Have you ever been to another country?

[Mr. Rogers]

Has anyone here ever been to another country? If so, what did you think about the experience and did it change the way you think about or see things? How did the experience affect you?

[Tenshi no Ai]

One time I went just across the border to this little town in Washington, used the washroom in a Texaco, and then turned around and went back :/

...yeah my experience was something else :/ Lack of time and all though^^

[Doubleshadow]

I was in Spain for a month. I mostly had difficulty adjusting to such a dramatic change in my habits. It was nice to be in the city and able to go do things with driving at least 30 min. It was strange to me to discover just how much I had taken for granted when it comes to how much foreigners know about Americans. My Spanish mother has had lots of students from the US, but when the Califiornian exchanged student and I told her we had different accents, she asked, "But you can understand one another?" To me, the idea that I couldn't understand another American because of a different accent is ridiculous, but she was serious. It really made me realize that I can't assume the relentless marketing of American pop culture means the average foreigner understands even the basics about Americans.
On the flipside, I was asked for directions every single day, once twice in one day, so apparently I pass for a Spaniard. Also, while in Seville, we saw no less than nine brides in a single Saturday, so if you want wedding pics. in Seville, book a different day.

[Photosoph]

Hmmm... well, when I went to Hawaii the amount of people crowding the main beach, the different restaurants and shops, accents, and crowded, large buildings were all so different. Also the weather... even the shade was hot. >_<

Fiji: such a different pace... well, at least in the holiday resorts/tourist places anyway. For me it's relazing, yet exhilirating to be in a different country... well, it was in Hawaii when we went out to a pretty much empty beach and just had fun there, and in Fiji when we could just relax at the beach and stuff. Going to Melbourne was less relaxing... but fun too. Cities just aren't as relaxing. ^^

Melbourne: waah! I'm only a New Zealander and it took me three or four times of saying 'late' (grr... what's the sequence for putting an accented 'e' like in 'cafe' into text again? ) for the girl at the cafe to understand what I was saying. >_<
However, despite that, it was fun. Even going to different chain stores, seeing products not available in your own land... the small things all work together to make going to another country a really different experience.

Even when I went to the South Island of New Zealand (I'm in the North Island), and went around the touristy places, it had a different atmosphere. Even other towns and cities in the North Island are different. Whether you go away to another country or just visit a place you've never been before, you're very likely to encounter new things that provoke thought and are fun to learn and explore. ^^

I think so far that I've had good experiences over seas. But then, when I went I didn't go to any places where English is a second language at best, or try to explore remote parts, or get myself lost or anything, so yeah. It can be scary to be lost in a foreign country. ^_^" But I think the experience is a good thing: it helps you see things from new points of view, increases your knowledge, and gives you a lot more to think about. Also, when you hear about the country/place in conversation, on TV, radio, etc, you have a better idea of the situation surrounding what's being reported that you would have otherwise.

[Puguni]

Ah, Germany. I don't remember much, but my family and I lived there for a few years. I remember the charm of the town I lived it; it was not what you would call a urban place, which is what I really loved. It just reeked of history... *sigh* <3

But the German people were not as pleasant. They were OK, just not as pleasant.

[fairyprincess90]

i went to costa rica on a missions trip and then later that summer i went to jamacai and burmuda just for fun. it was neat! when i came home i felt so rich! i mean.. jamacai and bermuda and costa rica aren't the poorest countries in the world but america is still richer. i never realized all that i take for granted.
it was an amazing experience! i love costa rica the best! the weather and scenery and people were all so wonderful!

[Joshua Christopher]

Florida should be considered another country because it is awful.

[Nate]

Gee, let me see, what countries have I been to...

St. Thomas - WOW. The beaches here were beautiful. The town was nice too, though uh...I don't remember much of it... >.>;; Anyway, the water was unbelievably clear and blue. Very nice place.

France - France is a dump. Sorry, but it is. At least the part of France I was in, which was Toulon. I missed out on a chance to go to Paris. I wanted to see Jim Morrison's grave! ><

Spain - Like four times. It was pretty awesome. The three cities were Palma, Cartagena (with a tilde over the n, too lazy to go get the character map), and Rota (twice). I went to a cool medieval banquet in Cartagena.

Italy - Twice. Once in Brindisi, and once in Taranto. I went to Rome too. Rome is freaking INCREDIBLE. I loved every second of it. I'm kind of a European history fan. ^^

Malta - I had the best steak I've ever eaten here.

Croatia - Twice. Where I got all three of my tattoos. XD Also where I tried this thing called gnocci. It was great.

