“Favourite Words” is my theme. (Not all of them – keeping it mild 😉 )
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#AtoZChallenge 2015: X is for XANADU #dogladysden Share on X
Xan·a·du
ˈzanəˌdo͞o
an idealized place of great or idyllic magnificence and beauty.
“three architects and a planner combine to create a Xanadu”
I’m definitely not thinking of that awful 1980 movie
starring Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly (!)
Nor am I thinking of the song “Legend of Xanadu”,
by British band Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich (!),
although I thought it was cool at the time (1968)
Also not thinking of the fictional mansion “Xanadu” from the 1941 movie Citizen Kane,
which was modelled after the real Hearst Castle in California.
I am thinking of the city Xanadu, aka Shangdu or Chandu,
which was the summer capital of Kublai Khan’s Yuan empire.
and is now a Unesco World Heritage site.
It’s the history buff in me!
“In Xanadu did Kubla Khan
A stately pleasure-dome decree…”
– Samuel Taylor Coleridge 1797
[inspired by an Opium-enhanced dream]
Mostly though, I’m thinking of a Utopian paradise,
a Shangri-La, which fits the meaning of Xanadu best.
These are some of my personal favourites:
[click on images to enlarge ©DDB]
Any rock concert arena is Xanadu for me as well:
[click to enlarge ©DDB]
What’s your Xanadu?
Looking forward to your comments!
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Dog Mom and (retired) Canine Innkeeper in suburban Toronto, Canada, known as The Doglady. Former corporate workaholic. Writer, photographer, digital creator. Animal lover, music fanatic, inveterate traveller. Eternal hippie/rockchick. History, literature and cinema buff. Hockey and soccer fan. Dedicated night owl. German/Canadian binational, multilingual. Let me entertain you!
23 thoughts on “#AtoZChallenge: X is for XANADU”
Loved the picture with the pets 😀 Indeed Xanadu 🙂
Thanks! There are many places one could call Xanadu, but home trumps them all. 🙂
Interesting that there are so many variations to one word eh Debbie? Xanadu which I thought was a fantasy name for a fantasy movie – I did see it but didn’t recall the details. I would say my Xanadu is in a forest or by water as with a waterfall for instance! 😉 <3
Your Xanadu sounds lovely, Elly. 🙂 It’s a centuries-old word with many uses.
I like the song Xanadu performed by Olivia Newton-John.
Lots of A to Z’ers went with Xanadu for the X-post.
It’s a difficult letter.
I’d say the song was better than the movie! 🙂 X is a difficult letter and lots of people cheat on their X posts. LOL
Wow… I thought that name was just made up for the movie… and what a fine movie it was.
You’re talking about “Citizen Kane”, right? 😀 It’s a centuries-old name with many uses.
I enjoyed your Xanadu post and thanks for enlightening me as I didn’t know all that about it, to tell the truth. I’d heard of the awful movie, of course. Haven’t seen it though. Guess I won’t either even though I love Gene Kelly. Guess he was older then and not as picky about his roles!
My Xanadu would be sitting on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean writing and enjoying a nice cool drink on a warm day with a slight breeze and no worries or responsibilities. The cats would be there, too. My kids and hubs, well, maybe not. Nice to just get away from it all.
For a bad movie, it sure was popular. 😛 I think Gene Kelly probably wanted to pad his retirement fund with that one! 😀 The ocean is wonderful for stress relief and would make a perfect Xanadu, at least for a little while. Apologies for the late response. I do appreciate your visits, Cathy.
Hey, I really liked that Xanadu song by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich (crazy name for a band!). Loved your Xanadu photos, especially Santorini Greece and naturally Niagara Falls; the Little Lake Inn looks like a slice of Heaven! And probably the best is the photo with your husband and the dogs. Being home with my dogs is my little Xanadu: right now I have 5 napping greyhounds plus a Lab mix and an adorable little Shih Tzu. Where else would I call Xanadu? Hard to say really: any place that allows me to commune with nature is my utopia. I do like the word Xanadu…maybe even better than utopia. I’m sure I’ll find plenty of places to call Xanadu as soon as I’m able to travel…
DD,D,B,M&T were huge in England and northern Europe in the late 60s and I always liked their sound. The whip-cracking is cool. 🙂 Santorini is truly heaven on earth! ♥ Niagara Falls never gets old, no matter how many times we go there (and it’s been many). The Little Lake Inn is in northern Ontario (Midland). We went there for a Fall long weekend in 2011. It definitely was heavenly – large, comfortable room, complete with Jacuzzi and fireplace. Great place to unwind! That’s one of my favourite photos of hubby. It’s an oldie, but a goodie. ♥ Home can be as good a paradise as anywhere else, if you make it so. Apologies for the late reply. The challenge was difficult, this year. 😛
I think my Xanadu would be sitting on a deserted (but well-furnished, especially with chocolate and pistachios) island under a shady tree, together with Russ.
That sounds idyllic, Mary. Don’t forget the music. 🙂
I would sing for him, but yes, we would need other music, too. Maybe some recordings of his Dad among them. ☺
A hike with my bipeds, especially when they bring treats!
That would be a doggie paradise, for sure, Clowie! 🙂 Thanks for visiting and apologies for the late response.
We used Xanadu today as well 🙂 – it happens to be a grey colour and one of our themes is colours 😉
I’m not sure what my Xanadu is, there are so many things. I think the most important part is having friends and family to enjoy it with though.
Tasha
Tasha’s Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
I had no idea that Xanadu was an actual colour, Tasha. Thanks for the insight! 🙂 If anyone is interested, check it out HERE.
I think an ideal place can be enjoyed either way. Sometimes, being alone can be quite utopian, as well.
I’ve never seen the disco movie but I do like Olivia, Gene, and the song “Xanadu”. The movie sounds kind of weird from what I’ve heard of it. My personal Xanadu I haven’t found exactly, but it’s probably a combination of a lot of places where I’ve actually been or dreamed about.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
I’m a big Gene Kelly fan and was surprised he would do such a schlocky movie! Must have needed the money! 😛 Olivia was great in Grease, but I’m generally not a fan of her music. I think any place you are happiest could qualify as Xanadu. 🙂