Best and worst country you have visited?
Posted Mar 14, 2010, 2:53 AM UTC
62519
Best: Germany. The place is absolutely spotless. The people are very charming and really do go out of their way to be friendly and helpful to tourists especially if you try to speak German and respect their culture.
Honorable mention: Philippines. Some of the friendliest people on Earth.
Worst: France. The opposite of Germany in every way even when you are trying your best.
Runner up: Japan. All foreigners are Gaijin. Gaijin is best described by a line from the movie Mr. Baseball. "It's like being a black guy back home but there's less of us."
39
Being filipino, I can attest to being friendly as hell.
19
Being in North Dakota, I have only met one filipino person in my schooling days. He was one of this nicest people I have me. And a lot of days in school he smelled of delicious filipino food haha.
5
Working with many filipino foreign workers in several positions, I agree with you.
2
Don't a lot of filipinos hate black people?
-2
France. The opposite of Germany in every way even when you are trying your best.
Opposites attract. This is why Germany and France have been such good friends throughout history.
16
Look around you. Just look around you.
7
Have you found what we're looking for?
6
Yes thats right... Magnesium
9
I agree with your assesments of Germany, the Philippines and France. I do disagree with Japan. I found the people their very polite and interesting.
France, though. I cant say how much I hate that place, Paris in particular. If not for the Louvre, I would never go back. The people are rude and condescending and they often smell.
7
I may be the one American who found Parisians bucking the stereotype. I was all "Pardon misour, par le vous Englais?" and they'd always go "I will try, I will try..." That said, roughing it on three French phrases got old fast so I bolted to Amsterdam. So I could ruin it for the non-American tourists, no doubt.
1
Not every Parisian is as I described. I did meet a few nice ones. But, by and large the people there just plain pissed me off.
2
My sister and brother-in-law had a similar experience. I dunno, I guess it may be a matter of attitude. There are assholes everywhere and as someone pointed out, big city dwellers are generally less ammenable to the tourists who run roughshod over their town. I think if you're cool and make an effort in general, though, people respond positively to that.
1
I found the French to be lovely. Absolutely not a single instance of this cold-shoulder snobbery that everybody reports. But, I am not an American.
1
But the Japanese service people (e.g. hotel staff, taxi drivers) are extremely nice and polite.
Besides, the Mr. Baseball is a little off, because at least you won't get hanged for walking into the wrong place... though you might be asked to go on a game show...
2
[deleted]
2
My friend who has been living in japan for 5 months hates it and described japan in the same way.
1
The official word for foreigner in Japanese is "gaikokujin" (foreign-country-person). Gaijin, w/o the "koku", does have negative connotations.
1
upvoted as a Filipino who loves Germany and didn't much like the French. disagree about japan though, most of the people I met there were very nice and polite.
1
I found Parisians to be real jerks, but not any more so than a typical New Yorker. On the other hand, I had a wonderful experience in Normandy, where the people were all very nice, even when it was clear I didn't speak a word of French. My brother lived for a few months in the countryside around Nice, and he loved it.
EDIT: Also, I should point out that the cultural resources in France are really pretty amazing (art, architecture, literature, food, etc.).
1
I should have said Paris rather than slander the entire country of France. Thanks for making the distinction.
1
british reply no2.
0
Best: the Netherlands.
Worst: France. The French were unbelievably rude to us, as obvious foreigners. Both my parents speak fluent french, so we understood the rude things they were saying. Besides for the horrible people, France was gorgeous.
34
South or North of France?
There is quite a difference depending on what part you were in..
10
This is true. Although I've never actually been to France, I've heard that the French people outside of Paris are a lot less like the stereotypical French people.
10
Exactly. I've hated every Parisian I ever met, but I really enjoyed the company of every non-Parisian Frenchperson I had the chance to know.
9
That's interesting. I was in France, mostly Paris, for almost a month in 2007 and found Parisians to be generous, warm and very hospitable. I loved the people there.
15
The only French person I have met was in summer camp when I was younger. He wanted a comb or something and he shoved me to the ground when I had to clarify that I knew what he was asking for. Fucking dick...
3
I have to say I have had this argument many times, most recently this past Monday. The Parisians were helpful and friendly to my wife and I, although I can't help but think it was due to my limited French abilities. Maybe it's because I'm from L.A. and anywhere else is friendlier ... ?!
1
Although I've never actually been to France
Very important qualifier...
4
I didn't really like Paris (definitely wouldn't call it the worst place I've been though), but I definitely enjoyed the southern coast. Warning though, very few people I found in the south speaks a a single word of English.
6
This is true- Paris was such a disappointment. I loved the Louvre and seeing the Eiffel Tower, but the city just had a very touristy vibe. We actually cut our Paris trip short and moved onto the coast and off to Spain.
1
You are sending mixed signals here. You loved the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, arguably two destinations with some of the most touristy vibe not just in Paris but world-wide. But you found the rest of Paris too touristy? That does not really compute.
Next time do a lazy sunday morning brunch besides the quaia Vainly.
