The worst is when a foreigner tells us the truth about our country.
But first, the truth has to be true... or how do we know if it’s true!
And then, for me, my country is here; I have a nationality I didn’t choose but keep, for lack of the courage to be an "apostate of all nationalities."
"Celui qui a atteint son but a manqué tout le reste"
The worst is when a foreigner tells us the truth about our country.
But the truth must actually be true... or how do we know if it is?
And then, for me, my country is here; I have a nationality I didn’t choose but keep, for lack of the courage to be an "apostate of all nationalities."
Clarification: when I say my country is here, I mean wherever I am—Brittany, Uzbekistan, the USA (no, I don’t go there since I refuse to visit Israel and a few other powerfully corrupt countries), Liechtenstein, Puglia in the heel of Italy, France (including overseas territories), Saint-Louis-du-Ha!-Ha! (in Canada), Burlesque or Condom, Morocco...
"Celui qui a atteint son but a manqué tout le reste"
Talleyrand = a clever but extremely twisted mind who, as I’ve already told you, managed to serve his own interests while serving those he worked for—right up to Napoleon I, who said to him:
... You’re shit in a silk stocking! ...
Have a good evening, Temur, and see you soon. — Vietalier.
Cela dépend de l'humeur du moment et va de Jean-Claude à Viet à lier.
No, it's Cambronne! When the British general addressed the surrounded Old Guard at Waterloo with "Brave Frenchmen, surrender!", he replied "Piss off, you idiot".
"Si vous pensez que l'aventure est dangereuse, je vous propose d'essayer la routine... elle est mortelle." Paolo Coelho
Yes, my dear Chnoupi!
Napoleon’s retort to Talleyrand is historic and authentic; now, crude, I don’t know, but old Nabulione really let loose at his minister with full intent and good reason. Indeed, the Lame Devil—and I’m being crude too—was truly rotten to the core and had neither faith* nor honor!
Best regards,
— Vietalier.
* : let’s recall that Talleyrand was also the Bishop of Autun between 1788 and 1791... which didn’t stop him, as a fine representative of the high clergy, from thoroughly enjoying the so-called weaker sex! ... There, he was right!!!!! No?
Cela dépend de l'humeur du moment et va de Jean-Claude à Viet à lier.
I don’t doubt your knowledge of history, and I’m terrible at it—except when it comes to everyday life. The lives of "great men" don’t interest me. Actually, it’s interesting to note that these so-called great men are often short in stature (Napo, Sarko, Hollande are well-known examples).
Some gossips claim that Corsicans are short because they were told, "When you grow up, you’ll go to work." 😏
"Celui qui a atteint son but a manqué tout le reste"
As for Hollande, you can forget about him having the stature of a great man—figuratively speaking, and in pretty much any other domain, he’s a total zero. H I.
By the way, even if you were Corsican yourself, your reverse humor about Corsicans and work would show a healthy mindset, free of grumpiness or touchiness, which is all good and puts you in the "worth hanging out with" category. Note that I’m saying this without knowing if *I’m* even worth hanging out with!
And for a laugh, here’s a little bar joke:
What’s the difference between the numbers 51 and 69? Answer: Only 51 smells like ANISE! The other one doesn’t quite have the same spelling or scent! ...
I did specify it was a bar joke, so it’s lowbrow but not mean-spirited.
Pace e salute; warm regards from Vietalier.
Cela dépend de l'humeur du moment et va de Jean-Claude à Viet à lier.
As soon as I return to France, I tell myself, "it's better elsewhere."
