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I currently work here. While it’s a nice place-rather cute for a small city-it’s a suburb in my book. And I’m awfully tempted to call it a part that DC “forgot” to annex ;)

Smelly sewer steam, SEPTA stench, and all, I love Philly :)

Came here by accident, since my friend and I missed our original ferry stop for either Hydra or Aegina. It’s a cute place, and there’s a site dedicated to Poseiden where the orator Demosthenes (I think) committed suicide.

The rock formations are intriguing in themselves, and the monasteries are fascinating—especially the paintings of a gazillion and one ways a martyr can die. While hiking up to the monasteries, you can almost taste the cleanness of the air. But for me, it’s the sum experience of drinking homemade retsina (pine resin-tinged wine), watching the taverna owner grill my dinner in the fireplace, and being welcomed by strangers in a funeral celebration. The sunsets in Meteora are so intensely fiery, I can still see it.

One of my favorite sites in Greece. What I love most about it is how it’s uninhabited. You take a ferry from nearby Mykonos. Disembark, and you have an entire island and all the buildings to yourself. Some are partially intact, so you can poke around upstairs if you wish. You can also cliimb up to the cave labeled as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.

Lived here for three months, and found “home” like I’ve found it nowhere else. I live for the day I go back…

Climbing the giant buddha’s always fun, but I go for the vegetarian food. Amazing how the “chicken” you’re eating turns out to be taro. Be sure to check out the monastery while there. What peacefulness… Go hiking too; the night sky is beautiful when you get away from Hong Kong’s city lights.

Alas, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world was totally lost on me when I visited. The wide variety of dumplings appealed much more to me.

Lots of things to do and buy, but not my thing.

I want to go back… the hot springs, crazy skiing adventures, guzzling hot chocolate and scarfing down churros apres ski, cute ryokans, soba noodles…

And hot toilet seat covers! Enough said. :)