Old growth forest, with tall trees and enough space between trees to walk or sit, and the occasional clearing.
Coffee shops and pubs when they are cozy and have that atmosphere of life.
This is a weird one, but grocery stores for cultures other than my own.
For one, there’s SO MUCH cool shit and delicious foods I never even knew existed. I think the biggest factor though is it’s the closest I’ve ever gotten to actually traveling. Can’t afford the real thing.
While I also love their restaurants and cultural events, there’s something about being served or attempting to showcase major cultural highlights in some event that kills the authenticity of the experience.
In their grocery stores, I’m surrounded by that same culture, but none of it’s about me: the other shoppers don’t give a fuck about me, the staff only interact at the checkout… and other than that it’s just me and a can of… some kind of sauce? I can’t read it… but some elderly Asian woman just grabbed two of them and the rest of her cart is filled with what will undeniably become an amazing meal… fuck it, I’ll give it shot!
The drinks and junk food too are also usually a safe option to find something both very different from what I’m used to and very tasty.
Definitely spent more than a few bucks on things that weren’t… eh… compatible with my palette, but finding out is part of the experience.
Idk. Weird thing to get excited about, but it’s a good time.
There’s an Asian Market near me (literally called that) and it’s always fun to explore and see what new thing we can find to try! Lots of snacks, lots of ramen, lots of spices!
I love the beach, probably because I grew up here. It’s the division between land and water. In the daytime it’s relaxing and hot. Everyone is nearly naked no matter their shape. Once when I was a teenager we went at night when the phosphorescent algae were in the water and it was so magical, you could wave your hand through the water and a trail of light would follow it.
Love sleeping above a dance club, too, or when a neighbor is having a party. The thumpy muted music coming from below in particular I just find so relaxing and sort of trippy, I love the sleep I get in those conditions.
Mountains where I can see clouds rolling gently over peaks and trees. No matter how often I see it I’m always filled with an overwhelming sense of peace and awe
I like beaches. Especially in the graveyard hours at night where there are few people there and I can feel the nice ocean breeze
My basement.
I love liminal spaces so much. Not the cg nonsense ones with the weird pools or endless test cell rooms but real ones. Hallways that fell crammed into buildings, like they build the rooms before realizing they need to be accessible. Rooms that have been converted into other rooms but will have the remnants of it’s original use, like a stairway turned closet that still has the stairs as woefully inefficient shelves. Bedrooms that still have piping for the kitchen appliances that used to be there. Legal offices turned into studio apartments.
I love things like this.
What aspect of this appeals to you? I’m having a hard time understanding the appeal of it.
I liken it to the feeling of a room you’ve just reorganized or when the seasonal lighting changes and everything feels familiar but just a little different. These spaces feel like but permanent. It’s not uncomfortable, just not common. Spending time in these places helps me think about the way things are arranged.
Thanks for the perspective, that makes sense!
Canadian forest.
My ideal way of life would be a stone & log cabin in a secluded area of forest with a small stream or lake in view of the windows. Give me a cozy fireplace crackling as i sit at my PC/in front of TV sipping scotch and looking out into nature. A nice firepit outside to grill steak and enjoy a beer or mulled wine, and some quiet days with a fishing line in the water, dont even care if i catch a single thing for the day.
Space!
A spaceship is the ultimate symbol of freedom!
I feel like spaceship freedom is the SciFi embodiment of American “freedom of the open road” propaganda.
For me it’s the idea of a self sufficient spaceship so I don’t have to go to anyone for anything. Zero needy!
That I can get behind. I’d love to build a windmill over my house and store extra energy as hydrogen or springs. I don’t have to be cost effective of I’m not participating in the economy.
Yeah, but being stuck to a patch of land means you can’t warp away when the pirates come.
That’s what the excess hydrogen canisters are for.
Maybe bizarre. My happy place is a new brewery taproom.
Visiting some different places. Experiencing what other beer fanatics have set up as their special place. Tasting what they’ve been able to put together. Looking for that “diamond in the rough”. Tasting a beer from a small spot that’s great or even better than some of the best.
I’ve been to several hundred around the U.S. and 7 countries. It’s a fun and tasty hobby.
I second that. I travel a lot for work, sometimes a bit obscure places (as in not touristic destinations), and I always try to find the odd tap room or micro brewery. It’s often hit or miss, but stumbling upon the rare gem every once in a while always feels really good. Bonus points if the head brewer is there and it’s a slow day so they have time to chat beer and brewing. And even in the well known areas, it’s fun to sift through the touristy hipster “more-show-than-anything” places to finally arrive at one which has said vibe. Had a week in Portland, OR, and visited about a dozen or so places, and from the over marketed polished hip joint with mediocre beer to the “here’s a bar and some stools thrown into the brewery hall” with absolutely stunning brews it had everything.
Nice
One of our family friends owned a property I used to go camping on when I was a kid. There was a heavily wooded area with a creek running through it and there was a wide part of it that had a bend that went around a sandbar that was big enough to camp on. It was so quiet and peaceful there. Probably my favorite spot on the planet. I’ve found other places like that but they’ve been in public campgrounds and having tons of people around ruins the vibe.
Abandoned buildings, especially when overgrown with trees and plants. Just goes to show that while we are ridiculously destructive, nature is patient.
I love an oak forest.
I know, I know, they’re fascist. They were planted on orders of the Napoleon administration as they violently captured the region where I live. Their dropped leaves activly inhibit growth of most other plants.
Yet. It feels like walking into a cathedral, visiting an oak forest. What am I saying. I’ve walked into cathedrals, it didn’t feel that way.
I just love them.
Trees. Love me some dense forests, shaded paths, little bits of creeks, but it’s all down to the trees for me. I am lucky enough to own my home and it won not because the house was perfect but because of the five mature oak trees in the backyard.
