It seems that tourist visas ARE being issued now.


I've got to go there more than anywhere else.

Tourist visas were not being issued when the planning was going into the previous trip.

Now it seems like they are encouraging tourism.

Does it have to be Far East?

Mid-year could coincide with 'Le Tour' which is supposed to start in London this year. Get hold of a copy of 'French Revolutions' and try what Tim-boy did, but maybe 'post' as opposed to 'pre' - all that French scenery, food and wine, the effects of the latter two being suitably burned off each day in the saddle....heaven!

Good gods, man! Don't tell him to go to a civilized country! He could cause an international incident!!

That's OK - French farmers are always looking for an excuse to block motorways with their tractors - they'd probably treat him like a national hero!

BTW where's Bargalunan these days...? Ou ce trouve-t-il cet homme-ci?

This will be a little long but hang with me.


I'd like to visit most all countries that I can go and return with my photos and head still attached. France ( or Europe as a whole ) would be cool at some point. Maybe not now though.

Americans and this society here as well as other developed countries ( I'm guessing ) see their ways, customs and beliefs as the best in the world. That's fine and many times they each have a good reason for having this attitude. Even in my home country, I dont fit in well and it's somewhat of a problem.

When I visit third world countries they dont try to convert me to their ways. Most of the time it's very nice to learn about their way of life and even lifestyles but they dont pressure me or somehow expect that I'll jump into their culture and love it forever more.

Much of this may be because I'm willing to dig in and spend time with people of that country from a wide range of classes or income ranges. I dont make humor at their ways. This is how things are done here and that is their deal, not mine. That's a part of the appeal of going.

Those countries may appreciate my flexibility in exploring their way of life because to most Westerners, it's unacceptable in some way. They are used to having people reject their customs and lifestyles so they don't push it. In most cases they think that the US is nothing but the land of milk and honey and that life here is perfect all the time once you get here. They dont appreciate those things they have that the US does not. It's also those things that make my trips enjoyable.

When I go to Europe I wont be going on the "W Bush promo tour", I'll be going to take a million photos, to meet people and to have a good time. If I'm going to end up with people that are anti-Christian, anti-Bush, pro-all the shit that I dont support or agree with and they dont completely understand that I'm there to have a good time, not a political or religious movement and hassle me about all these things, I'll just move along.

The Frenchman in Manila was often out in the lobby of his hotel, the one of my choice there in Manila. He's a nice enough fellow but would continuously say things that were insulting or confrontational even if at a low level. He was often of the mind that I would not follow the rules of the hotel or that I was somehow incapable of understanding them. He was used to dealing with people that are different from me. People trying to rip him off or bend the rules.

If I go to France to visit, I'm going to go and do those things that **I** want to do (within the guidelines of basic respect and their laws ), eat those foods that **I** want to eat, and go to those places that most interest ME, not what "most people like".

It's my opinon at this time that Westerners ( and I am one and have a lot of experience with "us" ) in general are kinda pushy, think they know infinitely more than anyone else and they expect you to follow their suggestions and find it insulting if you dont value their recommedations. They dont know me and how weird I am and try to "help me" by steering me to things that " most people " like.

It's not been like that with the natives of the third world countries that I've gone to visit. Those people see that I learn and am interested in the ways and history of that country and they dont fuck with me when I want to do those simple things that interest me.

Like driving a tricycle or just wandering the streets to meet people with a translator.

Another one?

Precisely.

There was a flaming bag of carabao shit at the front step last week.

I take that as a message from Gloria. :)

Rock on Brother Slang !!!!
Tell it like it is !!

Its YOUR adventure , do just the hell what you want !!!

Sounds like you will enjoy wherever you go as you seem to approach the adventure of travel with an open mind and a desire to learn. There's as much (no, more) to be gained from taking inward experiences of a country and its people as much as taking the visual record.

You have a great approach, Slang, and maybe that's why it becomes difficult to decide where to go - because you probably know at the outset that you cannot fail to take and make enjoyment from any place you visit.

That's true.

Going places that dont normally see white Westerners is also a consideration of sorts as well.

There were villagers in Pakistan that had never soon a white guy in person. As much negative exposure as the US has and white Christians have in general having some positive experience is a good thing for everyone.

Having grown up in rural Pa and not actually meeting anyone non-white in person myself until age 13 or so....the exposure can soften harshness and open fairness with any specific group of people.

It's a start anyway.

There are clearly far more reasons to think that someone is an asshole than their religion, skin color, nationality or ability ride a bicycle in cold weather. :)

Like political party affiliation :blush:

I thought one of your requirements was a place where you wouldn't get your ass shot off?

Let me talk to a few people that have just recently been there. The northern region that is.

I'll take a look at this. I've not done any research into going to Iraq since about this time last year.