You have a really simplistic view of the world; it's quite surprising for someone who must have heard and observed a lot.
In any case, if some people leave those countries, it hasn’t escaped you that France wasn’t their top destination. 🙂
Michel
So why are there North Koreans, Saudis, or Iranians fleeing their countries? 😇
And not to save 3 € in taxes... 😏
Want to meet Tatra? 😮
I find it rather tactless of you to have edited 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 in France to criticize them—the media does a fine job of that already.
In my opinion, and from my experience, I tend 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 certain temperaments better.
For those who don’t like centralized state power, France isn’t the right fit.
Michel
I wasn’t aware that Austria, Hungary, and Poland weren’t in Europe. My apologies...
I don’t understand what you’re talking about? Only seven minutes passed between my message and your reply.
"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".
I find it rather inelegant of you to have edited your post after my response 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 easy in France to criticize them—the media does a fine job of that.
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 certain temperaments better.
For those who don’t like centralized state power, France isn’t an ideal country.
Michel
I didn’t realize Austria, Hungary, and Poland weren’t in Europe. My apologies...
I don’t understand what you’re talking about? Only seven minutes passed between my post and your reply.
Totally agree with Tatra about freedom, at least if we stay in Europe. Obviously, if you're looking at places like Saudi Arabia or North Korea...
Otherwise, elsewhere isn't necessarily better, but saying everything is better in France... well, maybe, and even then, only for those who live solely on various benefits without ever working (again, I'm only talking about Europe—you have to compare what's comparable).
More seriously, what a funny question! What is utopia? What is happiness? We haven’t gotten there yet...
I totally agree, and like Vladimir and Estragon, we’re all just going in circles.
Besides, as Galileo said, that’s why the Earth is round. 😛
As for the connection to utopia, in my opinion, humanity has always progressed thanks to utopian ideas and projects because people are never satisfied with their fate (and by the way, on this forum, you know who I’m looking at... 😏)
Obviously, if you're looking for Saudi Arabia or North Korea......
The list of oppressive countries is significantly longer than that of countries that are only marginally so.
And if you count by population, it's even worse.
Everything else is just nitpicking by spoiled kids in their Tatra who focus more on the speck than the log.
I also wonder why our adopted Breton hasn’t left both Brittany and France.
A masochist?
Too French at heart? (a whiny, neurotic complainer)
The forum’s resident entertainer?
Usually, controversy and debate don’t make Attila disrespectful.
Tonight, they do.
I don’t see what gives you the right to deny me my own way of feeling things, or to be genuinely sensitive to individual and civil liberties. The French really struggle to understand that in Europe, freedom isn’t their exclusive domain.
Don’t have the centralist, statist, or Bonapartist culture that fits? Oh well. 😏
What holds me back, as I’ve said before, is that I love my job, enjoy it, and have fun doing it—something that isn’t exactly transferable. I’m the opposite of you: work brings me joy, society brings me pain.
Michel
The rest is just nitpicking from spoiled brats in the Tatra who focus more on the speck than the beam.
I also wonder why our adopted Breton hasn’t left both Brittany and France.
A masochist?
Too French at heart? (whiny, neurotic complainer)
The forum’s court jester?
I'd really love to know what that job is! (DM me if needed...)
For me, what's holding me back right now is the gear (I’m housed here), the lack of cash to leave, and I’ll admit, health—because while France doesn’t have a monopoly on the best healthcare system, in the countries that attract me, it’s not great.
And what puts me off about going to certain countries is the climate (too hot in the Spain I love, too cold in the east).
My ideal would be winter in Madrid (moving around a bit because I don’t like staying in the same place for months), spring and summer in the east, but not necessarily just one country.
Then there’s Paris’s cultural life that still holds me back—I’m a museum and exhibit rat (well, mouse), and I don’t find the equivalent anywhere else (except London, but cost of living there? Not for me, unless I win the EuroMillions!)
I think I mentioned that I was limiting myself to Europe (in my mind, the EU and Western European countries that aren’t part of it), and I still stand by that.
Two examples:
- In Switzerland, Romansh, spoken by 60,000 people, is a national language, and in the relevant municipalities, it’s the primary language in education and administration. In France, it would’ve been dismissed as a dialect to eradicate, and kids would’ve gotten a dunce cap for speaking a word of Romance.
- In Hendaye, there are two boats that cross the Bidassoa to reach the Spanish Basque Country: a French boat and a Spanish boat. On the French boat, there’s a sign with a whole list of prohibitions: smoking (obviously), drinking, eating, leaning over, and others I can’t remember. On the Spanish boat, nothing—just a no-smoking pictogram for those who want to enter the enclosed cabin.
Obviously, if you’re comparing to Saudi Arabia or North Korea...
The list of oppressive countries is way longer than the list of those that are only marginally so.
And if you count by population, it’s even worse.
Everything else is just nitpicking from spoiled kids with a Tatra complex who focus more on the speck than the log.
I also wonder why our adopted Breton hasn’t left both Brittany and France.
A masochist?
Too French in the end? (a whiny, neurotic complainer)
The forum’s court jester?
I don’t see what gives you the right to deny me my own way of feeling things, and to indeed be very sensitive to individual and civil liberties
The issue isn’t what you think. You’re free to think whatever you want, and that’s a good thing. The problem is the contempt (real or just for show, I don’t know) you show toward those who don’t share your opinions. I’ve already told you—it’s hard, even impossible, to have a conversation with you if we don’t see things your way. You have ideas, convictions, and experience—that’s a wealth of knowledge. Try to share them with us, not hammer them into us. 😉
And don’t reply with that condescending tone while switching to formal address—it annoys me. 😏
Do you sense contempt in my words?
Really? 🤪
Personally, I sometimes feel it in yours, or in those of others I won’t name out of respect—but they’ll know who they are... A kind of dismissive incredulity.
Forum posts are a special literary genre: you have to keep it short, which inevitably makes things a bit caricatured. It’s a bit like teaching—you have to make an impact and repeat yourself.
That said, when it comes to misunderstandings and hurt feelings, I might just not be a great fit for the French. I actually know very few of them.
Michel
I don’t see what gives you the right to deny me my own way of feeling things, or the fact that I’m very sensitive to individual and civil liberties
The issue isn’t what you think. You’re free to think whatever you want, and that’s a good thing. The problem is the contempt (real or just for show, I don’t know) that you display toward those who don’t share your opinions. I’ve already told you this: it’s hard—even impossible—to have a conversation with you if we don’t agree with you. You have ideas, convictions, and experiences—that’s a wealth of knowledge. Try to share them with us, not hammer them into us. 😉
When I re-read my messages, I sometimes find them harsh and curt. I’m not a literary person, that’s true—I write concisely and directly. I’ve often thought my intentions could be misinterpreted. But never, or at least it seems to me, have I shown the slightest contempt toward anyone I’m talking to.
As for you, I sometimes respond with exasperation, I admit. Then I let it go—what’s the point anyway?
Oh, and I also try to use humor... not sure it’s working. 😏
Okay, if you sense contempt, that’s legitimate in itself—I can’t argue with your subjectivity. I’m just saying that’s not my intention.
I actually have no intention other than to express my point of view as it is, no matter how strange it may seem to you.
The French from France are, deep down, very foreign to me. I personally meet very few of them, and I admit I don’t understand them at all. And less and less as I see them leave a Europe that, truthfully, they probably never really wanted and with which they’re not truly compatible.
And it does sadden me, indeed, to feel like I’m being held hostage by it.
Michel
You sense contempt in my words?
Yes.
Personally, I sometimes sense it in yours
When I re-read myself, I sometimes find my messages harsh and abrupt. I’m not a literary person, that’s true—I write concisely and directly. I’ve often thought my intentions could be misinterpreted. But never, or at least it seems to me, have I shown the slightest contempt toward anyone I’ve spoken with.
