If you could go anywhere, where is that?

[babylonsister]

I do think President Obama, by his election, has let the world know most Americans elected the best person. So where would you go if you could, now that it might be safe to travel as an American?

[TahitiNut]

1. Tahiti, of course.

:shrug: And Fiji, Vanuatu, and other dive spots.

[liberaldiva]

5. Love Tahiti!

I went to Bora Bora. It is the most exquisite place ever. The people are kind and beautiful. The sea life was nothing short of amazing! To answer the OP... I'd go to Egypt.

[babylonsister]

9. Do you get back often? Is it worth it if you're not a diver? nt

[TahitiNut]

42. I haven't been back since three 2-week trips in the 90s.

I loved it there. VERY laid back ... on the island of Moorea, at least. I only went to the Club Med there ... with 'excursions' ... but anyplace where I can spend my days in shorts and sandals or bathing suit and just swim, soak up sun, and wander around enjoying the warm ... that's my kind of place. I met several Tahitians with whom I became friends, as well as Aussies, Kiwis, Japanese, and Europeans. Yes, I went on 2-3 dives each day I was there if only because scuba diving is a sheer joy for me. If I didn't dive, I'd snorkel. If I went back, I'd probably spend some time in Papeete and wallow in Van Gogh's "Tahitian period." But cities are cities and the South Pacific is for beaches and palm trees and warm ocean water and sunshine ... imho. (I'm not prone to skin cancer, so I brown like a NUT.)

[Yavin4]

52. The "island of Moorea" ???

Didn't animal/human hybrids scare you?

[TahitiNut]

Nope.

:rofl:

[flvegan]

2. Massachusetts.

To visit family, friends and/or for my 20th high school reunion. I'd rather keep my money here, stateside right now.

[babylonsister]

8. You babe you!

Go to your 20th! That was the only one I went to, and I had a blast.

[seabeyond]

57. june we are off to cape cod. a drive across the country.

i am with you... keeping and spending the money in u.s. right now. i am a bet pissed at airlines anyway and dont want to give them my money.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear babylonsister!

We always travel...but in a group!

We've never had a problem, either.

We were one of the first groups allowed into Libya, back in 2005...we did get a lot of curious looks, but no problems.

We did have a police escort, though! One lucky policeman, on a motorcycle...

Fascinating, beautiful, and very poor country.


We are returning to Europe this spring: Switzerland, Germany, and Austria!

:toast:

[babylonsister]

6. We also travel, but always alone. I understand there are

real bargains this year going to Europe on American airlines, but I don't know how bad the Euro is doing vs. the dollar. Nothing is doing well, but might be a good time to travel for those who can.

And just last Oct. I met people from GB in San Diego who were shopping up a storm because it was so cheap to shop in the US.

[Jeep789]

4. I won't feel safe until those that committed atrocities are

brought to justice. Until then, we are all guilty.

[babylonsister]

12. Huh? Poor baby. nt

[Jeep789]

17. What is it that you don't understand?

I'd love to help you out but your post was um, bush-like.

[babylonsister]

21. Ha! Sure it was. Maybe your response was. Instead of

having a desire or destination, you are worried. That is old school. And idiot son? Passe', inept, disgusting, and so much more imo.

[Jeep789]

22. Hmm, I'm still a bit unclear. Perhaps you could elaborate? nt

[Baby Snooks]

59. Meow, meow.....

I can't imagine Babylonsister being "Bush-like" or even being accused of being "Bush-like" but there is the reality that quite a few do hate us because of our "foreign policy" which hasn't changed that much so far. So wherever you go on "summer vacation" you need to be aware that the world hasn't suddenly fallen back in love with us. Although some like us more than others. Maybe Fodor should put out a new tour guide based on the need to hire the local police department, or in some countries the military, as well as a tour guide.

Just the same traveling in Iraq is probably safer than traveling in some parts of Texas. Particularly as the economy worsens and the local sheriffs need to supplement their income by stopping you for going 35 in a 45 mph zone and then confiscating everything including your vehicle on the basis that you are a suspected drug dealer.

Here's to the Bushes enjoying driving in the piney woods of East Texas this summer and being mistaken for Mexican drug lords complete with armed bodyguards.

