Author Topic: Travel Culture  (Read 6452 times)

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Offline cybercoma

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Re: Travel Culture
« Reply #150 on: March 07, 2019, 07:45:39 am »
Has anyone had any good experiences with an all-inclusive? I keep hearing horror stories from friends and colleagues, but Mrs. Bercoma is insistent on going to one. I'm skeptical about them....hell, about everything.

Offline JMT

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Re: Travel Culture
« Reply #151 on: March 07, 2019, 08:37:50 am »
Has anyone had any good experiences with an all-inclusive? I keep hearing horror stories from friends and colleagues, but Mrs. Bercoma is insistent on going to one. I'm skeptical about them....hell, about everything.

We had a great time in both Cabo and Cancun with all inclusive.  It doesn't stop you from going out, and in areas where you'd rather not leave the resort, it gives you that sense of security.  Read the reviews, and make sure you're getting something you want.  On the other hand, in a place like Puerto Vallarta for example, I'd never go all inclusive, as I'd never be eating at the resort, and I don't like drinking all that much.
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Offline Michael Hardner

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Re: Travel Culture
« Reply #152 on: March 07, 2019, 09:46:09 am »
Has anyone had any good experiences with an all-inclusive? I keep hearing horror stories from friends and colleagues, but Mrs. Bercoma is insistent on going to one. I'm skeptical about them....hell, about everything.

I would never.  Ever.
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Offline Squidward von Squidderson

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Re: Travel Culture
« Reply #153 on: March 07, 2019, 04:59:33 pm »
Has anyone had any good experiences with an all-inclusive? I keep hearing horror stories from friends and colleagues, but Mrs. Bercoma is insistent on going to one. I'm skeptical about them....hell, about everything.

A sibling and her husband go to one regularly in Dominican Republic.   They really like it.  I think it's a bit too insulating and isn't for me.  It sounds nice though...  food is good...  beautiful location...  nice rooms... 
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Offline ?Impact

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Re: Travel Culture
« Reply #154 on: March 07, 2019, 05:01:32 pm »
A sibling and her husband go to...

That sounds like the start of a joke. I assume you mean "My sister and her husband..."

Offline Squidward von Squidderson

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Re: Travel Culture
« Reply #155 on: March 07, 2019, 05:58:19 pm »
That sounds like the start of a joke. I assume you mean "My sister and her husband..."

I don't know what I meant...   but yeah...  you're correct.

Offline msj

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Re: Travel Culture
« Reply #156 on: March 10, 2019, 11:08:38 am »
That’s it.

At the grocery store the other day and some Metallica song comes on (one of those from the ‘90’s so more pop than metal).

Reminds me of being at the Bolivian/Chilean border on New Year’s day:

After 4x4 ing through southern Bolivia for almost 3 days we get to the Bolivian outpost.

This little building with one guy who rotates in on 3 week shifts.

Passports get stamped, tell him how beautiful his country is, and go to wait in the Landcruiser.

Our Bolivian driver is chewing his coca leaves and we wait with our group (3 Landcruisers). 

And wait...and some more waiting.

Chile is hyper organized so they send a bus to us, we get on, they take us back to their border station to search our luggage, and then we get back on the bus to go to Antacalma.

But they are late.

And our tour guide is trying to talk our drivers to take us to the Chilean station but our driver can’t because he has a stash of coca leaves and Chile frowns on that (or, rather, frowns on Bolivians - there were a number of occassions where Chilean rascism towards Bolivians and Peruvians shone throw). 

Thankfully, the Chilean bus arrives (the excuse was the Chilean border agents had a late lunch) and we head off.

We get to the station but stop short.

Our Chilean guide explains that we need to behave calmly, do not be too loud, let them go through our luggage but we should declare certain items from the outset to stay out of trouble: fruit, vegetables, incense wood etc.

Our bus enters the station (literally drives inside) and we pull all our bags down and line them up.

There is no one else here probably within 50 km unless you count the Bolivian back at his outpost about 10km away.

We stand in line to get our stamps.

The agents look like bastards/criminals.

Then one of them turns on the boom box they have and some Metallica song comes on. Can’t remember which but pretty sure from the Master of Puppets album.