Wherever we’ve been, I feel a kind of lightness in living—less restriction, less pressure, less sadness—and I catch myself dreaming of somewhere else, of going to live somewhere else, a simpler life, more authentic, with colors, color everywhere, markets, clothes, homes, etc.!!! Meeting souls, real people, gentle and kind, and letting go completely of all this modernism, this technological excess, the indifference toward others, the confinement, the racism against the elderly in France, against the poor, the weak, the beautiful, etc... etc... fleeing the news, politics, jealousy, meanness, stupidity, greed. And in my moments of clarity, I tell myself that ultimately, there are pros and cons in every country, every city, and that the best of all worlds isn’t down here, perhaps. But also that you have to know how to COME BACK to better LEAVE again—but still...!!! IS IT BETTER ELSEWHERE?😏😏😏
It’s funny because I just got back from Budapest and had the same thought. Every time I return from a country, I don’t really think it’s better elsewhere because it depends on the country visited, and on the contrary, you can tell yourself that in France, we’re lucky, that we’re well off compared to others, and that our country is beautiful. But I find the French (sorry, my fellow countrymen) more and more annoying every time I come back from a trip: stressed, not nice, arrogant, sad. It’s been happening to me lately, no matter which country I visit. You don’t need to go far to realize that the people in some countries (even European ones) seem happier, less stressed. Is it being on vacation that makes us think people are nicer elsewhere? That’s possible! In any case, you notice it when you arrive in a country where you’re greeted with a cheerful "hello" in the local language, and then returning to France, the icy welcome—or even the lack of welcome—at the airport brings you back to our sad reality. I’m not sure the French are really that nice to tourists, convinced they live in the most beautiful country in the world. Actually, every country has its own beauties, whether in the people, the landscapes, or the culture. And as Jupitéria said, it’s good to Come Back to better Leave again.
Hello.
And I still haven’t changed my mind......except that the idea of leaving for abroad is haunting my mind even more now! Oh, the most beautiful country in the world, France, well, not for me either. That would be a pretty narrow view of the world’s beauty.
French-style chauvinism, I guess! It’s hard to make people understand that you can’t worship France, love it, and still want to stay—another odd and strangely limited perspective! A country rich in history, with undeniable heritage and cultural treasures, I’ll admit, and one that would do well to keep us hooked just like that!
But no! I still dream of that *elsewhere*, and I fully intend to leave this arrogant one in its delusion of perfection.....because there’s so much to say about that too! Goodbye grayness and gloomy faces, hello to you, foreign lands, in your bright attire that makes life so simple and sweet.
Oh no! I still dream of that elsewhere and I fully intend to leave the arrogant one in its delusion of perfection... because there’s so much to say about that too! Goodbye gloom and long faces, hello to you, stranger, in your radiant light that makes life so simple and sweet.
A simple and sweet life because you’ll arrive from France with your French passport and money earned in France. Be careful not to bite the hand that feeds you. 😉
I’m responding to the original question in the thread:
For me, it’s not necessarily better elsewhere—it’s just different. That difference might suit us better, without it being "better" overall, just more tailored to who we are.
Plus, it depends on the "elsewhere." In really poor countries, I don’t think it’s better (it doesn’t exactly inspire me). I can recognize the good things we have in France, and I don’t assume it’s better next door. Actually, I’d even say the world is a bit messed up everywhere (yes, I know—I’m such a positive person 😉)—just not in the same ways. Some things are better, others not so much. It’s up to each of us to find the place that’s the *least* messed up for us, the one that fits us best, and that’s not always easy! You really have to know yourself, which ties into the idea of traveling within yourself that I read in this thread. I think traveling helps us get to know ourselves better...
Personally, some "elsewheres" appeal to me more than others, but that doesn’t mean they’re better—just that *I* might feel more at home there.
I’d love to try living in a country that attracts me for a while, just to test it out and, in a way, take another journey into my deeper self...
Hello there, stranger in your suit of light that makes life so simple and sweet.
Uh, how to put this—I’m afraid you might be in for some disappointment if you really believe what you wrote....
"Le touriste apparait comme le principal agent de diffusion du mépris anti touristique. Plus le touriste se voit en miroir de l'autre, plus il le déteste".
Personally, I see several reasons for this tendency—which I experience and feel myself—to find the grass greener elsewhere. I’ll try to put it simply in a few words.