Turkey - I went to Ephesus here. Yay Ephesus! Though we didn't go near it, we were able to see the prison where Paul wrote his letters from. That was so cool. :3

Greece - Okay, only TECHNICALLY. We weren't allowed to leave the pier. -.- But it still counts, right?

Bahrain - Three times. I swam with dolphins here! It was fun. They feel like rubber! And they're fast.

And yeah, I think that's it. That's...OH! WAIT!

The Vatican - Though it's in Italy, it's its own country and therefore it counts! :p The Vatican was also really cool. I liked it a lot, though we didn't see a whole lot of it, mostly just the courtyard. Didn't get to see the Pope though. Darn it. I wanted to shake his hand and get my picture taken with him.

Okay, THAT sums up my travels around the world. XD

[bigsleepj]

I've recently been to England. That's about it.

[meboeck]

I've lived Greece but they don't count because that's when I was a year old. I'd like to go back sometime and see where I lived.

I've been to Niagra Falls and Toronto. That wasn't all too different from the US.

I went to El Salvador on a missions trip. Whoa. You see those pictures of the little metal shacks, but it doesn't quite seem real until you've seem them up close. And yet in one village we went to someone had a Playstation. The language barrier made things interesting, but I knew some Spanish. It was definitely a wake up call actually being in a third world country though.

[Roy Mustang]

Canada.

When I went to Niagra Falls, New York, we drove on the other side of the Falls into Canada for the day. It was nice and I would like to go back.

Canada side is the best place to watch the nigthy light show that they put on both of the US Falls and the Canada side of the Falls.


Wingzero22

[PigtailsJazz]

I went to Norway right after 8th grade. I suppose it didn't change much of my thinking cause I was only 13, and hadn't developed too much of a worldview or anything by then (wasn't a believer, either), but I certainly thought it was odd that at 13 I could gamble....because there were slot machines absolutely everywhere. It also took me away from my normal climate of spring, summer, fall, winter, and thrust me into an early spring feeling in the middle of June...and the sun was always up.... It was kind of crazy. It was also really weird to be the foreigner for once, and try to eat their food and have them laugh at you when you realize what it is.... (like sour cream and sugar on waffles....bleh)

[Ingemar]

Here's a rule:

For Americans--Mexico and Canada should not count as "foreign". (Though of the two, Mexico is more foreign, even to those of us in border towns).

For Australians--New Zealand doesn't count.


Simply expand your horizons.





That said, I lived in the Philippines for three years.

[Photosoph]

For Australians--New Zealand doesn't count.

Our two countries are similar... but New Zealand does too count! There's nowhere like Queenstown or Christchurch in Aussie! And we don't have vast red desert places in NZ. Also the cultures are slightly different too. Bleh!
Besides, NZ isn't just 'an island off from Australia'. We're truly different countries -we don't even have a border.

...Well, there we go. That's my say on that. Now... time to go! *Scuttles off* ^_^"

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Very true Soph! You tell him! (lol)

I've been to Japan (July this year) for a mission trip to help work alongside Grace Community Church in Kabe, near Ome, west of Tokyo. It was a great experience and many of the people were friendly (even if for some it was on a superficial level). The food was great and I really enjoyed the diversity of the experience but I'm not one for massive concrete cities and minature space. Also I love Western toilets all the more! (lol)

[aitak]

i agree about the Australia/ New Zealand thing. if you're going to say we can't count countries that are close to us you'd have to say that virtually all of Europe "doesn't count" to all the Europeans! I think even between different cities and states culture can be vastly different. anyway, enough said about that.

i've been to:

Thailand: that was great. was there six weeks on my first ever mission trip. i loved the diversity, going from crazy bangkok to the countryside on the Cambodian (Kampuchean) border. The people were lovely, the food amazing, the outreach incredible...i could go on, and i'd love to go back there.

England, Scotland and Wales: loved it, though i was only 7, and the main things i remember were the "cool" bits like madame tusseaud's (did i spell that right?), making snowmen, going for train rides, exploring castles and looking for Nessie (Loch Ness Monster). i also remember counting scarecrows in the fields whizzing by on long train rides. I also remember watching a scary cartoon in wales about a ghost that walked a beach much like the one we were camped on at the time...(yikes!) ...i had a few nightmares after that.

U.S.A.: California (L.A. and San Diego) and Hawaii. Loved it, and really wanted to cross the border into Mexico but didnt get the chance. Would love to spend a heck of a lot more time in the states at some point, as well as go to Canada and all round Latin America...sigh...I had a funny encounter with a girl at a "wendy's" joint on the way down to San Diego. I was ordering a burger and fries, but i said "chips" and she was like, "what?!" then i said "take away" instead of "to go", at which point she asked if i was from australia and would i please say "g'day"...*rolls her eyes*. but i love americans. such positive people, and with big hearts.

