Europe lovers gave Asia a try instead this time around--thoughts on our experiences
Jan 22nd, 2007, 02:05 PM
#61
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marginal,
Considering the nature of your replies in this thread, I would take your Manhattan restaurant suggestions and avoid them like the plague!
OP didn't say they would NEVER EVER travel to/in Asia again, just that the NEXT trip probably wouldn't be to Asia.
Is there text between the lines that my monitor just doesn't display?
MvK
Considering the nature of your replies in this thread, I would take your Manhattan restaurant suggestions and avoid them like the plague!
OP didn't say they would NEVER EVER travel to/in Asia again, just that the NEXT trip probably wouldn't be to Asia.
Is there text between the lines that my monitor just doesn't display?
MvK
Jan 22nd, 2007, 02:23 PM
#62
Julie
Thanks for posting this follow up. I am one of those who can't seem to get over Europe. Habit and familiarity with the languages make it easy but lately I also have been itching to see parts of Asia. My first trip To Europe in 1970 opened my eyes to many things. Differences in comfort level and amenities I took for granted like indoor plumbing made me realize that planet Earth in its native state is nothing like New York City or middle class suburban Chicago. I was in it for the experience and that is what I got. Some of it was good and some..... not so good but it was experience nonetheless and I take it with me. I don't think I want to go mountain climbing again but at least I tried it. I definitely would go octopus fishing in the Greek islands again.
Kudos to you for venturing into territory that is new for you and for calling it like you see it. I will take the free exchange of travel talk rather than umbrage anyday and I appreciate that you care enough to post.
Thanks for posting this follow up. I am one of those who can't seem to get over Europe. Habit and familiarity with the languages make it easy but lately I also have been itching to see parts of Asia. My first trip To Europe in 1970 opened my eyes to many things. Differences in comfort level and amenities I took for granted like indoor plumbing made me realize that planet Earth in its native state is nothing like New York City or middle class suburban Chicago. I was in it for the experience and that is what I got. Some of it was good and some..... not so good but it was experience nonetheless and I take it with me. I don't think I want to go mountain climbing again but at least I tried it. I definitely would go octopus fishing in the Greek islands again.
Kudos to you for venturing into territory that is new for you and for calling it like you see it. I will take the free exchange of travel talk rather than umbrage anyday and I appreciate that you care enough to post.
Jan 22nd, 2007, 02:32 PM
#63
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Isn't anyone going to comment on my pile of crap on the paris metro anecdote? Or is that commonplace??!!
It was a little traumatizing. It's a testament to my emotional well being that I didn't get afflicted with that Japanese Post-Parisian Shock Syndrome.
It was a little traumatizing. It's a testament to my emotional well being that I didn't get afflicted with that Japanese Post-Parisian Shock Syndrome.
Jan 22nd, 2007, 02:42 PM
#64
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This thread has become disgusting! The OP said in the title "Thoughts on our experiences". So now you're not allowed to express your thoughts on your own experiences without getting pounced on by some contributors to this forum? I for one enjoyed the report, although the only Asian country I've been to is Japan, which is definitely NOT a third-world country. I admire anyone who takes a chance and decides to learn something from a trip, and comes away from it with new understandings of how other people live on this planet. Dounfd to me like Jules was able to see both the good and the bad. Travel is supposed to broaden one's thinking and perspective, and it sounds like this is what Jules was able to gain from Vietnam.
If some of you continue to berate any poster who dares come on here and write something you don't agree with, we won't have a forum.
If some of you continue to berate any poster who dares come on here and write something you don't agree with, we won't have a forum.
Jan 22nd, 2007, 02:48 PM
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fishee, I think I am still stunned (and trying to forget it!)
I have to say that after traveling in many third world countries (and not on a first-class budget by any means) the worst (in terms of sanitation) hotels I recall were in:
Paris - dirtiest toilet and slimiest shower wall award
Yangshuo,China; took a photo of the bathroom to prove I wasn't exaggerating
and good old NYC (the Days Hotel, do not stay there; I actually called the health dept when I got home...)
Still love all three places, though!
I have to say that after traveling in many third world countries (and not on a first-class budget by any means) the worst (in terms of sanitation) hotels I recall were in:
Paris - dirtiest toilet and slimiest shower wall award
Yangshuo,China; took a photo of the bathroom to prove I wasn't exaggerating
and good old NYC (the Days Hotel, do not stay there; I actually called the health dept when I got home...)
Still love all three places, though!
Jan 22nd, 2007, 02:53 PM
#68
Julie
Thanks for posting this follow up. I am one of those who can't seem to get over Europe.I keep going back for more. Habit and familiarity with the languages make it easy but it always wasn't like that and I had to find my way and what I liked. Lately, though, I also have been itching to see parts of Asia. My first trip to Europe in 1970 opened my eyes to many things. Differences in comfort level and amenities I took for granted like indoor plumbing made me realize that planet Earth in its native state is nothing like New York City or middle class suburban Chicago. I was in it for the experience and that is what I got. Some of it was good and some..... not so good but it was experience nonetheless and I take it with me. I don't think I want to go mountain climbing again but at least I tried it. I definitely would go octopus fishing in the Greek islands again.
