For elle
I promise not to attack... I think we mite be kindred spirits but I just want to let you know that my Holy Trinity is food, wine, and chocolate with purses running a close fourth on the list. By chance will you be in France this summer? Oh the fun we could have....

You know, folks, Americans abroad aren't so bad. We've gone on three walking trips with a UK organization, HF Holidays, on the continent and three in the UK. Within Britain, the British are charming. In Italy or France there's a noticeable difference. Many become condescending and rude at worst, and indifferent to local custroms at best. Americans, on the other hand, seem more concerned about how they're perceived.

>>what Twain says:<<

Oh, how I am controlling myself from writing a particular person's name! I think Mark Twain must have been psychic and knew that the most obnoxious, rude person would one join this board.

Loisde, I love your "golly, gee, look at that" comment. We're in our 60s and still feel the same way. Every time we walk into a cathedral or round a bend in the mountains or see a special painting in a museum, we stop, open mouths and say "WOW, isn't it great."

It's so exciting and we often pinch ourselves and ask if this is really happening to us. We're so lucky and we appreciate it so much. I'm glad you are lucky too.

amwosu--I would never forget chocolate! It's in the "food" category, probably a little higher on the nutritional pyramid than the Food & Drug Administration would advise.

And handbags that have special compartments for chocolate are essential.

We'll be in Paris in April, not in the summer. . . Domage. I'm sure we could have done some damage :).

Hmmm..............

Can't eat beef........mad cow.

Can't eat chicken...... bird flu

Can't eat eggs...... again, bird flu

Can't eat pork.....fears that bird flu will infect piggies

Can't eat fish....... heavy metals in the waters has poisoned their meat

Can't eat fruits and veggies....... insecticides and herbicides

Hmmmm! I believe that leaves
C-h-o-c-o-l-a-t-e !

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Chocolate comes from a plant, doesn't it? So that makes it a vegetable.

elle, Chocolate comes from a plant that is neither a fruit or a vegetable. Most plants are neither fruit nor vegetable. Think about it. What is a tulip or a cactus?

To those who are afraid to eat fruit and veggies: chocolate is a berry! :)

Chocolate is a bean... that's why it's sooooo good... ummm I mean good for you. :-) The cocoa bean!!!

I personally have been in the midst of a rude American while in Rome. A travelling companion thought that if she just kept speaking louder and louder to the point of yelling, the Italians would some how miraculously understand her. The people there were very kind though a bit irritated. :-)

Lisde, I too like you're bright-eyed view of travel and new experiences. Good for you!!!

In California cactus is a vegetable. We eat them! I like chocolate better!!

A meaning of tourism is in the beholder's eye. One suggestion is that it helps to perpetuate our human race. Americans need thank either Leif Ericson or Christopher Columbus for being here. Living improvements can be attributed to tourists. Visitors to China brought back new foods. Pizza?
Tourists spread new ideas worldwide. Are the GlobeTrotters responsible for the emergence of basketball in Europe?
Tourists the world loves you and needs you.

Another "yogism" - the title of his book - "When you come to a fork in the road- take it".

Travel is one of the driving passions of my life. Since I am a history buff, I consider my travels "walking in the footsteps of history." I always get that sense on my trips to Europe, especially on first visit to Rome last month.

There are so many places I haven't seen that the excitement of my next trip keeps me going. I have had so many wonderfull experiences and made some really great friendships over the years.

I can honestly say that I have not really had any bad experiences during my travels. As mentioned in some of the other posts, if you treat people with respect and don't act like a jerk, you shouldn't have too many problems.

Susan Spano who writes a weekly column in the Los Angeles Times had a great story a few months ago. There was a 99 year old man who was asked if he had been to a certain destination and he replied "Not yet!" I can relate to that!