The mood suddenly changes as, first the young Aussies, then the older British, and finally the Scot and Canadians start moving to the music.

And just like that the scowls turn to smiles and when they went through our bags (thoroughly) it was almost a pleasant experience.

This memory will always be triggered whenever I hear Metallica from now on.

The thing is, I made a playlist for this trip as I was told that then when you hear that song it will bring you back to that trip. 

My playlist was heavy on Metric, and Dark Saturday in particular. 

Now whenever I hear that song I am reminded of being on the train from Ollantaytambo to Macchu Picchu.

So it works: music triggers memories whether intentionally or not.


« Last Edit: March 10, 2019, 11:10:59 am by msj »
I've gotta have more cow bell! -Bruce Dickinson

Offline Squidward von Squidderson

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Re: Travel Culture
« Reply #157 on: March 11, 2019, 12:47:57 pm »
Quote
there were a number of occassions where Chilean rascism towards Bolivians and Peruvians shone throw)


Is "Bolivian" a race? 

Offline wilber

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Re: Travel Culture
« Reply #158 on: March 11, 2019, 01:46:30 pm »
"Never trust a man without a single redeeming vice" WSC

Offline msj

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Re: Travel Culture
« Reply #159 on: March 11, 2019, 10:09:24 pm »

Is "Bolivian" a race?

Google “ethnicity of Bolivia” and then do the same for Chile.

Then go there and see for yourself.
I've gotta have more cow bell! -Bruce Dickinson

Offline msj

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Re: Travel Culture
« Reply #160 on: October 25, 2019, 12:07:46 am »
Had a good short trip in September:

Wife, SIL, and I visited the French friends in Alsace for a few days. Bought bread from a vending machine for 1 euro, drank excellent wine, helped one of their kids learn to roller blade/in-line skate.

Went to some Michelin star restaurant in the middle of butt-hump nowhere and had a wonderful time: the moon over the fields on the way home was beautiful.

Then it was the trains to Basel and then Florence.

First time on trains in Europe. Annoyed at the Basel train station as I forgot I was in Switzerland so when I paid for a pretzel in euros I got back change in francs. Have a lovely 10 franc note as a souvenir.

Once in Florence settled into the AirBnB by getting groceries at the central market (fresh pasta and gnocchi) and took it easy.

Did the wedding stuff: dinner at Frescobaldi’s the night before, the ceremony the day of, the reception and the disco dancing.

Then it was time for the museums and gardens. Three full days of it with mile after mile of walking. Had to eat boar and pigeon liver and gelato and pizza to maintain my strength.

A couple of thunderstorms at this time of year were fun for a west coaster who rarely sees that type of thing.

Got the selfie in front of that Venus picture - Botticelli or someone.

Took the train to Sienna which is a great little city with a cool Roman fort.

Fun was had by all.

Greece is still way better but how can anyplace compete with perfection?

Later this year will test Egypt and Jordan to see if they can beat out Greece....
I've gotta have more cow bell! -Bruce Dickinson
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Offline Michael Hardner

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Re: Travel Culture
« Reply #161 on: October 25, 2019, 05:44:58 am »
Enjoy!!

Offline JMT

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Re: Travel Culture
« Reply #162 on: October 25, 2019, 08:43:17 am »
I'm going to Andalusia in February - looking forward to it.
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Offline Goddess

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Re: Travel Culture
« Reply #163 on: October 25, 2019, 10:05:14 am »
I'm going to Andalusia in February - looking forward to it.

The birthplace of flamenco.  Hope you take in a show at a tiny hole in the wall where the locals will dance.  :)
"A religion without a Goddess is half-way to atheism."

Offline Omni

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Re: Travel Culture
« Reply #164 on: October 25, 2019, 12:43:21 pm »
I'm going to Andalusia in February - looking forward to it.

I'm envious. I and two work mates traveled around Spain from north to south and went through Andalusia and eventually into Africa. On the way we did overnight a little north in Valencia and when it came to dinner time I said "hey c'mon guys, we don't need menus, we're in the home of Paella". I begin to drool just thinking about how good it was. I'm sure you can get a similar rendition in Sevlle or Malaga.

Buen viaje.