tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738017584518403684.post3840886668292521358..comments2023-11-03T08:55:26.653+01:00Comments on Living Cheap in France: Mass Tourism: Why Do We Visit What We Visit?jp4tne77http://www.blogger.com/profile/00577572336584422056noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738017584518403684.post-61837671320140107782010-08-03T22:43:23.534+02:002010-08-03T22:43:23.534+02:00MIke,
I completely agree with you. Some of my bes...MIke,<br /><br />I completely agree with you. Some of my best trips since living in Europe (or anywhere for that matter) have been when I've been with someone that knew the area, could tell me a little about it, and more or less show me how they live their life.<br /><br />Unfortunately for an average tourist to Europe these opportunities don't always exist. At the same time, not everyone is searching for that. For example, on tour, almost every tourist to France, if they are to travel to other regions of France, almost always go to the same four places: Paris, Nice, Normandy (D-Day beaches in particular), and the Loire Valley. And the thing is, a lot of people are content with that. I constantly here the phrase "we did (somewhere)", and for many, that is enough.<br /><br />If someone happens to mention that they are traveling elsewhere in France, such as the Auvergne or Burgundy, most times, I'm much more open to give them advice on local spots in Paris, or travel tips to smaller towns in the region and whatnot. If they don't happen to know people over here or in those spots, I'll do my best to help them get as close as possible to living the local experience.<br /><br />I remember when I was in San Diego working in 2007 and was at lunch with a another intern who was talking about his time in Mexico. I remember him telling me about how his most vivid moment while there was sitting in a tiny town square with 3 or 4 locals, drinking a couple of beers and talking about their lives. They sat on the edge of a non working fountain in the middle of the square and looked at the stars while talking about differences in their lives from one country to the next. I think it was at that moment that I realized that isn't all about visiting the museums, beaches, or getting stupidly drunk where ever you visit. If you have the opportunity to meet with a local or you just happen to be social enough to work your way into a social situation away from home, then by all means, go for it.<br /><br />Thanks for reading and writing, Mike. I always appreciate your advice and comments, and if you have more on this topic, or any topic, don't hesitate to let me know.jp4tne77https://www.blogger.com/profile/00577572336584422056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738017584518403684.post-36346222506722476272010-08-03T19:19:33.106+02:002010-08-03T19:19:33.106+02:00I would like to take this a step further. My prop...I would like to take this a step further. My proposal is that the best way to travel is to go somewhere in which you have friends, rather than somewhere that just seems interesting. <br /><br />If you have friends in a city they will show you their home. They will answer questions, spark discussion, and be your own personal tour guide. If you're in a city without knowing locals, you'll be resigned to museum hopping, and you'll never get a sense of what it's like. <br /><br />Plus, with friends you usually have a free place to stay, and you get to hang out with your friends, who will usually be stoked that someone actually came to visit them. <br /><br />If you don't have friends somewhere, try couch surfing.<br /><br />It's not always where you go, but how you go there. A great weekend in Austin can be more enjoyable and rewarding than a crummy weekend in Paris (unless you've visiting the author of this blog that is).Michael J. Franzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08648404443975904818noreply@blogger.com