Have you ever felt that you are seing some hidden beauty in your country?

Pucón, Chile. Mist rising from the lake. - I took this picture from my terrace in the morning. The zone id filled with lakes and lake Villarrica is one of the most beautiful ones. The lake is surrounded by native forests and there are hotsprings 15 minutes away.
@marguicha (215428)
Chile
May 7, 2010 8:59pm CST
So many times, when we think about traveling, we start looking at books of exotic places. It seems that those diferent cultures and people are calling us. But isn´t it true that many times we neglect the beauties of our own land to seek those wonders far away? I decided my vacation this year mainly because I had no alternative. Most of my spare money went to pay lots of extras from my shoulder surgery. On the other hand I wasn´t sure that I was going to be moving around well enough and if I went to some place in my own country I´d feel less helpless. Little by little things started to be put together. The south of Chile has natural beauties, the place I trade with my timeshare was a wonderful apartment and they let me use the warm pool of the Hotel. Nearby there are many hotsprings, perfect for my exercises. When I asked the doctor if I could go, he said that he "ordered" 40 minutes in the pool every day. I laughed. I was planning on 2 hours a day at least. The trip was long and tiring but the landscape was worth it. In my apartment there was a terace that looked right in to the big Villarrica lake at the foot of the Villarrica volcano. The town of Pucón, where I was staying, is a must for tourist who visit my country. As I took pictures I thought of my friends here and tried to take some pictures. I must say that I am no photographer.. The second day I woke up early and went to the terrace to see the lake. There was such a beautiful mist that rose from it that I run back to get my camera. I had been at Pucón before but I had never seen such a sight. Do you have that feeling sometimes with places you think you know? Something like as if they were dressing up to show the best they have? That was how I felt then.
4 people like this
9 responses
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
8 May 10
I guess since the U.S. is such a large nation, there are lots of things to see in my country. I have been told that I should be a tour guide for visitors to Austin because I know where all the cool stuff is. The State Capital, the LBJ Museum, the UT tower, the French Legation, the O Henry Museum. And that's just IN Austin, then you can go to San Antonio to the Alamo, or out to Johnson City to the LBJ birth place and the LBJ ranch. Then there are some of the natural wonders, like Mt. Bonnell, the lakes and Enchanted Rock.
2 people like this
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
8 May 10
I think it would be awesome to be a tour guide! I live in a small town, myself, but we do have a lot of interesting places and things to see here.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215428)
• Chile
8 May 10
That kind of a job would be wonderful for young people. They would learn about their roots if they are taught before hiring them and they have young eyes and minds to see the wonder of it all.
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
8 May 10
How I got so interested in my city is that I helped my mom arrange places for the wives of the organization my dad belonged to see things while they were in meetings. This was the summer of 1967 or 68, LBJ was still president. Before the meetings, mom and I went around and visited all these places. We scoped out all the interesting places - mind you, this was BEFORE the LBJ library was built, but also before they reopened the tower after the shootings... We even got to go out to the LBJ ranch and since the President was at the ranch, we had to have secret service on the buses with us - and we got to see all the anti-war protesters outside the ranch.
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
8 May 10
That is a fantastic photo marguicha it is a spectacular view and a real treasure in your country. I live in Australia and although I’ve travelled overseas several times I have not taken the time to visit my country, I’ve seen a little but it is such a big place and there is so much I have yet to see. My dream is to one day travel around Australia with a camper van; it would be an amazing experience. I know there are many treasures to see. It’s funny how many of us put off visiting our own country with the thought that there will be time in the future but living in the now is far more rewarding that is why, although we cannot yet afford it, my husband and I are making our Australian adventure our next goal and with a bit of luck within the next five years, you never know...
1 person likes this
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
8 May 10
yes, i do. i loved the places here in the Philippines. there are so many great places here in the country and most of them are not also known to other people.
1 person likes this
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
8 May 10
Hello my dear friend. Southern Chile looks very beautiful. I liked seeing your picturesque looking photo. You are very good at photography. It is funny that your doctor asked you to spend 40 minutes in the swimming pool and you were planning two hours. It must have been relaxing for you to spend time at the lake. I live in England. I remember visiting the Isle of Wight. I found it very scenic especially by the cliffs. I liked the countryside being next to the sea. Near where I used to live there were many places the coast. I loved the majestic White Cliffs of Dover. I walked across it and saw the stunning sea views. Where I live now I went to Clevedon and saw a beautiful orange sunset. Hug.
@marguicha (215428)
• Chile
8 May 10
Hi maxine, It wasn´t the lake but a heated pool at the Hotel. The lake´s waters are ICY. The only natural place where I could (and did) go in was at the hotsprings.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
8 May 10
Good morning marg, I have never liked to travel & have never really had the chance or money to but i know i have missed out seeing many beautiful things right here in the u.s.a.I'm so glad u enjoyed your vacation. sounds great. Happy mother's day. hugs, jo
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
8 May 10
Thanks dear, i hope u are right about the boys but don't have much hope of seeing them tomorrow. Hope i am wrong. U just have the right connections to have a good time wherever u go. I'm glad u got to come to the u.s. , i think it's pretty to what little i have seen of it just as i know your country is pretty to. Have a good one. hugs.
