What's Your Buddha?

In this book that I'm reading on Afghanistan, a father ("Babi") takes 2 children to see the great Buddha statues. You can climb up them and look out over the Bamiyan Valley, which they do...

Tariq gasped. Laila did too. And she knew then that she could live to be a hundred and she would never again see a thing as magnificent...
"Look at this!" said Laila.
Babi smiled...
"It's so quiet," Laila breathed...
"It's what I always remember about being up here," Babi said. "The silence. The peace of it. I wanted you to experience it. But I also wanted you to see your country's heritage, children, to learn of its rich past. You see, some things I can teach you. Some you learn from books. But there are things that, well, you just have to see and feel."

It seems to me that all cultures and people have these types of places that really affect the way a person feels. I find it interesting that if you try to visit these places in another country, one that is not your own, you will not get quite the same feeling from it. I guess I don't really know because I've never tried that theory out, but I do know I've been places in the states when I feel the awe of the landmark is being missed by people that don't understand everything behind it. Here are a few places I've been that I feel words can not do it justice. Places that I can read about, study and know, but until I was there I didn't understand...

Arlington Cemetary
Statue of Liberty
Ellis Island
Ground Zero
The Sacred Grove
Utah Valley & Salt Lake Temple
Yankee Stadium

Obviously the same places are not going to inspire everyone, but these are just a few places I've been to. I've also been impressed with places like Zion National Park and the two mighty oceans as you look out at them from the beach, but there was no distinct connection or one inhaled breath that could make me feel the place. Someday I'd like to go back to the Grand Canyon (I don't remember going when I was 8), but somehow I don't think I will be so impressed. Is it possible that something can be too much a part of who you are supposed to be that you can't appreciate it when you have it? I think that might be true of a lot of things to a lot of different people and circumstances. Anyway, what's your Buddha? Where have you been that has inspired you or put you in awe?