General Chat

I've travelled to quite a few country's Loved all of them
But as I've got older I prefer just to go to Bucks
to stay with my friend Veronica and catch up with Rosie Posie too

and that's what I will be doing tomorrow :-D :-D :-D

Maggie ............

I'm not sure what you mean by your post. I didn't think you would make such a crack in an attempt to debate a topic :-)



I've also travelled a lot, before I left England and much more since

We've been lucky in that we have friends around the world, and have been able to stay with people in many places, so we have learnt about local customs, tried food, learnt about the political system ............ nothing like living in a country while a general election is being held.

We've stayed with enlightened Afrikaaners who did not believe in apartheid in the days before it was abolished, and learnt about their problems with their parents and with the authorities.

We've eaten game animals in several countries ......... alligator in the US, kangaroos in Australia, springbok in S Africa, bison, moose and elk in Canada, etc etc

We've eaten "strange" vegetables in lots of countries


and we have always been very careful not to say "back home, we would never ......"

I feel one has to experience a county and its people.

When I moved here, over 25 years ago, aged 32, it was my 28th move.
I've live abroad, in various parts of the UK. in a converted bus, caravans (it's amazing how people can judge), huge mansions and now, a lovely 1920's council house. My father also converted to Islam when I was 11, and I went to uni (albeit as a mature student, to apparently not study religion or education) but won't pass an opinion about whether travel broadens the mind or gives one and understanding, as, apparently, I am totally unaware of the topography of where I live, and have no understanding of anything - not even (according to one) what my daughter told me!!
Oh - and I've only 'holidayed' abroad 3 times - none of them 'all inclusive' (I've also visited my parents in Saudi and my mum in Portugal), but of course would have absolutely no idea of any local customs/religions/food - or anything, really. :-D

Let's wait for the 'experts' to tell us what we 'should' know................

I have travelled to many countries around the globe and the experiences have given me far more insight and understanding than any amount of television ever could.

But then there are those who go on "all inclusive" holidays and never set foot outside the complex and are overjoyed that the hotel/complex serves "proper" English food instead of "foreign muck".

Some people I have known have never set foot outside their own country ( sometimes barely outside their own town) and I feel they have missed out rather.

Have you travelled much, what has it brought you in terms of experience and/or tolerance and do you think it is an 'essential' rather than a luxury...particularly to broaden the minds of the young and make them more open to the 'other' in life; cultures, religions, etc ?

Or perhaps you feel that what you have, wherever you live, is 'enough' and have no interest in seeing other countries or their peoples? especially as one can now 'see' them on tv without leaving the sofa.


:-)