Thanks for the information about the size of things. Everything is so much bigger in America. I have never measured the size of England, but indeed it seems quite big to me. I am from Ireland, which is very small. Texas does seem very big, even on the map, but I suppose those ten gallon hat things take up a mighty lot of room.

Even though Texas is big, I was amazed to see that the eiffel tower that they have in their Paris is smaller than our one here in Europe. I was a bit disappointed, but at least there were some other highlights to the trip. I really enjoyed the big hair.

Hi QC,

>..tell your countrymen to stop asking if they can visit Niagara Falls as a daytrip on the bus from NYC? ...
It's the same distance from NYC as Avignon is from Paris ...<

I think the question arises because it is only 2:40 hr from Paris to Avignon on the TGV rather than the 6:30 hr by bus between NYC and Niagara Falls.

((I))

Tell Uncle Wolfie not to worry. Even if he's in a backwater area that doesn't have muesli and schnapps, he can have the American equivalent: Count Chocula and Coors.

Flying into Toronto from Ireland (which if course means Dublin right?) a friend asks if she can arrange to go by train to B.C. to see the Rocky Mountains and the coast while she's here. (She's here for 5 days).

After the laughter died down......

Hey Lawchick,
Instead of crafting all of these witty posts about us unexperienced, unworldly Americans, maybe you can help me out with a "Crazy" 6 day Munich itinerary. And forgive me for wanting to squeeze in Prague while I'm there. That must reek of inexperience!

There are some rather sophisticated and smart folks in America that didn't grow up simply spending their parents money and seeing the entire entire world before/during college, and then one day decide that they have no idea what to do with life and apply to law school. I know the story, half of my friends are like that. Forgive me if this doesn't describe you. Well, instead of traveling the world for the first part of my life, I've been going to school and working. No, I haven't toured the world, and have no clue what to see or do when I'm in Munich, but it doesn't mean I'm some backwoods, 400 pound, prosthetic leg wearing, trailer park traveler with a vegan girlfriend who will feel helpless in Munich because of all of the sausage.

Maybe my lack of European travel experience (1 trip only for 1 week) has made my post entitled "Arriving in Munich on New Year's Eve - 6 Days" a bit too trivial for you to respond to. If not, though, some help would really be appreciated.

I don't want to hear things like -- "Oh my god, you ONLY have 6 months? How do you expect to see more than one country in THAT amount of time? If I were you, I'd stay in one place the whole time, make sure you see every painting that exists in the city, and maybe even sign a 6-month lease!"

Looking back on this post, it's a bit harsh I understand. But last time I checked, the reason for this board's existence (at least partially) is for dumb people like me to get help! I do appreciate your humor, though, and I bet that we'd actually get along really well. I look forward to hearing from you! Cheers!

Sorry, knew a woman in the London office who was making her first business trip to New York. She planned to rent a car and drive to LA and back over the weekend . . .

For a European scale on the US, consider:

Texas 267,277 sq mi

France 210,026 sq mi
England 50,352 sq mi
Wales 8,023 sq mi

Alaska is more than twice the size of Texas.

Hope this helps.

Does everyone speak Italian in America or should I try to learn a few polite phrases in English? Any recommendations for a phrase book?

Now, I know I will raise some backs BUT I have been asked by European travellers if:
1. Do you have movies up there, or should I bring a book?
2. (In Jasper National Park) Is there anywheres good to hike here?
3. Should I bring a parka to Toronto in August?
4. Can we go from Calgary to Vancouver for lunch?
5. (In Quebec City at the Provincial Parliament) Is this your president's summer house?
6. Can we go whale watching in Lake Ontario when I visit you next summer?
7. I'd like to meet a wild bear and get my picture with it -- they aren't dangerous unless there are cubs there.
Or maybe a POLAR BEAR! That would really make my trip.
8. You mean you DON'T KNOW that Florentine cigars are the absolute best in the world????
Sigh...

This post just cracked me up...but then, I remember how stupid I was when I first started to travel and had no idea of ANYTHING, even after reading guide books. After attaining a comfort level in Europe, I decided to start researching my dream AFrica Safari and my first post in that forum probably sounds ignorant - because I AM IGNORANT until I learn more. This board has helped me become a better traveler-Thanks all- but I still love the humorous posts....

Unfortunately LastMinuteCharlie, I cannot help you with your Munich post, as I do not know Munich very well - even though generally ignorance seems to be no bar to giving advice, I try only to give advice where I actually know something.

I'm sorry you took my post so badly, it was only meant for a giggle. Just to console you a little indeed I have been working too, like you - but luckily working holidays and saving have given me the chance to travel.

I would't knock the sausages in Munich - thats the great thing about Germany, sausages and beer on the street.

Sorry, my post was a bit harsh, too...I'm sure you're cool, and it sounds like you work pretty hard too. I think there's something about anonymity that brings out the best in people! And I can't wait to eat some of those sausages, that comment was purely for fun...

Even the butcher wraps them in plastic nowadays, beware of the Gammelfleisch! A local butcher would be you best choice and try to avoid the big supermarkets ;-) For French Champagne, "Aldi" http://www.aldi-sued.de/ always has the best, least expensive around New Year. :-)

All is forgiven Charlie, though Uncle Wolfie was getting a bit ruffled.

One fun thing to do in Munich- albeit very touristy is to go to somewhere like the Hofbrauhaus - especially on a Sunday lunch time where you have some old geezers dressed up in the tracht - the lederhosen - like Uncle Wolfie wears. I shouldn't laugh as I am the proud owner of a dirndl which I wear in Austria from time to time, but the traditional dress to me looks a bit out of place sometimes in Munich which is a quite hip city.

Lawchick: you wear a dirndl? Good for you! I made a Swiss dirndl at a farmer's wife course I took years ago. Now that was diving into the Swiss culture, head first! Alas, I do have to admit the Austrian dirndl is cuter and sexier than the Swiss version. Maybe that's why I don't wear my very often.

that should say:

wear MINE very often.

We were in Munich a few years ago at the end of April and, while walking through the English Garden midday, were surprised at the number of nude sunbathers in the park. These were people with briefcases who, obviously, took off business suits, folded them neatly, and lay down in the sun!
I mentioned this to someone from Munich and she said, "but, of course, we don't see the sun that often and take full advantage when we do!"
You may not need the dirndl if it's sunny.

That a difficult task in January. But I know some people who have a barbecue every year at the banks of the isar river on Dec 23rd. Some kind of pre-christmas party. It' fun and the beer always stays at the right temperature, you don't even have to put it in the river to keep it cool as you do in summer.

europeans generally see visiting US states as americans see visiting european countries. an american might say they are visiting italy and france and a european will say they are visiting florida or perhaps "new england".

whilst it might provide some laughs to those who don't understand these things, statements like "our states are as big as your whole countries!" sound funny to europeans as this is how the US is generally seen from europe....states = countries. americans generally make comparasins between the US and separate european countries (eg "the US gives X times more aid to africa than france), in europe, you generally here europe as a whole compared to the US.

but i do agree that there is enough ignorance of europeans visiting the US. from my perception it seems like europeans either will select destinations and neighbourhoods to stay in the US with an utter disregard for safety and security...or they will be overly paranoid about it...thinking they will be murdered as soon as they enter america. there doesn't seem to be any middle ground.

This thread is getting funny again.