sheila

A passing thought..

you know how all we slow Europeans think you guys do too much? If it's Tuesday it must be Straford? and ll that?

I find, as I ponder this question, that if I were to make another tri to the US it would be to somewhere specific, not to flee about the country. I'd want to sit down and soak it in and watch it and not move more than say 50 miles in any direction. Is there a fundamental difference in holidaying attitudes, do you think?

crazymina

I traveled mostly domestically before I traveled abroad. I feel comfortable being somewhat of a guide in many major US cities. I just provided a really fun tour to some Ozzie friends this past week of my own city, Los Angeles.

However, there is so much to get to know. I still haven't been to San Francisco, which is in my own back yard. I only visited Yosemite last year! I like to travel all over, and that includes my own country, so I don't necessarily limit my traveling just for Europe. I do think I was fortunate that my business took me to so many states though...many I would have not otherwise seen. At a mere 31 years of age, I feel very fortunate to have visited 28 states, 13 countries in Europe, western Canada, Australia and Mexico.

Travel, to anywhere, is just a wonderful passion.

LilyLace

Ha! Sheila I think one of the reasons we USers find Europe attractive is the slower pace! I know, having been fortunate to have visited Europe many times that I do treat my holidays much differently now. Although I don't take as long of trips (my friend from France takes 3-4 weeks to Portugal each year). I do often take much "slower" trips, just to relax and take everything in.

tedgale

I don't think anyone can really "know" Canada -- it's too vast and too empty. And frankly, there's so much that is okay but unspectacular that Canadians who have the choice often end up going to more exotic places.

A few years ago, I was making a day-trip to the tiny -- and I mean tiny -- town of Hohoe, in eastern Ghana. It's hours away from the capital. There, an older lady, in the course of casual conversation, mentioned Canada:

"Of course, I have visited your Peace River district and your Great Slave Lake..."

For those who don't know, these are super-remote northern areas where few "southerners" -- i.e the 98 percent of us who live within 100 or so miles of the US border -- have ever been. I felt properly humbled.

Gardyloo

<i>I find, as I ponder this question, that if I were to make another trip to the US it would be to somewhere specific, not to flee about the country. I'd want to sit down and soak it in and watch it and not move more than say 50 miles in any direction. Is there a fundamental difference in holidaying attitudes, do you think?</i>

No, I think it's consistent with they way many people go on holiday - look at how many listings there are for holiday homes or house exchange or timeshares in both the US and Europe. I think it's true that as a rule Americans are more mobile - some would say restless, others would say shiftless, and others would say attention-deficient - than the European standard, but classifying a couple hundred million people is a bit dicey.

The other thing is, that if you base yourself in many parts of Europe and give yourself a 50-mile radius for exploration, you can encompass quite a lot of variety and diversity. Not so in North America. Within 50 miles of the beach in LA, you're still in LA. 50 miles from the beach at Musselburgh and you can be in...Motherwell. Woo Hoo. Talk about diversity. Soak it in, baby.

I also think that first- or second-time N. American (or Antipodean) visitors to Europe overestimate how hard it is to get there, so they try to cram in more than they would in a comparable time at home, because they are concerned that they won't be able to return soon. Many can't, of course, and we see the same sort of patterns with European visitors to the US - rent a car in Orlando in August, drive to LA via New Orleans and Hooston amp; in heat that melts lead, all for the sake of experiencing American road culture, I guess. Or I'm always amazed at seeing those great German hotel/buses galumphing through the US and Canadian national parks, disgorging daily 40 or so blinking inmates who are spending <i>weeks</i> it seems living in ant farm cubbies in the &quot;sleeper&quot; portion of the buses. Bizzare.

Proving on both sides of the water that there's nowt so queer as folk...

carolyn

Sheila, you have a standing invitation to visit Kentucky. I promise you it is slow, and you might find people who speak your language in the Appalachian Mountains.

donw

No one knows all about any country.
That's what's great about this forum, you get lots of different experiences, etc.

pastyp

ttt
Good question! I think the answer is that tourists, or those spending a short time in a country know more specific information then those that live there all year round.

