I don't think Americans are afraid to travel; the truth is, most Americans don't have the money. People I've worked FOR have been to Europe, Russia and other places, but I wasn't paid enough to travel to foreign countries, and neither was anyone else in that law firm. I've wanted to travel to foreign destinations all my life, but--being a one parent family, impossible. Not even a ski trip, and only infrequent weekends at the beach in a rent-free condo.
Chris, you must stop condemning hardworking Americans who don't have the means.
Having said that, even if I DID have the money, there are places I would avoid, such as Thailand and other SE Asian countries, where it's assumed Americans are there for the sex tourism...sad that we make that kind of reputation for ourselves, as well as the Ugly American syndrome elsewhere.
Indigo
· 1 year ago
It's difficult for Americans to get away because we're often so embedded in our communities. The dog has to be kenneled, the newspaper has to be brought in, the mail and e-mail have to be tended to, the house machinery have to be monitored and, significantly, income flows have to be maintained.
Foreign travel is like leisure time and sports, the very poor and the very wealthy have time for it; everybody else is trekking to work, just to make ends meet.
But, O&W, you'd enjoy Thailand, it's a lovely country with very nice people. The sex trade there is no match for the magnitude of the sex trade in south Florida. The difference is how the media present it. That and the snickering Japanese business men behaving badly. You don't see that in south Florida. You see snickering British businessmen behaving badly. Don't pass on SE Asia, the food is wonderful, the people are gracious, and the touring is fascinating.
OlderAndWiser
· 1 year ago
I've seen travelogues of Thailand, and you're right--and the history! But at my age (67) and with only SS as income, there's no travel in sight for me, unless I win the lottery, and I don't play it (no money to gamble, but my son does!). I'm one of those poor you mentioned, and we may have time, but no money. ; )
Indigo
· 1 year ago
My circumstances are similar at the same age (Aquarius, 1941) and SS plus my savings and laughable investments. My deepest money worry under this olygarchy is outliving my money. I travel on a budget, thrifty and cautious, but I travel. The most heart-breaking poverty I've seen is in rural India. The most wasteful displays of money I've seen are in the gated communities of "retirement" Florida and in the Vatican.
Living in Orlando, I'm lucky that I can usually get last-minute specials on tours to just-about-anywhere. If I ever decide to just walk away from it all, I could see moving to the island of St. Thomas. It's low key, not very splashy, and a U.S. territory. I don't see living in France or Mexico or the UK where the laws are different and survival is a matter of fabricating connections and cabal. The U.S. and its territories might be wacky but I grew up inside this system and I'm not afraid to confront intruders into my life. In Foreign County, the rules are often weirdly different. NIce to visit.
DCinDC
· 1 year ago
jedreport.com — According to the amended agreement, John McCain used public funds as collateral for the loan. The amendment was dated December 17 and was signed by Rick Davis, his campaign manager, on December 18. Yet two days later, the McCain campaign spokeswoman told the media the campaign had entered into no such loan agreement. So where is the media outrage
Thanks Chris for that. I felt a tear welling up watching it--no kidding.
Õ¿Õ
· 1 year ago
I like traveling in South America. The people take life alot easier than we do here in the rat race. I guess they do that in alot of places. More appreciation for what really matters. I would love to do more of it but I'm here in the world having to pay bills and keep things nailed down. So I enjoy watching Matt do it instead.
OlderAndWiser
· 1 year ago
Meanwhile, 401k fees can, over a lifetime, cost you half of your savings (so no travel for you, either):
It's all a scam. I contribute to a funky 401k at work. Whatever. It used to do really well until shrub came in. I still think they're going to find a way to come after social security one way or the other. I was watching bush talk about "needing to drill for offshore oil." There's several youtube of him but it's the latest where he's wearing the blue tie. And it's obvious he's cracking up trying to keep from laughing while looking down at the podium. Millions of Americans are suffering from high fuel prices and he's cracking up. It's like he's thinking, "these morons are going to swallow this too." It's akin to the photo-ops he's done in the midwest where he's standing there scanning the scene trying to appear heroic with his "sleeves rolled up" and he hasn't a clue or care about any of it. For several times this month while pumping gas, I've had poor people come up asking for money to put in their vehicles at the gas station.
