Just a Question

[maipenrai]

Is America the WORLD??, I am wondering how many of you guys have been outside the States?

[auntybug]

Did somebody make a dumb comment & I missed it?

I've only been to Mexico & Canada other than the US. Funny, in Hawaii, people say "back in the states" like Hi isn't one.

I would love to visit the UK - you guys have all the best "mini" polly pockets on EBAY & I wanna know why!!!!!!!

[InfinityGoddess]

Well...I was born in Japan, lived there two years before my family came state-side, and years later went to Canada briefly while visiting Niagara Falls.

That's about it...

[blacbird]

Did somebody make a dumb comment & I missed it?

It would be pretty easy to miss such a thing, given their abundance here.

caw

[TheGaffer]

Dumb comments? I've made them. In and out of America.

What was the question?

[Joe270]

I can try to compose a list. It's easier to note where I have not been.

I haven't been to Antarctica, New Zealand, China, or Australia, for the big areas missed. I haven't been into central Africa.

[wordmonkey]

Going to other places is only a part of the deal. Experincing the place is a whole different thing.

I speak as a traveling English guy who ended up in the States.

There's doing the tourist thing, which isn't really experiencing a country or culture, and then there is living there for a while and getting a real handle on a place and people.

Just my two cents.

[Azraelsbane]

My husband is Austrian, born and raised in Vienna, so luckily, no, the US is not the world. I've been to Canada, Mexico, Ireland, England, France, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Hungary, Italy, and Slovakia... Those are the only ones I can think of off the top of my head.

[Voyager]

Because of my husband's job, I've lived in NZ for a year and traveled all over the place. I not only get to see different places, but I get to stay longer than the alotted vacation time of a couple of weeks. I consider myself very lucky.

[joetrain]

when i was living in belfast i heard a lot of criticism of americans about how few of them travel abroad and have passports and such, but f* that. some folks not only can't afford it but are happy to spend their time exploring this huge country. and some folks just enjoy their work and hometown enough to not sweat leaving too often. why has traveling become some litmus test for quality character/opinions? is it just an excuse to crit americans? and besides, there are tons of traveling americans and tons of europeans that haven't left europe.

btw, besides belfast and various cities in the us, i've lived in southern england, backpacked ireland and the eur. continent, spent months in peru, ate lunch in canada, trip to jamaica, and now live in mississippi, which is a-whole-nother son of a bitch.

[joetrain]

oh yeah, and my wife is in the process of getting dual citizenship through finland.
woohoo, eu here we come.

[SpookyWriter]

Is America the WORLD??, I am wondering how many of you guys have been outside the States?I was born in the UK, hold dual citizenships, lived in Japan for a year (traveled to Korea and Taiwan), continue to cross the pond to live in the UK and Holland, traveled to dozens of countries, and move about to keep a step ahead of the law.

Yep, some of us yanks do know about the real world according to the Prince Charles calendar of international socialization.

[blacbird]

Lived in the UK for three years, near London, but spent a lot of time in Scotland. Traveled to France, Spain, Switzerland, Italy and USSR, when it was still USSR. Mexico and Canada, of course; much of Canada, in fact.

Oh, yeah, and there was that year in Vietnam, with a toe dipped into Cambodia (shhhh . . . nobody is supposed to know).

As for typical American travelers, most of the people I know haven't seen much of the U.S., let alone other countries. Me, I'm trying to collect all the U.S. states and Canade Provinces/Territories. I still need to visit South Carolina, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nunavut and P.E.I.

caw

caw

[maestrowork]

I was born in Hong Kong. I've been to every continent except Africa and Antarctica.

[joetrain]

caw

caw

hmm, a meta-caw. that's a brain twister.

[Tiger]

Is America the WORLD??, I am wondering how many of you guys have been outside the States?

Sing along: "We are the world, we are the children..."

That one came out while I was still in Japan.

[SpookyWriter]

Is America the WORLD??, I am wondering how many of you guys have been outside the States?HAVE YOU BEEN OFF AN ISLAND?

[WarrenP]

Is America the WORLD??, I am wondering how many of you guys have been outside the States?