As for you, I sometimes respond with exasperation, I admit. Then I drop it—what’s the point anyway?
Oh, I also try to use humor... not sure it’s working. 😏
We can only sympathize with your struggle, without having any solution to offer. Hang in 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".
Well, that’s something at least.
I know you can’t even begin to grasp the perspectives I’m sharing, but you could at least try.
I must be too deeply European and have been for too long—I’ve always been that way. 🙂
For riddles, I suggest using PMs—I sometimes reply to them... :)
As for what you're thinking about, no idea, I’m not a mind reader. Since I only talk about Europe in this post, I guess that’s what it must be.
But I didn’t say anything special... Just that I’m European?
The more I live abroad, and in several places outside France over the years, the less I want to go back at all.
Actually, we go where that ELSEWHERE suits us best.
Based on OURSELVES.
I checked out your blog to read your posts about Poland, and I must say, you get around quite a bit. Maybe you’ve found the right balance.
Thanks!
No Poland for me in 2017—I’ll see about that later. I can’t be everywhere at once, and I can’t travel 52 weeks a year 😛 Actually, in 2017, I traveled less to fund the trip of my dreams: Russia. Yeah, some people have weird dreams...
Besides, in 2017 I had to travel less to finance the trip of my dreams: to Russia. Yes, some people have weird dreams...
No, it was a beautiful dream. I dream of Russia too. For a long time now. In the meantime, I read everything written about it on VF.
As for whether it's better elsewhere (to answer the initial question), I think, like it was advised earlier, you have to try it. I did—I moved to Athens to live. Nine months later, I was back in France. Language issues, different mentalities, I missed my friends, etc... In short, total fiasco. The only city that tempts me now is Lisbon. For the climate first of all. The city is beautiful, the Portuguese are really nice, welcoming, and love life. I’ve tucked the idea away in the back of my mind, and who knows? Why not spend my retirement there?
I’ve had those kinds of ideas—retiring "elsewhere"—but after weighing it all, I gave up because my "elsewhere" doesn’t fulfill all my wants, desires, etc. My "here" complements my "elsewhere," and I juggle between the two depending on the opportunities and mood of the moment.
No, elsewhere isn’t better than my country, in my view. I find these back-and-forths between the two—elsewhere and here—rich and balancing.
Happy to see I’m not the only one dreaming about this country (full of flaws but fascinating). If my travel journal or blog can help you out...
Maybe I’ll expat one day, I don’t know (I’d need to figure out what to do elsewhere—that’s the issue, the world isn’t waiting for me). On the other hand, I don’t have strong ties to France. I only have a small family, few friends, and live a bit in a bubble, so here or elsewhere, it wouldn’t change much. Nothing stops me from visiting my mom three times a year and my best friend along the way (who already lives far from me, just like my mom, and I barely see her more often anyway).
As long as I can keep busy and eat well (impossible to live in a country where the food isn’t good or varied), if I feel good somewhere, I don’t feel any lack.
Though I think my criteria are different from most people’s. For now, I’m still enjoying the Paris region a bit because it meets some expectations (but repels me in other ways—it’s a love-hate thing, really).
I read it all! From 1 to 279 in one go! I must say, where I am right now, I still have a bit of time...
It’s hard to summarize—the point isn’t really there—but in the “travelers’ thoughts and reflections” section, I’ll allow myself to chime in...
Personally, I don’t think Elsewhere is better.
From my own small experience, in the countries I’ve had the chance to visit—always too quickly, always too superficially—it’s easy to feel better there... Mostly on vacation, discovering places and people, with no schedule constraints, no pressure, often with a specially allocated budget. The grass is always greener...
We could talk about raw economic data—it’s there and undeniable: GDP per capita, median salary, infant mortality, healthy retirement, and so on... But that reduces a country to mere materialism, stripping away the poetry...
Because recent events in France have highlighted a *French touch* () that the world envies us for. And whether some like it or not, a little spark often lights up in my interlocutor’s eye, no matter where they’re from, when you say the word *France* 🇫🇷...
Increased chauvinism? No, because not everything is rosy in our country, but it’s up to us, every day, to make it better...
Because if I have one certainty in this world, and specifically in France, it’s that everyone has the power to change their life if it doesn’t suit them!
Food for thought!
Live in the moment! It’d be easy to make it part of everyday life...
PS: Miranda, I replied to your last message—don’t take it as a direct response. Thanks
"Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux."
Marcel Proust
Well, it really depends on who you're talking to and what you're sensitive to.
I also sometimes have conversations with foreigners who seem to have a positive image of France, but their view is outdated, not well-informed, and often all it takes is explaining the reality to see their disbelief.
For people who care about civil and individual freedoms, France has never been a great model, and it continues a dirigiste, centralist, and authoritarian tradition that goes back to Bonaparte and even earlier. But for the past few years—around 2007, I’d say—it’s become one of Europe’s worst students.
Right now, in my opinion, it’s well below the European average on criteria like freedom of expression, movement, opinion, entrepreneurship, personal fulfillment, and building projects. Security is also an issue, despite all the sacrifices.
It’s the only EU state, as far as I know—now that the UK is no longer part of it—that has repeatedly asked to derogate from the European Convention on Human Rights in recent decades. In that regard, it recently joined Turkey and Ukraine.
If you’re not sensitive to those things and instead focus on comfort-based criteria—like guaranteed pension payments, state social benefits, or societal support for individuals—then yes, France is at the top.
It all comes back to our point: a country suits us, or it doesn’t, depending on our aspirations.
Personally, I feel more in tune with Germany, for example—more comfortable, freer.
Michel
Hello everyone and best wishes.
I read it all! From 1 to 279 in one go! Gotta say, where I am right now, I’ve still got some time...
Hard to summarize—the point isn’t there—but in the “travelers’ thoughts and reflections” section, I’ll allow myself to chime in...
For me, I don’t think Elsewhere is better.
From my own little experience, in the places I’ve been lucky enough to visit—always too quickly, always too superficially—it’s easy to feel better there... Mostly on vacation, discovering places and people, with no time constraints or pressure, often with a specially allocated budget. The grass is always greener...
We could talk about raw economic data—it’s there and undeniable: GDP per capita, median salary, infant mortality, healthy retirement, and so on... But that reduces a country to materialism, stripping away the poetry...
Because recent events in France have highlighted a *French touch* () that the world envies. And whether some like it or not, a little light often sparkles in my interlocutor’s eye, no matter their country, when you say the word *France* 🇫🇷...
Increased chauvinism? No, because not everything is rosy in our country, but may we, every day, strive to make it better...
Because if I’m certain of one thing in this world—and specifically in France—it’s that everyone has the power to change their life if it doesn’t suit them!
To those who’ll listen!
Live in the moment! It’d be easy to make it your daily life...
PS: Miranda, I replied to the last message—don’t take it as a direct response. Thanks
My friends from other European countries, who fall off their chairs when I explain the constraints in France regarding professional activities, employment, healthcare... and who tap their temples with their index fingers when I jokingly suggest they come here to build a career, don’t seem to believe that "where there’s a will, there’s a way."
Michel
freedom of speech and opinion
Yet it was in France that a team of critical humorists was decimated.
to undertake, to thrive, and to build projects.
Wouldn’t it be more accurate to say it’s the fault of the French?
Where there’s a will, there’s a way...
I also sometimes have conversations with foreigners who initially have a positive image of France, but their view is outdated, not well-informed, and often all it takes is explaining the reality to see their disbelief.
Are you explaining the reality or your own perspective?
Do you think all foreigners are ignorant and uninformed?
For people who care about civil and individual liberties, France has never been a great model, and it continues a dirigiste, centralist, and authoritarian tradition that goes back to Bonaparte and even earlier. But in recent years—I’d say around 2007—it has become one of Europe’s worst students.