7
If you don't overtly look or act like a tourist, you won't have this problem. I've also noticed the same thing in Italy as well.
5
The rudest people were in north/central France. The parisians weren't particularly polite, but the west coast of france had some of the rudest people I have ever met. This was during Euro 2004, and it Holland, (my home country!), was playing that night. We tried to grab dinner at the hotel we were staying at, and we waited three hours without seeing an appetizer before we total the waitress to get her manager, told the manager to go fuck himself, and I was fortunate enough to be allowed to go back to the room to watch the game.
Fucking french.
4
Mitigating circumstances : you admit you were Dutch people. In a group. Abroad. I am sorry to say, but everyone hates you then.
You are obnoxious, loud and arrogant. You know this to be true, and most of you have no trouble admitting it.
Dutch people are best consumed either in their home-country or in small portions.
6
no man, fuck that, GERMANS in a group are the worst.
4
As someone currently living in the United States of America, I would say either you do not live in America, (you would understand the true meaning of the words obnoxious, loud, and arrogant), or you are simply a "patriotic" moron with the American stigma that bearing those stripes and stars makes you a better person than everyone else.
Besides being culturally inept, Americans are louder, more arrogant, and more exceedingly obnoxious than any people I have ever met.
2
As a dutch person, I hate dutch people abroad.
My family switches to english when we here slightly drunk dutch people.
1
In contrast I think the Dutch are some of the meanest people on earth. They all hate absolutely everyone and think everywhere but the Netherlands is the 3rd world.
0
I was once pushed off the train by a dutch granny who was in a hurry to get off.
She poked me in the back with a stick afterwards.
2
I think you have mistaken being critical and skeptic for hate. Hate is very unrational, it is very hard to hate everything. Oh, and we rank 7th place on the list of most charitable countries in the world. We have a kick-ass social system too.
1
Let me guess, you went to Paris? City folk tend to be rude no matter where you go. They also tend to be less tolerant of foreigners. That's just how people tend to be.
6
Unless you are pretty.
2
True, true...
1
The exception is amsterdam where they're all too stoned to be incredibly rude (except behind your back)
1
My limited experience in Paris was that most of the service people (taxicab drivers, hotel staff, etc) are the biggest assholes in particular public servants but otherwise the people were really nice.
6
I'm hopefully moving to Amsterdam in September. You're making me more excited!
1
Amsterdam is a beautiful city! Have you been there before?
1
Nope :(, I've never been on a plane. I guess it will make me appreciate it so much more when I actually do!
1
I love the layout of the city. Make sure you get a bike as it is very much a walking/biking city. Also, the trams are a great way to get around, but a little pricey. There are a few places you don't want to walk around at night, so be careful. There are people selling drugs on the street and they will approach you. Just don't act too much like a tourist and you'll be fine! And the airport is huge! Take the train into the city- it's the easiest way to get there. It is cheaper to take the bus, but don't do it. The coffee shops are great places to hang out and meet new people. The locals are very friendly. Oh, and if you take a train to the country side (or perhaps to Brussels for the weekend?) you will pass some awesome windmills- the old fashioned huge ones! Enjoy yourself and have fun!
3
Whereabouts are you moving from?
1
The East Coast of Canada. I've never moved before, so even though it will completely change my life, I'm so freaking ready. It won't be until September, so it's giving me a good chunk of time to save up.
I'm really thankful of any advice, really. I have no idea what to expect!
1
Have you got a job and accommodation lined up? I want to move there myself sometime but I have no idea about emigrating at all. How did you set about doing it?
1
When we were in France for my brother's wedding, we stopped in a small town for lunch. My wife's fish came first and she had to wait a couple of minutes until the rest of us were served. The fish was cold and she asked if they could re-heat it.
The waitress refused and said "if you had eaten it when I brought it out, it wouldn't have been cold".
1
Funny how relative it is. I would rank Netherlands as the worst place I visited personally- never experienced so much outright bigotry in my life.
1
France is a great place to live. But if you want to spend a good vacation, don't come to France. We really are pretentious assholes. It's a shame.
1
[deleted]
0
France. "The French are rude."
Actually that's not true.
Allow me to elaborate a little about the French social life. French people are exceedingly polite. In France, when you go to a café, the conversation would typically be like "Good morning! How's it going? May I please have a croissant with a black tea? Thank you - you're welcome, enjoy your morning, bon appetit!" then you ask for the bill "This was delicious. May I please have the bill? Thank you - you're welcome, come again". And this without being a regular customer.
What most tourists don't understand is that French people really stress on politeness, and when you share this politeness with them, they're the most friendly and adorable people ever.
Most tourists have a sense of entitlement. "Bring me a croissant!".
TACT. The French culture is all about TACT. I know people living in France and I've also been there a couple of times, and I can debunk the myth that French people are rude. They absolutely are NOT rude.
Pro-tip: when you (tourist) walk into a store, greet the owner. "Hello! How's it going?". Be nice. Say "Thank you", and smile. Tip the waiters/waitresses, these are very well educated and culturally-rich young people. Be courteous, and they'll trade you back with more of that.
