I've been fortunate, well actually worked hard and planned, to have traveled and lived outside of the U.S. during my young years. The rewards of being able to live in one place for several months or more, to really begin to absorb the culture and have a better understanding of "where you are" is tremendous.
I have two areas in particular that I would like to re-do; being Taiwan and Morocco. Not unlike everything else, the changes that have taken place over several decades would cause me to recall what these locations used to be.....how I knew and experienced them during the time of the first exposure.
Lately, I have an urge to visit for a several month period; a small community in France, definitely in the southern region, towards the Spanish border. Nope, I don't have a heritage from France. Perhaps I had a dream that I do not recall, that has triggered such an urge. I don't have the answer.
I've always preferred the small communities "discovered" during numerous travels to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan; and the same applies to many foreign locations, for me.
THIS query is not directed at the "older" crowd here, in particular. The vast majority of my travels were when I was young and fit. I had more energy than money, and returned from a 1 year European sojurn with a networth on my person, of less than $1.
Well, just a rambling away and aside from the world of investing. Must be the warm spring weather in Michigan is affecting my brain cells.
Hopefully, a few of you may choose to express, at least; a dream of where you would travel today to live for several months.
EDIT: several regular posters and others reading MFO currently live outside of the U.S.; but knowing you, too; have your "places to visit list".
Thanks and take care,
Catch
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California. The central coast. Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara just to name a few towns and cities. Beautiful country. Utah and Arizona. The canyons and the Monument Valley.
Farther away, Singapore, if you like big cities. Clean and efficient. The botanical gardens, and the man made forest are worth seeing. Australia. A big place with lots of natural landmarks. Tokyo. A huge mega city but full of everything you could wish for. Take the Hayabusa bullet train to Kyoto and check out the history. During WW2, the Americans took a lot of care to avoid bombing Kyoto because of the historical temples and shrines.
Alaska. The last frontier. Take a cruise up the Inside Passage and then a train to Denali national park.
There are so many more but I'll let others chime in. I hope you can accomplish some travels in the future.
Edit: I just noticed you said non-US in the title.
Last summer, we took a month long road trip to various National Parks in the western US and Canada. Would love to repeat that trip...especially loved Glacier National Park/Banff/Jasper/Yoho.
Geez........you triggered some brain cells with your mention of Japan. I was fortunate to stay just outside of Tokyo for about 6 weeks way back in 1969 during the cherry blossom bloom period. I also had a "ride" on the fairly new bullet train.
As you are already outside of the U.S.; as well as others here, I should have worded my query differently.
Thanks for the reminders; and yes, I agree, Japan is amazing, too. I have some wonderful night photos taken from the upper levels of the Tokyo Tower. The glow of all of the lights of Ginza and surrounding areas.
Yup, too many places to visit, eh?
If you prefer the locals to speak english, I recommend Te Anau, New Zealand, a little less small and social, but it is a gateway to more amazing hiking and boating than you can shake a boot at.
Ah, yes. Bavaria. Lived in Garmisch for about 3 months during the late fall and early winter period in 1973. One side trip provided a wonderful, sunrise morning view from the Zugspite.
Recall that too much of my food intake there was from the bakery. The breads and sweets, OMG.
Thank you for that rememberance.
I have also loved almost every time I've been in Spain and I loved vacationing along the coast in Andalucía, but if I was going to visit for a few months I might choose Italy. The people there have always been very nice and having only experienced Milan and Sardinia, I think it would be fantastic to explore more of the country.
Recall most, but not all of the "Costa Del Sol". This portion of my travel happily consumed 2 1/2 months; starting at Gibraltar and eventually leaving Spain to travel towards Switzerland/Germany.
The "tapas" bar........yum !
I had a 1962 VW van/bus, so travel could be about whatever and whenever. The van storage contained among everything else, 10 glass wine bottles with the wire top seals.
Lunch time during the travel would include stopping at the very small tavernas along the road. Many of the older establishments had hugh wine barrels mounted into the stone walls. I would always be sure to refill the wine bottles during these stops. The wines always had their own particular flavoring/taste, even though the wine type may be named the same, from region to region.
I don't recall which village/city; but I discovered a most tasty, homemade carmelo flavored "flan/custard", of which; I consumed in large volumes. A sad day when I had to leave that area.
At one point, I stayed in and around Tarragona for about 5 weeks.
A wonderful country in which to travel, indeed !!!
Thank you................