First, when I’m in a foreign country, I don’t feel accountable for what happens or is said there. It’s very comfortable. You might be annoyed by a practice, a way of doing things, or political choices, but at least you can observe them calmly from a distance, without feeling involuntarily associated with them. Being a foreigner is restful—it spares you from feeling responsible for something you disapprove of, saves face, and prevents shame.
I love that.
Then, there are undoubtedly societal models, types of social relationships, and attitudes toward rules, laws, and the state that suit each of us more or less. For example, I struggle a lot with how the French typically relate to rules and laws. I’m very respectful of them, but I realize that in France, this isn’t the right way to act or live if you want to get by well. The rules are made *not* to be respected, and benchmarks are hard to find and assess. This applies to tax rules, for instance—those who follow them are the useful idiots, the losers in a game played by different rules.
This feeling of not having the "user manual" for France, of being in perpetual discomfort due to my temperament—more liberal, poorly accepting of state-imposed moral norms, and believing they should be a matter of religion—also contributes to making the grass elsewhere seem decidedly greener.
Michel
I’m responding to the original question in the thread:
For me, it’s not necessarily better elsewhere—it’s different. That difference might suit us better without being "better," just more adapted to who we are.
It also depends on the "elsewhere." In truly poor countries, I don’t think it’s better (well, it doesn’t make me dream). I can recognize the good things we have in France, and I don’t imagine it’s better next door. In fact, I’d even say the world is a bit rotten everywhere (yes, I know, I’m such a positive person 😉)—just not in the same ways. Some things are better, others worse. It’s up to each of us to find the place that’s the *least* "rotten" for them, the one that fits them best, and that’s not always easy! You have to know yourself well, which ties back to the idea of traveling within yourself that I read in this thread. I think traveling helps you get to know yourself better...
For me, some "elsewheres" appeal to me more than others, not because they’re better, but because I might feel better there.
I’d love to try living in a country that attracts me for a while, to test it out and, in doing so, take another journey into my deeper self...
It comes back to what I was saying—that "elsewhere" suits you better!
But I’m the same in many ways. While I know we have a beautiful country with plenty of perks, France isn’t where I feel my best, and I love escaping it for all sorts of reasons (which I won’t get into here since it’s not really the topic, and I don’t want to spark a debate about France).
I don’t necessarily see the grass as greener elsewhere in every way, but in some ways, yes, and there are countries where I feel more at ease, more like myself, etc.
Like you, I also enjoy the status of being a foreigner, a traveler, observing things and people. But even in France, I don’t always feel "integrated" and often observe things and people—just less so than elsewhere.
That said, there are places where I feel better, but I’m well aware that being on vacation in a country and living there are two very different things, so I don’t idealize life elsewhere.
Yes, there are many places in France where I feel like I’m absolutely abroad, actually...
The south, where I hardly ever go, and... Le Mans, for reasons I can’t explain. 🙂
Still, the state’s centralism forces us to carry this misunderstanding and sense of otherness.
Sometimes, it’s a burden.
Michel
But even in France, I don’t necessarily feel "integrated" and I often observe things and people, even if less so than elsewhere.
First off, it’s only human, especially since we often decide to travel in reaction to a tough situation we’re going through at home. Plus, we usually go on "vacation," a break to unwind, so of course... it seems better, not to say wonderful.
As a result, we forget that daily life exists everywhere, and for locals or long-term residents, life’s problems are pretty much the same as for the rest of us.
So, is it really better elsewhere? Not necessarily. But depending on our personal needs, it’s possible to find opportunities in one place rather than another—yes. Having experienced this and still living it, I can vouch for that. So, thanks to chance, and thanks to life, simply put.
Geli
No, no, that’s not it at all in my case, but I’m short on time tonight to explain.
I’ll come back tomorrow...
Michel
Hello,
First of all, it’s only human, I think—especially since we often decide to travel in reaction to a difficult situation we’re experiencing where we are. Plus, we often go on "vacation," a break to relax, so of course... it seems better, not to say wonderful.
As a result, we forget that daily life exists everywhere, and that for local populations or long-term residents, life’s problems remain the same as for the average person.
So, is it really better elsewhere? Not necessarily, but depending on our personal fulfillment needs, it’s possible to find opportunities here rather than there, yes. Having experienced it and continuing to live it, I can attest to that. So, thank you, chance, and thank you, life, quite simply.
Geli
Personally, I’ve never thought that everything is rosier elsewhere. In some places, there are things I prefer compared to France, and others I think are not as good. Of course, it depends on the country—I definitely don’t envy very poor or "underdeveloped" countries.
I said I’d come back here to clarify what I meant the other day.
So, no—the “grass is always greener” effect isn’t tied to being on vacation for me. In fact, I really like my job, and that actually makes the unease even sharper in a way.
Because, to be clear, France is still a country that’s not exactly welcoming to people who value freedom. We’ve lived under deep state influence for centuries, along with a very universalist ideology that seems to justify just about everything.
For example, right now, you’re noticeably freer—socially, civically, and culturally—in Germany than in France. Even in daily life, the difference is glaring. You won’t find the same rigidity that enforces a single school calendar, that regulates transportation in an ultra-centralized way with monopolies we all know are cumbersome and penalizing, or that imposes identical rules on situations that aren’t actually comparable.
France is a country that’ll enforce a single nationwide speed limit on roads and needs that have nothing in common, where the state intrudes coercively into people’s health.
Take tobacco, for instance: instead of imposing a “universal” ban with all its socially and economically harmful effects, Germany bans cigarettes but allows establishments where they’re permitted—or even embraced.
Internet freedom is incomparable—but France is the EU’s worst student there. Freedom of movement, plain and simple. Respect for Schengen.
You might think these are minor points, and it’s probably true that living in Brittany, at least 800 km from a border, makes me feel a bit more trapped by this statism than I should...
That’s possible.
But in any case, France is a *souf-france* for me, as I wrote earlier.
Michel
PS: If you have any thoughts on what France is currently doing well in Europe in terms of freedoms, let me know.
and well, I tell myself "that it's better elsewhere."
In a few words:
"It's better elsewhere"
=> falls under Morality, in short, saying what's good and what's bad, creating dichotomies between these two notions.
=> "It's better..." => is it absolute good, in short, the pursuit of happiness at all costs?
=> If everyone on this forum is searching for absolute happiness, then what is happiness?
=> Is happiness found elsewhere in Switzerland, in Africa, in the USA...?
Oh, and sorry... the little daily hassles like whether you can smoke in restaurants or drive over 90 km/h on national roads—I don’t think that’s part of the quest for existential happiness on an individual level 😏
Back in the '80s or '90s, that might have worked for someone working an hour a week, one and a half weeks a year. I know people who complain about liberalism for even less than that.
What really weighs heavy is the sharp decline in freedoms—freedom of speech, freedom of movement—compared to the rest of Europe, which feels so much more at ease.
If you have any ideas about what’s currently good in France at the European level in terms of freedoms, let me know.
Above all, it’s the sharp decline in freedoms—of expression, of movement—that weighs heavily compared to the rest of Europe, which seems so much more serene.
Hey,
You really don’t let up, do you?
One freedom I have in France that not all European women do: control over my own body. In France, I have the absolute right to an abortion, while women in Ireland, Poland, Malta, and a few other countries are reduced to waving signs in the street.
I’m not gonna rant about it for ages—just responding to your comment that kinda annoyed me.
Happy New Year! Hope you’ve made some good resolutions. 😉
Anyway, back to the original topic... the grass is always greener elsewhere (clearly, they’ve never been to Normandy).
You won’t hold it against me for structurally feeling quite unconcerned by the specific topic you’re bringing up, even if I acknowledge its importance.
I don’t think the French state has recently distinguished itself in respecting bodily autonomy or medical choices, frankly: rejecting the right to die with dignity, prescriptions unmatched anywhere else in Europe.
Michel
If you have any ideas about what’s currently good in France at the European level in terms of freedoms, let me know.