@marguicha (215428)
• Chile
8 May 10
Happy mother´s day too, Jo. I hope your sons forget to be nasty to the old lady at least for one day. I have travelled a lot in the USA when my husband was alive. It´s a beautiful country and so different, one place from the other. I don´t know why, but many people think that traveling means being rich. It´s not so and I have traveled a lot with little money. I still have some blankets we bought in the US at a winter vacation. We lodged at inexpensive motels and sometimes heating was not on a good working order. I made sandwichs, had unexpensive but gorgeous breakfasts at panake houses and the like. My cousin (the one I went with on this vacations, told me he hadnt traveled at all because he suffers from fears at planes and boats. But he said that he loved to see places in the TV and one could travel that way too. It´s second best, but it can be the best way as it´s quite unexpensive and the people with the camera know all the good places to show. HUG!
1 person likes this
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
8 May 10
This all sounds so beautiful! I'm just glad you got to go and enjoy it. The pool sounds very relaxing, too. Yes, I think I've had the same feelings like you described. I can't wait to see your pictures.
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
8 May 10
And Austin isn't the small town I grew up in. It is now the 15th largest city in the U.S., 4th largest in the State of Texas. And it has loads of history, from famous people - O Henry, to a Presidential Library, to one of the tragic first mass shootings from the UT tower.
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
11 May 10
Purdy... Sure, I'll go to a place and see it a different way than the last time due to weather, time of year, time of day, how clear it is, etc.
@ank_47 (1959)
• India
9 May 10
yes i know my country has many beauty sceneries and many historic places,temples etc. and i like to see my country places when ever i have time. i am from india and here we have tajmahal which is national monument and every indian like to see it ,as many times as possible in their life. every time we see,it is new to us. and in india there are many hill stations like ooty,darjling etc ,which i like to see in future.as i didnt see them upto now and hope in future i can see them. Like a rainbow that colours the infinite sky, India paints the world with her magical hues. India is a dream holiday that rewards every traveller with her endless tourist attractions. To explore India is to discover a land gifted with everything that makes up for a perfect travel package(http://www.touristplacesinindia.com/). in india we have many religions and temples which are more attracted to other people in the world. we have many wild life destinations,many zoo's, many nature scenes and hill side sceneries. see below about india below which is from the link: A land with a long and deep historical past, and accordingly, a wide variety of customs, communities, religions, and ideologies, India is a favorite choice of many travelers. Several foreign invasions and influences have resulted in various artistic and structural depictions, suggestive of the respective influences. These depictions comprise the various tourist places in India, which are, in turn, some of the prime reasons for the advent of thousands of tourists to this country of universal appeal. Owing to the variety that the country of India exudes in terms of climate, culture, topography, cuisine, art and architecture, you will have at your disposal a number of tourist places in India deserving a visit or two. To the north lie the states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Leh, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir and northern West Bengal which are just the right places to be in to fulfill adventure quests. The Himalayas to the north are ideal destinations for trekkers and mountaineers. Trudge through the rough terrain of the steep ranges amidst green and pristine valleys. The backwaters of Kerala are some of the other natural tourist attractions in India that lure one and all. The cultural quests in the country of India will open up wide-ranging options, offering an array of different architectural styles. The states of Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat are the perfect choices in North India while Madurai, Tirupati and Chennai are the main centers of temple architecture in South India. The various fine and elaborate architectural and artistic specimens, bearing the Mughal and Hindu styles of art, are of utmost pleasure for genuine art connoisseurs. The Taj Mahal, the Red Fort, Agra Fort, the Bulund Darwaza, the Hawa Mahal etc are some of the remarkable instance of Mughal architecture. On the other hand, the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, temples of Khajuraho and Konark, Madurai and Tirupati etc are examples of Hindu architecture. The churches of Goa are again instances of Portuguese art and culture, offering a wide range of choices on a tour to India. Beaches – exotic, serene, fascinating, and tranquil – you get all kinds of beaches in India along its eastern and western coasts. Goa beaches are extremely vibrant, vivid and exotic, exuding an air of imposing vivacity. The cool breeze blowing through the swaying palms, the golden sands and the crystal clear waters will appeal to your senses. Chennai beaches are the same but the Puri beaches are more on the lines of tranquility. Make a trip of the various tourist places in India and you will know the huge variety that the country offers, in the various forms and shapes. i hope one day ,u also will see my wonderful india.
@emma90 (530)
• Indonesia
8 May 10
Yeah, I'm agree with you. So many exotic place. I live in Indonesia. So, many exotic place here. I usually use guide book for traveling in another side. I have been goes to taman bunaken. There have beautiful sea, with many kinds of fish and another. Have a good day and see you...