wake up just before the first mouthful. Although I really hate hot weather and sweating, I felt at totally home in Thailand, and learned to speak and write the language in a relatively short space of time; translated a couple of books (by Surachai Jantimatorn) My Thai friends and family accepted that I was a Thai in a recent previous lifetime.

[Violet]

I have fallen in love with many lands but it's different when you actually go and live there. My experience, which is rather typical for the Belgian (brick in the stomach), is that although my home town is not the most perfect in the world, I can only find an unusual sense of peace here.

[Ioneo]

Japan also. I came thinking to stay a year or two and have been here for 29 years!

[Selkie]

These stories are all so wonderful! It makes me so happy to see how much we all love each other's countries, and it clearly shows that all the wars and crap are all caused by a bunch of gangsters fighting for turf.

p.s. to Violet: it is lovely to hear that you love your home country like that. I would love to see Belgium, and I think there is something about flatlands covered with crops that does bring a sense of peace. I love looking at fields full of crops. It is one of the quiet joys I get from living where I do now.

[Baby Steps]

Thailand.
I made a strange pot as a kid at school, and recognised the style as Thai when I got there.
When I was at Temples & the Royal Palace, I would get a thousand mile stare from people, they are very aware of past lives there!
When I had a reading from Carol Clark, she said - without any indication from me - that I had been there.
Great confirmation

[Selkie]

As a child i was brought up in the land of Oman, one of the most beautiful and peaceful countries you can ever be in. I even love the king who is a great man, who did great things for the country. And as a land in the middle east one can easily dismiss it as a barren desert, you are in for a surprise the best pastures and natural green lands and vegetation of almost all kind, and this is coming from a keralite. There is one for all types of adventurer. Even the people are one of the most friendly. The mystic land of Sindbad, Burial ground of Cleopatra and Job and the playground for friendly Djinn.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://ertourism.com/file/2014/04/Rossetti_Salalah-Oman_Oct10_-012.jpg&imgrefurl=http://ertourism.com/package/the-salalah-extension-tour/&h=684&w=912&tbnid=MTp2Adt6yztWeM:&docid=swBqQG5L4C9WJM&ei=fIrBVfXBCZGOuASfjKGIAg&tbm=isch&ved=0CDEQMygAMABqFQoTCPXv85qHkccCFREHjgodH0YIIQ
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.peninsularity.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Green-Salalah.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.peninsularity.com/2013/11/a-middle-eastern-road-trip/&h=410&w=586&tbnid=pRYFzKuG47_p4M:&docid=bLV6ZpBYPSe6rM&ei=fIrBVfXBCZGOuASfjKGIAg&tbm=isch&ved=0CHMQMyg6MDpqFQoTCPXv85qHkccCFREHjgodH0YIIQ
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://img.ev.mu/images/reportages/199/520x342/07.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.easyvoyage.co.uk/report/venture-off-road-in-oman/the-pristine-pools-of-wadi-bani-khalid-1815&h=280&w=420&tbnid=ig_6F3QwuQe8LM:&docid=Kylq5tnKqQIwBM&ei=GIvBVeuZH4e2uASx3pXIBg&tbm=isch&ved=0CDMQMygIMAhqFQoTCOuFu-WHkccCFQcbjgodMW8FaQ
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.omantrekkingguides.com/Photos/600x450/Jebel%252520Shams%25255CP1020867.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.omantrekkingguides.com/circuit-en.asp?circid%3D1273&h=450&w=600&tbnid=GacQYXOzT240GM:&docid=3y0KRlcGFv2VkM&ei=8IrBVaHECYaRuASS2LWAAQ&tbm=isch&ved=0CB4QMygCMAJqFQoTCKH8m9KHkccCFYYIjgodEmwNEA
http://www.brendansadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Oman-12.jpg
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.2luxury2.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Jabal-Akhdar-1024x682.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.2luxury2.com/first-luxury-hotel-in-oman-mountains-to-open-next-year/&h=682&w=1024&tbnid=AUKOkksAHlHbgM:&docid=JDyo6tVyLLp0HM&ei=torBVcPhHMiUuQTB0rKADA&tbm=isch&ved=0CCIQMygGMAZqFQoTCMOU27aHkccCFUhKjgodQakMwA

