Hope for the future

Travelers rate America's entry process as the "world's worst" by greater
than a 2:1 margin over the next-worst destination area.

Well, duh. After a country has been successfully attacked by foreign
nationals using airliners as weapons, did you expect to be welcomed
with open arms at the airport, without paperwork or security?

It's actually rather unusual that foreign tourists are being allowed in
the country at all. Throughout US history, tourism has been shut down
during war time. (Necessary aviation content: So has general
aviation, by the way.)

But all that's beside the point. In a country where most of our states
are larger than France -- and there are 50 of them -- there is more to
see and do here than any one person can accomplish in a lifetime.

But I'm gonna try!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

"Jay Honeck" wrote in news:1164112603.897240.198500
@k70g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

But all that's beside the point. In a country where most of our states
are larger than France -- and there are 50 of them -- there is more to
see and do here than any one person can accomplish in a lifetime.

It shouldn't take a lifetime...
Not all 50 states have anything of any real interest to see or do, though.

Of course, I used to think Iowa fell into that category. But then I heard
about this Aviation themed Hotel that I will have to check out before I die.

It shouldn't take a lifetime...
Not all 50 states have anything of any real interest to see or do, though.

Of course, I used to think Iowa fell into that category. But then I heard
about this Aviation themed Hotel that I will have to check out before I die.

Chuckle. I used to think that way, too. As I've grown older, and my
travels have expanded, I've found that each state is a country in
itself, offering different treasures -- and they are all wonderful, and
more than worth the effort to see and explore.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

"Jay Honeck" wrote in
ps.com:

Chuckle. I used to think that way, too. As I've grown older, and my
travels have expanded, I've found that each state is a country in
itself, offering different treasures -- and they are all wonderful, and
more than worth the effort to see and explore.

I have been to about 35 different states, as well as two Canadian provinces
and Puerto Rico.

Most of my travels have been work-related. And I am always surprised at
just how similar different towns are when it comes to their residential and
mall areas - you know the Walmarts, Home Depots, and Friday's... But I do
that outside of the resorts areas and tourist traps, it can be hard to tell
one city from the next...

Even the local attraction racks in the hotels are frequently very similar.
A six flags, some golf courses, the biggest area shopping malls, and
restaurants...

There are certain exceptions, of course... Texas. Texas is it's own
country, with it's own culture that is substantially different from the
rest of the US. Admittedly, I don't seem to get along too well with those
little doggies.

But there are certain regions that do have wondrous treasures - I like the
History that you find in the DC area and in much of the Northeast. The
mountains of Colorado are spectacular. My whole family loves DisneyWorld no
matter how old we get. And how can anyone not have a great time in Vegas!

Of course, travelling for work generally prevents me from getting the
opportunity to hunt for local treasures. I suspect if I were travelling for
vacation and spent time planning around tourist areas instead of newspaper
plants, I might feel differently.

Coming from New York City area, where I can experience some very diverse
cultures all within a very short distance, might cause me to take this all
for granted...

Jay Honeck schrieb:

Well, duh. After a country has been successfully attacked by foreign
nationals using airliners as weapons, did you expect to be welcomed

You'd be surprized to learn that some other countries have been attacked
in the past, too, and have managed to remain friendly nevertheless. I
find it interesting that you speak of the "famously less-than-welcoming
attitude of many Europeans" but in turn think such an attitude is a
pretty normal thing when practiced by the USA. Correction, I don't find
this interesting, I rather find it extremely boring.

But all that's beside the point. In a country where most of our states
are larger than France -- and there are 50 of them -- there is more to
see and do here than any one person can accomplish in a lifetime.

Depends on how much you want to broaden your mind. But then, I suspect
that you're happier when you're not forced to broaden it too much.

Stefan

You'd be surprized to learn that some other countries have been attacked
in the past, too, and have managed to remain friendly nevertheless. I
find it interesting that you speak of the "famously less-than-welcoming
attitude of many Europeans" but in turn think such an attitude is a
pretty normal thing when practiced by the USA.

You're confusing procedures with attitudes. Procedurally, it can be
annoying going through airport security -- but I've never found US
airport personnel to be anything but respectful and neutral, if not
downright pleasant.

This is far from the reputation of most European functionaries, rightly
or wrongly. I've not had the privilege of experiencing it myself, but
tales of rude treatment by everyone from taxi drivers to police
authorities abound amongst my peers who have traveled abroad.

In fairness, tales of good treatment and wonderful acts of kindness
abound, too -- but almost every person I talk to about traveling to
Europe tells at least one story about being treated poorly by someone.


That just doesn't happen in America, in my experience, and I've spent
40+ years exploring this great land of ours.

But all that's beside the point. In a country where most of our states
are larger than France -- and there are 50 of them -- there is more to
see and do here than any one person can accomplish in a lifetime.

Depends on how much you want to broaden your mind. But then, I suspect
that you're happier when you're not forced to broaden it too much.

And that response is the perfect example of why many Americans look
down their noses at Europeans. You're crass, rude, and almost
universally whiny.

Perhaps that explains why your ancestors stayed behind, while the cream
of the crop was coming to America? ducking!

:-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

but almost every person I talk to about traveling to
Europe tells at least one story about being treated poorly by someone.


That just doesn't happen in America, in my experience

I'm laughing so hard I can't type any more.

Jose
--
"Never trust anything that can think for itself, if you can't see where
it keeps its brain." (chapter 10 of book 3 - Harry Potter).
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

Europe tells at least one story about being treated poorly by someone.

That just doesn't happen in America, in my experience

I'm laughing so hard I can't type any more.

Why? For 40 years I've stayed in hundreds of hotels, in dozens of US
cities, in dozens of states, rented hundreds of rental cars, dealt with
valet parking lot attendants, petty governmental officials, and the
average Joe on the street -- and can't remember being treated rudely or
even inattentively by more than a handfull of people.

Now, perhaps, my memory is failing -- but I don't think so. I tend to
remember bad treatment for a very long time.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Europe tells at least one story about being treated poorly by someone.
That just doesn't happen in America, in my experience
I'm laughing so hard I can't type any more.
Why?

You should enter politics.

For one thing you just recently posted about some dork who got upset
because you made a comment about filling up a gas tank. He threw you
out of an FBO, if memory serves me. Either you were rude, or he was,
and this was in America.

"This just doesn't happen in America."

Yes, it does. "Oh, but that's just one time...."

"...Europe tells at least one story..."

One story told by one futz is enough to condemn all of Europe, but
somehow one story told by the one in the mirror doesn't reflect at all
on America? Hmmph.

I've been treated nicely and rudely, here, and abroad. I've been
embarrased to be an American, but I've never been embarrased to be in a
foreign country.

Jose
--
"There are 3 secrets to the perfect landing. Unfortunately, nobody knows
what they are." - (mike).
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

Jay,

while the cream
of the crop was coming to America?


You must be joking. Your country was founded in large part by religious
extremists and convicts, and it started it's history with a horrific
(and largely religously justified) genocide.


--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)