World Travellers

The Sound of Music
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

One of my favorite movies is The Sound of Music. I NEVER get tired of watching every scene! Oh alright, when I was younger, I’d always skip the “Climb Every Mountain” portion but I’ve learned to appreciate it now

All of the movie’s locations leave me breathless starting with the opening scene. Ahh, Salzburg is simply magnificent! The Mirabell Gardens, the snow-capped mountains, Baroque Churches plus the songs never cease to mesmerize me. By the end of the movie, I’m in the mood to rip down our curtains, sew me a dress and hop on the next flight to Austria and from there, travel through Europe!

Roman Holiday
“Each, in its own way, was unforgettable. It would be difficult to - Rome! By all means, Rome. I will cherish my visit here in memory as long as I live.”

When I’m in the mood for Rome, I think of Roman Holiday. I’ve seen it a few times and I just love the way the characters and the city itself make me want to return to Rome.

The movie highlighted the Spanish Steps and the Boca da Verita. Wasn’t that scene so adorable? Dating couples don’t behave like that anymore. Everytime I travel through Europe and arrive in Rome, I always tell myself to visit the Mouth of Truth but when I get there, I back out due to the long line of art lovers and Roman Holiday fans. Ah, maybe someday soon.

Notting Hill
“I live in Notting Hill. You live in Beverly Hills. Everyone in the world knows who you are, my mother has trouble remembering my name.”

“I’m also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.”

I’ve been to London several times but I’ve never been to Notting Hill. I love this movie! Again, it’s not just the characters but also the location that makes me wonder what it’s really like at Notting Hill.

Whenever I visit London, I make it a point to go to bookstores, specially the small, quirky ones just like William Thacker (Hugh Grant’s character) had. I also love the park scene where Hugh Grant says, “whoopsiedaisies.” Not to mention the bench (I wonder if it really exists)! Anyway, I went out and bought a bench because of Notting Hill! So, if you want to get into the London spirit, watch this movie… again

French Kiss
“You are not afraid to fly any more? You are thinking of your little stone cottage?”

“It’s on a hillside next to a beautiful vineyard. But that’s not really what I’m thinking about.”

Even if French Kiss isn’t a classic (to my standards) compared to the first three movies I mentioned this week, I still love the movie because it transports me to France. Paris and the French countryside, c’est magnifique (pardon my French spelling, I’m not really sure of it).

Alright, there were moments when I thought Kevin Kline exaggerated his French accent but this is a comedy and don’t we just love trying to speak French? The scenes of the countryside and the family celebration makes you want to go to France not only to enjoy the views but also celebrate the way the French do. After all, life is a celebration!

After that much needed 2-hour break where you travel through Europe, you’re feeling refreshed and ready to tackle your obligations with a smile on your face. You’ve booked the real thing anyway, and pretty soon, actually living it up in Europe.

By: Mica Kerkdijk

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