:: travellingcari.com ::

…and I must admit I agree with this backpackers.com post: do we really care?

I think the results are interesting but not particularly surprising. I’ve been to one (Rome) , and while I have an interest in the others, this designation isn’t going to make me any more or less likely to visit.  I’m not sure I could rank the others in terms of where I’m more likely to go than others…

I voted for Kiyomizdera in Kyoto because it’s one of my favourite places in Japan, if not the world, but I’m not surprised it didn’t win. Of course I completely forgot about the announcement: I spent 7/7/7 at Yankee Stadium.

I do think UNESCO’s comments are interesting: but they make their own rankings and designations as well. Of course theirs are more valid in their own eyes but really, any list is subjective. I think Hawass’ comments are sad:

“This contest will not detract from the value of the pyramids, which is the only real wonder of the world,” Egypt’s antiquities supremo Zahi Hawass said. “This competition has no value because it is not the masses who write history.”

Elitism drives me crazy. I agree that the pyramids are a wonder but they didn’t stand alone then and they don’t know. Sure, they’re a wonder for their architecture and ability to stand the test of time, but to say they’re the only real wonder….

And then of course, the Vatican has to get into it. My favourite:

” But according to Avvenire, the Italian Catholic daily, the Vatican believes that these have been selected as tourist attractions, rather than as Christian sites”

so wait, they not only have to be listed but also for precise reasons??? I’d hate to break it to the Cardinal, but I think many people see the Sistine Chapel as a tourist attraction as well. The two terms aren’t mutually exclusive.