How many Countries Have you been to?

[Sodafin]

Not what I said at all nor meant at all. But then, you know that.

It's exactly the same.

Terrorism can happen in any country and at any time.

We've seen this in Madrid, in London and New York.

We've also seen it in Djakarta, Cairo and Istanbul.

Given all six are usually safe and stable, I don't see there is any reason to avoid any of those cities.

 

[editec]

Ok, this thread seems to be back up - even if minus the poll function.

Some interesting countries coming up - although as a pedant I must point out that Ceuta is not a country, Big Black (it's part of Spain) and what about WEST Germany....??!!

Somalia is amazing though - can't say I nowhere anyone else who has been there. Were you in the military?

Why else would ANY of us go to Somalia?

To escape the nanny state socialism of the USA, naturally.

Somalia is a place where rugged individuals can be free of intrusive government interference of their god given right to do whatever the hell they want.

 

[Polk]

I even wonder how well traveled some are in their own country. I've met way too many who have yet to be west of the Appalachians around these parts. IMO, meeting even one like that is way too many. More Americans need to get to know this great country.

I've never been west of Kansas City or north of Chicago.

 

[Si modo]

I even wonder how well traveled some are in their own country. I've met way too many who have yet to be west of the Appalachians around these parts. IMO, meeting even one like that is way too many. More Americans need to get to know this great country.

I've never been west of Kansas City or north of Chicago.

You're still young. Make sure you do soon, though. I honestly believe that one gets a better appreciation for how great the USA is this way.

 

[Polk]

I even wonder how well traveled some are in their own country. I've met way too many who have yet to be west of the Appalachians around these parts. IMO, meeting even one like that is way too many. More Americans need to get to know this great country.

I've never been west of Kansas City or north of Chicago.

You're still young. Make sure you do soon, though. I honestly believe that one gets a better appreciation for how great the USA is this way.

I fully intend to. At the very least, I feel like I need to go to Mount Rushmore and the Grand Canyon.

 

[elvis]

I've never been west of Kansas City or north of Chicago.

You're still young. Make sure you do soon, though. I honestly believe that one gets a better appreciation for how great the USA is this way.

I fully intend to. At the very least, I feel like I need to go to Mount Rushmore and the Grand Canyon.

grand canyon you can get to by way of Vegas (helicopter ride). Mt Rushmore may be tough for someone from atlanta to get to.

 

[JWBooth]

6

 

[Sodafin]

I honestly believe that one gets a better appreciation for how great the USA is this way.

I think the best way to gain both an appreciation - and an understanding of - our home country is to leave it.

I honestly feel that I only came to really understand my country and its place in the world at the time I had experienced something of life in other continents, cultures and languages.

Of course to understand a country as large and diverse as the US one has to spend a lot of time traversing it, but to really understand the US; spend some time in Syria, Israel, France, Nicaragua and Russia.

 

[007]

I think the best way to gain both an appreciation - and an understanding of - our home country is to leave it.

Appreciate - yes, understand - no.

I honestly feel that I only came to really understand my country and its place in the world at the time I had experienced something of life in other continents, cultures and languages.

Of course to understand a country as large and diverse as the US one has to spend a lot of time traversing it, but to really understand the US; spend some time in Syria, Israel, France, Nicaragua and Russia.

I disagree. Spending time in another country will help you learn about that country, and you may see differences between that country and the US, but gain a greater understanding of the US... the only way you're going to do that is live here, and the longer you live you here, the more you'll understand about here. You won't get that living in another country.

 

[Sodafin]

Yes, that's a fair point, Pale.

What I meant was more that by talking to people in Syria and France, Americans can gain and understanding of attitudes towards Americans very different from what they see in the US media.

Syria is a great example. My experience of being in Syria is totally different to the impression I'd gained through the media. I found Syrians to be hospitable, open, charming - and more than happy to talk about veiling, Israel and so forth.

I always remember a Syrian man saying "I don't want to fight another war with Israel - we'll just get whipped again."

You don't hear those kind of opinions on Fox!

 

[007]

Yes, that's a fair point, Pale.

What I meant was more that by talking to people in Syria and France, Americans can gain and understanding of attitudes towards Americans very different from what they see in the US media.

Syria is a great example. My experience of being in Syria is totally different to the impression I'd gained through the media. I found Syrians to be hospitable, open, charming - and more than happy to talk about veiling, Israel and so forth.

I always remember a Syrian man saying "I don't want to fight another war with Israel - we'll just get whipped again."

You don't hear those kind of opinions on Fox!

I wish all wars would end. But, I guess killing each other is human nature. Animals do it in the wild, but they eat each other. I guess that's the only real difference between animals and humans.

 

[Toro]

I think the best way to gain both an appreciation - and an understanding of - our home country is to leave it.

Appreciate - yes, understand - no.

I honestly feel that I only came to really understand my country and its place in the world at the time I had experienced something of life in other continents, cultures and languages.

Of course to understand a country as large and diverse as the US one has to spend a lot of time traversing it, but to really understand the US; spend some time in Syria, Israel, France, Nicaragua and Russia.

I disagree. Spending time in another country will help you learn about that country, and you may see differences between that country and the US, but gain a greater understanding of the US... the only way you're going to do that is live here, and the longer you live you here, the more you'll understand about here. You won't get that living in another country.

I disagree completely PR.

Having lived outside of my home country in America and in England, I can tell you that I have gained immense knowledge of Canada by living away from it.

 

[tigerbob]

Yes, so he did - my apologies!

Ok, so of these 7 Third World countries, which would you say are dangerous and suck to travel in? Let's exclude Iraq and Somalia as being active war zones - in which case I'd agree they are not safe and probably suck to travel in.

But Indonesia is a fabulous country to travel in - cheap, beautiful and lovely people. Kenya is magnificent, although I agree Nairobi is dangerous. The Philippines are largely safe, and also quite beautiful in many areas, and nice people - although I agree also terribly polluted in some places.

Kenya
Djabouti
Somalia
Iraq
Philippines
Guam
Indonesia
:

Kenya is magnificent? Guess you never been to the part where we gave up our food and extra clothing so those people that aren't on the 5 star menu could have a one nice day, huh?

Next time you go to a 3rd World country, try looking behind the scenes at what's REALLY going on.

The Phillipines is a haven for terrorists and has been since time began. The Army and Marines were fighting indigenous terrorists as far back as th e1890s and they're still there.

Sounds to me like you've done the 5th Avenue of these countries and never looked at what they are reallly about.

And why not?

Who would want to go somewhere that has, for example, great game reserves and places of natural beauty and spend the whole 2 weeks looking round the shanty towns?

It's like going to LA and spending all your time roaming South Central.

Actually, LA is crap anyway. Bad example.

 

[Gunny]

Of course I don't have a clue. Spoken like a true elitist wannabe. Maybe I didn't overlook the human condition to see the pretty lake?

Your last sentence is just insane. No sale.

Why do you think I overlooked the human condition?

Do you really think that because a country is poor, it can not also be a) beautiful or b) safe?

Is there something wrong with visiting some of the best wildlife parks in the world, just because the country is not wealthy?

I don't get your point here at all.

That isn't what I said, is it?

 

[Sodafin]

Gunny -

You posted:

Maybe I didn't overlook the human condition to see the pretty lake?

I'll ask again - why do you think I overlooked the 'human condition'?

ps. This might be also a good time to mention that I was in Africa writing a series of articles about life after genocide - hence I am very curious as to why you have accused me of staying in 5 star hotels you obviously avoided, and now of ignoring the human condition.