The Making Of A Liberal Tourist

[Kanary]

I have watched the travel program, "Rick Steve's Europe" on TV, and while pawing through his website, I came across this:

http://www.ricksteves.com/news/0311/innocents.htm

It's quite a piece on how his travels changed his view about his own country, and where he fits in the world.

I was quite touched, and from reading this, I can sense that he is really grieving the war in Iraq.

Just thought some others might enjoy a bit of good news for a change.

Kanary

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. Rick Steves is a good man with a great social conscience.

Yes, he would grieve over the war in Iraq...AND Afghanistan. A good man there.

Thanks Kanary.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

2. Thank you-I sent Rick positive feedback!

Most people who have lived or travelled abroad have a much different perspective than the 'America-Love it or leave it" crowd. Did you see some of the comments on this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1121039

The anti-Europe crowd has little foreign travel experience-aside from cruise ships and Caribbean resorts.

[Kanary]

5. Made me think of our Scandinavian DU poster

Brain is dropping out, so I can't right now remember the country, but one of our posters is from Scandinavia, and was saying thtt their country strives for lots of time off work so that the citizens can travel, because they consider it important educationally. In fact, they have programs for people to take a year leave of absence so that they can go to countries that would require more time that they wouldn't ordinarily be able to visit.

And here we are in the US, chasing the almighty $, so we can contribute more towards war.

aaarrrrggghhhh!

I have even more appreciation for Rick Steves' travel philosophy now... he definitely wants people to not only see the sights, but to mingle with the locals, and learn more about them. His show demonstrates that. I know my experience in Greece had that effect on me. It's something that affected me deeply.

Kanary

[HawkerHurricane]

3. Travel broadens some people

Others, it just makes fat.
Alas and alackaday, for me it did both.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

4. My sister gained five pounds in a week in Paris

it was all those pastries I think.

[kokofitz]

6. So I'm still driving my old car...

I can remember folks asking how I could afford to travel all over. I told them that seeing the rest of the world was a great deal more fun than buying a new car every year or so. I've met so many wonderful people all over the U.S., Europe, UK, Ireland, and Central America!

I guess priorities are everything.

[sleipnir]

7. I love Rick Steves

He has amazing travel guides which I highly recommend. Especially the UK guides, I had some great trips using his guides! And his commentary is hilarious. I find that reading his works and going to the places is almost like having a good friend along that you're traveling with. Great work, and he always seems like an honest and good man.