The staff writers here at The Necromancer (yeah, um…, that would be me and, well, me) have decided they’ve had enough of winter in Montreal and will soon be relocating. Having said this, they’ve yet to decide where they will be relocating to.
The creative department (i.e. me, sometimes when inebriated) have consulted with the staff writers and suggested that I ask my loyal audience (and random passers-by) for input on this exciting new project. The creative department is not that creative.
The staff writers thus implore you to ignore the hard sell of the creative department and just share your thoughts on a past recent vacation to a lovely locale. By “lovely locale” I mean:
– Below the 45th parallel, since it’s winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
– Not totally Spanish.
– Cheap.
– Culturally and naturally appealing (I understand this is relative).
– Something that evokes the word “paradise” in your mind’s eye (not as relative).
Clearly I have some outstanding biases here, but I’m truly open to suggestions. Travelers of the world, enlighten me.
N.B. The staff writers and creative department will be relocated to the yet to be determined location, and The Necromancer will, we’re happy to say, continue to broadcast. So stay tuned!
January 30, 2008 at 12:45 pm |
Mahabalipuram or Goa or Kanyakumari in India come to mind.
It may be winter in the Northern Hemisphere, but these places are in South India. Not AT ALL Spanish. Cheap if you earn in US$ but spend in Indian Rupees. Culturally so diverse that you need a few brains to comprehend things but it is fun! Parts of India are paradise but if you want a dose of something else, post here again and I shall have a list of suggestions as long as my arms…
Bon Voyage! Send us a postcard.
January 30, 2008 at 1:34 pm |
There’s a thought. Only a couple of gripes — I was thinking of the Western Hemisphere (hence the Spanish comment)…India seems awful far (and thus kinda expensive to fly to, no?). And, also, there’s too many people. I should have added “a chance for solitude” to the list of criteria. Picky, I know. ;) Still, could be very interesting…
January 30, 2008 at 10:14 pm |
“And, also, there’s too many people. I should have added “a chance for solitude” to the list of criteria. Picky, I know. ”
Solitude has nothing to do with how many people are around you. If it did, Indians would have not had the ‘spiritual’ sense that attracts so many Westerners. I would argue that the ever-present drama of life in all its forms makes Indians very philosophical and tolerant.
As for “too many people” etc, have you considered Mars? ;-) As far as I know, there is no Spanish there and it must be cheap – nobody around to charge for air and water.
January 30, 2008 at 11:29 pm |
Try the islands of British Columbia. Even the parts above the 45th parallel have way better climate. There are very affordable places north of Victoria near Comox.
January 31, 2008 at 12:41 am |
As I have told you again and again, you should really get a job in California. There are tons of colleges and universities, excellent food, wine and it’s a perfect climate — if you like two seasons.
January 31, 2008 at 4:57 am |
Hey — why not Windsor, Ontario, Canada? It’s below the 49th parallel — latitude: 42° 19′ 60 N, Longitude: 83° 1′ 60 W — and is known for its mild winters. It’s not paradise, but the international cuisine (Korean, Thai, Szechuan, Lebanese) is heavenly. It’s not totally Spanish — but it is the 4th most ethnic city in Canada according to Stats Can. As for “culturally and naturally appealing”…Did I mention the Asian food?
January 31, 2008 at 9:01 am |
Shefaly: Cute. Mars. I’d have to talk to these guys about avoiding wasting two years of my life getting there. Then there’s the whole terraforming issue…Still, this is the front runner so far.
Jake: Just came back from that neck of the woods, bro. I spent the last year out in Victoria. And my ex. is from the Comox Valley. Vancouver Island is bloody beautiful, and in spots may actually qualify as “paradise”.
uberfrau: Yeah, California here I come. I have a friend in Oakland. And then there’s you and Monica. Maybe I could crash on your sofa? We could do an “on location” shoot. Seriously. ;)
Mike: Not sure the Canadian version of “mild winter” is gonna cut it, even if it is below the 45th parallel. But I am, curiously, currently applying for post-doc at the U of W. Not sure even native Windsorites would call their hometown “paradise”, but I could be coerced, for a price…
January 31, 2008 at 11:29 am |
TN: “California here I come” and then you mention “Oakland” in the next breath! I do not want to say anything that may upset people, but Oakland is not what comes to mind when people think California, does it? It somehow doesn’t sit with paradise in the same sentence…
January 31, 2008 at 11:34 am |
Oakland, man — I roll like that…
January 31, 2008 at 11:35 am |
Oakland really isn’t that bad. It’s right next to Berkeley and has gondolas.
January 31, 2008 at 11:36 am |
Sure ’nuff.
January 31, 2008 at 11:39 am |
Oh yeah, and you’re always welcome to crash on our futon. Unlike our futon in Montreal, it’s quite comfortable, and um…not on the floor.
January 31, 2008 at 12:05 pm |
Cool. I’d be moving up in the world.
February 3, 2008 at 4:21 pm |
Southwest US: Gorgeous and weirdly spiritual
Northern California: Superior in all ways to the south of the state
That said, I remind you that “Wherever you go, there you are.” ;)
February 3, 2008 at 7:57 pm |
The American Southwest has a certain obvious intrigue. Wandering around in the desert a la Hunter S. Thompson is appealing, perhaps even hauntingly alluring. I dunno. Half of me thinks it would be a blast, half of me thinks peyote, heat, sun, exposure, dehydration, hallucinations, and all that sand full of scorpions and snakes and sharp pointy plants is a recipe for disaster. Then again, apropos the final comment, wherever I go, I’ll be there. Ripped.
February 5, 2008 at 8:17 pm |
Go where your heart is.
February 6, 2008 at 10:39 pm |
If only I had one.