0
I am not an uneducated redneck from southern Missouri. I'm European born, with strictly formal European parents, and I have spent enough time in Europe to understand a decent amount of its formalities. My parents are both fluent French speakers, among several other languages, and they are never anything but polite to shopkeepers, waitresses, etc, especially in a foreign country in which we are guests. The individual people we met are simply rude.
1
Best: Chile
Worst: Haiti
28
I'm noticing a pattern. You must weigh a trillion pounds.
66
Congratulations... you've just made my day.
9
"weigh"
2
?
1
Blastek is joking about the recent earthquakes in Chile & Haiti. You probably caused them in both countries because you weigh a trillion pounds.
16
OHHHHHHHH. Sorry. It's just been a long time since I've been to either one, so in my head that didn't make sense.
0
Although you're trying to make a joke, I agree that Haiti is the worst country that I've ever been to. (Though once you get away from populated areas, its a very beautiful country.)
3
I'm not actually making a joke. I've been to both those countries. Chile was the best because of the diverse geography, friendly people, and just how nice it was.
Haiti was a mess when I went there, even before the quake. It does have some beautiful spots on the beaches and mountains, but the crushing poverty, and horrible corruption is really frightening.
18
My bad, sir.
1
Although you think Haiti is the worst country you've ever been to, since I'm not the one saying it you must not be serious, so I'd just like to take this opportunity to point out that Haiti is the worst country I've ever been to.
FTFY
-1
Best: New Zealand/UK tie
Worst: American Cruise Liner/Paris
New Zealand was beautiful (I went through the Fjords in a cruise liner, simply amazing). And the people were really nice.
Had bad experiences with the American cruise liner Rhapsody Of The Seas. They tack on a tip for everything automatically, and get annoyed when you ask them to remove it.
The prices listed weren't the real prices for things, they didn't include tax, or gratuity, so things cost a lot more than advertised. Everyone goes over the top to get tips which just got annoying.
Much prefer Aus/NZ/Europe there. You just buy something for the listed price, and you have it. At a restaurant you pay the exact listed price, and only tip with amazing service as a bonus. You don't tip to pay people's wages like in America. It is a stupid system ihmo.
1
Best: New Zealand
Worst: Albania
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[deleted]
6
Indeed... born here, raised here... love it. I personally know half a dozen very well travelled individuals who have seen the world and upon travelling here for a visit have never left.
1
There are tons of us NZers on Reddit eh.
1
Worst: NZ. It's like living in a cross between Bizarro World and Canada in the 1970s. People are snarky, apathetic stoners with no moral compass- the only thing they get riled up about is if you take away their "right" to beat their children. Anything cool (like FOTC) has to leave to be successful because locals have no taste. A seriously backward and primitive culture with a tiny smattering of innovative talented people thrown in.
Plus they don't sell pop tarts or Ginger ale here.
But the healthcare here is great so what the hell... ;)
0
Stopped reading at "no moral compass." Since we're on the topic, what country is your high horse in?
4
Being a NZ'er I'll at least back up the snarky apathetic stoners bit
3
You're welcome to leave any time if you don't like us, asshole.
2
[deleted]
2
You are the tiny smattering I refer to.
I guess most couldn't tell that my post was indeed a bit of venting (from possibly a not so fun experience assimilating with the primitive bloke-culture here) mixed with a tongue in cheek vibe... Yeah not the most welcoming country in the world (during 9/11 I got a few "serves you right"s as if I was personally responsible for bush & Iraq).
About the fat thing, NZ is actually 3rd fattest in the OECD countries and first for child suicide due to all the child abuse here.
Of course I was mostly kidding. There are some nice things about this country - less so if you're not an extreeme tramper outdoorsy type or the dj scene ecstasy taking type. And don't even get me started on the crappy insanely overpriced quality of the leaky homes here.
But there are some good people here - it just often seems most of them are the harden-up types who wanna beat -er I mean smack obedience into their kids here like bjb39 below who scares me ;-p
there are ppl here like yourself that are friendly. But generally ppl are mire aloof and less optimistic that they are in the States. And some of the humor here is funny (eg FappingFury's nick).
This country might be totally awesome when it grows up. If it can shake off the lowclassness of the Everyman syndrome it seems to be afflicted with.
Some of it might also be homesickness and underestimating the cultural differences despite the common language.
I should have known there'd be rabid downvoting and deaththreats involved ;)
thx for yr post tho...
Btw I meant proper Ginger Ale - not that weird tasting dark schwepps crap :-p~~~
Edit: Clarified a pronoun.
0
[deleted]
1
what happened in albania?
3
Nothing bad in particular. It's just a rather unfortunate country. It has naturally beautiful landscape that is covered in trash - plastic grocery bags as far as the eye can see. The coast has been irresponsibly developed so there are all these high rise hotels blocking the view to the sea and no one staying in them, some unfinished for years. The roads are complete shite. It's just a place that could have so much potential but has so much going against it. It's pretty depressing, especially when you see the strides made by other countries in the same region.
