People, places or sights?

Old Apr 27th, 2006, 11:19 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
People, places or sights?

I was blessed with living for 6 years in Germany thanks to Uncle Sam's Army. Both my wife and I greatly enjoyed revisited the country this spring.

First, we enjoyed interacting with Germans, then visiting places that we had lived and finally seeing the sights, in that order. Chance conversations about walking in the rain with my umbrella folded or not getting lost in Rothenburg as it is surrounded by a wall we the highlights of the trip, even if I was the butt of the joke.

So, what are the priorities of others that travel? People, places, sights or something else?

Regards, Gary
Gary_Mc is offline  
Old Apr 27th, 2006, 11:39 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Food, Gary, food!!

Seriously, though, it's an interesting question. For me, it is in a large measure to see and to feel a different culture (and food is certainly a big part of that, as is interaction with people who live there).

But another important aspect is wanting to see specific things, particularly those of historical interest. Put another way, I'd chose a Romanesque church over a beautiful mountain, so I'd probably put natural scenery slightly lower on my list.

Anselm
AnselmAdorne is offline  
Old Apr 27th, 2006, 03:08 PM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Anselm,

Of course, how could I have forgotten food, especially if you include Franken wines in that category.

Thanks for the reminder,

Gary
Gary_Mc is offline  
Old Apr 27th, 2006, 03:14 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Beauty...

Be it a church, museum, food, or local people

I love it all! I try to get a good mix of everything when I travel--I mix museum days with outdoorsy days. But the most lasting memories I have are always of the people and the friendships I've made.
oobylicious is offline  
Old Apr 27th, 2006, 03:16 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,419
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hmmm... not sure in which order:

scenery
culture
people, if I know the language
food
safety
price of the trip
FainaAgain is offline  
Old Apr 27th, 2006, 03:20 PM
  #6  
P_M
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 24,947
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Excellent list, Faina, but I'd like to add one thing to it, and that's "whether or not I've already been there." I will re-visit places I like, but if I must choose between a repeat and something new, I'll usually go for the place I haven't been already.
P_M is online now  
Old Apr 27th, 2006, 03:23 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,481
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I love it all too!
The history, the art, the people, scenery... the flora and the fauna.
I love being somewhere where I've never been and could never really prepare for, no matter how much I read beforehand. I always enjoy people no matter where I go.
L84SKY is offline  
Old Apr 27th, 2006, 03:29 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sweetie darling, I go for the booze, the sex, and the drugs.

And if there is a sale at Prada.
Polly_Magoo is offline  
Old Apr 27th, 2006, 03:43 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,419
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
LOL I'm switching to Polly's list ASAP
FainaAgain is offline  
Old Apr 27th, 2006, 03:47 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yes, Polly's list rocks. And don't forget the pickpockets, nothing like getting felt-up for free.
oobylicious is offline  
Old Apr 27th, 2006, 03:50 PM
  #11  
P_M
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 24,947
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I get felt-up for free every time I go through security at the airport these days. I try to think of it as a free massage.
P_M is online now  
Old Apr 27th, 2006, 03:58 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Last year, I got selected for the "extra-thorough" security check at Dulles. I was running really behind as I had all kinds of flight changes and craziness getting back to the US from Europe.

As I was getting patted down by the airport employee, I moaned several times (I think I only had the guts as I was overtired and haggard from all the travelling). I have to tell you, it was the fastest security check I've been through. They couldn't get me through there fast enough. I was crazy moaning-girl. Hehehe.
oobylicious is offline  
Old Apr 27th, 2006, 04:01 PM
  #13  
P_M
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 24,947
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hey, that's a great plan to speed up the process--act like you're enjoying it a bit too much. I'll remember that on my next trip.
P_M is online now  
Old Apr 27th, 2006, 04:08 PM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 519
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Great question Gary.

My priorities for any given trip are different depending where I am. When I go to Ireland, I have lots of friends there - so my priority is spending time with them, seeing things through a native's eyes. When I'm in Italy (It's usually for work, in which case technology is my priority -finding an internet connection) When I was in Rome last month though - history and seeing as much as possible were the priorities.

Security - sheesh - there have been times coming through Frankfurt that I have been so aggressively fondled that I didn't know whether I wanted a shower or a cigarette.

Gary - where were you based in Germany and how long ago? I'm over there working with the military 3 or 4 times a year - next trip 78 days - not that I'm counting!
celticdreams is offline  
Old Apr 27th, 2006, 04:24 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 898
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ooby. I'd never have the guts, but good for you!
Maire is offline  
Old Apr 28th, 2006, 05:03 AM
  #16  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Celtic Dreams,

I was stationed in Landstuhl, Würzburg, Bremerhaven and Nürnberg. It gave me a nice sampling of the country. Landstuhl and Bremerhaven are places that I probably would not have visited as tourist but came to really appreciate as a temporary home.

Another good thing about being stationed in Germany was that you were only a weekend or day drive away so many great places not only in Germany but France, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, etc. It was an experience that would never have expect without Uncle Sam's help.

I also visited Ireland and Italy a couple times. It was all beyond this poor boy's dreams.

Regards, Gary
Gary_Mc is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
IMDonehere
Europe
46
Mar 27th, 2014 06:11 PM
rogeruktm
Europe
68
Jan 22nd, 2008 08:09 AM
bill
Europe
112
Feb 11th, 2006 02:59 AM
GSteed
Europe
45
Dec 27th, 2005 07:29 AM
jsmith
Europe
81
Oct 4th, 2004 09:59 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -