Ala, Aurélie, Chantal, Cristina, Fabienne, Gael, Gene, Nam ha, Nadine, Nancy, Nicole, Sandrine, Sylvie, Telma, YouY ...... et tant d'autres ....
Et elles voyagent, toutes .... parfois seules et parfois accompagnées mais bien souvent seules, dissimulées derrière des pseudos mais jamais derrière de faux semblants, et celà on doit leur laisser ....
Je recherche constamment leur compagnie et force est de dire qu'elles se montrent toujours sous leur vrai aspect, ne cherchant pas comme nous les mecs à se masquer sous de faux airs de baroudeurs, de babas cools retardés ou que sais je ..... non, elles sont là fraîches, belles toujours, s'extasiant devant tout et rien, mais montrant toujours un réel intérêt devant la rencontre, et respectueuse des gens et des choses rencontrées ....
Je suis souvent admiratif de vous, vous semblez toujours voguer au dessus de toutes les contingences matérielles, alors que vous les subissez plus que nous, vous savez vous extasier devant un sourire d'enfant avec la même candeur que celui ci, vous savez montrer la confiance aux autres voyageurs avec un juste discernement, vous nous donnez des soirées ou vous nous réchauffez le coeur, nous qui subissons plus que vous les séparations d'avec notre quotidien .....
Et pourtant vous avez plus à perdre que nous à voyager ainsi seules, l'insécurité, les quolibets, la discrimination, l'inconfort, mais vous plâner au dessus de tout celà avec vos humeurs ......
Vous êtes femmes et pour celà je m'extasie toujours de chacune de mes rencontres avec vous, vous apportez toujours le bonheur, et parfois aussi le malheur, mais jamais vous ne nous faites supporter l'indifférence, vous allez toujours au bout de vos sentiments, vous savez à travers votre regard nous faire sentir de suite l'intérêt de notre rencontre et du moment à venir, vous apportez la pincée de magie qui donnera au voyage le plus nécessaire à nous faire entrer dans nos rêves de découvreurs d'espace et d'humanité .......
Et je n'ose parler de ces femmes que l'on rencontre là bas dans ces espaces de temps ou le voyage prend sa véritable dimension, mais ça pourrait faire l'objet d'un nouveau post ........
Tu as l'air bien triste ce soir🤪.Mais sur le fond je suis complétement en phase avec tes pensées🙂.Nous les aimons telles qu'elles sont et surtout pour ce qu'elles sont 😉.
Il est un peu nostalgique ton message, comme un au revoir.... Merci de l'hommage rendu aux voyageuses de l'éphémère.....Tu avais besoin de nous sentir là peut etre....et tu sais que tu peux compter sur nous pour le partage des émotions, des bons et des mauvais moments.
Oulalaaa 🙂 Et bien, qu'est ce qui t'arrive? Il existe des hommes fabuleux aussi tu sais! j'espère que tu trouveras ta princesse bientôt! La vraie de vraie! Et que toi aussi tu sentiras ces douces ondes qui te diront qu'elle aussi à trouvé son prince! Le vrai de vrai!😎
Merci pour ces gentils mots en tout cas :)
Fainéanter dans un monde neuf est la plus absorbante des occupations... (N.Bouvier)
🙂 ah, il sait la manier, sa plume, notre Alan, voyageur solitaire mais pas abandonné, écorché toujours prêt aux combats pas perdus d'avance...
une fois de plus, sa belle sensibilité fait surface, et nous acceptons le compliment avec le sourire 🙂
Comme Parvat, je lui dis qu'il fait partie du petit nombre de ceux qui qui voient plus loin que leurs rêves...
Continue.
Seshat
Aimer s'instruire, être curieux, attentif, admirer, s'émouvoir, essayer de comprendre ce qui nous entoure... essayer de se coucher un peu moins con chaque soir !(Anna Gavalda)
Ton message est d'un réconfort inestimable... Et émouvant de dignité et de respect... Ta belle et pure sensibilité peut faire chavirer les esprits et c'est une qualité rare...
que j ai donc aimé tes réflexions elle m ont fais du bien cest tre honnete de dire ce que tu dis je ne sais pas si cest lopinion d e bien des gars merci et bravo😉
C'est avec stupeur que je decouvre ce post ... ou avais-je les yeux pour passer a cote ? Bon, ce n'est pas facile a deviner .... Je suis dans un etat de bouveversement, d'effervescence, d'incertitude, de serenite, d'enthousiasme, de bien-etre, de douce melancolie, de passion (et j'en passe) constant, et je virovolte et je me retourne et au passage je hele un si beau message, le tien.
D'ailleurs je m'etonne que personne n'ait pense a nous en ces termes avant, il fallait peut etre une dose massive de sensibilite comme la tienne, car vous les hommes il est vrai, vous ne vivez pas et ne voyagez pas avec les memes yeux, ni dans le meme etat d'esprit .... et cela peut sembler un cri de feministe suffoque, mais n'est que simple verite, et alors sans vouloir vous faire un pied de nez a vous, chers hommes, je vous dis o combien je suis heureuse d'etre femme, ici en voyage comme a Paris.
Oui en voyage comme dans la vie, parce que nous (je me permets le nous) devons certes faire plus attention a nous meme que vous, mais en contrepartie ce que nous pouvons oser faire que vous n'osez pas .... Nous osons pleurer en disant au revoir a quelqu'un qui a illumine une journee de sa presence comme nous pleurons en recevant les confidences d'une personne. Nous vivons notre voyage sans devoir prouver quoi que ce soit a qui que ce soit (et que c'est une grande liberte je vous assure), nous pouvons dire "j'ai envie de respirer ma mere" sans pour cela sans essuyer une salve d'insinuations ....
Je m'arrete la, sinon personne ne pourra m'arreter, mais il est vrai que si la condition feminine oblige parfois a rentrer tot le soir lorsque on se balade de par le grand monde, le fait d'etre femme rapproche des gens, des femmes certes, et parfois des hommes aussi, qui savent nous offrir une attention particuliere (tiens ce soir le taxi a tenu a m'accompagner jusqu'a devant le porte de mon hostal en me disant qu'il ne voulait pas que quelquechose de mal m'arrive et qu'il attendrait que l'on m'ouvre la porte avant de repartir ....), et des enfants que nous pouvons cherir et avec qui nous savons jouer plus spontanement.
J'avais dit que j'arretais et voila qu'on m'y reprend.
Alors, mes hommages a toutes les femmes, sans que ce soit la journee de la femme, ou peut etre si, hommage a toutes les femmes qui voyagent, a celle qui dans leur quotidien en France, au Canada et en Belgique travaillent et s'occupent de mille et une choses, et hommage a toutes les femmes qui dans des pays difficiles deploient des tonnes de courage pour leurs enfants et ainsi pour le monde entier.
Bon, on ne m'y reprendra pas, j'ai peche de sensibilite ce soir, mais c'est ta faute Alan .... ne jamais ouvrir les vannes du coeur d'une femme, surtout lorsqu'elle voyage.