France is a centralized and centralizing country. But it’s the French who decide that through their votes.
France has laws and rules. We have rights, but also duties.
Right now, in my opinion, it’s well below the European average on criteria like freedom of speech, movement, opinion, entrepreneurship, personal fulfillment, and building projects. On security, too, despite all the sacrifices.
Tell that to our Turkish, Chechen, Korean, Chinese friends, and many others from around the world...
And without going that far, to Spanish friends who are indebted for life over a home with a variable-rate mortgage that lost 40% of its value (I can introduce you to some).
As for security, it’s precisely *because* it’s called France that it’s a priority target for those who see our art de vivre and freedoms as an insult.
If you’re not sensitive to those issues and instead prioritize comfort—like guaranteed pension payments, state social benefits, or society taking care of individuals—then yes, France is at the top.
Isn’t the title of this discussion: *Is it better elsewhere?*
We come back to our point: a country suits us—or doesn’t—based on our aspirations.
We agree, even if everything isn’t perfect, this country suits me, and I’m staying without badmouthing it. On the contrary, I try to improve it every day within my means...
A very French attitude: like the rooster, my feet are in the manure, but I keep singing!!
For my part, I feel more in tune with Germany, for example—more comfortable, freer.
Comparison isn’t reason. Talk to the millions of working poor, including seniors, about that...
"Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux."
Marcel Proust
Explain reality or your vision to them?
Do you think all foreigners are ignorant and uninformed?
Facts, just real-life facts...
Access to healthcare, public internet access, freedom of movement, to start a business, to change jobs, to move...
Real life 🙂
France is a centralized and centralizing country. But it’s the French who decide this through their votes.
France has laws and rules. We have rights but also duties.
Duties?
Like anywhere else, I don’t see a major argument there.
Talk to our Turkish, Chechen, Korean, Chinese friends, and many other regions of the world....
I think it’s a bit easy and short-sighted to present things this way; take a closer look.
As for security, it’s precisely because it’s called France that it’s a priority target for those for whom the art of living and freedoms are an insult.
That reasoning would hold if other EU countries with similar lifestyles had followed the same path—but that’s not the case.
Look at Germany, the Netherlands, and all the others.
We agree, even if everything isn’t perfect, this country suits me, and I’m staying without denigrating it. On the contrary, I try to improve it every day within my means...
A good French attitude: like the rooster, I’ve got my feet in the manure, but I keep singing!!
You’re free to feel committed.
Comparison isn’t reason. Talk to the millions of working poor, including seniors....
You remind me of those who praised the railway and transport monopoly in France and waved the privatization scarecrow a few years ago.
I’ve taken privatized trains in quite a few countries, and I’ve also seen how things go during crises or disruptions. Well, I guarantee you it went much better than it would have in France. 🙂
Always waving scarecrows to justify archaic systems—that’s French ideology.
Before leaving the discussion—which, after rereading some of your 44,000 messages, I didn’t expect anything different from—I’d have the audacity to give you a little advice:
Don’t rush into your replies (10 minutes to read and respond!). Think it over!
You’ll gain some wisdom from it...
Consider yourselves warned, take care!
"Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux."
Marcel Proust
Alright, so we're getting into personal attacks now...
I'm quick and efficient—that's my trademark—and ten minutes feels like an eternity to me.
Hey, no hard feelings.
Seriously, I don’t hold it against you; it’s always tough to take a reflective look when you’ve been raised with certain benchmarks that seem like no-brainers, especially after inevitably listening to, watching, and reading state media, which—no matter what they say—still carries an official narrative... Even more so in a country that pushes a strong public discourse, backed by a civil service and a single language. It’s normal, I get it. 🙂
Michel
Before leaving the discussion—which, after rereading some of your 44,000 messages, I expected nothing less—I’ll have the audacity to give you a little advice:
Don’t rush into your replies (10 minutes to read and respond!). Think it through!
You’ll gain some wisdom from it...