Above all, it’s the sharp decline in freedoms—of expression, of movement—that weighs heavily compared to the rest of Europe, which seems so much more at ease.
Hi,
You really don’t let go, do you?
One freedom I have in France that not all European women share: control over my own body. In France, I have the absolute right to abortion, while Irish, Polish, Maltese women, and others are reduced to waving placards in the streets.
I’m not going to ramble on about it—just responding to your comment that annoyed me a bit.
Happy New Year! I hope you’ve made some good resolutions. 😉
Anyway, back to the original topic... the grass is always greener elsewhere (apparently, they’ve never been to Normandy).
Tatra, you're right. It's better elsewhere. Everywhere else is better. No question about it... For example, migrants are rushing to Poland and Hungary, even Austria where they're welcomed with open arms.... As you say, they're so much more at ease there...
"Le touriste apparait comme le principal agent de diffusion du mépris anti touristique. Plus le touriste se voit en miroir de l'autre, plus il le déteste".
We were talking about Europe.
I’ve always had a bit of trouble with this French blind spot.
And I wasn’t making absolute statements. I was saying that some countries suit certain temperaments better.
If you don’t like a strong, centralized state, France isn’t the right country for you.
We were talking about Europe.
I’ve always struggled a bit with this French blindness.
And I wasn’t making absolute statements. I was saying that some countries suit certain temperaments better.
If you don’t like centralized state power, France isn’t the right country for you.
Michel
I had no idea Austria, Hungary, and Poland weren’t in Europe. My bad...
"Le touriste apparait comme le principal agent de diffusion du mépris anti touristique. Plus le touriste se voit en miroir de l'autre, plus il le déteste".
Just recently, I’ve been picturing myself in Poland, Russia, or the Czech Republic. No, these countries aren’t better economically or socially, but with my personality, I just feel more at home there. Sometimes the heart overrides the head.
Like I said, for me, it’s rotten everywhere—I’m not deluding myself—but there are just places that suit us better than others...
Anyway, in my case, I honestly don’t believe there’s anywhere else out there, but that’s another topic.
Actually, I could see myself in Poland or Russia, or in the Czech Republic. No, these countries aren’t better economically or socially, but with my personality, I just feel better there. Sometimes the heart overrides the head.
Like I said, for me, it’s rotten everywhere—I’m not deluding myself—but there are just places that suit us more than others...
In my case, I don’t even believe in ‘elsewhere’ anymore, but that’s another topic.
What’s stopping you from taking the leap? If it’ll make you feel better, go for it... It’s not a provocation, just a suggestion to avoid regrets. You learn a lot by living abroad.
"Le touriste apparait comme le principal agent de diffusion du mépris anti touristique. Plus le touriste se voit en miroir de l'autre, plus il le déteste".
As always, money’s tight—I don’t have savings, and I’ve got nothing to offer those countries. I can’t see what I’d even do there. I’d love to spend time in Russia to learn the language (I’m starting at home), but I don’t have the cash for it (obviously it costs money—you’ve got to pay for accommodation, etc.).
My health’s another issue, but I don’t want to go into detail.
Like I said, I don’t think it’s automatically better elsewhere in every way. In France, we’ve got a solid healthcare system, so it’s smarter to stay when our own health lets us down. France has its perks—I’m not denying that. But it’s got downsides too, just like anywhere else.
And I wasn’t making absolute statements. I was saying that some countries suit certain temperaments. For those who don’t like centralized state power, France isn’t a well-suited country.
You’re stuck on the concept—we’re starting to know you by now.
Very concretely, I don’t think the administrative setup of France would be a dealbreaker for someone motivated to move here. Same goes for those who decide to leave. People expatriate for work, because they want to live under the sun, for love, and so on... rarely because the country they chose to live in is a federal state.
We read that you’re not happy where you are, but we still don’t know where you *would* be happy living.
And I wasn’t making absolute statements. I was saying that some countries suit certain temperaments. If you don’t like a centralized state, France isn’t the right country for you.