C’est un très beau message. Pour comprendre le respect que les hommes ont pour les femmes, vous devez retenir les premières phrases que le capitaine prononce quand le bateau coule.(les femmes et les enfants d'abord.)😐
La pire discrimination est celle de traiter une autre personne de raciste. Et ainsi couper tout dialogue.
Oh que oui Titiana, je suis ravie également d'être une femme... Nous devons être plus fortes que les hommes en voyageant seules. Etre émotive et ne pas avoir peur de le montrer est un vrai plaisir pour ma part.
Dans mon précédent boulot, j'étais hotesse, et en arrivant chez ces américains musiciens, le mec était très "je suis mieux que tout le monde". Il était accompagné de deux femmes. Ladies first, mais "Monsieur" me coupe, refuse son plateau repas et me demande du vin blanc, de suite. Je lui dit (en anglais) "Vous permettez si je suis trop polie et que je sers d'abord ces dames?" Héhéhé elles ont bien rigolé les dames! Ce monsieur, je l'ai appris en cours de route, était Willy Deville. C'est sans doute un excellent musicien, et alors??? Non mais 😉
Je pense qu'en général, nous sommes moins arrogantes et "moi je", moins agressives aussi, et si ya des hommes fabuleux, yen a aussi des vraiment moins fabuleux... Vive les femmes! 😄
Fainéanter dans un monde neuf est la plus absorbante des occupations... (N.Bouvier)
je pense qu'en étant "moins arrogantes", moins "moi je", "moins agressives", les femmes sont en plein dans leur role de femmes...comme les hommes arrogants, moi-je etc. sont dans leur role d'hommes....
vive les femmes agressives, moi-je et arrogantes.....et vive les hommes sensibles
Et lorsque l'on regarde la photo mise sur le profil de Nawal2 ( enlève lui ce 2 François, s'il te plaît ...... 😕 ), on ne peut que souhaiter partir en voyage, et quel qu'il soit, avec une de ces femmes ......
Regardez la profondeur du regard, on a envie littéralement de plonger dans celui ci afin de se faire transporter tout là bas dans un pays imaginaire ou non, juste sentir le léger tremblement du bras tentant de s'agripper au vôtre et la voix qui de son timbre chantant vous conte les mille et un plaisirs des beautés du pays traversé .......
Il faut se laisser charmer par ces rencontres qui plus qu'aucune autre vous plonge au plus profond du besoin de comprendre l'espace ou l'on se trouve confronté, il faut se laisser envahir par le charme de la rencontre afin de se sentir transporter par l'émotion toute simple de se croire durant un moment possédé également par l'éblouissement de l'instant .....
Elles seules peuvent apporter ce surplus d'humanité et de sensation qui donnent au voyage tout l'aura auquel on aspire dans notre soif de découverte .....
Fabricia nous avait aussi sorti une belle photo de femme il n'y a pas si longtemps ..... allez les mordus de la photo, faites moi et faites nous plaisir, sortez nous des regards de femmes à nous faire voyager au delà du réel ......
Ça c’est un beau, très beau et très vrai message. Je te rejoins dans ton hommage, j’y ajoute mon respect, mon admiration pour le courage de ces femmes, et puis ma stupeur devant ce regard d’une tendresse et d’une douceur infinie qu’elles seules savent poser sur le vaste monde.
Quand nous autres hommes sommes bruit et gesticulations, quand un peu trop seuls nous sombrons dans l’oubli de nous même, elles continuent à créer et à fertiliser ce monde avec ce regard, leurs gestes et leurs paroles.
Si même étant homme, je n’ai ni honte ni peur de m’épancher comme je le fais, c’est que récemment l’une de ces femmes m’a pris le bras. Et alors, j’ai réappris le goût des larmes et des poèmes ; je me suis laissé tranquillement, tout doucement aller à la folie douce qui encombre tant les gens raisonnables, et en remisant cette couche de cuir sale et inutile derrière laquelle nous Hommes pensons pouvoir (devoir ?) nous protéger du monde, j’ai senti pour la première fois depuis longtemps, peut être pour la première fois tout court, glisser la vie sur ma peau.
Et privilégié que je suis, j’ai pu voir de près ses tours, vu comment elle faisait plier le monde d’un sourire, comment elle révélait la beauté cachée et le sens des choses sur son chemin, et comment armée de ce courage et de cette foi inaltérable en la vie, elle abattait obstacles et crétins cyniques aussi bien.
Alors, oui, un grand, grand merci à toutes les princesses, fées et magiciennes qui arpentent le monde et lui apportent un peu de lumière.
L'émotion et la sincérité de ce message n'ont d'égales que la musique sublime de ses mots 😮
merci Orange
Seshat
Aimer s'instruire, être curieux, attentif, admirer, s'émouvoir, essayer de comprendre ce qui nous entoure... essayer de se coucher un peu moins con chaque soir !(Anna Gavalda)
Une chose se dégage de cette discussion, Alan sait toucher les femmes.
Je plaisante, mais suis fondamentalement d'accord avec lui.
Les femmes m'ont rendu un peu moins con (oui, je sais, il y a encore du boulot).
Les femmes m'ont rendu un peu moins con (oui, je sais, il y a encore du boulot).
Je t'assure qu'il y a plus con que toi alors une grande partie du boulot a été réalisée avec perfection, tandis que pour certains, on se pose des questions😉
Attention je ne vise personne🙂
A bientôt😉
Souriez et la vie vous semblera bien plus belle ;)
😮 C'est aussi Brel qui chantait en 1959 " Ne me quitte pas " :
Ne me quitte pas
Il faut oublier
Tout peut s'oublier
Qui s'enfuit déjà
Oublier le temps
Des malentendus
Et le temps perdu
A savoir comment
Oublier ces heures
Qui tuaient parfois
A coups de pourquoi
Le cœur du bonheur
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Moi je t'offrirai
Des perles de pluie
Venues de pays
Où il ne pleut pas
Je creuserai la terre
Jusqu'après ma mort
Pour couvrir ton corps
D'or et de lumière
Je ferai un domaine
Où l'amour sera roi
Où l'amour sera loi
Où tu seras reine
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Je t'inventerai
Des mots insensés
Que tu comprendras
Je te parlerai
De ces amants-là
Qui ont vu deux fois
Leurs cœurs s'embraser
Je te raconterai
L'histoire de ce roi
Mort de n'avoir pas
Pu te rencontrer
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
On a vu souvent
Rejaillir le feu
D'un ancien volcan
Qu'on croyait trop vieux
Il est paraît-il
Des terres brûlées
Donnant plus de blé
Qu'un meilleur avril
Et quand vient le soir
Pour qu'un ciel flamboie
Le rouge et le noir
Ne s'épousent-ils pas
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Je ne vais plus pleurer
Je ne vais plus parler
Je me cacherai là
A te regarder
Danser et sourire
Et à t'écouter
Chanter et puis rire
Laisse-moi devenir
L'ombre de ton ombre
L'ombre de ta main
L'ombre de ton chien
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas.
Nawal.