1
agree with you, i go to Albania to visit family, and then i vacation in Montenegro lol..
2
I hear the women there are pretty hot though.
1
Where are you from?
1
(this is her SO) we're US. but have traveled around the world a bit and lived in netherlands for a few years.
1
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1
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22
New York city has statistically some of the lowest crime rates in the country.
8
That is probably just per capita though, as it also has a larger population than most cities.
2
Actually, New York's murders only beat cities like Detroit's by 50 or so a year, and NY has 10 times the population.
1
And unless you're a young black male in the (crappy parts of) the Bronx or Brooklyn, you're probably legit.
1
[deleted]
1
I feel pretty safe in NYC... I guess it depends where exactly you are but I definitely felt less safe in my college town and in D.C.
2
Glad you enjoyed Cape Town. The negatives you list should take at least another generation or two to address/fix. As for the dodgy street, I'm sure you can find one in every town in the world, but if you stick to the tourist friendly places you should be fine.
2
Best - Scotland - Friendly people, awesome country side.
Worst - Serbia - Sketchy as hell.
However, I think most of my Serbian experience was bad because everyone thought we were American (my family is Canadian). We were with this Taxi driver, and he was just quiet, and not talking to us. My dad tried making conversation by saying we were just here from Canada, and he got a smile on his face... "OH! Canada! I like Canada. Good people." He then proclaimed his love for the ex-communist head-of-state. I loved that communist taxi driver. Nice dude.
21
Dagless: The cabin crew suggested we all go out and club it. I had no option; it was that or one of there B&Bs. I figured it’d be safer on the streets. For the first time ever I saw the Scotch in their natural habitat, and it weren’t pretty. I’d seen them huddling in stations before, being loud but… this time I was surrounded. Everywhere I went it felt like they were watching me; fish-white flesh puckered by the Highland breeze; tight eyes peering out for fresh meat; screechy, booze-soaked voices hollering out for a taxi to take ‘em halfway up the road to the next all-night watering hole. A shatter of glass; a round of applause; a sixteen-year-old mother of three vomiting in an open sewer, bairns looking on, chewing on potato cakes. I ain’t never going back… not never.
Sanchez: My aunt lives in Scotland, she says it’s quite nice.
Dagless: Well she's wrong.
10
[deleted]
1
I know mon means man, but I dont think och means anything.
1
Isn't "och" the sound one makes while choking?
Google up Glaswegian Smile for something unique. Then check Tommy Flanagan of Sons of Anarchy to see what one looks like in real life.
2
Its a follow-up Darkplace quote! From the legend himself, Dr Sanchez. Im from Belfast, been making regular trips to Glasgow/Scotland as a whole since I was about 10, I know it very well! Upvote for kindness however. Cheers!
1
british reply no1, lets' see if the 2nd is british too.
2
Upvote for Scotland!
1
Best: Thailand
Worst: Rome, Italy in the summer. I stuck to touristy places and I swear, there were more Americans than Italians everywhere I went. I spent thousands of dollars to be around the same fucking people I was trying to get away from. (Italy can be amazing, though, during non-tourist seasons and lesser known locations)
19
its weird Rome, Italy sounds just so bad ass, but I've heard a lot of stories about people not enjoying their stay. One said something about being robbed by gypsies or something, and also getting in trouble for taking a picture of a cop.
6
Yep, we were almost mugged while at the train station there.
6
WTF is "almost mugged"? I was "almost hit" by about 2000 cars today.
9
Unsuccessfully mugged, I'd have thought. Still not a pleasant experience.
3
crap, kind of sucks to hear, I know thats where my parents are saving up to go, hate for them to have to put up with that shit.
1
Besides China, Italy was my least enjoyable trip. It is WAY too crowded (assuming they're going to the big tourist spots) and 80% of the people you'll see are tourists.
The other 20% is sleazy-looking immigrants or gypsies who will literally chase you until you buy one of their overpriced keychains.
3
tell your parents they should skip italy and see wien, austria ;)
2
Rome is awesome. The Romans suck big time though
1
I've heard people complain about insane amounts of litter in Italy.
2
Yeah, that is the tourists. All the places with a lot of tourists (besides naples) are covered with shit. I don't see why people need to come here and act like pigs.
1
Do you know where the tourist free places are in italy? (that are still beautiful) I plan on going there soon and i wan't the experience to be as close to flawless as it could. So i would like to know where and where not to go.
1
HAH, my mom got her wallet stolen out of her purse by a gypsy while we were on vacation in Rome. It happened just as we were getting off the subway train, and she jumped right back on and screamed at the guy until he gave it back. Everything turned out ok, but it sure freaked the rest of the family out.
1
You will find that all over Europe in the big touristy cities, people targeting tourists.
It is illegal in a lot of countries to take pictures of cops and military things so you should be careful of that not just in Italy.
1
The thing that is insane about Rome is that you can fucking stand on the fucking steps that fucking emperor Ceasar stood at. Mindblowing if you think about it. But yeah, the tourists. Well, console yourself with the idea that you are part of the problem, not the solution.
