Fran

<BR>Part 2 (sorry) <BR> <BR>one else does. Want a shame not to see those historical sites. <BR>Diane, I agree with you but thought I'ld never admit to this however, last month in China my playmates wanted to eat lunch at McDonalds and dinner at Pizza Hut. So there I was, first time to ever do this when traveling, I promise. It was only those two times as they were tired of every meal being Chinese. Patrick, is that really true? Only in PH? <BR>I would like to extend this further: I have albums and albums, walls (both home and office) full of my photos. I'm not afraid to look like a tourist with a camera. And if I have to stand in one place for several minutes to get every last tourist out of the shot, I will. My travel companions may complain about it at the time, but they all want a copy later. Happy Traveling! and looking like a tourist.

curt

Cranberry juice just making it to the shelves in the UK?? I lived in England 10 years ago, and back then I was able to buy cranberry juice all the time, very easy to find....don't think you've been looking hard enough

Patrick

Cranberry Juice? Well for several years we looked for it at Sainsbury's and had no luck. We now shop at Tesco in Covent Garden and found it there. The only bar or restaurant anywhere else in Europe where we've been able to find it other than Planet Hollywood was a place on the harbor in Monte Carlo called "The American Sportsbar" or something like that. In Scandanavia they have something they translate on menus as cranberries, but they have absolutely no relation to what we know as cranberries. How did we get on this subject anyhow??

SharonM

They have cranberry juice at the "Jumbo" in CaisCais/Estoril, Portugal!!!! (right off the train stop from Lisboa...) (they even had turkeys around the 3rd week in November!!!) <BR> <BR>So, I guess my point is, If they have cranberry juice in POETUGAL, they have it EVERYWHERE!!! <BR> <BR>(Now. how did we get off on THAT tangent!!!?) lol.

SharonM

YIKES!!! Make that "Portugal"! <BR> <BR>(sorry )

dnibby

<BR>A few random thoughts. <BR> <BR>I was born in Salem, Massachusetts and I've been to all the touristy Witch City things there; yet when I was hitch-hiking from Cork City to Blarney Castle one time, the fellow who picked me up, he lived in Blarney, said he'd never been to Blarney Castle in his life. Perhaps that itself was blarney... <BR> <BR>Anyway, I promised myself I'd never eat at a McDonald's abroad. I'd seen locals everywhere protest McDonald's moving into quaint local areas (particularly in Ireland); but I found myself down and out in Paris one year and McDonald's was the only affordable meal in striking distance. Stuff happens. <BR> <BR>However, while in Ireland, I did keep my pledge; and, instead, frequented the local equivalent of McDonald's - "SuperMacs." <BR> <BR> - Dana; [email protected] <BR> http://www.moretimeoff.com <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Dave

Dana, <BR> <BR>It was my understanding that EVERYTHING in Paris is within "striking distance" - museums, buses, metro, gas stations. Maybe since McDonald's is an American institution it's immune to the French national pasttime?

dan woodlief

I completely agree with you Patrick, as well as those who have made distinctions between what is touristy but real and what is touristy only. I just returned from a trip that included Gettysburg, PA, and this distinction applies nowhere better than Gettysburg. I always make a list of the must do, must see, must eat things before I travel, most of which are probably on the lists of most travelers. Then I add a list of things to see and do based on my own interests, which include getting a feel for the culture. I can guarantee you many of the things I choose to see are not on the typical tourist list, but they mean something to me because of my past studies, etc. I can also guarantee you that I am unlikely ever to hear "you went to ___ and didn't see the ___?"

Diane

Is that outdoor cafe chain in Paris "Indiana Tex-Mex" still thriving? I remember several around the city, although I couldn't figure out where that inspiration came from. Having gone to college in Indiana, I just didn't see the cuisine and state as tied together in any way. Was it to attract Parisien yuppies or US tourists?

G.Kremer

I like to see some tourist attractions & then some local color. Also I want to eat what & where the locals eat, not Pizza Hut, McDonalds, & Wendys. YUCK!!!

Justin Case

Ah, tourisy vs. travel! <BR> <BR>My vacation starts the moment I decide to go to a place. I LOVE to research to death the location, the sights, the lodging, the dining. I get the gimmicky tourist in me all happy at the thought of walking around in bermuda shorts and camera, and then the cultured fellow comes out in me anticipating visiting an artists' gallery for wine tasting opening events. <BR> <BR>All my mental expectations are focused on what I want to accomplish when I get to said destination. I'm aware of my surroundings, know where to keep my wits, look for the such-and-such sculpture by what's-it-called boulevard, etc. <BR> <BR>Then, I am a traveller. <BR> <BR>And yet I get surprised every time by new things that you'd never expect, and that touristy guy comes back out with a goofy, toothy grin.

Dave

According to Webster, a tourist is "one that makes a tour for pleasure OR CULTURE" (my emphasis). So, if you "travelers" are not tourists you must either be on business or just wasting money, right?