Oh Wise and Worldy Ledgies

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by danax6

I guess it could be worse, I've heard people say Niagara Falls also.

hahahahahahahaha that one's my favorite!

[mylittledemon]

Originally Posted by carrie721

you mean styles have changed since the sound of music?



also, i really hope you don't actually say that bit about canada.

I've said that bit about Canada MANY times. I have 3 really close born and bred Canadian friends who think its hilarious.

[danax6]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

I've said that bit about Canada MANY times. I have 3 really close born and bred Canadian friends who think its hilarious.

It's not so much the Canada jokes that is off-putting, it's the arrogance associated with these kind of 'statements' that doesn't really put the Americans in a more favorable light.

[Stew_Matthews]

…………..I’ll drop you a more detailed reply by pm later this week on the Ukraine. I’ve worked in parts of the former Soviet Union over the last 5 years and am familiar with Kiev.

On the language issue, I did notice last year that there has been a shift towards all the signs/notices being written in the Ukranian dialect/language rather than standard Russian. So if your relatives are fluent in the dialect, you’ll be fine. In Kiev all the public transport has English timetables and trains/buses run on time . I’ve hired a car and driven in and around Kiev. I wouldn’t recommend doing that in Siberia but you’ll be fine in Kiev. I have always stayed near the old town which is better to be honest if you want to see the highlights of the city. It is pretty nice – not remotely like Moscow. I have stayed at the Hyatt but can recommend a number of hotels/restaurants and will send details later on.

The local restaurants don’t accept visa/amex etc but there are several banks that you can draw money from. Only use the hotel or banks for changing money. Bank notes go out of circulation quickly so you need to guarantee that you have current notes.

I’d be surprised if you were stopped by the Police. I have been stopped and arrested four or five times in China for not having all my papers but never in the old Soviet block.

Oh and tipping. Russia/Ukraine/China doesn’t do tipping. It is assumed that good service is part of the deal when you eat/drink somewhere. Westerners do it but the locals just think it’s weird………….

[David]

Originally Posted by paperflowers

How do Europeans perceive Americans?

They think we have six-shooters & gunbelts & we shoot-'em-up every chance we get.

Will you be visiting the Czech Republic? Be sure to walk the Charles Bridge in Prague.



Beethoven visited Prague twice: in 1796 & in 1798. On his 1st visit, he stayed at 285 Lazenska Street.



He preferred not to stay in the center of the city but on the other side of Charles Bridge, in a neighborhood known as the Mala Strana. Today his residence is in No. 11 on Lazenska Street, & it is known as Beethoven Palace.

[Betsy]

^^^

WOW David, that bridge photo is breath taking!

I was a foregin exchange student to Germany back in the 70's....and the teenagers made me change my style of clothing, "because Americans draw too much attention by their loud clothes." So, in short, times haven't changed...

As for recommendations and advice, I can't add anything, but to say that this thread has been interesting to read.

(Nowadays, I never get to travel, unless it's watching the AMAZING RACE in slow motion...)

[mylittledemon]

Originally Posted by danax6

It's not so much the Canada jokes that is off-putting, it's the arrogance associated with these kind of 'statements' that doesn't really put the Americans in a more favorable light.

Its not an arrogant thing. I know I've been labeled that on these boards. If any of you had met me in person you know I'm a complete jokester. I dont say that and mean it. Its all about taking the piss. LIGHTEN UP.

[mikeschmike]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

Its not an arrogant thing. I know I've been labeled that on these boards. If any of you had met me in person you know I'm a complete jokester. I dont say that and mean it. Its all about taking the piss. LIGHTEN UP.

It's just funny because I think I would admit to being Canadian waaaaaaayyyyyyy before I would let on that I'm American. Hate to say it, but America kinda sucks. And by kinda, I mean completely.

[mylittledemon]

Originally Posted by mikeschmike

It's just funny because I think I would admit to being Canadian waaaaaaayyyyyyy before I would let on that I'm American. Hate to say it, but America kinda sucks. And by kinda, I mean completely.