" En Afrique, quand un vieillard meurt, c'est une bibliothèque qui brûle..." Amadou Hampaté Bâ.
Eh oui, les hommes (aussi!) peuvent être émotifs et témoigner d' une immense fragilité. Adam, à sa manière, le fut également...
Et à propos de yeux qui picotent, une superbe exposition est proposée depuis la semaine dernière à Londres, au White Cube, dans le quartier de Hoxton Square. Le thème n'est ni plus ni moins que "Crying men" (littéralement "Hommes qui pleurent"). Un artiste (Sam Taylor-Wood) a eu l'idée de photographier des vedettes du grand écran dans un état de "grand désespoir": ça nous donne Jude Law recroquevillé dans le coin d'une chambre, dans un profond état d'accablement, Laurence Fishburn qui attend le métro alors que des larmes magnifiquement valorisées par les réverbères de l'underground tracent des sillons sur son visage, Robert Downey-Junior allong�� dans sa (presque) plus simple expression sur son lit et qui fixe, hagard, le plafond de sa chambre, Sean Penn (réélection de Bush en vue peut-être) qui rase le mur d'un gratte-ciel, le visage défait, où subsistent quelques traces d'humidité + Dustin Hoffmann, Ed Harris, Willem Dafoe, Chris Christofferson, Michaël Madsen, Paul Newman etc, le préféré de ces dames étant, m'a-t-il semblé, un immense portrait de Bénicio Del Toro, le visage complètement noyé dans la douleur... Vraiment super!!! Du beau travail!
… Après le douteux, défilé " Animalier " post mortem de Brel, nous voilà face au péché originel !
Selon certaines croyances et certaines religions " Le péché originel " n’a pas été commis par Eve, mais bien par les deux …
En tout cas, je confirme que " ton " expo Lacrymale Londonienne est magnifique, et comme " moi " j’aime l’ Homme... en prime le cliché sublime de Bénicio Del toro. ( Très réussis aussi : Ed Harris et Dustin Hoffman )
Ps : Suite à cet article de presse, permets moi de douter de la pseudo sincérité des émotions, et de la fragilité de ces talentueux acteurs... Mais bon Taylor-Wood étant là encore, une femme ... 😉
Despite their fame, these are not portraits of celebrity, but stripped down, close-up documents of a supremely emotional performance, each actor being directed by the artist to cry in front of the camera.
According to the White Cube website: "Their crying is always individual, despite the fact that these men have learnt to express their feelings on command."
Bonsoir Khaldoun. Nawal.
" En Afrique, quand un vieillard meurt, c'est une bibliothèque qui brûle..." Amadou Hampaté Bâ.
Visiblement tu sembles émerveillé de ces femmes que nous sommes! Merci de cet hommage que tu nous rend!
C'est très beau, très poétique, débordant de richesse humaine. C'est un hymne à la femme.
Un grand merci à toi!
nicole
Nicole
Asso. Les Enfants d'Atacama (aide à la scolarisation dans les Andes Argentines- Prov. de Jujuy: San Juan de Quillaques; Puesto Sey et Huachichocana
Les sites pour jeter un oeil:
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/fal83http://brondy.free.fr
Bien vu pour Sam Taylor-Wood: c'est effectivement une réalisatrice. Je n'ai repéré l'erreur que le lendemain et je n'ai rien rectifié, attendant de voir... L'expo dure jusqu'au 4 décembre mais il est question, face au succès rencontré, qu'elle joue les prolongations jusqu'aux fêtes de fin d'année.
Pour ce qui est de tes doutes concernant la "sincérité des émotions" des acteurs, j'espère que tu plaisantes. Bien évidemment que ces Messieurs ont simulé, posé devant la caméra pour se plier à un exercice. La réalisatrice ne s'est tout de même pas immiscée dans l' intimité de chacun pour les surprendre dans leur désarroi. (Quel hasard qu'ils soient tous à la même période sujets au chagrin...! ) L'expo a probablement un contenu pédagogique général (qui a sa place ici), mais sinon, chacun, comme devant devant toute oeuvre artistique, a ses réactions propres et ses sensations personnelles en se baladant d'un tableau à l'autre (Tel se reconnait à une période difficile de sa vie, telle autre croit revoir son ami lui demander pardon etc...). Par exemple, encore une fois, la photo de Sean Penn (très engagé outre-atlantique contre la guerre en Irak) tombe à pic par rapport à la réélection de Bush. On se dit en la regardant (superbe!) que beaucoup d'américains et autres devaient être dans cet état en apprenant la nouvelle.
Pour ce qui est du "défilé animalier", je ne faisais que transmettre une petite note (rigolote et sans arrière-pensées, c'est promis) à quelqu'un qui s'agaçait (voir plus haut) de ce que la même personne fasse successivement et sur deux posts différents (tu peux chercher) l'éloge des animaux et des femmes. Les "douteuses" paroles de Brel me sont venues immédiatement à l'esprit puisqu'elles agrégent les deux dans une même chanson. Voilà tout. Bye Nawal.
Of course... je plaisante !!! Comme toi d'ailleurs, et moi je l'avais compris Khaldoun, puisque mes " doutes " sont... en italique.
En bonus une autre perle douteuse... peut-être la plus belle :
Jef / Jacques Brel
Non Jef t'es pas tout seul
Mais arrête de pleurer
Comme ça devant tout le monde
Parce qu'une demi-vieille
Parce qu'une fausse blonde
T'a relaissé tomber
Non Jef t'es pas tout seul
Mais tu sais que tu me fais honte
A sangloter comme ça
Bêtement devant tout le monde
Parce qu'une trois quarts putain
T'a claqué dans les mains
Non Jef t'es pas tout seul
Mais tu fais honte à voir
Les gens se paient notre tête
Foutons le camp de ce trottoir
Viens Jef viens viens viens
Bonne soirée. Nawal.
" En Afrique, quand un vieillard meurt, c'est une bibliothèque qui brûle..." Amadou Hampaté Bâ.
C'est un beau texte, belle sensibilté etc... Certain-e-s (pour embêter ceux qui se reconnaitrons) citent Jacques Brel derrière et ils/elles ont bien raison.
Mais les textes qui disent "nous les hommes..." ne me plaisent jamais, comme certaines femmes aussi sont agacées par les prises de parole qui commencent par "nous les femmes...". Enfin, ça dépend du contenu.
(et un texte qui dirait "vous les hommes..." en enfilant tous les beaux clichés de la masculinité, je crois que ça me plairait encore moins).
C'est ce qu'on dit de Jacques Brel, mais je ne connais pas assez le personnage.
Sur youtube il y a une vidéo où il évoque sa déception des rencontres avec les femmes jamais à la hauteur de ce qu'il attendait.
Je ne sais pas ce qu'il entendait par là.
Je ne connaissais pas Khaldoun , mais j’ai pu apprécier sa réponse .
Il n’y a pas si longtemps que je suis sur VF et en faisant un voyage dans le temps j’ai pu découvrir ce fil qui m’a plu .
Merci Jean-Michel. Ça doit plaire un peu aux nomades du forum.