Kudos to you for venturing into territory that is new for you and for calling it like you see it. I will take the free exchange of travel talk rather than umbrage anyday and I appreciate that you care enough to post your first impressions.
Thanks for posting this follow up. I am one of those who can't seem to get over Europe.I keep going back for more. Habit and familiarity with the languages make it easy but it always wasn't like that and I had to find my way and what I liked. Lately, though, I also have been itching to see parts of Asia. My first trip to Europe in 1970 opened my eyes to many things. Differences in comfort level and amenities I took for granted like indoor plumbing made me realize that planet Earth in its native state is nothing like New York City or middle class suburban Chicago. I was in it for the experience and that is what I got. Some of it was good and some..... not so good but it was experience nonetheless and I take it with me. I don't think I want to go mountain climbing again but at least I tried it. I definitely would go octopus fishing in the Greek islands again.
Kudos to you for venturing into territory that is new for you and for calling it like you see it. I will take the free exchange of travel talk rather than umbrage anyday and I appreciate that you care enough to post your first impressions.
Jan 22nd, 2007, 02:58 PM
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"Travel is supposed to broaden one's thinking and perspective. . . "
I don't know if it's supposed to, but it certainly seems to, most of the time. One should always hold out for the long term effect of things. Often times the initial result is a retreat into narrow waters. Sometimes people drown there, depending on which monsters they have the courage to confront. My hopes are up--I almost always pull for the seafarer.
I don't know if it's supposed to, but it certainly seems to, most of the time. One should always hold out for the long term effect of things. Often times the initial result is a retreat into narrow waters. Sometimes people drown there, depending on which monsters they have the courage to confront. My hopes are up--I almost always pull for the seafarer.
Jan 22nd, 2007, 03:22 PM
#71
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It's quite one thing to offer one's impressions -- but another to somehow equate Vietnam with "how the majority of the world live" etc. and also make a couple of hyperbolic statements and sweeping generalizations at the same time.
So, sorry, Cimbrone, but the original post does sound naive and ignorant to me. And I don't think that I'm being nasty by writing that. I'm just offering my impressions. As I said, the original poster is entitled to her opinions, but since this is a public forum, I certainly think that people are free to post what they think of her opinions.
So, sorry, Cimbrone, but the original post does sound naive and ignorant to me. And I don't think that I'm being nasty by writing that. I'm just offering my impressions. As I said, the original poster is entitled to her opinions, but since this is a public forum, I certainly think that people are free to post what they think of her opinions.
Jan 22nd, 2007, 03:45 PM
#72
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Interesting thread - thanks OP for adding your experiences and thoughts.
Also interesting that some have travelled so much that they can say they have “Done everywhere in Europe” and “I have been all over Asia (Cambodia, Thailand, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Hong Kong, Japan)” While no details on “everywhere in Europe” were provided I did note the absence of a few countries such as Israel, UAE, North Korea, Lebanon and Russia in “all over Asia”. One can only take labels so far.
Also interesting that some have travelled so much that they can say they have “Done everywhere in Europe” and “I have been all over Asia (Cambodia, Thailand, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Hong Kong, Japan)” While no details on “everywhere in Europe” were provided I did note the absence of a few countries such as Israel, UAE, North Korea, Lebanon and Russia in “all over Asia”. One can only take labels so far.
Jan 22nd, 2007, 03:45 PM
#73
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I have friends who were born in Vietnam and left in the early 70's and choose never to return for the same negatives julies mentioned, would they get scolded too?
SeaUrchin -- your friends left Vietnam because they were being airlifted out in the middle of a war thay they were losing.
I don't think they'd state that they left the country because it was dirty and poor.
SeaUrchin -- your friends left Vietnam because they were being airlifted out in the middle of a war thay they were losing.
I don't think they'd state that they left the country because it was dirty and poor.
Jan 22nd, 2007, 03:58 PM
#76
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They left to give their children better lives, they struggled, opened their own businesses here, worked hard and are now enjoying their wealth.
They give money and time to charities, belong to Christian charity groups and are happy, healthy and do not want to return to their birth country even to visit.
They give money and time to charities, belong to Christian charity groups and are happy, healthy and do not want to return to their birth country even to visit.
Jan 22nd, 2007, 03:59 PM
#77
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Sea Urchin
If your friends were like some of the people I know – they pretty much risked everything, because “boat people” by fleeing on impossibly crowded boats, ended up in refugee camps in dreadful conditions before gaining refugee status in, for example, Canada. Not quite the same as getting an air-lift out fishee!
If your friends were like some of the people I know – they pretty much risked everything, because “boat people” by fleeing on impossibly crowded boats, ended up in refugee camps in dreadful conditions before gaining refugee status in, for example, Canada. Not quite the same as getting an air-lift out fishee!
Jan 22nd, 2007, 04:07 PM
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The so-called "boat people" came later in the decade --I think beginning around 1978.
My point is that Vietnam was ravaged by anti-colonial wars against the French and then U.S. for almost 30 straight years. That might have had something do with why people wanted to leave.
My point is that Vietnam was ravaged by anti-colonial wars against the French and then U.S. for almost 30 straight years. That might have had something do with why people wanted to leave.