Indonesia x3: Bali, Nusa Lembongan, across Sumatra (north), Nias. Oh how i love Indonesia...really want to go back some day. Indonesian "nasi goreng" (fried rice) is still one of my favourite dishes...A funny memory: I was eating out with a few mates in kuta, bali one night, and one guy was telling how a local had accosted him in the street and asked him in a half-whisper if he wanted to buy some marijuana. now, everyone knows that this goes on but it's still all very hush-hush, and the dealers try to stay out of the grasp of the cops. but my friend hears this guy trying to make a deal, and he goes, top of his voice, "MARIJUANA? WHAT WOULD I WANT WITH MARIJUANA? I DON'T WNAT YOUR MARIJUANA!" maybe you had to be there but it was very funny. the dealer mysteriously disappeared...

Sri Lanka: went to the east where there is all that unrest with tamil tigers (who are not actual tigers, but guerilla fighters). had a wonderful time doing outreach with locals and backpackers and surfers in and around arugam bay. taught englisha couple of times in a local muslim school. it was great. all that area was devastated in the tsunami though so i dont know how the locals we met have fared...

Maldives: oh where to start...what an incredible experience...i got pretty sick and was in hospital a few days there, which was amazing cos got to be a witness there. it's one of those places where you are allowed to "be" a christian if you're a tourist there, but youre expected to keep it to yourself. locals are always getting thrown in jail there for being believers, and ex-pats who get too bold in their faith have been kicked out numerous times. but we had a fabulous time and made some pretty good headway. loved it.

Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu several times (my husband is from there). I won't tell anymore stories cos this is getting way too long...sorry....anyone who wants to hear more just PM me and i'll write back!

[Sammy Boy]

Hey New Zealand is not the same as Australia.

Been to China a few times. Liked the Great Wall, but a bit too steep for me. Miss the nice scenery, and the variety of places there, don't miss the pollution and dirty public toilets.

Been to the USA once. L.A., San Francisco, Sacramento, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon. I liked the big open country feel and wide, long, and straight roads a lot. Would like to go there again sometime. Didn't enjoy Las Vegas - too loud and 'bright' for me.

[Warrior4Christ]

Japan - went there on a mission trip with my brother. Everything was narrow and cramped, but tall (except the people). Lots of people. The streets were clean and orderly, people were polite. You can leave belongings somewhere and expect them not to be stolen. The speed limits were low, the freeways were plentiful, but expensive (expensiveways). They have a very nice and efficient train system. It was hot and humid in July and regularly rained in the early afternoon. The sun was up at about 4am. Parking spaces were very sought-after.

Malaysia - We visited Kuala Lumpur on the way back from Japan. It was a city of contrasts - new, shiny, tall, classy-looking buildings right next to old run-down houses (and large spaces between really tall buildings!?!). The international airport there was large and excellent. In Japan, everything worked precisely on time, but in Malaysia, taxis and tour buses were commonly an hour late. And the traffic there is crazy! Many of the roads in the inner city are one way, with like 4 lanes. And the traffic still crawls. Everyone cuts in without indicating to change lanes. And the markets there are pretty crowded and crazy.

US - I went to the Yokota US Air Force Base in Tokyo, so I've kinda been to the US. They call it "Little America", and it was self contained and very spread out and open compared to the rest of Tokyo just over the fence. Everyone has American accents there. XD It was interesting seeing the different stores there too. (Free cars at the "lemon lot"!!)

Visiting different places and cultures is nifty. You do appreciate and notice things about your own culture more. Now I think Adelaide is tiny (especially the international airport) and the buildings aren't very tall or cramped. And there aren't many people or cars.

[aitak]

Malaysia - ...Kuala Lumpur...The international airport there was large and excellent.

i concurr. i passed thru KL a number of times but never left the airport. even slept overnight there 2 or 3 times, stretched out on the chairs and shivering in the airconditioning! that was weird, considering outside it was so hot. and there was this giant plasma tv on right near where we were trying to sleep and they were showing car races all night and we couldnt turn the thing down. it was so LOUD! but yeah, the airport is one of the best ive been to. we hung out at "chili's" a lot. nice food.

[mitsuki lover]

I've only been to Canada.

[GracefulRocker]

Well, no....but I went to south Dallas once. Talk about culture shock... Apparently, the ownership of guns and drugs are a prerequisite inorder to live there.