I'm always interested in the intention behind this common question. What's the actual point you're asking about?

[William Haskins]

sometimes me and maw load up the young'uns in the studebaker and and get the mule to drag us into town...

you know, for culture and what-not.

[SpookyWriter]

sometimes me and maw load up the young'uns in the in the studebaker and and get the mule to drag us into town...

you know, for culture and what-not.Why do I believe you?

[William Haskins]

because it's true.

[Bird of Prey]

I'm always interested in the intention behind this common question. What's the actual point you're asking about?

Nobody likes to bother with provincial posters?

[robeiae]

Is America the WORLD??, I am wondering how many of you guys have been outside the States?
I'm wondering something else, entirely. But I'm not going to say it out loud--or at least not post it, here.

[kristie911]

sometimes me and maw load up the young'uns in the in the studebaker and and get the mule to drag us into town...

you know, for culture and what-not.

All ya'll get dressed up and go to the Wal-Mart, don't you?

[SpookyWriter]

because it's true.Everything's true. It the sneaky lie that lies in wait that I can't help believing sometimes.

[William Haskins]

All ya'll get dressed up and go to the Wal-Mart, don't you?

well, yeah, on special occasions.

[William Haskins]

Everything's true. It the sneaky lie that lies in wait that I can't help believing sometimes.

"i always tell the truth. even when i lie." - tony montana

[SpookyWriter]

"i always tell the truth. even when i lie." - tony montana
Well this just goes to show that he never slept with Hillary.

[Magdalen]

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale,
A tale of a fateful trip
That started from this tropic port
Aboard this tiny ship.

The mate was a mighty sailing man,
The skipper brave and sure.
Five passengers set sail that day
For a three hour tour, a three hour tour.

The weather started getting rough,
The tiny ship was tossed,
If not for the courage of the fearless crew
The minnow would be lost, the minnow would be lost.

The ship set ground on the shore of this uncharted desert isle
With Gilligan
The Skipper too,
The millionaire and his wife,
The movie star
The professor and Mary Ann,
Here on Gilligans Isle.


So this is the talel of the castways,
They're here for a long, long time,
They'll have to make the best of things,
It's an uphill climb.

The first mate and the Skipper too,
Will do their very best,
To make the others comfortable,
In the tropic island nest.

No phone, no lights no motor cars,
Not a single luxury,
Like Robinson Crusoe,
As primative as can be.

Haven't travelled much since then!

[whistlelock]

You guys are acting like there's a world past our borders and not just lies made by Satan to deceive us.

[larocca]

Anyone with a Thai handle has every right to wonder if Americans are aware that there are other countries in the world.

[robeiae]

How about a Thai noodle?

[SpookyWriter]

You guys are acting like there's a world past our borders and not just lies made by Satan to deceive us.You live in Texas and that's all the world you need.

[Joe270]

Now I have something profound and international in scope to say, so you folks set aside your differ. . .

Hoo-wee that Walmart's open!

[SpookyWriter]

Now I have something profound and international in scope to say, so you folks set aside your differ. . .

Hoo-wee that Walmart's open!Stop groping the old people at Walmart. I don't want to see your smiling face on the local rag.

[Joe270]

Oh, sorry, I'm easily distracted. Where was I? Oh, never mind.

[benbradley]

Okay, I've never been outside of the continental USA, so I must be one of those Arrogant 'Mericans. I think the furthest west I've been is Birmingham. I lived on Long Island for over a year, but was really uncomfortable there and never felt like I fit in (much worse than usual). That was plenty enough culture shock for me.

I've been through LA on the way to Florida - went through a traffic jam in Dothan.
sometimes me and maw load up the young'uns in the studebaker and and get the mule to drag us into town...

you know, for culture and what-not.

All ya'll get dressed up and go to the Wal-Mart, don't you?
Hey, it's the only place in town with yogurt. How else would you get your culture?

[maipenrai]

Thanks for all the interesting comments.

The reason behind the question was to get rid in my own mind this myth that Americans do not travel a great deal outside the US, which could take you a lifetime to explore in any case.