You’re stuck on the concept—we’re starting to know you by now.
Very concretely, I don’t think the administrative setup of France would be a dealbreaker for someone considering moving here. Same for those who decide to leave. People move abroad for work, because they want to live under the sun, for love, and so on... rarely because the country they chose is a federal state.
We read that you’re not happy where you are, but we still don’t know where you *would* be happy.
Hi,
I actually think that when you decide to move abroad, you don’t necessarily consider all the legal, financial, or administrative aspects... and yet, the risk of disappointment is very real—just the daily grind, the routine, unless you have a job (and ideally one you chose) that truly excites you.
Geli
You’re struggling to see things the way I do, and that’s completely understandable. 🙂
Not everyone has to share the same passion for universal equality, the love of the State (which we expect everything from), the administration (which we join like an army), the one and only language that’s supposed to erase all others, or the Human Rights we claim for ourselves but often bend the rules on—France is currently one of the countries that no longer respects the European Convention on Human Rights...
We’re allowed to have other views—more liberal, more individualistic, more open on moral and religious questions—without wanting to lecture the world or tie our culture to a single nation.
I don’t see why this would knock you off your chair, honestly.
Michel
And I wasn’t making absolute statements. I was saying that some countries suit certain temperaments better. If you don’t like centralized state power, France isn’t the right country for you.
You’re stuck on the concept—we’re starting to know you by now.
Very concretely, I don’t think France’s administrative setup is a dealbreaker for someone considering moving here. Same goes for those who decide to leave. People expatriate for work, because they want to live somewhere sunny, for love, and so on... rarely because the country they’ve chosen is a federal state.
We read that you’re not happy where you are, but we still don’t know where you *would* be happy.
Hello,
I actually think that when someone decides to expatriate, they don’t necessarily consider all the legal, financial, or even practical aspects... and yet, the risk of disappointment is real, if only in the day-to-day routine—unless you have a job (ideally one you’re passionate about) that keeps you engaged.
Geli
Hello,
I really think that when you decide to move abroad, you don’t necessarily consider all the legal, financial, or administrative aspects... and yet, the risks of disappointment are very real—just from daily life and routine, unless you have a job (the best-case scenario) that you’re passionate about.
Geli
I find it rather tactless of you to have altered your post after my reply by adding:
"Besides, migrants, for example, are rushing to Poland and Hungary, even Austria, where they’re welcomed with open arms.... As you say, they’re so much more at ease there..."
I have nothing against those countries, and it’s a bit too easy to criticize them from France—our press does a fine job of that already.
My opinion and experience lead me to be more nuanced.
Michel
We were talking about Europe.
I’ve always struggled a bit with this French blindness.
And I wasn’t making absolute statements. I was saying that some countries suit some temperaments better.
For those who don’t like centralized state power, France isn’t an ideal fit.
Michel
I wasn’t aware that Austria, Hungary, and Poland weren’t in Europe. My apologies...
We’re allowed to have other conceptions—more liberal, more individualistic, more open on moral and religious questions... Without wanting to lecture the world, while having a culture that fits the nation.
ehh, unless I’m mistaken, isn’t that called utopia? 😏
And I’ll come back to my question about *bohneur* (which no one really answers except Mirandamouse, who’s happy taking Russian classes)—does traveling to utopia lead to happiness?
Sorry if I’m over-conceptualizing too 😎
We’re allowed to have other conceptions—more liberal, more individualistic, more open on moral and religious questions... Without wanting to lecture the world, while having a culture that fits the nation.
Uhh, if I’m not mistaken, isn’t that called utopia? 😏
And I’ll come back to my question about *bohneur* (which no one really answers except Mirandamouse, who’s content taking Russian classes)—does traveling to utopia lead to *bohneur*?