For those who don't know better but are tempted to enjoy the highways of Texas avoid driving anywhere along Highway 59.

Especially to the south of Houston where law enforcement uses a photo of Tom De Lay as a screensaver.

[a la izquierda]

48. Attacking babylonsister as bushlike

is lame.
Your first post was overly-dramatic. I live out of the country and it's perfectly fine.

[Incitatus]

7. Tonga nt

[HCE SuiGeneris]

10. Finland

New Zealand

Ireland

[babylonsister]

11. Ireland and Australia for me, too. New Zealand would be great,

and we have friends there.

BUT! I also want to go to South America. When it's stinking hot in the US, it's winter where I want to go.

[dorkulon]

14. NZ for me too.

Tropical, progressive, everyone speaks English. Really I want to move there, but I suppose I should visit first.

China too, for entirely different reasons.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

18. Lived in Howth Head, Dublin back in '73...

was bloody fantastic!

Oz and NZ are tops on my list for visiting. Next place I would like to reside would be Costa Rica.

[underseasurveyor]

13. Fiji

I love scuba diving :-)

[babylonsister]

15. Guam or Palau would be closer, cheaper, more interesting. Maybe. nt

[underseasurveyor]

26. Palau is on the list of places I'd like to go

As is Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea. AAAHHHHHHH Give me tropical island any day.

[TahitiNut]

45. Amen.

[canetoad]

16. Nothing personal

but you really must wait for a fair while until Americans are 'persona grata' in a number of countries.
I doubt that many of you have closely followed the growing distaste around the world for members of your community. Please do not exhibit arrogance or lack of sensitivity by assuming that 6 weeks after Obama's inauguration the arms of the world are open wide.

[Jeep789]

19. Perhaps, the OP will understand your post better than mine

I agree that simply electing Obama (although it is wonderful) is not enough to mitigate all the horror we have unleashed.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

20. "I doubt that many of you have closely followed the growing distaste around the world for members of

your community."

Really? Who is it that you think you are addressing here?

[Jeep789]

24. Obviously there are some here that think that all has been forgiven

and some of us disagree. I celebrate having elected an intelligent life form to the White House but think that until we, as a nation, admit to what the former administration did and correct it to the greatest extent possible, we remain stained.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

27. I think that you have misinterpreted the Op, and the solicitation behind it.

There is plenty of culpability, and there are many reparations yet to be made to reinstate the moral standing of our country within the global community.

[Jeep789]

30. If I did I apologize, but I have re-read the post and

subsequent posts from the OP and don't see that I was confused. I know the OP is greatly beloved by DU but I stand by post.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

31. Key phrase

"has let the world know most Americans elected the best person."

I believe you have read too much into this observation.

[Jeep789]

34. I got the gist of it

but our comments were certainly valid ones and I found the dismissals distasteful.

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Withywindle]

33. Yup.

For what it's worth, during the depths of the Bush nightmare I traveled to Brazil (where half my family lives) and also to Thailand and Malaysia.

No one attacked me or insulted me or threw shit at me. There was nothing to fear about traveling even then. They were quite able to understand that we hated Bush too, didn't vote for him, and had at least some dim understanding of the damage he was doing around the world. They were furious at the US of course - but they didn't project that onto individual Americans.

Mom travels a LOT for her business. She was in Finland and Norway this past summer - a change for her, she usually likes much warmer places - and she said people there were following the election here very intently and wanted to pick her brains about it all the time. Obamamania was happening there too.

So no, of course it doesn't mean that Everything's OK Now. But at least some of the rest of the world is maybe starting to think that at last we have a government that can sit at the grownups' table again.

I think those of us who are able to travel SHOULD, as much as possible. The grain-of-truth American stereotype as provincial and xenophobic is one I would love to see us defeat.

[tangent90]

50. No, it's persona grata.

Read it again.

[babylonsister]

53. You're right, but I've never

heard it used that way. My bad.

[tangent90]

55. To be honest, I haven't either...but it seems to be valid Latin grammar.

:D

[mainer]

70. I was in Egypt in November. We ARE persona grata now, thank god.

You couldn't go anywhere without people happily shouting "Obama!" Things have changed drastically.

