Just got back from a trip to europe and despite all the sights I saw and interesting foreigners I met, its so great to be back to the comfort and security home. Someone sent me this, which I couldn't have put it any better myself. <BR> <BR>"If tomorrow all the things were gone <BR>I'd worked for all my life, <BR>And I had to start again <BR>with just my children and my wife, <BR> <BR>I'd thank my lucky stars <BR>to be living here today, <BR>'cause the flag still stands for freedom <BR>and they can't take that away. <BR> <BR>I'm proud to be an American <BR>where at least I know I'm free, <BR>And I won't forget the men who died <BR>who gave that right to me, <BR> <BR>And I gladly stand up next to you <BR>and defend her still today, <BR>'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land <BR>God Bless the U.S.A. <BR> <BR>From the lakes of Minnesota <BR>to the hills of Tennessee, <BR>Across the plains of Texas <BR>from sea to shining sea. <BR> <BR>From Detroit down to Houston <BR>and New York to L.A., <BR>There's pride in every American heart <BR>and it's time we stand and say: <BR> <BR>I'm proud to be an American <BR>where at least I know I'm free, <BR>And I won't forget the men who died <BR>who gave that right to me, <BR>And I gladly stand up next to you <BR>and defend her still today, <BR>'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land <BR>God Bless the U.S.A." <BR>

I'm planning my first trip to Europe real soon. Did you tour round Germany?

I think everyone in the world feels the same way about their homeland. I'm American and I must say that I get tired of hearing other Americans carry on about how wonderful the U.S. is, like everyplace else isn't wonderful in its own right. Are people really any more 'free' in the U.S. than, say, Europe? I don't think so. It's all very subjective. Europeans might ask, how can you really be free when you have so much crime, no national health insurance and have to work your life away with such little vacation time?

Actually Germany was one of the places I visited. <BR>Two things were particularly odd: very few places take Amex cards compared to the US. Secondly, in bars often people burst out laughing, then suddenly someshouts something which sounds like "Sparse by siter" at which point there is a sudden and complete silence.

As long as everybody in the world persists in thinking that their country is the best, the only one that is (pick your option) free, safe, health etc etc we're still going to wind up arguing and warring with each other. You weren't the smartest person in your graduating class, were you? Are you the best looking person you know? Then why do you have to live in the #1 country? If you can accept parity and averageness in other aspects of your life, why are you so competitive in nationalities?

Isn't this thread a Noach troll?

Blay-Its true we don't have much vacation time, but that explains why we are in our ninth year of growth, unlike europe…..Besides, I consider that too much vacation would be a bit boring and expensive. <BR> <BR>

Too much vacation would be boring? Oh please!!

I smell a troll...

<BR>When I was a student I did a long trip (about five weeks) to Europe and did their railpass thing. After about three weeks I began to miss home. I think it is different if you stop and live and work in a place for a while, but to just keep on travelling all the time gets too much. Often Icombine a few days vacation at the end of a business trip. Earlier this year I went to a conference in the south of Spain. I was shown around some places such as Seville etc which I very much enjoyed. I then took some days leave and added on a cruise…. <BR> <BR>Anyway the point is to live and work in a place is one thing but to just drift from one place to another is bring after an while and I would not do it again. <BR>

I spent 6 weeks traveling around Europe one summer and it was one of the best things I've ever done. Only regret was that I didn't stay longer. Different strokes for different folks.

(I'll ignore the ethnocentricity of some for now...) <BR>All I can say is that I too am from the US and have lived in Europe and in Mexico, and sure, it was nice being home where I missed certain things...But, once I'm home I sometimes wish I were right back living somewhere else. Grass is always Greener syndrome? <BR>Works both ways...

Falcon, <BR>This would be the same cruise where you wet your pants watching Titanic?

I agree that if one lives in a foreign place, one can become accustomed to it - it was the point of permanently being on the move that I was saying didn't appeal. <BR> <BR>That said when living abroad - much depends on the place though. A friend of mine lived for a year in London - Hyde Park district and liked it alot and was not homesick at all.

Friends of ours are "constantly on the move". They are very adventurous and are doing a world trip which they started in July 1999. They will be back home in Belgium by the end of this month and even now, still in Thailand, they already regret the day that they "have to come home". <BR> <BR>This kind of life is not my cup of tea but there are people that need to be constantly on the move. <BR>

As humans, we are genetically programmed to embrace routine and familiarity -- this is how our species has survived and thrived. We get homesick not because home is better than someplace else, but because we have an almost biological need to be home -- some more than others of course. <BR> <BR>It bothers me that some people confuse this feeling with patriotism. Just because you enjoy being home doesn't mean your country is the greatest or that God should bless it more than (s)he should bless some other place. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

I might agree that Falcon's patriotism is a little bit stronger than most of the people on the board. But where in the world did he criticize other countries. I've seen several posts on the board with headings like: best city in the world; favorite country to visit; dream place to relocate, etc. It's odd to me that when someone says they love Europe they are labeled cosmopolitan but when someone loves the United States they are called Xenophobic.

We Americans should just praise the lord that we are from the best place on earth! Europe is what it is thanks to us!

Now that is the work of a troll.

First of all it iritates me when someone says 'I'm proud to be an American" Did you plan your birth??? I feel lucky to be an American. We are lucky enough to have had Thomas Paine and the rest of the founding fathers to recognize that you don't need a king or some other thug to run your lives. This was a follow on to the Magna Carta. Second, Blay what does national or "Free" health insurance have to do with it other than enslaving most of the population. THERE IS NOTHING FREE in this world. SOMEONE pays for it. In this country our rights are spelled out which is not in any other country. The DECLORATION OF INDEPENDANCE (written by Thomas Paine, by the way) is a unique document exceeded only by the "RIGHTS OF MAN" also written by Paine. Yes, I do travel and love it and enjooy other cultures and people and yes I lived in Europe for almost 7 years and I keep going back and intend on taking a long trip to the far East in the future, BUT This country (not us) is unique in the world. We have lots of problems and as long as we forget that we only have the freedoms that we insist on and will strive and if necessary fight for, we will keep losing them. Read the Crises papers by Thomas Paine written during the revolutionary war and realize that that which is acquired to cheaply is not appreciated and will probably be lost. <BR>End of sermon (Sorry) <BR>Art <BR>