Sorry if I’m over-conceptualizing too 😎
We’re allowed to have other conceptions—more liberal, more individualistic, more open on moral and religious questions... Without wanting to lecture the world, while having a culture that fits the nation.
ehh, unless I’m mistaken, isn’t that called utopia? 😏
And I’ll come back to my question about happiness (which no one really answers except Mirandamouse, who’s content taking Russian classes)—does traveling to utopia lead to happiness?
Sorry if I’m over-conceptualizing too 😎
Uh, there’s no connection between happiness and taking Russian classes. For me, happiness is something I haven’t known what it is for a long time, and I’m not chasing after it.
=> falls under Morality, in short, saying what is good and what is bad, creating dichotomies between these two notions.
=> "It's better..." => is that absolute good, in short, the pursuit of happiness at all costs?
=> If everyone on this forum is searching for absolute happiness, then what is happiness?
=> Is happiness found elsewhere in Switzerland, Africa, the USA...?
Are you prepping for the 2018 philosophy baccalaureate topics? 😏
And I come back to my question about happiness (which no one really answers except Mirandamouse, who’s content with taking Russian classes)—does traveling to utopia lead to happiness?
I don’t know where it leads others, but for me, it leads straight to my bookshelf (comic book fans will understand).
More seriously, what a strange question! What is utopia? What is happiness? We’re not out of the woods yet...
Because, let's be clear, France is still a country that's not very conducive to people who love freedom
We should ask Turks, Uzbeks, Turkmens, Eritreans, North Koreans, Iranians, Burmese, Libyans, Cubans, Chinese, Iraqis, Russians, Afghans, Saudis, and so on... the list is too long...
And as Mariecurry points out, we should also ask women or LGBTQ+ people.
Congratulations, you’re doing a fantastic job representing the official line. 🙂
You’d probably be quite surprised, though, to hear their actual response. It’s very, very far from what you assume.
You’re absolutely refusing to see that France is a highly centralized state and far from liberal—from any perspective.
Michel
Because, let’s be clear, France is still a country that’s not exactly welcoming to people who love freedom
You’d have to ask Turks, Uzbeks, Turkmen, Eritreans, North Koreans, Iranians, Burmese, Libyans, Cubans, Chinese, Iraqis, Russians, Afghans, Saudis, and... well, the list goes on...
And as Mariecurry points out, ask women or LGBTQ+ folks.
A North Korean, an Iranian, or a Saudi would explain to you with the same sincerity as yours that their country is the best and that those who don’t see it are crazy.
Wanna bet?
Have you ever tried it? I have. 😏
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Hello everyone on this forum!
I know in advance that what I'm about to say here won't please everyone, but honesty is a virtue, isn't it?
Here's the thing: for many years now, I've noticed a habit in French-speaking posts of using abbreviations left and right, as if to show that we're "in the know." Let me explain with a few examples:
- - In discussions about Peru, I see "Aguas" for "Aguas Calientes." And if it's Mexico, well, it'll be "Aguas" for "Aguascalientes"!
- - For Guatemala, "travelers" will say "Guaté." Come on, saying "Guatemalas" would maybe be the undeniable sign that you know nothing about the country???
- - Back from Indonesia, many will talk about how familiar they've become with the country's language: "bahasa." Of course, everyone will know what you're talking about, but it still gets on my nerves because the language (one of the many languages) of Indonesia is "bahasa Indonesia." "Bahasa" actually means "language," and you'll find this word of Indian origin ‘Bhāṣā’ (it's Sanskrit originally) outside Indonesia too: in Thailand, for example, any language will be "phasa" as in "phasa thai" (official Thai), "phasa isan" (what's spoken in northeastern Thailand), "phasa angkrit" = English, etc.
Am I an incorrigible nitpicker? Maybe. But I'd also find it ridiculous if a foreigner came and told me they visited "Monte" during their trip to France, when it was actually Monte Carlo.
I read a lot in English and don't think I've encountered such a habit among English speakers.
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
This is my 15,000th post, and it's a message I would have preferred never to write.
Patrick—Yangguizi—won’t be returning from his trek in Uganda. His health betrayed him in the mountains.