3
Go to Rome during the spring. Less tourists, not too unbearably hot, everything's cheaper (cause there's less tourists) and it all looks gorgeous.
2
Roma, Venezia and Firenze are awful because of the tourists. Italy is a wonderful places ( I am not italian but i live here) but all of the tourists traps are horrific places to be.
You need to go in the winter, or just skip those places, there is so much to see here in Italy and great people too.
1
It's fucking hot In the summer there. Sounds terrible
1
well, what did you expect?
-1
To be as enjoyable as other places I've traveled to
6
'Tis true. I am not sure if Italians follow this, as I have not been to Italy, but in America it seems no one gives a shit about littering. By the dumpsters outside my apartment building, and where I work, people in the US seem to think the world is their dumpster. How hard is it to make the 20' trip to the dumpster to throw away your refuse? Or make sure you make it in one of the damned huge bins made for garbage?
1
13
I like the use of line weight, if that's the right term.
3
i don't know the other flag ...
2
I'm guessing Mexico.
2
I think the joke is that they're both Canada, as in that's the only country he's ever been in.
1
Best: Thailand. Awesome nightlife, such spirited and active people, and generally really nice rural environments.
Worst: USA. It was the only place where black people pissed on my family's car as we watched and walked away laughing.
12
It was the only place where black people pissed on my family's car
I'm glad it was the only place.
14
Come to bed, Sparky.
2
Atlanta?
1
Seattle, Tacoma. At least it wasn't Compton, then I would've expected it.
2
You hear a lot about Compton but it's not even that bad anymore because of all of the reputation it's gotten from having huge numbers of famous rap artists be born there. You're far more likely to now find the worst areas of the country either up in Detroit or down in Georgia.
6
I'm really bummed to hear you had a bad experience in Seattle. I live here and love it. Seattle and Tacoma both have some sketchy parts, but the behavior you describe is unlike anything I've ever heard of here!
4
Yeah, I know, I actually liked Tacoma, it's a nice place, but that particular memory was cemented into my mind strongly.
1
The Hilltop?
That's unfortunate. I live in Tacoma, and love it. When did you come?
1
It was about...7-8 years ago when I was still a wee lad of 10. I was most confused because I was going to say 'Hey, what are they doing?' but my parents just covered my mouth. I was with relatives that lived in the area, so I didn't understand why the fuck they'd let them piss all over their car and to walk away without any repercussions :(
1
Oh I get it. Playing the crazy Mel Gibson thing so they think you're insane and don't mess with you. Why else would you walk away from your own car laughing about someone pissing on it? Hmmm oh there is another reason: your antecedents are ambiguous at best.
1
Because that would never happen anywhere else...
0
Best: USA
Worst: USA
11
NYC and Detroit?
13
Probably Las Vegas and New Jersey.
5
I had a shitty time when I was in vegas, maybe I just went during a douchebag convention or something.
7
I thought that Las Vegas was designed to be a permanent setting for the doucebag conventions.
13
Detroit actually gets a worse rap then it deserves. If you keep to downtown and the nicer areas, Detroit is actually okay. Plus, I live in Michigan, so I'm slightly bias :)
1
Defending michigan, eh? Don't think we don't know about Benton Harbor.
1
Couldn't agree more on account of NYC & Detroit.
0
Best: Switzerland. Great weather, no noticeable poverty, beautiful scenery, and friendly people.
Worst: People's Republic of China. Smells bad, uncomfortably high levels of poverty, I was constantly stared at for being white, so hot and dirty I wanted to take a shower every time I went outside, undrinkable water.
11
I was constantly stared at for being white
That's pretty common everywhere in East Asia outside of the major city centers. I lived in Korea and every morning when I'd go across this 6-lane road to get to the bus stop every single person would just stare at me as they sat at the stoplight. I noticed this because I wore shades most days, which are like little awkwardness shields. Having blond hair makes you stand out so hard over there that it's ridiculous. What's funny is that school kids would rarely stare, just the adults. Well, really young school kids would because of the novelty thing, but middle schoolers and high schoolers wouldn't, which I appreciated.
5
Did you at least dye your hair?
1
Half the young people in Korea have dyed their hair blonde so I don't think that alone would solve the problem.
1
I can't remember seeing a single Korean with blond/blonde hair, but if I did it couldn't have been more than one or two. Usually they will just dye their hair a sort of chestnut brown color, if they dye it at all.
1
Nah, I like my hair color just fine. It come in handy when picking up ladies.
1
Stared at out of curiosity, BTW. "Your presence was probably the most interesting thing for them in that week."
4
Yeah, I know, and I can't blame them too much for staring. Still, getting looked at by every single person on the street gets old after a while.
1
He probably got his hair felt up on the subway too. Personal space!
1
Anyone going to Switzerland, Basel and Lucerne are amazing, don't miss them.
1
Best: Iceland Worst: Israel
11
Care to elaborate on Israel? I'm asking because I quite enjoyed it when I was there...