I do a great deal of work related travel and in most of the places I have been have met/ seen Americans, the only area that I can recall not seeing/meeting that many is Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Thai handle??
lived there, loved the place, married a Thai

[brokenfingers]

Well I never been to Spain
But I kinda like the music
Say the ladies are insane there
And they sure know how to use it
The don't abuse it
Never gonna lose it
I can't refuse it

Well I never been to England
But I kinda like the Beatles
Well, I headed for Las Vegas
Only made it out to Needles
Can you feel it
It must be real it
Feels so good
Oh, feels so good

Well I never been to heaven
But I been to Oklahoma
Well they tell me I was born there
But I really don't remember
In Oklahoma, not Arizona
What does it matter
What does it matter

Well I never been to Spain
But I kinda like the music
Say the ladies are insane there
And they sure know how to use it
They don't abuse it
Never gonna lose it
I can't refuse it

Well I never been to heaven
But I been to Oklahoma
Well they tell me I was born there
But I really don't remember
In Oklahoma, not Arizona
What does it matter
What does it matter

--Three Dog Night

[maestrowork]

How about a Thai noodle?


Or Thai massage.

[TheGaffer]

I'm wondering something else, entirely. But I'm not going to say it out loud--or at least not post it, here.


You're wondering how he did such fantastic stunts with such little feet?

[larocca]

I don't think it's a myth that most Americans don't travel. I surprised myself by learning how to get a passport at age 36 and flying off to live in Asia. I think most Americans stay in America. Only the worst go abroad, and they are everywhere, complaining about the food or the service or the prices or... I should stop, shouldn't I?

[InfinityGoddess]

I don't think it's a myth that most Americans don't travel. I surprised myself by learning how to get a passport at age 36 and flying off to live in Asia. I think most Americans stay in America. Only the worst go abroad, and they are everywhere, complaining about the food or the service or the prices or... I should stop, shouldn't I?

Dude, when I can afford a passport and then go off to live in Japan, I wouldn't be complaining. I'd be in Heaven. :P

[sassandgroove]

Is America the WORLD??, I am wondering how many of you guys have been outside the States?

In the U.S. I have lived in:
Albuquerque,New Mexico
Louisville, Kentucky
Chase, Kansas
Pinetops, North Carolina
Evansville, Indiana
Los Angeles, California (Hollywood, Sun Valley and Glendale, respectively)
Cuba, Kansas
Manhattan, NYC (Lower East Side)
Birmingham, Alabama
Pinson, Alabama (Burb)

I have traveled to most of the states in between. I am lacking the Pacific Northwest and the top middle.

I have been to an island off the coast of Ensanada, Mexico, for a camping trip. There was nothing on the island that God didn't put there. That was neat. On the way there my friend and I got lost in Tiajuana. That's about it. I'd love to travel more, it is one of my dreams. I have a world map on my shower curtain and I look at it when I am in the bathroom for a while...ahem...If it exists,I want to see it. That would be peachy keen.

I don't think it's a myth that most Americans don't travel. I surprised myself by learning how to get a passport at age 36 and flying off to live in Asia. I think most Americans stay in America. Only the worst go abroad, and they are everywhere, complaining about the food or the service or the prices or... I should stop, shouldn't I?Is that unique to Americans though? I bet most people are homebodies.

[JoNightshade]

I find it ironic that so many Europeans (NOT ALL) think they're so well-traveled... in Europe. Does it not occur to people that the continental US is about the size of whole of Europe? And equally as diverse?

Another issue is airfare. Traveling from one place to another within Europe or Asia is relatively cheap. Traveling from the US to Europe or Asia is a serious investment that most people can only afford once in their lives, if at all.

As for myself, I lived in China for a year, London for four months. I've spent time in the Czech Republic, Mexico, and Italy. But in the US, I've scarcely left the west coast. It's my intention to see some more of my own homeland before I go abroad again. Well, unless I have to make another business trip. Blah.

[William Haskins]

I don't think it's a myth that most Americans don't travel.

yeah because those hundreds of international flights flying out of the US every single day are simply full of enlightened foreigners returning home.