Like many of you, I laughed until I couldn’t anymore at his travel stories. I met him in Shanghai, then in Istanbul... We scoured restaurants—he was an incredible expert on world cuisines. We relived Korea, China. Always brilliant, so sharp, so funny, so down-to-earth. Being even a little bit his friend was something to be proud of. I think I envied him.
Patrick is still out there, of course...
He found his happiness running across the world. He’s on his path. He never doubted that "the traveler doesn’t even know if he’ll return one day."
Not sure this would’ve suited him, but his departure devastates me.
Alright,
Farewell, you foreign devil. Safe travels.
hello to all travelers with their eyes wide open to the desert...
I’ve always wondered what I was "doing" on this earth. And why my father, who died a few months after I was born—a former youngest French resistance fighter—joined the First Saharan Motorized Company in Atar and spent the rest of his life repairing army engines in Algeria, Mauritania, Senegal, Mali (which didn’t exist under that name back then), Morocco, and finally Algeria, where my mother was born and raised. (Believe me, it’s not "cool" being the child of a soldier in a country occupied by France, and even less so the child of a "pied-noir.")
Of course, I never got an answer: the dead don’t talk, and the army doesn’t either.
But here’s the thing—I had photos...
So naturally, one day I hit the road. I wanted to see, to understand.
It’s thanks to VF that I was able to do a little research on crossing the Morocco-Mauritania border, and I’m grateful to its members, just as I’m grateful to all those who welcomed me on the road for 14 years.
For the past few weeks, I’ve been wondering if I should talk about this or not...
It turns out the Mauritanians changed my life by asking for my help... And that started as early as February 2012... (Did I owe them something? No answer to that question.)
Ah, the irony—they saw me coming. But when you’re handed sick children and begged to do something, what would you have done? I’d worked in a hospital, so I knew a bit about the rules to follow. I didn’t hesitate.
And well, over all these years, I met doctors, surgeons, and together we organized care, evacuations of children, training for surgeons—even trying to stop children from having to travel outside their country. It was never easy. I’d like to thank those who supported us, as well as *La Chaîne de l’Espoir*, *La Fondation Face au Monde*, and everyone who built bridges between our two countries.
Unfortunately, despite the constant efforts of Mauritanian doctors and surgeons, some children couldn’t be helped in time. Today, I want to talk about four siblings—orphans of their mother—suffering from congenital glaucoma causing irreversible blindness. Their case was entrusted to me in 2020, just weeks before the big lockdown. We couldn’t do anything for them then, but when their father asked me for a gift, I rushed to my computer and wrote a story.
Through a tale, the children take a great journey, explore their country, and fulfill a dream. I never thought this book would be published—it was, in 2023.
This book pays tribute to Mauritania. It’s a message for those who know nothing about the hardships of life there, carrying both the harshness and beauty of an immense desert where you can travel by 4x4, bike, on foot, or by camel in complete safety. It bears witness to the kindness of Mauritanians toward travelers.
As a woman traveling alone in my vehicle—a now-rusted old Mercedes that no longer runs—I had the most beautiful encounters of my life there (I’ve seen other parts of the world...). The blind children of Choum, Atar, Nouadhibou, and Nouakchott will forever be in my heart.
Volunteer readers transcribed the book into a free audio version for the visually impaired. It’s available in sound libraries in France, the *Fondation Valentin Haüy*, and the Swiss Romande library.
I made my last trip to Mauritania in my old 4x4 to distribute the book everywhere, especially to its heroes and the school for the visually impaired in Nouakchott.
After that, I thought it was time to close the chapter because I no longer have the means or the strength to travel.
My publishers chose this title for it: *The Blue Eyes of the Desert*.
This publication helped a mission of Swiss volunteer ophthalmologists come to operate on glaucomas in Mauritania. I’m thrilled because they come back every year!
This adventure is ending, yes—everything must come to an end—but ultimately, it was born here, on the VF site!! So yes, I had to say it: THANK YOU!!!!!
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!
"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.
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