Je ne sais pas s'il a raison ou pas, peu importe, c'est avant tout pour moi un musicien, et sa vision n'appartient qu'à lui (il n'a pas été porte parole).
Ce serait bien de rester sur le texte d’Alan , le reste est anecdotique .
Dans les messages qui ont suivi le texte d'Alan, il est question de J. Brel, c'est plutôt flatteur.
Le texte parle des femmes. Je me suis permi de donner un avis dessus, toutes les oeuvres artistiques donnent lieu à des débats, mes avis n'engagent que moi.
Oui mais , le texte d’Alan était un hommage aux femmes .
Je suis sure que d’un hommage on va passer à autre chose .
C’était mieux avant , j’aurais aimé connaître VF dans ces années la avec des intervenants comme Lepiaf (RIP) ou Khaldoun .
Je pense que je dois mettre en valeur l'hommage et l'époque d'avant en me comportant aujourd'hui comme un goujeat... il faut voir le côté positif.
Un "hommage aux femmes", personnellement je lis cette expression comme doivent le lire certaines féministes intégristes d'aujourd'hui.. et c'est bien ce que je perçois dans ce texte.
Je ne connaissais pas Khaldoun , mais j’ai pu apprécier sa réponse .
Il n’y a pas si longtemps que je suis sur VF et en faisant un voyage dans le temps j’ai pu découvrir ce fil qui m’a plu .
Et à ta suite arrive la cohorte...
Sont-ils tous en manque d'humanité ?
Je ne sais pas s'il a raison ou pas, peu importe, c'est avant tout pour moi un musicien, et sa vision n'appartient qu'à lui (il n'a pas été porte parole).
On a les femmes qu'on mérite ( ça n'engage que moi) je comprends ses idées réductrices sur celles-ci même si je ne les partage pas.
J'ai compris aussi qu'on devait tous aller dans le sens de celui qui a pondu le premier message .Surtout ne faire que des éloges des femmes et aussi d'Alan; la critique n'est pas bienvenue et tout le reste ne peut être qu'anecdotique.😏
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Hi everyone,
I’m Loulou, a French expat who’s been living in Southeast Asia for about fifteen years, currently in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. A passionate walker at heart, I’ve trekked in Nepal (Thorung La, Mardi Himal), India, Vietnam, and I’m still planning new hikes (Char Dham, Langtang, Annapurna).
I’ve just published my first travel journal, recounting three months of walking and encounters across India. A portion of the sales goes to an educational center I support in Kep, for children whose parents work in the salt marshes.
I’m also working on a second book about Nepal with a musician friend, focusing on the Mardi Himal trek—two independent perspectives on the same journey.
Happy to swap stories with you about the Himalayas, India, Southeast Asia, or just the urge to hit the road and walk far from home.
Safe travels,
Loulou
Hi! It was totally by chance that I stumbled upon VoyageForum (an ad online and a story lol), and I’ve been reading some really old posts from 2011 about Thai massage schools—discussions on how to get by, accommodation, prices, etc. It reminded me of my own experience: I kept things simple by staying with a local family during my entire trip. I only shared all the expenses with them, which, I’ll admit, was super cheap… and I often traveled with them, which naturally opened a lot of doors for me. To start, at the school in Salaya, my Thai friend immediately connected me with Teacher Phong (the school’s mentor and teacher of teachers, a former monk). I was supposed to join a group session with other foreigners, but for some reason I don’t know, I got two days of private lessons for free with this expert… incredible! And on top of that, he loved France! It was an amazing experience. I "discovered" massage by chance—the Thai family just told me: "Try it, you’ll see!" (I’d had a pretty intense massage in the capital before 😅… but the next day, I felt unbelievably great!))
Every morning, I’d take a taxi (chosen by the Thai family at prices that beat all the competition) to this school—I’ve forgotten the name of the little village now… right in the heart of the countryside. Then, in the evenings, I’d keep practicing massage on all the family members… and they’d teach me Thai at the same time!))
Since then, I’ve practiced a bit, with lots of positive feedback. Following Teacher Phong’s advice—he thought my pressure was deep, firm, and precise—he strongly encouraged me to take this seriously.
I love Thailand so much. It’s a whole different way of living… and it’s a real blessing, even if I couldn’t live there full-time. Anyway, that was an unforgettable memory, and sometimes the Thai family and I still say hi—from 2011, 2013… right up to today!
Who’d like to share their best and worst travel memories in a few lines?
For me, it’s watching the TAJ MAHAL at sunrise and getting chased by dogs at the top of a mountain pass in GREECE on the way back from ISTANBUL.
THANKS GUYS
"It seems to me that poverty would be less painful in the sun" wrote Aznavour...
Not sure...😕 Who can prove that people in hot countries are happier than others?
What do you think?
Is it better to live in Montpellier than in Lille?
Are the Pygmies happier than the Inuit?
Are Canadians less happy than the people of Louisiana?
Are there more French expats in hot countries?
And your travels? Do you choose your destinations based on the climate?
Do you rejoice when a bit of sunshine appears?
Hi everyone, just this once I’m not posting for a travel story, but to share a thought for Venezuela.
If you didn’t know—since it’s not making headlines—the country was hit by two 7.5-magnitude earthquakes last week. Over 2,200 people have died, more than 50,000 are missing, and some coastal towns have been completely destroyed.
Maybe when the scale of the humanitarian crisis becomes clear, our media will cover it a bit more... especially since earthquakes with this many casualties usually make the front page, but there’s been nothing in France.
So here’s a thought for this country, which, whatever you think of its politics, is a true jewel of South America, both for its landscapes and its people.
hi there
I’d like to invite you to discover my coastal province in central Vietnam: Quang Ngai.
This year, my province has really improved its infrastructure—mountains, countryside, and sea are all authentic here.
No harassers or thieves, and no Russians either.
A local lunch costs around 1 €.
A *** hotel room is about 25 €, and you can find hotels right on My Khe Beach.
We have a specialty: *banh xeo*—10 crepes for just 1.5 €.
You can rent motorbikes to explore the province and maybe visit the many ethnic minorities.
I live here—I’m not selling anything, but I can help if needed (my father-in-law is a traditional Vietnamese doctor and he’s very skilled).
Hi everyone! 😉
I’m Typhaine, 35 years old. Five years ago, I left France for a solo round-the-world trip—no planes, just a van, hitchhiking, cycling, and even a canoe in the Amazon! Today, I work as a naturalist guide in Argentine Patagonia.
Wherever I go, my compass stays the same: observing and photographing wildlife, which I deeply admire and respect.
My project: I’d love to share this experience through a sustainable, authentic, and immersive nature tourism initiative. But to build something meaningful, I need to understand how other nature enthusiasts experience their own adventures.
If you:
Are over 20 years old
Have a true passion for Nature
Have already taken at least one trip lasting more than 3 nights (in your country or abroad) in your life
Promise: I’m not selling anything, this isn’t marketing. Your answers are 100% anonymous and will only help me shape this wild project.