Seriously, I've never been to a state that dosn't touch my home state. I do plan on studying abroad in Sweden my junior year of college, though.

[Kokhiri Sojourn]

I've been to Europe twice. Both trips, though, were in the same general vicinity, because I had relatives over there.

Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the edge of France - Overall, I loved how the cities were so condensed, so you could walk everywhere if you wanted to, but at the same time, the countryside was preserved. The entire experience was overwhelming. I felt like an idiot only knowing one language fluently, when the average person there knew four. There was a totally different feel having nations all around you and right next to you, there, so there had to be more interaction.

Everything was so beautiful. You just can't beat the Matterhorn in all of its magnitude and grandeur. In most areas, the church steeple had to be the highest point in the city, as it was tradition. And the lifestyle was so much less rushed. People worked hard, but they took breaks, and didn't eat, sleep, and breathe work. Sundays the towns generally closed down in many areas.

I know I'm rambling. I had so many thoughts while I was there, I couldn't ever put them together to make a whole.

[aitak]

kokhiri- i already want to go to europe and you just made me wanna go more! sounds great.

[oro!]

I've had a far different experience in travel than most of you, except a little bit like bigsleepj.

Most of my travelling was before I was ten, but I still remember so much of it vividly.
I've been to England, but basically only the hotel and airport. One time my family was there was the day after princess Diana of Wales had died. I remember lots of rain!

Kenya was where I spent my formative years. I remember the heat, open yard, ocean, and playing mancala with our yard worker. There are so many memories from there, but...
Uganda I visited my grandparents. Not much is remembered about that but stories and pictures.
Zimbabwe and had a conference once when it was dangerous to have it at the original country. isn't doing very good at all right now. Zimbabwe is bush and rock. Their money is not worth much at all.
Botswana is only inhabited on the crescent on the outskirts of the Kalahari Desert. I lived there a long time, too. It is hills, bush, red dirt, and made up of different people. Children wear uniforms to school, and learn Setswana and French. There is not a lot of crime like there is in Kenya. (and a slight winter, unlike the equatorial country)
South Africa is vast and changing. Jo'burg has it's own smell and air and sunset, totally different from the countryside. I remember going over the Haartabeesport(sp.) dam every time we visited and being amazed by it's being chiseled into the mountain.
These countries I last saw a few years ago at the least.
Even though Mexico may not count for some people, but the culture is so different than America. You know when you've crossed the border definitely.

(pm me any questions and I'll try to answer, but I didn't want my response to be a book.)

[Nate]

Their money is not worth much at all.

How much is it worth? I know Turkey definitely made me feel rich, it was approximately 1.5 million Turkish Lira to one American dollar.

Nothing like having 100 million monetary units in your wallet, let me tell you. XD

[oro!]

All I remember is that I got a book with a $(American)20 book for about $(Zim)120.(although they probably got it for fifty cents)
Looked it up: 1 dollar=250 zim dollars

Wow, Zimbabwe looks rich compared to Turkey. Or do they want inflation?

[bigsleepj]

Zimbabwe is in a super-bad state thanks to Robert Mugabe's ill-conceived ways of governing a country, sadly. Inflation is currently the highest in the world and one of the best developed, richest countries in Africa has been run into the ground. There are shortages, gross human rights violations and several other things, sadly. And sadly it does not bode well that several other Southern African leaders think that he's doing a good job.

[Slater]

I've been to Canada and Mexico

[Stephen]

I have not done as much travel as I wish I had. I have only been to Canada as far as outside the USA. And I could crack a joke about Texas being another country to make Ash mad. But I am above that.


Texas=Americas weird shoe.

I await the mob to call for my hanging at dawn.

[Ashley]

Eh, I could press the point, but heck, my own state comes up with clever things like "Texas- it's like a whole 'nuther country" =S

Lynch planning aside, here's where I've been:
Canada X7 I don't care what Ing has to say about it, Canada IS a foreign country and I thoroughly enjoyed it (from what I remember)
Mexico oh my goodness I LOVED the beaches here. Quite the nice vacation spot!
Germany I did a lot of traveling through here (I think we hit like 5 different cities) and I really, really loved it. It was my favorite of the European countries...everyone was so nice to us there!
Switzerland It was okay because it was more like Germany than France was XD
France *shudders violently* don't make me go back...please...although, Notre Dame and the Louvre were worth it
England London was cool, but I was really ready to go home
Taiwan I went on a missions trip here this summer, and OH MY GOSH it was so cool. It really cemented my call for asian missions, and I had a great time. I could go on and on and on, but I won't. ^^;;