Why Do You Travel To Europe?
Oct 16th, 2004, 04:02 PM
#23
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Ira, thanks, I needed that scolding. You are absolutely correct. The "PC Crowd" is getting a bit tiresome. Am sure you have even heard about the "uproar" over Columbus Day celebtrations in SF these past years, and not just SF of course. Although this year I didn't hear any grumbling but I was busy with contractors, changing health insurance, and a lot of other fun stuff so maybe I just missed it. Gets very tiresome.
Thanks again, Nancy
Thanks again, Nancy
Oct 16th, 2004, 04:26 PM
#24
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We have been going to Europe as much as possible since 1970. Lived there and then have been back over 25 times. The scary thing is that we have friends that have never been to Europe and have to desire to travel at all. Time and money is not the issue. They simply have zero sense of adventure or curiosity about any part of the world outside of their hometown.
Why do we go to Europe? It is never dull. You see the things that you read about in the history books. Interesting people. Adventure. Mountains. And on and on and on. The US is the only place in the world I want to live....but Europe? We will be going back as much as we can as we age. No other place like it.
Why do we go to Europe? It is never dull. You see the things that you read about in the history books. Interesting people. Adventure. Mountains. And on and on and on. The US is the only place in the world I want to live....but Europe? We will be going back as much as we can as we age. No other place like it.
Oct 16th, 2004, 04:32 PM
#25
travelbug, that is also true of the people who live in the provinces, they don't travel much and may not know where a village is that maybe thirty miles away, should you ask for directions. But they are happy, so be it.
Oct 16th, 2004, 04:38 PM
#26
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To go to concerts and theater without spending the price of a plane ticket.
To buy tights at Marks and Spencer.
To get steak and mushroom pie at Sainsbury's.
To see friends.
To wander in parks and polk around in lovely old churches.
To visit our old college, restock our Cambridge T-shirts and enjoy lunch while watching the punters on the Cam.
Lunchtime concerts at St. Martin in the Field. The Proms at Albert Hall. Evensong at York Minster. Fish and chips at the Old House in Wales.
Why do I have to wait till next year?
To buy tights at Marks and Spencer.
To get steak and mushroom pie at Sainsbury's.
To see friends.
To wander in parks and polk around in lovely old churches.
To visit our old college, restock our Cambridge T-shirts and enjoy lunch while watching the punters on the Cam.
Lunchtime concerts at St. Martin in the Field. The Proms at Albert Hall. Evensong at York Minster. Fish and chips at the Old House in Wales.
Why do I have to wait till next year?
Oct 16th, 2004, 04:55 PM
#27
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Because I can!! Hmmmm..that's what Bill said about Monica...seriously folks..I just love it all..the history, the architecture, the art, the culture, the scenery, the wine, the beer..the beer........the wine.....Oh yea...who was that that said the didn't care about gelato....take 'em out and shoot em' I say!!!!!!!!!! Oh yes...that was Scarlett..well she just needs to be sent to hell!!!!!
Oct 16th, 2004, 05:08 PM
#28
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And than there is poor me (sob!) who can't eat the gelato because I can't eat dairy products. So no cheese either. Sob, sob,
But I sure make up for it eating anything and everything else!
And thank goodness, no problem with wine.
But I sure make up for it eating anything and everything else!
And thank goodness, no problem with wine.
Oct 16th, 2004, 06:28 PM
#30
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Robespierre: your experience dropping in to France puts me in mind of our very first arrival in Europe. We had dropped in to Schiphol and taken the train into Amsterdam. Stepping out into daylight from Amsterdam's Central Station, we stopped dead in our tracks as we were confronted with the tall narrow Dutch canal-side buildings and the cobbled squares and streets and bridges, on one of which an organ- grinder was wurlitzing away in melodic fury, and I heard my wife gasp beside me and say: "Wow - it's really real! There really ARE places like the ones we used to see in our children's picture-books!"
It was a sentiment to be repeated in many places over the following weeks: Bruges in Belgium, Bacharach in Germany, Dinan in france, and so on and so on.
It was a sentiment to be repeated in many places over the following weeks: Bruges in Belgium, Bacharach in Germany, Dinan in france, and so on and so on.
Oct 16th, 2004, 07:10 PM
#31
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I travel to Europe because I learn so much about MY OWN country's culture, social mores, and lifestyle. I feel I have a better sense of what I like and dislike about my lifestyle since I've now experienced (although briefly) other alternatives. Since I started traveling to Europe, I now use my clothes dryer less, I rarely use highly processed convenience foods, and I'll walk across the strip mall parking lot instead of driving the length of a few stores to run my next errand. I also have a greater appreciation for many American comforts and conveniences: pharmacies and gas stations that are open 24 hours a day, the fact that, in most cases, "the customer is always right," and the fact that we have so much open space and variety in our great country. I am so grateful to live in America, and even more grateful that I have the opportunity to escape it now and then.
Oct 16th, 2004, 10:03 PM
#32
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Traveldawg - doesn't that drive you nuts! We have friends - whom we like very much - who have no kids and make great money. They take 2 or 3 trips a year - but ALWAYS go to Mexico or somewhere else in the Caribbean to lay on a beach for 10 days! My wife and I like to discuss how we could do a much better job of spending their money....
Oct 17th, 2004, 04:45 AM
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Peeky - Yes, and my second, and third and .... The great thing about travel is the next place you visit is always as exciting as the first trip you ever took. I hope I never get over the excitement of travelling and the awe of actually being "over there". You are in for a real treat.
Oct 17th, 2004, 04:58 AM
#37
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One of my dear sisters refuses to go to europe. Her reasoning is that she still has "so many wonderful" places to see in the USA. Boy, is she a party-pooper when you try to show her pictures of your last trip.
I believe she is secretly afraid of the language issue. Or maybe she is just waiting for me to plan AND pay for her virgin trip abroad?
I believe she is secretly afraid of the language issue. Or maybe she is just waiting for me to plan AND pay for her virgin trip abroad?
Oct 17th, 2004, 11:45 AM
#38
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degas,
DH and I are trying to convince his parents to come to Europe with us. Anywhere they want to go. Sis-in-law and her DH have also made the same offer. MIL and FIL keep giving lame excuses as to why they can't go, when in reality they just don't want to. I think part it is that they've lived their comfortable life in the same small town forever and if they travel, they may realize that they don't have everything figured out. They're happy with their perception of the world and I'll be it's scary to think about getting that dose of reality.
DH and I are trying to convince his parents to come to Europe with us. Anywhere they want to go. Sis-in-law and her DH have also made the same offer. MIL and FIL keep giving lame excuses as to why they can't go, when in reality they just don't want to. I think part it is that they've lived their comfortable life in the same small town forever and if they travel, they may realize that they don't have everything figured out. They're happy with their perception of the world and I'll be it's scary to think about getting that dose of reality.
Oct 17th, 2004, 12:50 PM
#39
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Lying on a beach for 10 days (or 10 minutes for that matter) has to rank as one of the more boring and useless ways to spend a vacation. Europe is definitely not boring. The history, culture and the people of Europe have kept me coming there for years and eventually plan to retire there.