Õ¿Õ
· 1 year ago
And I don't want any of the republican and libertarian Iowans taking any money from the govmint like the people of New Orleans.
Yeah, where IS Mozart? The music played is Pachelbel's Canon.
gaystereotype
· 1 year ago
Yup, I thought the same thing. Maybe rueing that the cheesy Canon is going to be misattributed to him
nonsanaementis
· 1 year ago
Add me to this list. I love Mozart. I love Bach. But if I hear that Canon one more time.
I like Dancing Matt, and not just because he's cute and willing to make an idiot of himself in every time zone. I would have loved to have heard the GIRL'S song, even if it was choppy, because I think she shouldn't be dubbed over by cheezy Pachelbel no matter how poor the audio recording's quality was.
That said, thank you to the little girl who's performing!! She is amazing!!!
soultravelers3
· 1 year ago
Thanks for posting this, glad that you enjoyed it! We have been traveling almost 2 years now and live and travel on very little. We spend 25,000. dollars a year total expenses for a family of 3. I think travel is much more accessible than many realize, for we are a very ordinary family and we have lots of how-to information on our site. It is much cheaper and easier than most people know and I would love other families to be aware of this. Extended travel is easier today than it has ever been and helps keep costs down as flights and hotels are the biggest expenses for most.
Yes, we chose Pachelbel's Canon for the music on purpose. Mozart refers to the little girls nickname and is a take off on the famous video title "Where the hell is Matt". It does seem to confuse musical types. ;) The child is not a prodigy, but an ordinary little girl who loves music and Mozart is one of her heroes.
We each chose a name of a hero so we could make our journey more public while protecting our child's identity. We have many schools and homeschooled children ( some disadvantaged that will never travel) from around the world who travel with us virtually.
Travel does not really cost much, maintaining stuff does. Carpe Diem!
All Comments
Chris, you must stop condemning hardworking Americans who don't have the means.
Having said that, even if I DID have the money, there are places I would avoid, such as Thailand and other SE Asian countries, where it's assumed Americans are there for the sex tourism...sad that we make that kind of reputation for ourselves, as well as the Ugly American syndrome elsewhere.
Foreign travel is like leisure time and sports, the very poor and the very wealthy have time for it; everybody else is trekking to work, just to make ends meet.
But, O&W, you'd enjoy Thailand, it's a lovely country with very nice people. The sex trade there is no match for the magnitude of the sex trade in south Florida. The difference is how the media present it. That and the snickering Japanese business men behaving badly. You don't see that in south Florida. You see snickering British businessmen behaving badly. Don't pass on SE Asia, the food is wonderful, the people are gracious, and the touring is fascinating.
Living in Orlando, I'm lucky that I can usually get last-minute specials on tours to just-about-anywhere. If I ever decide to just walk away from it all, I could see moving to the island of St. Thomas. It's low key, not very splashy, and a U.S. territory. I don't see living in France or Mexico or the UK where the laws are different and survival is a matter of fabricating connections and cabal. The U.S. and its territories might be wacky but I grew up inside this system and I'm not afraid to confront intruders into my life. In Foreign County, the rules are often weirdly different. NIce to visit.
http://www.jedreport.com/2008/06/mccain-camp-li...
http://www.bloomberg.com/avp/avp.htm?clipSRC=mm...
http://bp3.blogger.com/_94vWmzABPGg/SFvSNixEShI...
I like Dancing Matt, and not just because he's cute and willing to make an idiot of himself in every time zone. I would have loved to have heard the GIRL'S song, even if it was choppy, because I think she shouldn't be dubbed over by cheezy Pachelbel no matter how poor the audio recording's quality was.
That said, thank you to the little girl who's performing!! She is amazing!!!
Yes, we chose Pachelbel's Canon for the music on purpose. Mozart refers to the little girls nickname and is a take off on the famous video title "Where the hell is Matt". It does seem to confuse musical types. ;) The child is not a prodigy, but an ordinary little girl who loves music and Mozart is one of her heroes.
We each chose a name of a hero so we could make our journey more public while protecting our child's identity. We have many schools and homeschooled children ( some disadvantaged that will never travel) from around the world who travel with us virtually.
Travel does not really cost much, maintaining stuff does. Carpe Diem!