[joetrain]

I do a great deal of work related travel and in most of the places I have been have met/ seen Americans, the only area that I can recall not seeing/meeting that many is Sub-Saharan Africa.


quit evading your inadequacies. have you been to walmart or not.

[Williebee]

hmm, let's see, been to almost all of north america (states, provinces, etc.)
graduated High School in Japan.
Phillipines, Guam,
Spain, Italy, France (insert childish underpants joke here)
Africa, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti (met the Sheik... no, not really)
Bahrain,
Dominican Republic, Aruba....
Gibralter for the Queen's birthday (great party)
hmmm missing something... oh yeah,

And the Republic of Texas!

[Meerkat]

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale,
A tale of a fateful trip
That started from this tropic port
Aboard this tiny ship.

The mate was a mighty sailing man,
The skipper brave and sure.
Five passengers set sail that day
For a three hour tour, a three hour tour.

The weather started getting rough,
The tiny ship was tossed,
If not for the courage of the fearless crew
The minnow would be lost, the minnow would be lost.

The ship set ground on the shore of this uncharted desert isle
With Gilligan
The Skipper too,
The millionaire and his wife,
The movie star
The professor and Mary Ann,
Here on Gilligans Isle.


So this is the talel of the castways,
They're here for a long, long time,
They'll have to make the best of things,
It's an uphill climb.

The first mate and the Skipper too,
Will do their very best,
To make the others comfortable,
In the tropic island nest.

No phone, no lights no motor cars,
Not a single luxury,
Like Robinson Crusoe,
As primative as can be.


Does anyone else find it....suspicious... that Magdalen hasn't added an attribution here? Because this seems darned familiar--Herman Melville? Stephen Crane perhaps? Sandberg?

[KTC]

Is America the WORLD??, I am wondering how many of you guys have been outside the States?

Even I wouldn't ask that question here.

[seun]

Sing along: "We are the world, we are the children..."


:roll:

[jodiodi]

I've only been to Mexico and Canada outside the US. We lived in Alaska for 3 years and, like the poster who mentioned Hawaii referring to 'back in the states', a lot of people in AK do the same thing.

My husband was born in the Philippines, and is a naturalized American citizen, and has been everywhere in Europe except the UK and lived in Germany and Italy. He also was stationed in Korea. He's been to Turkey, Iraq, and some other countries that I don't remember (once he starts listing them, I get sort of glazed over).

We plan on traveling more once we get his kids raised (so the tremendous amount of child support can become OUR support and send us to Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, Scandanavia and Italy. Then the following year ...

We've pretty much been everywhere in the US (he lived in Hawaii as well), except New England.

[C.bronco]

I've been to Mexico and the Bahamas. Travel is too expensive; I can't come up with the toll money.

[DamaNegra]

Only the worst go abroad, and they are everywhere, complaining about the food or the service or the prices or... I should stop, shouldn't I?

Like that obnoxious guy who was trying to correct the way I said "taco". Because, obviously, gringos know better than mexicans in those matters. I wanted to take them to one of those really unhigienic places so he'd get mighty sick from eating tacos. But then again, I'm a good person :D So I just patiently explained that, no, it's not tuhcuh, it's actually taco. a as in pat. o as in voldemort. Or something.

[Meerkat]

Travel is too expensive; I can't come up with the toll money.

Cynthia, once you get off the Turnpike, the rest of the world is free!

[KTC]

I have been known to step into the States...but it's not a real place, just a fantasy world.

[SHBueche]

I speed read through these posts, thanks for the two about Texas. Forget the U.S., just think the Lone Star State (and we're not all conservative cowboys either).

[Tiger]

sometimes me and maw load up the young'uns in the studebaker and and get the mule to drag us into town...

you know, for culture and what-not.

Studebakers can't haul nothin'

[Tiger]

Like that obnoxious guy who was trying to correct the way I said "taco". Because, obviously, gringos know better than mexicans in those matters.

Hey, I'm no gringo. I say "tako" because that's the way we say octopus... (hyuk-hyuk)