A huge thank you to everyone for your help and kindness! Looking forward to chatting in this thread 😛
(Dear admins, this is purely a collaborative effort for my project study, with no commercial purpose. Thank you so much for your support!)
Photo: Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis), female on the left and her cub on the right. Photo taken by me in Alaska, Denali National Park.
It’s something we often notice in this forum—and many others—this behavioral shift.
A long-time member, or even a new one, asks a question.
They get one or more answers, some brief, some detailed, and then... nothing???
Not even a simple thank you!!!
From what I’ve gathered, if the answers don’t align with what they wanted to hear, it seems natural for the asker to just disappear!! 😕
Unless—(and I fear this is the case)—basic politeness is no longer part of our society????
I spent 3 weeks in Bali last summer (+ 3 nights on Gili Meno and a day trip to Kawah Ijen in Java). So I wanted to see what ChatGPT could suggest for comparison...
Here’s the prompt I gave:
"You’re a local expert guide for Bali.
- Plan a 20-day itinerary for Bali with a side trip to Gili Meno and a day trip to Kawah Ijen in Java without staying overnight.
- I’m traveling with my wife, and I love visiting historical sites, hiking, relaxing at the beach, snorkeling, and exploring rice terraces...
- For the duration of the stay, I don’t want more than 8 places to sleep, and I’d like to stay at least 2 days at each stop to avoid unpacking too often. Except for the last night, where I’m okay with just one night near the airport.
- I prefer neighborhoods that are walkable and try to avoid typical tourist traps, though I don’t want to miss the must-see spots. So suggest a mix of iconic sites and hidden gems.
- Recommend hotels or guesthouses with a budget of 50 to 100 € per night, including breakfast. Make suggestions in areas popular with travelers, specifying the vibe (I prefer quiet), and consider safety and proximity to attractions.
- For lunch and dinner, suggest two to three restaurants that are well-rated by customers.
- Give me a day-by-day program with details on travel times, visiting times for each point of interest, and recommendations for transportation (taxi, train, bike, etc.).
Estimate the total cost of the trip, including accommodations, food, transportation, and activities, and suggest two tips for saving money in each category.
- Don’t make anything up—be realistic about travel times, take into account the opening dates and hours of sites, and give me the entry fees for places to visit.
- Ask me all the questions until you’re 95% sure you understand what’s being asked. Don’t generate your response until you’ve understood."
The AI asked for a few clarifications:
"Great request—I can build you a really optimized and enjoyable itinerary, but to be 95% sure I hit the mark, I need a few key clarifications (this will really influence the pace, areas, and accommodations)."
In the end, it proposed a program very close to what we actually did.
I’ll skip its accommodation and restaurant suggestions...
Its proposal:
"Ubud (4 nights) => we did 5 nights
Sidemen (2 nights)
Amed (3 nights) => we’d planned 2 nights
Gili Meno (3 nights) => we did Gili between Sidemen and Amed
Munduk (3 nights) => we did 2 nights before Pemuteran
Pemuteran (3 nights) with Ijen => we did 4 nights
Sanur (2 nights + 1 last night) => we chose Jatiluwih instead of Sanur
It suggested "activities" (and accommodations too):
IN UBUD:
- Walk around central Ubud (1–2h)
- Campuhan Ridge Walk
- Tegalalang Rice Terrace
- Tirta Empul
- Gunung Kawi
- Massage / market / slow café
IN SIDEMEN:
- Rice terrace hike (2–3h)
- Cooking class
IN AMED:
- Snorkeling
- Japanese Shipwreck
- Beach + relaxation
- Volcano sunset
ON GILI:
- Snorkeling at Gili Meno Turtle Point, Nest Underwater Statues
IN MUNDUK:
- Jungle & waterfall hike - Munduk Waterfall + Melanting Waterfall
- Loop: 3–4h (perfect for your level)
- Ulun Danu Bratan Temple
- Twin Lakes
IN PEMUTERAN
- Snorkeling: Menjangan Island
For Kawah Ijen, it detailed the day well:
👍 from Pemuteran = best possible option
12 PM: leave hotel (we left at 10 PM)
1 PM: ferry
3 PM: arrival in Java + transfer
11 PM: start ascent
2 AM–6 AM: volcano
Return to Bali around 11 AM–12 PM (we got back at 4 PM)
👍 still very intense, but doable with an agency
💰 ~80–120 €/person all-inclusive
IN SANUR:
- Relaxation
- Quiet beach
- Proximity to airport (30 min)"
I’ve kept the habit of blowing my nose in the sink and then washing my hands—a custom I picked up in India. Sometimes, non-travelers are shocked when they catch me in the act... 🤪
Also, when I run out of toilet paper, it doesn’t bother me—unless I’ve got company over... 🤪
Just got back from walking a friend’s dog (while they’re on vacation), wearing a djellaba and Tibetan boots... 😏😏😏 Oh, for sure, if I’d run into locals, I probably would’ve shocked them? 😏
Anyway, as long as I’m not spitting on the floor at a restaurant or squatting on the side of a highway with a water bottle in hand...
After taking a little trip around the world, I came back a few months ago with an idea in mind.
I mostly do diving, and I love observing animals in their natural habitat without disturbing them.
During the trip, I realized it was quite complicated to know where and when to see certain species.
For example:
where to dive with sharks or manta rays
where you might get a chance to swim with whales
I even discovered thresher sharks during my trip… I didn’t even know this species existed before, even though they’re incredible to see.
We spent a ton of time searching for info all over the place, especially on social media, without ever getting a clear picture.
So I started putting all this together on my own, in the form of a map, to make it easier to visualize where to go depending on the seasons.
I recently put a first version online (it’s called Fauneya).
There are probably mistakes, inconsistencies, or things to improve, and that’s partly why I’m posting here.
I’d really love to know how you all go about planning this kind of trip.
As part of my Master’s thesis, I’m currently conducting a public survey on a topic that concerns all of us when planning a trip: artificial intelligence and the role of human contact in travel planning.
These days, we’re using more and more digital tools to find ideas, compare options, and book trips... but is the role of human advisors still essential? At what moments? And for what types of trips?
The survey is anonymous and takes about 7 minutes.
It’s aimed at anyone who travels (or has traveled) for leisure, whether you plan everything yourself or go through an agency.
While browsing the forum to gather info for my upcoming trip to Thailand, I often see the terms "traveler," "great traveler," and also "tourist"—so what’s the nuance for you?
I've traveled quite a bit in Vietnam over the past few years—from the southern delta to bustling cities and even some small islands—but what really sticks with me is the north, the high mountains.
Up there, there's something different—maybe slower, more raw. The morning markets with ethnic groups, women in traditional clothes, the colors...
The stilt houses, kids following you and laughing for no reason, the terraced rice fields—it almost feels unreal at times, so vast and quiet, yet so human and simple.
You often hear that Sapa has become too touristy, and that's partly true, especially in the center. But as soon as you move a little farther away, everything changes quickly. The landscapes open up, encounters feel more natural, and you rediscover something truly authentic.
I think it's that contrast that struck me—the difference between what you imagine before going and what you actually discover when you take the time.