But it depends on what details of a country you are talking about. Tourists themselves do not know or do not have a true sense of the culture and what it is to be American, Spanish, French etc.

If someone visited my city and I was to show them around, I think that it would take me some time in preperation to be able to familiarise myself enough with the points of interest in my city to be able to show someone around and give them the history or there meaning to my city?!?!?

Just my perspective. We travel the world, but do we know our own countries, the places we live, the way we can give advise to others on this forum about other places we have visited and spent maybe only a few short weeks?? Interesting question??

Tallulah

I think as I've mentioned previously, I live in London and probably have visited only a handful of the 'tourist' sites here.

I believe that you tend to take for granted what you have on your doorstep (believe it or not, I have never been to the Tower of London - though I do know where it is!), always putting it off for another day. Mind you, I don't find standard museums terribly interesting so I wouldn't bother with them wherever I was.

Having said that, I think I know my general country pretty well...

Sue_xx_yy

Pnestor, I too like this question and have enjoyed reading the answers.

There is logistical planning and the viewing of architecture and topography, and then there is cultural understanding. Visitors to my country might have a better handle on the first two than me, but not necessarily the third. Similarly, I very much doubt I can claim to be wiser than Europeans about their culture, no matter how many vacations I spend abroad. Nonetheless, I would not be surprised to know that many Italians have seen the leaning tower of Pisa about as many times as I've seen Niagara Falls, which is to say, zero.

seafox

For those of us in the US the answer has to be that we do not know th entire country as well as the vacation spots we frquent. But, I would like to offer this suggestion.....we each do know something of an area in the US....be sure to go to that forum regularly and offer suggestions to those who are looking for advice. I make it a habit to always check on posts in the Cape Cod area......I hope that the advice I have given has been of value to folks....it is something I can give back for all the great learnings I have had on this board

kswl

I'm not sure that is even a valid question in today's world. Our country is huge, yet it has become fairly homogenous. There are differences in culture from one region to another, yes, but those differences are disappearing fast. One reason to travel is to see different landforms and climatic regions--mountain ranges, the beach, the desert, Grand Canyon, forests, etc. Other reasons are to experience different cultures, and learn about political history. Trips to Europe can combine all those goals. Trips within the United States, although enjoyable for other reasons---and we do travel quite a bit throughout the U.S.---simply cannot offer the cross-cultural experience.

We've been to about half the states, including California, but I can readily admit that I know London much better than Los Angeles--and I don't really consider myself an &quot;Anglophile.&quot;

crefloors

I think being a tourist in some place allows you to explore in more depth than you would at home..at least that's what I find. I'm on vacation when visiting, so I'm not dealing with everyday life. My city is growing so fast, so many things are changing so quickly that when I actually DO get a day to explore, I am just amazed. It's hard sometims to really know the area you live in because you are going to work, cleaning the house, doing the laundry, cooking meals, picking up the kids and taking them here and there, and so on and so on...life just gets in the way.

suze

I won't speak to the entire USofA but have recently been thinking about my own home city &amp; what I know that would be helpful to visitors and tourists.

I've posted for several years on the Europe and Latin American Fodors forums &amp; recently looked at US board thinking I could answer questions about Seattle, where I live.

But since I don't stay in hotels or eat in restaurants nearly as often as I do when traveling or spend my weekends at museums, amusements, historic landmarks and the like... I was surprised how limited my applicable knowledge really is.

rj007

Great thread. I can give information on my hometown (San Diego) since I've lived here all my life. After several trips to London, I'm comfortable enough to get around without a map and be able to give directions. Just got back from London and Holland. I spent 3 days in Amsterdam, so I don't know it as well, but I can make suggestions of some of the things to do there.

There is still a lot of the US I have yet to discover. I made 6 trips to Europe before I made to D.C. I've been to Asia 4 times (courtesy of Uncle Sam) but have yet to visit New England. This is why travel will never get old for me. There are so many places I have to visit.