Final Fantasy Destination

Very few are the ones lucky enough to be born with no family issues, no financial issues, no mental issues… for most of us that isn’t the case. We face difficulties and struggles in the world that bring us to our breaking point, where we may see no end to our struggle. “What doesn’t break you only makes you stronger” they say. Sometimes we don’t see it like that, most times we just want a break from jumping from one struggle to the next and just relax somewhere on some beach sipping on a tropical drink. Unfortunately that isn’t how God structured the world and there are rules to follow. Luckily for us there’s an escape route that most of us tend to lean on. For the longest, mine has been escaping into a fantasy realm. I mean I feel like fantasy should be everyone’s favorite genre because why would I leave the real world to come and watch something that reflects the real world? Am I right or am I right? I will admit that this escape route has taken me to adventures I just would like to do over and over again.

Now the question in play is which of these creative worlds is the best, which one has won over the hearts of many, taking us to journeys far away from this accursed world. I have only one answer, and though it sounds basic I think it’s the only just answer. The Lord of the rings. I mean sure, I might be a bit biased because I watched it when it just came out and I was about one years old at the time so who knows if it was embroidered into my subconscious memories and now I just favor it among all. Wow, you guys really believed that? I’m hurt. I mean Frodo could resist the ring throughout his whole journey and you guys don’t think I can resist the allure of the lord of the rings for twenty two years? Hello? What happened to the spirit of perseverance? I mean J.R.R. Tolkien and Peter Jackson spent their whole time trying to teach us that. Shame on you for doubting my strength, I mean I’ve only watched the trilogy like ten times. I think that’s a healthy amount of time, don’t you? Anyways back to what we are here to discuss, there is a reason that they call J.R.R. Tolkien the father of the fantasy genre. I mean he basically reinvented its definition and every successful fantasy writer has drawn inspiration from him. He basically crawled so people like George R. R. Martin and J.K. Rowling could run. I do not wish to discredit other writers for their genius creativity but the fact remains that Tolkien was far ahead of his time and did something that no one else brought to the table at the time. Not only did he provide details of each creature's habitat or characteristics, not only did he draw an entire detailed map of Middle Earth, but he was able to create six different languages to match the world. Now we all know George R. R. Martin created the famous Dothraki language, but did he create SIX? I think not. It is very important for you to note the very different time periods between all the different popular fantasy writers, J. R. R. Tolkien was just ahead of his time. I am emphasizing the genius of Tolkien because I feel some of our fellow comrades have lost sight of how truly amazing he was and one does not talk of great fantasy worlds without mentioning Middle Earth.

Fun Fact guys, I am African, specifically Cameroonian. Bonus points to you if you know where that is because most Americans I’ve met haven’t a clue where it’s situated. In my culture, they teach us to always pay respect to our elders and hate to break it to you fellows but Tolkien is definitely our elder in the fantasy world. Now, with that said, let’s get down to business. Before revealing the world I believe to be the best, I’m just going to mention some of my top choices. No brainer, Game of thrones has to be one of the best worlds. The problem with that is your survival rate is extremely slim, I mean the main characters barely survived. What hope could any of us have? It is worth mentioning though that under the rule of Bran Stark, with the whole three eyed raven thing going on, things might look better on our side but then again what would we do? Unless born to a noble family I doubt there’d be much action going on in our lives.

Let’s now world hop to another favorite, Narnia. Now this is an exciting world! The probability of being human would be extremely slim so I’d be excited to be another creature. I feel as though being in Narnia would be so adventurous that a day without any action might leave people worried.

I might be a bit biased because I am a sucker for Greek mythology but the world in Percy Jackson is definitely a place I would want to live in. The world dynamic is not too far off from what we already know, except we are half gods! How cool is that? But if we are being logical about the situation, gods are really a problematic bunch and instead of reducing stress in your life, I’m pretty sure they’d just increase it just because they are bored. Come to think of it, being different from all the other kids and having to constantly move doesn’t sound fun at all. I still love Greek mythology but I guess not enough to live as a half breed. I guess this is just one of those things we admire from a distance.

I do not think this is talked about at all as a great fantasy world but Once Upon A Time would be a sick world to live in. I mean, we all grew up with fairytales! And yes I’m a girl and yes I have multiple times fantasized about being a princess so actually, this world is definitely top of my list. If you’re trying to escape the craziness of the real world, I think this is just the perfect world to whine up in, because one thing that is guaranteed, is a happy ever after. That is unless you’re a villain of course. A world with guaranteed happiness? Sign me up! The thing with fairytales that I do find a bit problematic is that they set us up for dreams that aren’t necessarily realistic, especially for us females. It gives us a limiting reactant to what life really has set up for us and when our expectations fail us, we might sink even deeper than where we were originally at. Sorry, this was a side note but let's get back to fantasy world hopping. Get it? Like bar hopping but fantasy world instead? Ok yeah that was lame but it was still kind of cool.

I would love to say we have reached our final destination. If you’ve been paying attention, I know you’ve been cross checking the names of the worlds I’ve been listing. And I am sure you know what my final choice is, because we have all been there. We’ve all taken a stick and said “leviosa” not “leviosa”. We all have at least one merchandise from this world. We’ve all taken a personality test to see in which house the hat would sort us in. I mean come on, who hasn’t checked the mailbox to see if they’ve received an acceptance letter to the one and only Hogwarts, school of wizardry. J. K. Rowling really did a number on us because even years after the end of Harry Potter, we are still trying to find ways to be in that world. The proof is everywhere! The proof is in the different amusement parks they have created in honor of it, it’s in the video games that keep being updated, it’s in the clothing merchandise that just never seems to be enough. I mean just the other day I was passing by an H&M and I saw Harry Potter clothes and got so excited but then was so mad to notice that they were only kid size available. The fact that the Potter world is already so similar to ours except you get magical powers! I mean if someone you don’t like keeps bugging you, you can just “Avada Kedavra” them! Hey now, I’m just kidding, it was merely a simple joke. All jokes aside though, I do believe I resonate with this world so much also because I have been to a boarding school and I know how dope it can be. I mean I had so many adventures and I didn’t even have powers, now imagine with them! And the best thing about it is that the friends you make there will last you a lifetime, that’s a guarantee. So who wouldn’t want powers and a bunch of mischievous adventures with your friends that you’d get to tell your grandkids about?

Well that’s it for me, I hope you enjoyed the read. Remember, always give respect to your elders. I am Marsi LaVedette and I approve this message.