I have always wanted to visit the middle east and Arabian Peninsula. I could see the Atlas Mountains from my little house in Spain, and when the conditions were right, I could smell Africa. It smells like frankincense. Oman sounds like a lovely place :)

p.s. I know that the Atlas mountains are not in the middle east. Sorry if I confused anyone.

[Brightstar]

Yes, Ireland is so beautiful, the Atlantic Drive from Belfast is so close to the ocean and the Ring of Kerry is truly magical!

[Cardillac]

for me it's ROMANIA; although Romanians are not directly my heritage (I come from basically Austro-Hungarian lineage- I have a Germanic name so now I'm living in Germany- you go figure- it's a puzzlement to me as well); all 4 of my grandparents came from Siebenbürgen (otherwise loosely known as Transylvania) in Romania; maybe I'm reading into things because of my heritage but when I did a guided bus tour of Romania 3 yrs. ago (primarily Siebenbürgen) I just fell in love with the place/I felt so much at home- I can't explain it-

my ex once went to a psychic and the psychic told him I lived my last 5 lives (1st 4 as a woman, last as a man) in Romania but I committed suicide as a very young person each time; in my last life I was supposedly a conscript into the German army during WW2, stationed in northern Italy (although I was supposedly not Italian- was I Romanian?) and committed suicide at the ripe old age of 26;

I of course have no idea if any of this is true but I just felt so at home in Romania-

be well all-

Larry

[Selkie]

Just to let you all know, I would share pics of Spain with you, but they are all lost :(

[Lifebringer]

Jamaica. I went on my 1st vacation in life. Might be the reason why. Only place I've been besides America and that was doctor's orders. I wish to return one day by plane this time so I can stay longer than a few hours by ship schedule. The waters were so clear and pristine you could see the reef colors and fish from 40 ft depth according to the ship's measure of depth at the bording docs. It was so beautifully clear in the ocean you could see magnified sand and all the creatures below waves. I loved it, even if just for a few hours of peaceful calm balmy breezes.

[Iloveyou]

I'd really like to listen to all your stories in detail . .

France.

I was 18, a clueless, poor, dreamy countrygirl. After having had an argument with my mother, I told her in anger: I'll leave tomorrow! Where are you going? Paris! (had never thought about Paris before).

Next morning I took my little money, my sleeping bag, my father's old parka and rucksack (he was a retired country constable), took a look at my old world atlas and went to Paris by hitchhiking, 24 hours nonstop (I took that route again and again over the next years, knew every single stone there). I was dropped at Champs Élysées at night and walked straight to Place Vendôme, where I stretched myself out and fell asleep, right next to the Colonne Vendôme. I was shaken up by garbagemen, who offered me breakfast and further support - but I preferred to journey on to Southern France. All that happened in a kind of dream state.

Returned to France many times, lived in Paris for 1,5 years and fell deeply in love with language, literature, movies, country and people. In foreign countries (and in younger years) I was always taken for a French girl/woman. But it was rather the country of my past and my dreams than of my current reality. Whenever I hear someone speaking French, I still feel happy and free in the craziest way. :inlove:

[Ailith]

Puerto Rico ...The Enchanted Isle...the best kept secret in the world...but not so secret anymore...73 Billion in Debt...and no payment coming soon...no money...who cares...the wheels are still spinning...a tax haven for the rich...and the Donald is declaring bankruptcy on his Coco Beach Golf Resort here...but the colony cannot declare bankruptcy...and it is here the IRS and the FED launder the money...number one reason this will never become a state...yet with all this craziness it is still the most beautiful land for me...