Hello Montagnard 74,
At last, a reasonable answer to the original question:
... why is it better elsewhere?...
Indeed, too often posts ramble, go off-topic, and clutter the Forum.
So, freedom of expression? YES, but some need to remember there are limits and not let loose with grandiloquent, dithyrambic, or even downright grotesque rants.
But let’s be clear, the above isn’t a moral lesson—I wouldn’t dare—but a simple reminder of what our dear and benevolent host VForum asks of us:
"... Avoid off-topic or very short replies
like "chit-chat."..."
Now, going off-topic myself (slap on the wrist!), I see Montagnard 74 has been to places I frequent with ever-renewed pleasure and will return to next March. Check out the two photos he shared:
- Tomb of the Ming Emperor in Huế -
- A beach in Vietnam... with a coconut tree! -
In my "ePhoto" collection (7,600 shots...), I have the exact same view as the first one and, even more precious, the same image but as a painting done in 1922 by a family friend from Chambéry: Henry Mège.
Also, if Montagnard 74 would like to correspond, I’d be delighted to swap travel memories. Thanks in advance for that.
I sign off as "VIETALIÉ" because, obsessed with Vietnam (I was born there), I now live in the 03 Allier.
See you soon, I hope, and please pass on my warm regards to all those you care about. Here’s my wish, as expressed between Saigon, Huế, and Hanoi:
Happiness - Longevity - Prosperity
Hello everyone and best wishes.
I read it all! From 1 to 279 in one go! Must say, where I am, I’ve still got some time...
Hard to summarize—the point isn’t there—but in the "travelers’ thoughts and reflections" section, I’ll add my two cents...
Hello Montagnard,
Personally, I don’t think Elsewhere is better.
From my own experience, in the countries I’ve been lucky enough to visit—always too quickly, always too superficially—it’s easy to feel better there... On vacation most of the time, discovering places and people, with no schedule or pressure, often with a specially allocated budget, the grass is always greener...
We could talk about raw economic data—it’s there and undeniable: GDP per capita, median salary, infant mortality, healthy retirement, and so on... But that reduces a country to mere materialism, stripping away the poetry...
Because recent events in France have highlighted a *je ne sais quoi* () that the world envies us. And whether some like it or not, a little spark often lights up in my interlocutor’s eye, no matter their country, when you mention the word France 🇫🇷...
Increased chauvinism? No, because not everything’s rosy in our country, but it’s up to us to make it better every day...
Because if I’m certain of one thing in this world, especially in France, it’s that everyone has the power to change their life if it doesn’t suit them!
Food for thought!
Live in the moment! It’d be easy to make it your daily life...
PS: Miranda, I replied to your last message—don’t take it as a direct response. Thanks
Cela dépend de l'humeur du moment et va de Jean-Claude à Viet à lier.
to ramble... rambling is synonymous with vacation.
But isn’t idleness, just like rambling—that is, wandering aimlessly—what truly defines the essence of travel itself?
So, freedom of expression? YES, but some need to remember there are limits and shouldn’t let loose with grandiose, over-the-top, or even downright ridiculous rants.
On the other hand, a little lyricism and whimsy don’t hurt in our world full of austerity, heh heh ;)
Oh wow! What ease in polemicizing by deliberately attributing to certain words—like "divaguer," for example—a completely different meaning than what the original poster intended! Indeed, I’m not talking about physical displacement here, but rather the wandering of the mind, which has nothing to do with dreams or poetry. It’s a deliberate mix of everything and nothing, revealing a "petty nitpicking spirit" at the level of a kindergarten playground. So, whether unconsciously (?) or on purpose, both approaches really annoy (and I’m toning down my vocabulary!!!) those who, in good faith, hope for something intelligent that stays within the original meaning and context of the conversation. There are plenty of other places to indulge in all-out polemical jousting.
So, please, let’s keep the conversation pleasant on this lovely forum and, just in case… set aside any pointless disputes by simply responding to these digressions with the following:
OFF-TOPIC - IRRELEVANT
I’m done here. And to those who want to spew their venom and other nastiness at me—know that I couldn’t care less and won’t even acknowledge you. The other posts are enough to satisfy me.
