rj007

Capo

That is exactly how I felt during my one visit to New Orleans (Aug 1989)- I felt like I was in another country. Your description of the character of New Orleans very nicely sums up of why I called it a unique culture unto itself. An amazing city - one of many places I have to get back to!

Huitres

illusion 321: I totally agree with you, I was appalled that they liked soap operas - let alone "Passions" (which I hadn't even heard of since I don't watch them!). They have asked me to get them a photo from the show's cast, autographs, etc. Since I live in LA, I will do my best to bring them back some memorabilia from the show. However, I was so surprised that they would stop their work for that 1 hour daily and be glued to the TV. Humorous indeed!

Capo: I love New Orleans too and it is one of my favorite places in the U.S. to visit. It has the distinct flavor of being elsewhere (France?) without leaving the U.S. Besides the awesome creole/cajun food, the ambiance can't be beat!

capo

Thanks, rj. I really want to get back there too, especially for their great music festival in the spring, Jazzfest.

Ira, I don't' think anyone -- including the original poster -- is claiming that there aren't cultural differences within the U.S. The original poster, for example, said that Europeans were lucky because they had <i>completely different cultures</i> so close by.

I don't see any regions of the U.S. having &quot;completely&quot; different cultures. True, the South is different from New England but that's a far cry from the difference between, say, Switzerland, and neighboring Italy.

european17

Capo just put it in a nut shell.
Just enjoy the cultural, political, social, etc...differances.
Isn't this the purpose of traveling intercontinentaly?!
Experience and enjoy, keep on opened mind...
And yes Europeans are lucky!