And you—what memory do you hold onto from Vietnam? A particular place that touched you more than others?
Hello,
We’re finalizing the plans for our upcoming trip to China in May 2025. The second-to-last stop will be in Zhangjiajie, where we’ve planned to stay for 2 full days before heading to Shanghai.
We’re traveling solo using local transport and have arranged to stay in the city of Zhangjiajie.
We’ve seen that there’s a lot to see:
Tianmen Mountain, the Grand Canyon and the glass bridge, Zhangjiajie National Park, and that the sites are quite far apart with fairly expensive entry fees.
We’re thinking of dedicating one day to the national park and the Grand Canyon (glass bridge) and one day to Tianmen Mountain.
But we’re not sure if this plan is realistic—any thoughts would be much appreciated!
I should be serving a warming drink to the participants in the discussion about gardens and parks that provide us with beautiful photos, I could mention the delicious buttery scent wafting from bakeries in the thread about returning to France, but my heart, its powerful pulse that nourishes my entire being, is elsewhere.
Dasht-e Lut, Yazd, Esfahan, Bam, Kerman, Qeshm, Hormuz—a melody, a prayer at the heart of desire.
A dream, an unattainable fantasy? No. Not anymore.
A very serious Italian travel agency is organizing this trip for 6 people this winter. I’m signed up, I’m going, I’m living. Maybe.
"But you’re completely crazy!!!!"
I know... I know that every civilization, every society has a vital need to create scapegoats to define and justify itself, pathetically. And Iran is one of them, top of the list. I laugh or sigh, and it doesn’t bother me.
But that unchanging red, deep red and garnet, so beautiful in itself, in all the Western chancelleries repeats, whispers, shouts: don’t go, don’t go, don’t go, you’re putting yourself in danger and we can’t do anything for you. You’ll be turned into mere bargaining chips, into arguments for endless negotiations. Fear must be instilled, its power absolutely preserved, no concessions made to the enemy. The information (how many French hostages, real or fake, compared to the number of travelers?) is always lacking.
Traveling becomes a merciless confrontation between desire, the vital pulse, and anxiety, its ghosts.
Hi everyone, here’s our itinerary. Arriving on the evening of December 13th. Departing on January 7th.
Thanks in advance for your tips and valuable feedback.
Manila – 1 night
Coron – 4 nights
Coron to El Nido cruise – 2 nights
El Nido – 4 nights
Port Barton – 5 nights
Flight from Puerto Princesa to Vigan
Vigan – 2 nights
Sagada – 2 nights
Banaue – 2 nights
Bagabag – 1 night
Manila – 1 night
I’ve only booked the flight to Manila and the Manila/Coron flight so far. Is it possible to book boat trips, accommodations, and the Puerto Princesa flight last-minute?
Really disappointed with Costa Rica! Pura vida? The scam of the century!
(Costa Rica pure emptiness).
The country where animals are free and people are in cages.
3 weeks in December in this country and never again. Imagine the trailer of a movie that seems interesting, and when you go see it, you realize it’s a flop and the best moments were in the trailer.
Well, that’s exactly how we felt with Costa Rica pure emptiness.
My wife and I have traveled quite a bit and didn’t expect to be so wrong about a place.
On the main routes, we visited:
San José
Alajuela
Limón, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, Manzanillo (Caribbean side)
Jaco, Quepos, Manuel Antonio (Pacific side)
And a few short stops in intermediate towns.
Our dissatisfaction grew gradually like this:
When we arrived at the hotel, the taxi dropped us off on a small street in front of a white metal gate with ground-floor windows barred. We looked at it skeptically, but the sign matched.
He approached the gate, rang the bell, the buzzer sounded, and the door opened slightly. The hotel wasn’t bad for the price, a 10-minute walk from downtown, but with a "Fleury-Mérogis" vibe guaranteed.
So far, so good.
After showering and regaining our bearings, we headed downtown.
What started to unsettle us on the way was seeing houses with bars on the ground-floor windows and even on the second floor.
At first, we thought the hotel’s neighborhood wasn’t great.
Downtown San José:
It’s a generic city, not very exotic, with a pedestrian street and a small mercado where you can eat local food without frills. Very few tourists—if any—which let you blend in with the locals. We had lunch and struggled to make ourselves understood because, aside from one or two shops, English wasn’t spoken.
On the way back to the hotel, we took a different route, and while chatting and strolling, my wife pointed out a beautiful two-story white house completely barricaded like Fort Knox.
From that moment, we started noticing the facades of houses and buildings, and wow, it was creepy—most looked like prisons, some even with barbed wire.
Though put off, we told ourselves it was probably a big-city thing and the rest of the country couldn’t be like this.
So far, so good.
We relaxed at the hotel and had a drink at the bar. Night falls early, around 5:30 PM. By 7:30 PM, we headed back downtown for dinner. A bit unsettling for a capital—downtown was almost deserted, and aside from fast-food chains, very few restaurants were open, with hardly anyone on the streets.
Bars with security guards out front.
I won’t say we felt unsafe that night, but once it got dark, we realized the bars on the windows weren’t for nothing. First day in, and our impression was already mixed.
The next day, we explored the city and surroundings, and our feelings didn’t change.
So far, so good.
Off to Cahuita by bus—4 hours of travel.
The landscapes are very green but quickly become monotonous. The road runs alongside the forest and passes through a few towns and villages, and even in the countryside, there were just as many prison-like houses.
The bus dropped us off at Cahuita’s terminal station—only four of us got off. It’s a village, or rather, a small town. Cahuita is basically one straight road and a perpendicular one, and honestly, doubt started to creep in.
A few restaurants that add 13% tax and 10% service charge—so 23% extra. We dropped our stuff at the hotel and went to explore. In 20 minutes, we’d seen it all. We had lunch and planned to check out the famous park.
Entry is by donation—well, the "entry" is a joke. There’s a path along the forest by the sea, and that’s it.
Nothing’s going right anymore.
We thought it was a total scam, but since we hadn’t gone far, we decided to come back the next day to explore further.
We returned to the hotel, relaxed, and around 8:00 PM, we went out for dinner. Only two restaurants were open, and the streets were deserted.
Creepy!
The next day, we explored the so-called park more thoroughly and really got it.
A path along the forest by the sea—2 hours there and 2 hours back, where you see animals that feel like showing their faces.
A total joke—"all that for this?"
The beach was full of wood debris and coconut husks. We wondered if the photos online were edited because the sea, very rough, wasn’t the azure blue we’d seen in pictures.
But calling this a park is a joke—it’s like a new concept.
When we thought about the reviews online, we started to suspect that professionals with interests in the country were monitoring and countering any negative feedback that could harm their business.
Too bad we didn’t check the negative reviews beforehand—we did while we were there, and it helped. We wondered if we’d become too demanding after all our travels, but no—when something’s bad, it’s bad.
Manuel Antonio’s park is even more ridiculous—there’s a short path along the sea for about 500 meters, and then nothing. You have to climb through mud and hack your way through the forest. We ended up barefoot because the mud was up to our calves. All that to see a raccoon and a few parrots flying overhead.