1
People were in general rude and unfriendly. It was a relief to leave.
5
I can say to our credit that even though Israelis aren't polite inside Israel, they are also very rude outside of Israel.
So at least we're consistent.
9
Sorry to hear that.
I was in Jerusalem last year, and I made quite the opposite experience; even got invited to a family dinner by people who didn't even know me. I felt humbled by their generosity.
I guess there's always those and then there are others...
1
I've always wanted to go to Iceland, could you tell me why you enjoyed it so much?
1
The place is amazingly gorgeous. I thought the people were incredibly friendly. The weekend night scene is crazy.
I went for about a week, and stayed in a cheap hostel on the main drag. Everyone was extremely accommodating. Everyone speaks English and the people were really excited to talk to me. I think it was because I'm American and everyone I talked to wanted to move to the U.S.
I guess the only downside is that it is still pretty expensive.
2
Well, much for personal reasons since half of my family lives there. It feels home, even though I don't visit very often. Though, it is a magnificent place regardless.
1
Now I feel sad because I don't have any family in cool places like Iceland.
How accommodating is Iceland for tourists/travelers? Are Icelandic people friendly?
1
Best: Netherlands (I say Netherlands I mean Amsterdam), people were friendly and helpful, everyone seems to be really accepting and open minded.
Worst: America. Upon entering i get a lecture from some dick homeland security officer not even sure about what (he seemed like one of those pricks who take out their miserable lives on others), food was terrible covered in grease and might of well been eating out of a trough the amount of food there was, it seemed like everyone i met was either fat, rude and/or close minded.
9
As a Dutch, I don't like going to Amsterdam nowadays. It is swarming with tourist permanently.
2
I'm the same with London
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I'm hopefully going to school in Amsterdam next year. It will be my first time moving (and from a tiny town) and it's very refreshing to hear this!
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Brasil was my favorite, the people there are amazingly kind, if you have kids they go out of their way to let you to the front of every line. We saved at least 5 hours of time waiting in lines at the airport and such just because we had kids. They are always helpful and try and help when you don't speak portuguese and the place is just magnificently beautiful.
Worst is France, they are the complete vision of the stereotype, it's really amazing.
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You haven't been to the French Riviera then, that's where the rudeness high bar is set in France.
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Maybe in parts of Paris.. but the majority of people are great everywhere else. (Currently living in France)
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This is good to hear. I'm going to the southeast for the fall semester (I'm avoiding Paris because it's expensive) and all of these comments about French people being rude is making me incredibly nervous, even though I know these redditors are mostly referring to Parisians...
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Southeastern France is beautiful. And you will eat very well. The main downside is that they drive like idiots.
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I'm in the southeast right now for school.. it's great. Where will you be studying?
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I'll be in Grenoble at the CUEF at Université Stendhal III.
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You took my exact best and worst. I spent 3-4 months in each, both times doing internships, and my experiences were completely different. France definitely has beautiful things to see but the people there make your life hell. Brazil, on the other hand, is full of amazing people.
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I haven't traveled very much, but the Dominican Republic broke my heart. I was there handing out food to the extremely poor sugar cane workers. These people live off of nothing--they get maybe a dollar or two for every couple of tons of sugar cane harvested. One day in the trip we took a bus to Santo Domingo. It was so jarring to see this posh, first-world city completely oblivious to the extreme poverty all around.
I'm pretty sure Haiti is much worse off, especially after that earthquake a few months ago, but I'm fairly certain the economic gap is way bigger in the Dominican.
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It was so jarring to see this posh, first-world city completely oblivious to the extreme poverty all around.
People in the future will probably look back at us and say the same thing. Don't we all live in first world cities surrounded by extreme poverty. Distance is relative.
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I'm going to have to disagree. It's not like I'm completely sheltered in the US. Santo Domingo looked ritzier than most of the US, as intimidating as NYC, as glamorous as Hollywood.
The bateys, as the poor "cities" are called there are sometimes nothing more than corrugated sheeting (think this but sparser). Electricity is rare; running water doesn't exist.
Maybe it was because the two environments weren't very far apart, less than a few hours; maybe it was because the DR was one of the few places outside of the country I visited, so I'm a little biased.
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Best: Uganda. I love everything about my adventure there.
Worst: Dubai. i thought the smog was fog when i first landed. Was i ever wrong.
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I can't imagine Uganda as topping anyone's list. Guess ya kinda had to be there, huh?
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Before i went i had a lot of misconceptions about Uganda based on what i saw in western media; its probably nothing like you imagine it. Uganda is a stunningly beautiful place full of character and a rich history.
ill never forget the nights i spent hours away from civilization drinking bags of whiskey and rum while sitting around a bonfire listening to a football game on a crank radio with some Ugandan friends. All this under the most beautiful star lit sky you have ever seen. very little can compared the wonderful simplicity and joy i got out of those experiences. maybe you just had to be there.
FUCK i miss that place...
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Very nice pictures! It looks like it was a pretty awesome trip. What was the purpose of your visit?