Well I got ribbed a lot in New Zealand, and Australia for it. But its all in good fun. If youre a good chap, they dont care where you are from. That being said, I was always asked if I was Canadian first, then "Oh American?" Just about everyone I asked WHY they asked Canadian first, they replied, "We didnt wanna offend the Canadians" followed by a hearty laugh. All the Canadians I met in my travels were awesome folk, and i made some lifelong friends from several other nations as well.

[LiamMcConville]

Originally Posted by mikeschmike

It's just funny because I think I would admit to being Canadian waaaaaaayyyyyyy before I would let on that I'm American. Hate to say it, but America kinda sucks. And by kinda, I mean completely.

Hell yes it does. I want to get the hell out of here ASAP. Bush has given us a bad name for years to come, it would take a magician of a president to fix what that retard has done. Ugh.

[mylittledemon]

Originally Posted by LiamMcConville

Hell yes it does. I want to get the hell out of here ASAP. Bush has given us a bad name for years to come, it would take a magician of a president to fix what that retard has done. Ugh.

I'm not saying you have to be a GWB backer, but what bothers me is the ungratefulness of people here. And the shame. You shouldnt be ashamed of where you are from, your heritage, or your country. For all intents and purposes, we live in the greatest nation in the world. We have everything. I mean, we are spoiled. Traveling abroad will teach you that.

And personally, regarding the presidential comment. I hope everyone marks the words of this conservy...I dont believe Bush is gonna leave office in disgrace.

[mikeschmike]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

I'm not saying you have to be a GWB backer, but what bothers me is the ungratefulness of people here. And the shame. You shouldnt be ashamed of where you are from, your heritage, or your country. For all intents and purposes, we live in the greatest nation in the world. We have everything. I mean, we are spoiled. Traveling abroad will teach you that.

And personally, regarding the presidential comment. I hope everyone marks the words of this conservy...I dont believe Bush is gonna leave office in disgrace.

If by spoiled and ungrateful you mean being denied basic human rights, then I guess you're right.

Like I said...I live close enough to the border to justifty calling myself Canadian. I just have to get the moves down to pass myself off as a Canuck. You know, like moving the entire top half of my head when I talk.

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by mikeschmike

If by spoiled and ungrateful you mean being denied basic human rights, then I guess you're right.

Like I said...I live close enough to the border to justifty calling myself Canadian. I just have to get the moves down to pass myself off as a Canuck. You know, like moving the entire top half of my head when I talk.

you already almost talk like them and you are the "coolest minnesoah'n i knoah"

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

I'm not saying you have to be a GWB backer, but what bothers me is the ungratefulness of people here. And the shame. You shouldnt be ashamed of where you are from, your heritage, or your country.

no, we shouldn't. but a lot of people do, with good reason ...

For all intents and purposes, we live in the greatest nation in the world.

i think there are a couple billion people who would disagree with you there

We have everything. I mean, we are spoiled. Traveling abroad will teach you that.

as mikey said ... aside from basic human rights, you're 100% correct!

And personally, regarding the presidential comment. I hope everyone marks the words of this conservy...I dont believe Bush is gonna leave office in disgrace.

i don't know what "conservy" means and i can't even guess at what you meant to say. but i think you are dead wrong about that last statement. he's a disgrace now and in 100 years, if we haven't all died in a nuclear holocaust, he will still be a disgrace.

[David]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

I'm not saying you have to be a GWB backer, but what bothers me is the ungratefulness of people here. And the shame. You shouldnt be ashamed of where you are from, your heritage, or your country. For all intents and purposes, we live in the greatest nation in the world. We have everything. I mean, we are spoiled. Traveling abroad will teach you that.

I like it here (the U.S.). My choices are numerous: I can do generally what I want to make a living (as long as it's legal), I can live where I want (generally), I can buy thousands of things like boxes of Kleenex with amazing designs on them & shoes with thick soles for jogging, & I quite like the idea that I am the owner of my own life, an idea which undergirds the classical liberalism of James Madison, Adam Smith, & Arthur Schlesinger Jr.

And personally, regarding the presidential comment. I hope everyone marks the words of this conservy...I dont believe Bush is gonna leave office in disgrace.

What's he going to do? slip away in the dead of night?
He's a dummkopf.