On Mar 16, 9:44 am, "Jay Honeck" wrote:
Actually, it's a basic mindset. US Americans often expect the whole
world to be the same as it is at home, more or less. If something is
different, then it's a hassle.

Actually, this is a basic stereotype of America.

On this little trip alone we have shown our kids so many different
cultures, it's astounding that they are all contained within one
country. From the West Virginians (who spoke little, but when they
did speak we couldn't understand a single word) to the island folks on
Ocracoke (now THERE is a different lifestyle, living on a spit of land
in the Atlantic) to the warm and friendly southerners in South
Carolina, to the black people who volunteered to watch our car for us
on Beale Street (in exchange for beer money), to the incredibly funny
Elvis look-alikes from the Ukraine (yes, there were several of them --
and they were on the Sun Records tour with us), to the somber black
folks at the National Civil Rights Museum (the motel where Martin
Luther King, Jr. was killed), we have seen and interacted with so many
cultures, from so many places.

And, although we see many cultures routinely at the hotel, it's always
more fun to be on THEIR turf, eating THEIR food, and soaking up THEIR
history. Traveling around America, especially in a light plane, where
you can change venues so quickly, is truly a marvelous education.

As to the financial question: Yes, flying in Europe is a lot more
expensive. Take a factor of 2 as a rough estimate.

That is so frustrating. We want to show our kids our European roots,
but the thought of riding a train -- even a very nice train -- just
isn't as appealing as flying a light plane. I just don't see any way
to ever be able to afford it.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Jay,

Having grown up in a small island nation, it always amazed me that I
can fly in the U.S. for 5 hours in an airline and still be speaking
the same language, deal in the same currency and eat more or less the
same food. You can even shop at the same store, eat at the same
restaurant and sleep at the same hotel.

If you travelled 2500 miles in Europe or Asia you will cover vast
distances in terms of language, religion, politics, currency and
cuisine. The cultural diversity you encounter in the U.S in the same
distance pales in comparison.

There is great truth in what the other poster said about Americans
expecting the whole world to be the same. I have traveled in Europe
and Asia, and you can spot an American easily because they are the
ones who insist on speaking English, have specific eating and sleeping
criteria. Most of the other travelers (particularly Europeans) had no
qualms about staying at local hostels, eating at roadside restaurants
and chatting with the locals in their language. I found American
tourists were typically older, had more money, and were traveling in
groups or charted bus tours and typically seen around major tourist
attractions. Europeans, Canadians and Australians were much younger,
and were traveling off the beaten path.

However, the cultural uniformity across the U.S. is also our strength.
This is what allows us to function as a whole without conflict achieve
economic strength. This is also why flying is so much better here.