All this under the most beautiful star lit sky you have ever seen.
I would have like to see some pics of that!
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i tried to take pictures of the night sky but i couldn't change the shutter speed on the point and shoot camera i took with me. So, all the picture ended up blurry. But this close to what it looked like, minus the elephant and the purplish hue. In north america, away from major cities, Ive never seen a night sky with even close to as many stars as Uganda.
Edit: i was volunteering for two small Ugandan run NGOs (small as in they don't have websites, email addresses or contact from the world outside their community). A friends brother did some medical work in the country and ran across these two community leaders who were doing excellent work so i went to help them out. I helpped with some basic HIV testing/distributing meds. I also helped write up some grant proposals for HIV testing money. That was the primary reason, the other was for a little adventure.
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Oli Otya? if you don't mind me asking what part of uganda did you go to? i spent most my time mukono. the rest was split between mpigi district, kampala, and random spots in western Uganda near Rwanda.
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Uganda? Be glad you aren't gay, I guess.
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Best: Scotland, hands down. The people are friendly and genuine. Very straightforward folks who don't appreciate bullshit. It's great. Worst: Jamaica. I didn't stay long, so it's not really a fair assessment but I still don't have much of a desire to go back.
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I hated Jamaica as well
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Yeah, awful 3rd world place. Everyone seemed lazy and was begging/scamming the tourists for money. I was glad to leave.
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My exact experience.
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definitely was threatened multiple times with men (police/military? i have no idea) brandishing machine guns at me while in Jamaica... I was just minding my own business!
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Best: Spain
Worst: Uzbekistan
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Why for Uzbekistan? I've never been.
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Asshole Uzbekistan.
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I was going to write this, but I wasn't sure anyone would get the reference. It wasn't exactly a major quote.
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Field trip courtesy of the U.S. Army, it was just.. bad.. granted I guess Iraq is up there too though I didn't see any of the OP hard on for war Art in Uz that I did in Iraq.. so iraq gets a point for art.. Uz is stil bottom of the pile.
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I really enjoyed my trip to Uzbekistan. Very beautiful country side, beautiful mosques (Being non-muslim I couldn't see in and inside most of them) and other sacred places and relatively unscathed by war. It's not really a country you can just visit as a tourist though, you have to know where to go, what to do, who to bribe, what to order, what not to order, who to bribe. The one bad thing was that the cities would always make me ill (pollution I think), and looking at the crumbling remains of the Soviet Union was very, very cool.
That said I visited about nine years ago, a few months after 9/11. Apparently the socioeconomic conditions were already in free fall when I visited, there were .01 sum denominations flying around when I think you had to spend like 300 for a handful of flowers. I think the official conversion rate is now $1 to 1500. Think briefcases full of worthless cash.
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Try going to Uzbekistan when it's raining.. that beautiful country side turns into the most evil mud pit from hell.
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It's over there with Kazakhstan , Turkmenistan and all the other Soviet reject countries.
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I've spoken to travellers that have been through these countries, and they are some of their favourites. Really nice people, and he said one of them had really tall, beautiful women and they didn't realise how beautiful they were. Strange thing to say so it must be true.
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I've been to kazakhstan, and I can vouch that there is a higher percentage of attractive (by western standards) girls there. And yeah they don't realize it as much, because the dudes all look pretty much the same (not joking), so they pick their mates based on their financial/social success rather than on looks. Parts of the country were beautiful, but there was a lot of stupid shit like charging 25 cents to take a piss no matter where the hell you were (hardcore libertarians would enjoy it) as well as a diet high in fat and devoid of any fiber, resulting in initial constipation followed by stomach cramps and explosive diarrhea soon after. The roads are shot to hell and the people drive like maniacs, and the people have never heard of standing in line -- it's very much social darwinism in the purest sense of the expression. Oh and they really like to rant and rave about their abundant coal deposits which is their "national treasure," although the significantly heightened cancer rates among the population there took a bit of the gloss off that claim. If you ride the train between cities (likely, as the country is mostly empty space), make friends with some young guys and mention you like "anasha" (weed). They will probably hook you up with some decent bud at one of the stations, since it grows wild there and is sold to Russia and China.
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Strange thing to say so it must be true.
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Where are you from?
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Best: Tanzania and Germany
Worst: France (probably because i was none french speaker)
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Nope. France doesn't get any better even if you do speak the language.
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When it comes to understanding the conversations you overhear, knowing French can actually make the experience worse.
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I found Tanzania to be a real mixture. Some of the people were incredibly, I mean crazily, friendly; it's also safari central; lots of character; good weather, and beautiful, varied countyside. It's not very touristy either.
If the people weren't nice, however, they swung to the opposite and were utter assholes. Lots of them were intimidating, following you asking for money and trying to lure you into coming with them somewhere. Some of the people I was there with got mugged. It's horribly money-obsessed and corrupt at all levels of society - infrastructure is almost nonexistent, tourist-scamming is rife, and people can become aggressive (and occasionally even harm you) over pathetic amounts of money (even by their standards). I was once threatened pretty seriously by a beggar over £2.50 which he demanded and I refused (got out of it by luck). Also, if you're a white woman you will get hounded by men, who are often intimidating, forward, persistent and lacking in personal hygiene. Women are treated like meat there.