[PretzelWarrior]

23. Back to Paris. Then since I've been to Rome/ London/Florence /Venice....

I think I'd like to branch out to Vienna, Berlin, Prague, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Amsterdam.

I also want to take my mom to London and surrounding countryside since that is her dream trip.

Uhhh........never get me started on where I want to go.

P.S. I need to dig into Europe a bit more. I've been to Taipei and Hong Kong and my wife's home city in China.....but I want to see Tokyo, Sydney, Auckland, Cairo, Istanbul, Marrakesh......God. This subject is too wide for me.

I'll just stick with Paris for the moment. hehe

[HCE SuiGeneris]

29. I hear there are French people in Paris...

x(

[PretzelWarrior]

35. yup. i do battle w/conservatives on another type of board...

it is sports-related but has section related to politics. Anyway, there are some who are totally "phuck the phrench" and calling them frogs and cheese eating surrender monkeys. But there are a couple of them who've ACTUALLY VISITED PARIS and said they've never been treated better.

All I can say is...hell. The FRENCH know how to live. It is a life lived more fully than here and it opened my eyes. Yes, France has it's issues...but typically people are more into LIVING LIFE not everyone screwing everyone else while stabbing them in the back in hopes they can be the next millionaire and look down on all the rest of the overworked schlubs.

Nothing better than walking through one of their urban parks on a sunny day after sitting at a cafe outdoors with Croq monsieur and espresso. Then picnic with fromage and baguette with bottle of wine. YUM. and the MUSEUMS!!!! (free on first Sundays, I believe)

I know you were kidding. But it is nice to remind some here that yes...Parisians were a bit haughtier in the past from what I can gather, but if you make at least a MINIMAL attempt to look like you fit in (no nikes, sport socks, shorts, loud t-shirt and fanny pack) and say a few pleasantries like Bon Jour, Bon Soir, Merci, etc. you will do nicely.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

36. Traiter les gens avec respect et vous recevrez le même. n/t

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

73. Been to France and you are completely correct!

Parisians are a little more brusque than the Lyonnais, but New Yorkers are a little more brusque than most other Americans - it's a big city thing. I found the French a delight to be among and this was in February 2003, when Chimpo was running up to the Great Unnecessary War. It is also apparently a criminal offense to open a bad independent restaurant in France. The only way to get bad food is to go to an American chain judging by my experience.

New Zealand is another place where people know how to live. Spent a couple of weeks down there a few years ago. The pace is like 1950s-1960s US and the universal attitude is "It'll get done eventually, mate - but now let's go out for a pint and a bite."

[mwooldri]

28. UK cos I have family back home.

Otherwise believe it or not: China. My son says he wants to go there and has a jar of pennies and small size bank bills building up as his "China Fund".

Mark.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

32. Tiajuana. A day of bullet dodging might be fun.

[ThomWV]

37. Tierra del Fuego, west central Africa, Burma, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Silver Spring, Maryland

[FLSurfer]

38. Easy one for me

I would go down to Kingston JA.
Food, surf, people....
It's my favorite place ever.

[HamdenRice]

39. Zimbabwe

Unfortunately, Obama's election doesn't make that country's problems go away.

But it has one of Africa's most spectacular ruins (Great Zimbabwe), one of its greatest game parks (Hwange) and Africa's most spectacular waterfall (Victoria Falls).

It also used to have terrific nightlife (Harare) and some of the nicest, most hospitable people you could meet.

[DFW]

40. Cuba

I'd like to go back there and see what it like these days before we re-establish diplomatic
relations, and the place gets overrun with commercial stuff catering to the inevitable rush
of tourists. I haven't been there since the Soviets owned the place, and would like to see
more of the island than just Havana.

*on edit--my younger daughter insists that I have GOT to see Senegal, too.

[babylonsister]

41. Good one! I want to go there, too! Sooner than later, I hope! nt

[DFW]

47. It's been quite a long time for me.

Interesting place, though, and it is bound to change dramatically within months of the
embargo being lifted. I don't when I'd find the time--it took me 27 years after being
stationed in Germany to even visit Prague, which is next door. But I'd like to go back
and see the interior of the island. From downtown Havana, you could see the mountains
in the distance ("el arroyo de la sierra me complace más que el mar"), and I wished
I could have just rented a car of my own and driven up there.