Michigan's Upper Penninsula offers spectacular sights. Great for summer road trips. A drive I'd recommend is north through Sault St.Marie, Michigan and than eastward through Ontario to the town of Elliot Lake, which offers nice lodging. From there it's a 2-3 hour drive to Manatolian Island in northern Lake Huron. We enjoy the 2-hour crossing of Lake Huron on the large ferry connecting the island to the Canadian mainland further south. You can walk on for a small fare and easily complete the 2-way crossing in an afternoon.
The island: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manitoulin_Island
The ferry: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Chi-Cheemaun
There's so many things in the U.S. we haven't yet seen but hope to. California is in our sights, probably this year or next. Especially want to visit the Big Sur (featured in a favorite film "The Sandpiper") along with Yosemite National Park. Eventually, a road trip from Michigan through northern N.Y. State to take-in the mountains and other scenery. Niagra Falls is also something we'd enjoy seeing once. A long-shot we're considering is London, which would be our first foray overseas. We love live theater and, of course, the city has much more to offer.
I'll add to my wish-list a trip to some southern hemisphire destination during our winter months: Australia, Argentina, Chili, all fit the bill. Much as I enjoy air travel, flights longer than 3-4 hours seem very tedious. Am a very amateur astronomer, so viewing the southern sky on a clear night from down-under would be a treat.
Recalling that, regarding your mention of Japan..........when I was traveling for a year (Europe/North Africa) perhaps 10% of those I met were long term travelers, meaning their plan was to travel for at least one year. The Aussies, both women and men fit into this group; although a 1 year plan was most common for them. The long term travelers, those in the early through mid- 20's age group, were the Japanese who had already been traveling for more than one year and/or planned another year for a total of 2 years. Just a pop-up recollection...........
For several months: a place in Montana I know about.
Shorter engagements: The Haute Route, Chamonix - Zermatt (the technical route, none I which I am capable of doing now)
Alaska
Hiking trek in Scotland (Isle of Skye, the "Wet" Highland Way, Munros) and Norway
Antarctica, approached slowly through S America
Geneva - anybody who would hire me to do anything. Great access point to other fun places. I could hang out there for a year.
Space (not happening)
I have some frequent flyer miles and my wife and I may revisit Guatemala and a few other Central American countries this fall. Otherwise my traveling days have been put on hold for the next 2 decades as my wife and I raise a family and save for college.
If I had 10 x the money I have... I would live and still enjoy EXACTLY where I live now.
My old hometown midwest friend once said "we go to Florida every year on Vacation, where do you go?"...I said I stay here and ENJOY...he looked bewildered, and didn't understand.....
I smiled
You've missed the entire notion of the thread.
I don't recall anyone mentioning being "unhappy", except you.
Traveling to the point of staying in another location for a long enough period of time to learn, grow and enjoy is the focus of this thread.
You need to read the thread again................and the subject line, in particular.
Tampa Bay - If you're not going to do some traveling with all that $$ you're earning ... WT# are you going to do with it?
Nobody can drink THAT much beer.
Mona
just wondering?
No shortage of cars, tourists, old people, noise, congestion, heat, humidity, beer fumes mixed with the aroma of dead fish, decaying sea-weed and banana-oil sun screen ... and college kids getting trashed on booze & drugs every spring. I'm sure you find it all very enlightening.
BTW: There's also no reason to read books, magazines, newspapers or to take any educational classes if don't feel like it. To each his own.
That is partly because in my younger years I lived all over the U.S. - from Louisville, Dayton, and Cleveland to Rochester and the Finger Lakes region to the coast of California, and the mountains of the Sierras and the mountains of North Carolina and more. Now I just want to relax and stay put in an area I discovered inadvertently (Mayberry USA)
Edit: Odd that in most of my younger years when I was travelling and living all over, I was dirt poor. Now that I am not so, I want to stay put.
I suspect most of us are pleased with where we live. I'm not unhappy with my location and have easy access to higher levels of education, a wonderful state to continue to explore and discover, and enough cultural exposure.....the arts, entertainment, etc. within short drive times.
However, as much as I have traveled outside of the U.S.; I would enjoy more, too.
Youtube lets one wander wherever.........and have a quasi experience.
But, not unlike sexual intercourse; reading about it or viewing it and being directly involved; are different experiences, eh?
So, I may be able to read and watch an online video about a small cafe outside of the city of Toulouse, France; however, I would prefer to sit at that table and eat the food.
Hey ! .............take care of you and yours,
Catch