I'd recommend it for the experience of visiting a moderately wealthy sub-Saharan country, and for going on safari, but you have to take serious precautions there.
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India. India.
Can you elaborate? I'm going travelling in India in about 6 weeks.
There is no middle ground in India. You adore and loathe it at the same time. It's tha shit and the shits. I'd go back knowing full well I'd hate parts of it.
This is really elaborated on quite well in the book Are you Experienced? by William Sutcliffe.
Holy Cow by Sarah MacDonald is pretty good too... read it when I was in Varanasi.
It's the shit, the shits and literally lots of shit.
I'd like to know which parts you liked about it. I'm from there btw.
Well, I met a film director in Kolkata through the couchsurfing network, so that was awesome. We hung out for like a week and still keep in touch through facebook. I enjoyed getting lost in Varanasi, but the relative calm of Rishikesh was tops.
If you come to chennai, don't travel by auto.Ask your hotel to arrange for the transportation.
I worked at orphanages up along the Ganges river, went all the way north to Gangotri. The things I saw were some of the most terrifying and most beautiful. The people were some of the nicest and some of the craziest. I would just go and walk about, indifferent mostly to the area I was in. I saw some unexplainable things.
I know there are many Indians here so I wont exactly do an "IAmA Indian. AMA", but being a well-traveled guy who's stayed in many cities for schooling, college and business, I'd be happy to answer any queries anyone touring India might have.
Also, is there a subreddit for something like this?
People on these two subreddits are always talking about life in foreign places... hope this is at least partially what you were looking for.
http://www.reddit.com/r/ILiveIn/
http://www.reddit.com/r/IWantOut/
Hey, I'd definitely be keen :)
We're flying into Kolkata in about 8 weeks. I'm from Sydney, and short of a short stint in Thailand (most of which was spent on very touristy islands), I haven't really spent any time in non developed countries. What should I expect? Is it just going to be like a total smack in the face? I am worried that I will find the poverty and overcrowding totally overwhelming.
Also, we have plans to travel from Kolkata up into Tibet, hike around from east to west for a month or so, and then go back down into India north west India, after which we will travel down the coast to Tiruchirapalli. Is this a reasonable plan, or totally insane?
Any tips/advice you (and anyone else) can provide would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Look I mean no disrespect to people of Bengal / Kolkata, but Kolkata is a place even I would avoid (I am Indian, and have traveled in almost all parts of India).
Expect the absolutely worst form of poverty-overcrowding-crowds-smell-socialism etc etc, those who have visited that place and are not Communist or Bengali tell horror stories.
My advice would be to avoid Bengal. Rather you can visit Orissa(Been there 3 months back, found it to be very different from what I expected) which is nearby.
p.s. I am curious why people visit places like Bengal.
Hey, thanks for the info.
Curious as to what you mean about the socialism/communism thing?
And what kind of horror stories are we talking about?
kolkata is the shittiest city in India. Don't leave the kolkata airport. May I know the reason you want to visit Tiruchirapalli. It has got nothing. Visit Kerala/Mamallapuram in south india or North East states of India. You will have a good time. Please be careful which part of India you visit. Avoid metros altogether. You will not be able to tolerate the pollution, if you've never been to India.
Thanks for the info - when you say 'Please be careful which part of India you visit.', is this because of crime, or more to do with pollution and/or a lack of toursity things to do?
INDIA!!!
Are you sure?
That's how sure I am.
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IT'S BECAUSE WE HAVE NO EXPECTATIONS!!!
"OMG MY BROTHER WAS JUST RUN OVER??? HOW SAD, BUT IT HAPPENS. WHAT CAN YOU DO."
No really, people are "happy" here because they don't have the perspective to understand how bad it is for them.
Haha, Good one.
I think the best / worst thing depends on how long you're spending there. Best if you're having a layover in one of the nice airports (Delhi). Worst if you spent 5 years there (esp. in a major, polluted city, perhaps in South India - Like Chennai (Madras)).
I was going to say this exact thing.
The only thing that has made me want to go there, is the ridiculous currency exchange rate. Mara-hoopee in particular. An 1/8 for ~$15? Sign me up
India is the worst place on the planet. Words cannot describe how awful the pollution, smells, people, culture and water quality are.
Let it suffice to know that you're life is better if you go to Burma or Darfur and get your limbs cleaved instead.
Buddy, I got your point. But can we know where you live / hail from ?
New Zealand. I have made a large effort to travel the world. I am far more informed by firsthand experience than most people.
And I stand by my India statement above. It's terrible. I'm sorry that it is terrible and there is nothing that I can do to make it better.
I know it is terrible that we cannot arrange some sheeps for you folks. But you could have tried to make do with goats.
I am from India and I prefer suffering the dirt and smells than getting my limbs amputated. Whatever made you think anyone would want that!!!
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