Why Americans Don't Travel Internationally

[Douglas the Intrepid]

I always find it amusing when I'm called "silly"(always by a male poster) but back to the point.

I didn't call you silly Glenda, I called your statement kinda silly. Big difference! I have nothing but the outmost respect for you.

 

[GoodWitch58]

I have read this thread about 10 times, commented and deleted, because I respect Glenda's opinions and yet on this one I respectfully disagree.

I find it sad that millions of people in this country are without jobs, have lost their homes, that many, many children go hungry at night in a country that many consider affluent.

I don't find it sad that not everyone wants to travel abroad.

I know many compassionate, tolerant people that have never left their immediate area. I know others that are world travelers and are the exact opposite.

I also know some that present their passports like scout merit badges, present company excluded.

I definitely think cost is an issue for many. I don't find a house or car a luxury especially if the car is necessary for work. Time off from one's job is another factor. Family concerns are another. Many spend what time off they have visiting or caring for a family member.

Many foreigners have passports for business reasons, so not sure how the numbers stack up for leisure travel.

Considering two of the most visited destinations for foreigners is Disney World and Graceland, not sure they are all coming over for an education in our culture and history. And yes both Disney World and Graceland are dear to my heart for reasons many are not aware of.

For those with the affluence to travel it does come down to choice and that is what is great about our country is we do have choices.

And if those choices are different from our own, well then that is the first step in tolerance.

It is okay with disagree with one another, although I don't think we really are...just looking at travel differently.

 

[poppy]

If you want to see things from a different perspective, go hang out at a biker bar.;-)

Or a Gay bar.

 

[poppy]

I took a lot of trips in the 60's but where I went wasn't on any map.

 

[Minnie]

I love to travel and I value my foreign travel. If nothing else it really made me appreciate American toliet tissue and hotel rooms with ensuite bathrooms.

It made me sad that as Americans we don't preserve our old buildings and that as a society we tear down and rebuild something new when it is not necessary. It made me realize that some of the young French have very little appreciation for the sacrifices made in World War II for their country by Americans, but it made me proud when I got out of Paris to realize those that were older did appreciate the sacrifice.

As an elderly gentleman told me in a small French town, that without the Brits and Americans these young French might be speaking German.

But mostly it made me appreciate being American and realize what a very diverse nation we are. Basically we are a nation of immigrants except for the Native American and that within our 50 states we can find so many cultures and unique experiences without the need for a passport or a plane.

I would love to travel again to Europe but health issues prevent that now. So I travel to foreign lands through books.

My current travel wish list would be to visit every state in our nation and I am working on that.

And for those that are restricted from traveling for whatever reason, our own local sites offer much to be seen and appreciated.

 

[AndrewG]

I didn't call you silly Glenda, I called your statement kinda silly. Big difference! I have nothing but the outmost respect for you.

Outmost respect? You better not give Sarah Palin any grief...

 

[Yarmap]

I do all my travelin' one mile at a time

 

[GoodWitch58]

Or a Gay bar.

and if you hang out in Amsterdam or Paris or Sidney or Hong Kong or Vancouver or Shannon or Warsaw..or Tokyo, or Capetown.

really folks, all I was saying is that for me--to travel is more of a necessity than other things are....It is much more important to me than a lot of material things, but that's me--everyone is free to choose.

and that is the difference in being a traveler and being a tourist.

It is not the luxurious touristy places that I find interesting; nor is it the high priced means of travel. I chose a ferry over a cruise ship; an apartment over a five star hotel...I wanted to get to know the people.
One of my favorite books is Dark Star Safari,by acclaimed travel writer Paul Theroux where he "tells the story of his journey across the African continent. Observant and intensely curious, not only does he witness the poverty, disease, and corruption, but also the wide diversity of Africa. He interacts with both famous people and tribesmen, ventures where caution might be better advised, and assimilates himself into places rarely seen by big-game safaris or tourists. Africa is the "dark star," a different place from the rest of the world that still exerts an influence on it. The Minneapolis Star Tribune says of Dark Star Safari, "This is a masterwork by a master writer."

What was interesting to me about the article I posted, is that many Americans, even when they can afford to...can get away, don't have elderly or sick relatives or children or whatever...even then, many choose to stay home. I am just curious about that--that's all.

"One of the true benefits of travel to foreign countries is it's probably the greatest form of diplomacy," Bommarito said. "Strange ideas go away and you realize that we're all similar, just with different cultures."

Didn't mean to offend anyone...

 

[GoodWitch58]

I do all my travelin' one mile at a time
YouTube - Johnny Cash - I've Been Everywhere

Great song--I love Johnny Cash--and the new CD that his daughter put together with Bruce Springsteen is wonderful .[ame="http://www.amazon.com/List-Rosanne-Cash/dp/B0029LHW5E/ref=ntt_mus_ep_dpp_1"]Amazon.com: The List: Rosanne Cash: Music@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51a7MnlBgWL.@@AMEPARAM@@51a7MnlBgWL[/ame]

 

[Beach Runner]

Great song--I love Johnny Cash--and the new CD that his daughter put together with Bruce Springsteen is wonderful .Amazon.com: The List: Rosanne Cash: Music

This is so coincidental. I am watching Walk The Line right now.