[mmonk]

43. Sorry but I do not share completely your thoughts.

We are in a honeymoon period. The Obama administration does have some good will but sweeping everything under the rug won't change things in the long run. We will still be judged.

[babylonsister]

44. No doubt. But we have a chance to

make a different impression on the world with President Obama, and he does seem beloved by many so far. I know that could change, but I don't ever see him incurring the worldwide wrath idiot son managed to garner.

I for one will feel safer traveling with * gone.

[mnhtnbb]

46. Leaving for Italy on Thursday.

:)

[babylonsister]

58. Brat.

Have a fantabulous trip! I've never been there either. It's on my list. ;)

[mnhtnbb]

61. Tee hee. This may be the last big trip for us due to impending semi-retirement

of hubby. At least the euro is down!

[tangent90]

49. Not Mexico

:shrug:

[a la izquierda]

51. Ugh...

I live here part-time for resarch, for gosh sakes. In a giant city. Many parts of the country are FINE. The border is bad, yes. The drug running Pacific Coast hubs like Sinaloa (where Mazatlan is) can be dangerous.

You can go to many, many beautiful places like Veracruz, or Oaxaca, or San Cristobal de las Casas (where Palenque is)...
the darn Mexican government should be paying me for all the promo I have to do on DU. *grumble, grumble*

I leave Friday, but will be back for a month in July. I'm by myself. It's not scary.

[babylonsister]

54. Thank you. We go often because it's so close.

Only to tourist traps though. ;) My sister owns a home there, near Tiajuana, and I do worry about them.

[tangent90]

64. Lo siento. I should have been more specific (border towns). I go to the Yucatan often

and never have had a problem there (or really anywhere else from about Monterrey on down).
Salud.
:D

[a la izquierda]

69. No problem...

[pipi_k]

56. I have always wanted to visit the rainforests of the Amazon

And I would like to go to the highlands of Africa, to see the silver-backed gorillas.

And Loch Ness in Scotland to see Mr Pip's ancestral castle (yes, he really is a descendant of the family it's named after now)

France to research my own family tree

India


sigh...I'll never get to see any of those places though. Not in person anyway

[demodonkey]

60. To sleep. In a nice bed. For eight solid hours or more.

Due to stress and worry, I have been unable to fall asleep lately, and when I do it is in a chair. Ugh.

[mnhtnbb]

62. That sucks. I know. I haven't slept through the night since fire destroyed our house

August 07. I wake up from (take your choice) bad dreams, hubby snoring, cats wanting in or out
scratching at the door.

:hug:

[CTyankee]

63. Patagonia and Buenas Aires.

Santiago, too.

[Greyhound]

65. Everywhere warm and away from here.

I want a nice 45' sailboat to live on and start the journey in the Caribbean. From there time and the winds will tell.

[Arugula Latte]

66. Italy

Anywhere in the Mediterranean, really. Turkey. Portugal. Spain. Greece. :loveya:

[LWolf]

67. I'd go to visit my son

who lives 1000 miles to the south of me. He visits me once or twice a year. Which is not enough. I haven't visited him because I don't have the money.

If I could go to work for more days, I might be able to afford that visit. Unfortunately, they are cutting my contract this year due to the economic downturn, and may do so next year, as well. So it really doesn't matter where I WOULD go. I can't go anywhere while I'm desperate to make the mortgage payment every month.

[mainer]

68. With a few exceptions, it's always been safe to travel as an American

Even during the Bush era, it hasn't been particularly risky to travel, except in obvious places like Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Tourists have been warmly greeted in Iran and Libya. Most people abroad understand that Americans who travel are far more open-minded about foreign cultures and probably not the same crowd that voted for Bush.

I've been to Egypt, Libya, and Turkey during W's reign, and even though I got into some lively discussions with disgruntled locals, I never felt it was dangerous to travel.

I think Americans tend to be too timid and risk-averse, which is too bad because it limits our world.

[leftofthedial]

71. back to bed...

:-)

[MrPerson]

72. Hawaii.

I went there for Christmas.

It is paradise. And still America.