We didn’t expect Noah’s Ark, but we’ve seen more animals in Bali, Mexico, and Thailand while visiting temples or just walking around than in these so-called parks!
Puerto Viejo, not far from Cahuita and supposedly livelier—well, it couldn’t be worse!
According to Lonely Planet, it had a Caribbean vibe and wild nights, but maybe that was a long time ago. The good reggae music playing everywhere isn’t enough.
In the evening, Puerto Viejo was a bit livelier than Cahuita, but that’s not saying much. Very few tourists—if any—no night market, just two or three shops open selling $20 T-shirts. Same vibe as San José.
No big deal—we enjoyed the beach and the sun, which was reliable.
Our itinerary was supposed to include Tortuguero Park, but after talking to other travelers who’d just been, we changed our minds, knowing we’d be visiting Manuel Antonio Park on the Pacific side.
To get back to the Pacific side, you have to take the bus and go through San José again—5 hours this time—then switch bus terminals and another 4.5 hours to Quepos.
A stopover town to get to Manuel Antonio’s beach and park!
A town just like the others we’d seen—deserted as soon as the sun sets, and not exactly bustling during the day either. (Where are all the tourists?)
Still as many bars on the windows and that feeling of being in the wrong place.
7 km later: Manuel Antonio beach and park.
The beach is very beautiful and quite large, but don’t expect turquoise blue water—the waves stir up the sand, giving the water a brownish color.
Along the beach, shops and restaurants for about 300 meters, and then nothing. At night, after sunset, the town shuts down too.
Manuel Antonio Park is highly praised for its wildlife, so we were eager to see it. When you express dissatisfaction with Cahuita or Manzanillo parks, the response is always, "But you should’ve gone to Monteverde or Manuel Antonio!" No matter what you do or say, they’ll tell you, "You should’ve gone there or here."
Back to our famous park—entry was about $16, and contrary to what we’d heard, it wasn’t crowded!
Guides at the entrance with spotting scopes offered their services for about $30.
The park: a mix of boardwalk and dirt paths through the forest, sometimes running alongside beautiful coves and beaches.
As soon as we entered, a crowd was taking photos of a deer eating leaves.
A little further on, a guide with a group of five stopped. The guide raised his arm and set up his spotting scope! He showed them, about 100 meters away, a hummingbird perched on a branch. Some, looking through the scope, exclaimed, "Oh my God! Amazing! Incredible!"
For a moment, we thought they’d discovered a unicorn or were in Jurassic Park and had just crossed paths with a T-Rex!
The concept is comical—looking at a bird or another animal through a spotting scope because it’s too far away. Isn’t that what TV is for?
For our part, we saw monkeys, ants, an armadillo, an iguana, and the backside of a sloth climbing a tree. Amazing, incredible!
We stayed a few days in Manuel Antonio to enjoy the beach, changing hotels often because prices varied wildly from one day to the next for shameful services. On top of that, they’d quote a price in dollars and convert it at their discretion—thieves!
Alajuela, a city near the airport, has a two-story mall and a local market downtown! No interest except its proximity to the airport.
What we liked:
The climate and, in hindsight, San José—the most authentic city we visited.
What we didn’t like, in addition to what we’ve already mentioned:
Costa Ricans aren’t very friendly or communicative. English is barely spoken, not even by doctors at Quepos Hospital, where my wife ended up with food poisoning (thanks, Google Translate). The widespread obesity among Costa Ricans, who eat like Americans. The insecurity. The eco-hipsters who leave their $150 lodges in minivans with guides to visit parks and other sites, then return to barricade themselves in their fortresses at nightfall (oh my God, amazing, incredible). The blue signs at the entrance of towns that accept this payment method: "We accept American Express." Parking lots that become paid just because a guy is watching your car. Prices displayed in dollars. The cost of living (hotels, restaurants, taxes). Landscapes that are too green and not flowery enough. Beaches—nothing exceptional. Pollution in cities where big American trucks rule. Sewage dumped directly into the sea. Aside from the jungle, there’s nothing to visit—no ruins, monuments, or anything worth seeing.
In short, my wife and I think the hype about this supposedly eco-friendly country is overrated. It’s just the trendy destination of the moment. There are much better, cheaper, and more authentic places.
In hindsight, we keep the good memories and our beautiful photos, but if we had to do it over...
Before signing off, a little message to those who don’t like hearing opinions different from theirs:
Well, some things aren’t up for debate. And to those who’d have us believe that in 3 weeks, we don’t have the right to criticize a country or express our feelings—how can you praise it in so little time? What a scam. Costa Rica is a money pit. Pura vida? Pure cosmic emptiness.
If you like spending your evenings barricaded in your cozy hotel after dark, this country is for you.
For everyone else: run!
Hello,
Since the war between Russia and Ukraine, nothing is simple anymore for traveling to Belarus due to sanctions.
No more direct flights from the EU to Minsk.
Driving is a huge hassle, especially crossing through Poland at the only open border in Brest—you can wait 2, 3, or even 4 days just to get through by car.
The least painful driving option is to come via Lithuania and cross at the only open border, with a minimum wait time of 8 hours, sometimes up to 20 hours or more!!
Controls are very strict and annoying on both the Lithuanian and Belarusian sides. Avoid bringing alcohol, food, or cigarettes—everything will end up in the trash, especially when leaving Belarus for Vilnius, where the Lithuanians are tough, even with EU citizens.
The joy I once knew when visiting my wife in Minsk is sadly over—it’s now a real ordeal.
The fastest solution is to fly. My wife travels to France by taking a bus to Kaunas in Lithuania, where you can catch a flight (though not daily) to Paris Beauvais or Charleroi in Belgium with Ryanair, for example.
For the return trip, it’s the same: a flight to Kaunas and then a direct bus from the airport to Minsk.
The bus crossing is quicker than driving—the 250 km journey, including border checks, takes about 6 to 8 hours for buses leaving Lithuania around midnight, but controls are still strict at the border.
The biggest challenge is finding flight schedules that align with the bus routes between the two countries, given the unpredictable border crossing times.
Now, my wife travels via Charleroi in Belgium (near Brussels), and you can take a train to Paris. Alternatively, you can fly into Beauvais and take a bus to Paris (Porte Maillot).
For those driving, note that EU insurance and assistance policies no longer work in Belarus or Russia. You’ll need to get local insurance, usually limited to third-party liability (I don’t think full coverage exists?), as well as mandatory medical insurance. This is available at the border.
You now have to pay highway tolls—no more BELTOLL boxes. Instead, you pay a flat fee for the duration of your stay. Stop at the first gas station after crossing from Lithuania to fill up on fuel and cigarettes.
From what I know, Lithuania bans carrying more than 60 € in cash, but there’s no limit for USD (though it’s capped at $10,000??).
With a Visa card, you can now withdraw 1,000 rubles per week (about 270 €)—two months ago, it was only 500 rubles!!
For now, you can still pay by card in shops and gas stations.
However, major retailers like KORONA (which may be Russian-owned??) no longer accept foreign Visa cards.
