Stewbear, Well, you're lucky is all!! Both for getting to spend a LOT more time in Mexico than I have, and knowing enough Spanish for conversation to meet local people.

The hotel maid is at least a place to start, since many "tourists" seem to treat her as if she is invisible (which drives me crazy).

Don't know about that "Luck" thing as after 45 years of working (since 15) I was forced to retire due to my health at 61 missing those last 4 years of retirement savings. My Spanish is far from proficient but I try to learn a bit more each year. A real help is living in a community that is 45% Hispanic so I get to practice a lot. Please understand I was not putting anybody down I was just urging people to get out of their AI resorts & get to know some local people. Now I am well aware that's NOT you, in fact you are my favorite PV poster.

And I am sure we all enjoy many of your posting too Stewbear.

I also read all your Puerto Vallarta comments suze.( How is life in Seattle!)

(Hi shillmac O:-))

Percy

ah, thanks for the compliments & Seattle is just peachy btw.

Maybe because I often travel solo, I like 'touristy' spots, or maybe it's because I grew up in LA. I love Puerto Vallarta in Mexico, Waikiki and Lahaina in Hawaii, in the past Key West, Provincetown. 'Honky tonk' is OK, and I like to be around lots of people, not isolated. I don't rent a car, so need public transportation, or to get around on-foot. I always make friends with the hotel staff and waiters and bartenders.

I like to think this makes me a really fun tourist, or possibly a whimpy but creative and imaginative traveler.

When I get somewhere I dive in. My favorites anywhere I travel are getting to know my own hotel and the 2 blocks around it, finding a grocery store, the post office, a laundry matt, the church. People remembering me year to year.

Traveller or tourist?

A tourist is someone who travels a third of the way around the world to stay in hotels and eat meals just like they could have had in their hometown.

A traveler is someone who experiences at least a little of what makes the foreign land different from their hometown.

Keith

Yes, a pointless discussion if people would just take the time to actually look at the definitions.

dictionary.com:
Traveler: (1) a person or thing that travels; (2) 2. a person who travels or has traveled in distant places or foreign lands.

Tourist: a person who is traveling, esp. for pleasure.

And that's why I'm happytourist.

Nah, don't care for those definitions. But think it's been resolved. . .

Hi Percy! :)

A traveller is somebody who is going someplace. When he gets there he can be a tourist or he can be on business but now he is no longer travelling or a traveller.

Hi shillmac

Did you get my pictures!!

(behave) :)
Perc<font color="red">y</font>

Yes, didn't I thank you? Probably forgot, having been pretty occupied with work. Thanks! They were excellent. Would love to see more!

Okay shillmac ,they will becoming

Percy

A traveller does not know where he is going and a tourist does not know where he has been.

I did not come up with that but I am pleased I remembered it.

That is why when I come back from a holiday ,I wonder where I have been !!!!
#-O

Percy

No Percy, that isn't why you can't remember where you've been! Russian vodka. . . . :)