You’ve been warned…
Vietalier
Indeed, too often posts ramble on,
Oh wow! What ease in polemicizing by deliberately attributing to certain words—like "divaguer," for example—a completely different meaning than what the original poster intended! Indeed, I’m not talking about physical displacement here, but rather the wandering of the mind, which has nothing to do with dreams or poetry. It’s a deliberate mix of everything and nothing, revealing a "petty nitpicking spirit" at the level of a kindergarten playground. So, whether unconsciously (?) or on purpose, both approaches really annoy (and I’m toning down my vocabulary!!!) those who, in good faith, hope for something intelligent that stays within the original meaning and context of the conversation. There are plenty of other places to indulge in all-out polemical jousting.
So, please, let’s keep the conversation pleasant on this lovely forum and, just in case… set aside any pointless disputes by simply responding to these digressions with the following:
OFF-TOPIC - IRRELEVANT
I’m done here. And to those who want to spew their venom and other nastiness at me—know that I couldn’t care less and won’t even acknowledge you. The other posts are enough to satisfy me.
You’ve been warned…
Vietalier
Rambling... rambling is synonymous with wandering.
And isn’t wandering—just like rambling, meaning aimlessly drifting somewhere—what truly defines travel itself?
So, freedom of expression? YES, but some should remember there are limits and not let loose with grandiose, dithyrambic, or even outright grotesque rants.
On the other hand, lyricism and whimsy don’t hurt in our world full of austerity, heh heh
Cela dépend de l'humeur du moment et va de Jean-Claude à Viet à lier.
I recommend listening to the show on France Inter "Grand Bien Vous Fasse"—the specialist Jean-Didier Urbain, who’s been mentioned many times on this forum, talks about travel in general. It’s really interesting to listen to!
Without meaning to bother you, what drives you to make an average of nine posts a day for 14 years?
« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood
All my first long vacations as a young adult were marked by two recurring things: discovering places where I would have moved immediately for good, and, after two weeks abroad, an irresistible craving to dig into a good steak and fries in a familiar setting.
Elsewhere, the grass is greener in some places and for a while.
For me, what makes the difference is my preference for a tropical climate and my concerns—tinged with worry—about the future of quality of life in our own country.
« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood
Well said! The management of this site is indeed extremely satisfying.
« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood
All my first long vacations as a young adult were defined by two recurring elements: discovering places where I would have moved in immediately for good, and, after two weeks abroad, the irresistible urge to dig into a good steak-fries in a familiar setting.
Elsewhere, the grass is greener in some places and for a while.
For me, what changes the game is my preference for a tropical climate and my concerns, tinged with worry, about the future of well-being in our own country.
For once, even though I’ve never been away for more than 3 weeks, I never miss France. After that, I could see myself living in the place I’m visiting. I think deep down no place really makes me dream—there are just places where I feel better than others, but that’s about it.
We all know that the Mouse spends its time playing the star in front of monuments all over the world, but let’s not forget that its delicious variety of cheeses can only be enjoyed in its beloved France! 🙂
« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood
Oh, I’ll admit it—I’d really miss the cheese! But anyway, I couldn’t live in a country where the food is either terrible or just not varied at all.
Hi there,
From a culinary standpoint, you should definitely come visit Thailand.
It’s a feast for the eyes and the taste buds.
Cheese was rare for a while, but with the expansion of supermarkets and tourist demand, you can now find a great selection at reasonable prices.
That said, there’s a downside—wine is heavily taxed as a luxury product.
Switzerland has great cheese, but it’s way too expensive for me!
Absolutely, and in my opinion, the selection is more limited too...
Back to the thread:
I’ve been an expat for 13 years with no regrets, even though I’m still in love with my birth country—and especially Provence.
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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.
Live in the moment! It’d be easy to make it part of everyday life...
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