Unfortunately, the additional sanctions announced by the U.S. on August 5, 2025, against Russia—and possibly Belarus—aren’t promising for the future.
After 20 years of visiting Belarus, I’m truly saddened to see the joy of living in this country with my wonderful wife turn into such a bleak situation, all because of human folly.
Hi everyone!
I’m putting together our travel itinerary for Veneto at the end of April. And the more I look and research potential sites to visit, the more I find!
We’ll only be there for a week—my family and I—including 3 days in Venice. So we have to make some choices...
I plan to rent a car when we arrive in Venice and head straight to Bergamo, which would be our first stop. We’d leave the car at the airport when we return to Venice so we can explore the city at our leisure.
What do you think:
1 night in Bergamo (a 2h15 drive from Venice airport),
1 night in Garda,
1 night in Verona,
1 in Padua, and
3 in Venice—would that be doable?
Thanks in advance for your tips and experiences! :)
Now that the curtain has fallen on the past year, it’s time to see what’s happening around here.
It seems pretty quiet, but I’ll read more in detail later.
First, I need to tell you all an anecdote.
My eldest little girl, in her third year of law school, was really scared she wouldn’t pass the year.
I told her:
“Trust yourself, you’ve worked so hard, and worst case, if you fail, you’ll just redo the year.”
“But I don’t think I’ll make it—they changed the rules, and if I mess up even one unit, I have to start all over.”
I knew her grades weren’t exactly stellar, and with what I was about to say, I wasn’t taking much of a risk.
“Here’s the deal, sweetheart: if you pass, I promise I’ll take you to India, just the two of us.”
I have to admit, India is a country I’ve talked about so much to all my grandchildren that in their minds, it’s become a magical, mythical place (hmm).
July had barely begun when my phone rang, her name flashing on the screen.
“Mamido, I did it!”
My promise came rushing back—oh no, oh no, oh no!
“Congratulations, sweetheart!”
A little shyly, she said:
“Is the India trip still on?”
And me, replying:
“Of course it is!”
And that’s that—a promise is a promise, or you risk losing that precious trust that keeps hearts warm and at peace.
We’re leaving in February. Only 8 days—yikes, the carbon footprint!
But we can’t miss her tutorials, or she’ll be kicked out.
Personally, that works just fine for me.
Going to India has become a challenge for me. It’s far, it’s exhausting, I sweat, I hate mosquitoes, the spices bother my mouth when I used to love them. There’s noise all the time—at night, the dogs bark nonstop, and we almost get run over. I’ll get lost in the streets because my sense of direction has vanished. I don’t like rice anymore. All that chaos and those cultural differences that once enchanted me now just overwhelm me.
But I promised.
The upside—and it’s a big one—Raman, the same driver I’ve had forever, will be at the airport with a sign with our names. We’ll stop at the same little shop for chai (or tea, plain and simple) with that aroma that intoxicates me, halfway through the trip.
It’ll be a tiny trip—staying with friends, I’ll show her a few places I love: Chidambaram, Mamallapuram, and the clinic where I worked. Then we’ll head back.
My little girl will go home to her parents.
As for me, I’ll leave right away for our Scottish island with Homme for our chilly winter.
How can you love a country so much you want to live there, then suddenly reject it, no longer able to appreciate what once made it special?
That’s the mystery of love, I guess.
I’ve visited the U.S. four times myself, including two long road trips. The last one was just this past August...
I won’t be going back. I already felt guilty last August, but recent policies have finally convinced me: the humiliation of Zelensky, authoritarian excesses, Gestapo-like methods for detaining people of foreign origin, the murder of innocent people (a mother shot dead), corruption, insane "tariffs," skyrocketing healthcare costs for Americans, the abduction of foreign figures to secure oil, the requirement to disclose social media accounts, and now... threats and blackmail to forcibly take Greenland—a region that belongs to Denmark and thus the European Union!
The reality is that simply posting this could get me denied entry to the U.S.!
In this context, I just can’t keep spending money there. I loved my trips, but there are so many other countries with stunning landscapes to explore.
So I get why you’d want to travel there. I did, and I loved it. But once a country no longer respects any of the values that made us love it, why go?
How can we even consider traveling to a country that threatens to take one of our territories by force?
Hello everyone,
Controversial topic? Not necessarily—maybe just a reflection on a world to come.
I spent the last 15 days of August on a cruise in Greenland, from Kangerlussuaq to Tasiilaq.
I was utterly amazed by this unique world of rock and ice, the little houses in every color, a simple life that’s also complicated by isolation and climate, among other things...
I carry in my heart the kindness of the people I met, the raw and gentle majesty of the icebergs, the colors of the sky...
So, I can’t even imagine a massive presence of raw material prospectors, heavy machinery requiring roads to be built—if that’s even possible—changing their way of life... putting sled dogs out to pasture!
Do fast food and Greenland’s northern lights really mix?
I wouldn’t trade my memories for an ESTA!
All opinions are respectable, which is why this isn’t a controversy—but I’m sorry, I have a soft spot for *my* Greenland.
We’re a couple aged 58 and 63. We’ve just returned from a wonderful trip to South India in Tamil Nadu and a few days in Kerala. We traveled with a local French-speaking guide and his friend, the driver. They both live in Pondicherry. We spent 3 weeks with them in the most authentic way!
We covered just over 2,500 km and visited not only temples but also archaeological sites, museums, and small artisanal businesses making tiles, tea, sculptures, bronze, and silk spinning. We were lucky enough to visit a public school, attend a wedding, and even a death announcement in a small countryside village. We were fully immersed in the culture, food, noise, and colors—it was incredible!
The hotels and guesthouses we chose were very clean and mostly quiet. We’re returning from India with amazing discoveries!
We’re happy to share more info if you’d like!
M-Claire and Jean
This catchy and somewhat mysterious title comes from several questions I’ve been asking myself.
VF has been back open for a reasonable number of weeks and months now.
The number of visitors overall matches past averages, but the number of members online in the last 24 hours seems relatively lower than what we used to see.
Yet, to my surprise, I’m seeing fewer travel journals, way fewer messages, and way fewer questions.
I don’t see many new registered users online, and I notice a number of members who are logged in but either aren’t participating or have stopped participating.
Something’s not adding up for me because, in my opinion, VF is still appealing, and I don’t see which other sites could really compete.
Was there a real break between pre- and post-Covid?
Does it just take more time for some people to discover the site or learn that it’s active again?
Do people now prefer quick consumption on sites like FB or others I’m not familiar with?
Where have the site’s old-timers gone, and what are they doing with their time now?
What’s really going on here?
This isn’t exactly a traveler’s question... I’d like to know who handles the technical side of this forum?
I run a similar forum on a different topic (unrecognized children), and we’re dealing with a few technical issues that are slowly killing our forum... so I’d have one or two questions to ask 😊.
Also, I was wondering who created this forum... who the administrators or moderators are, etc.
I think this forum is great. Much better than Facebook, which I’ve been using since it shut down (so I’m happy to see it’s working again...)
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