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Old 07-19-2004, 17:51   #1
AngelsSix
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Personal Enrichment Through Travel

What was the first foreign country you visited and what were your first impressions?? If you were with the military at the time, do you think that affected how you viewed the experience?? If so, how do you feel it would have been different if you were a civilian?? Do you think these visits affected how you felt about a certain group of people?? Did you come to realize that things you had thought about that place or those people were skewed?? And if so, why do you think that happened??

My first foreign country (believe it or not) was Keflevik, Iceland. I was in the Navy at the time, it was my first sea duty assignment. I had a lot of free time while there, so I personally do not think that my being in the military affected how I viewed the place or the people. Before I went, I had never been out side the US, so I really hadn't formed any opinions about foreigners. I had no real interest in politics nor did I watch the news. What struck me as the strangest thing was how people could survive in that environment. Cold and in the winter dark for 20+ hours a day. But depsite the isolation, the weather or environmental conditions, the people there were amoung the friendliest I have ever encountered, and also amoung the most trusting. I also realized that they did not live in igloos.
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Old 07-19-2004, 18:02   #2
Roguish Lawyer
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Mexico. My parents dragged me along for shopping in Nogales.
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Old 07-19-2004, 18:09   #3
The Reaper
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Quote:
Originally posted by Roguish Lawyer
Mexico. My parents dragged me along for shopping in Nogales.
What did they get for you?

TR
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"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." - President Theodore Roosevelt, 1910

De Oppresso Liber 01/20/2025
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Old 07-19-2004, 18:28   #4
lrd
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Quote:
Originally posted by Roguish Lawyer
Mexico. My parents dragged me along for shopping in Nogales.
1968. Mexico.

We went shopping in Ciudad Juarez and I bought myself some shiny blue maracas that I annoy my family with to this day.
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Old 07-19-2004, 18:32   #5
Air.177
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Quote:
Originally posted by The Reaper
What did they get for you?

TR
And how long did it take you to find your way home after you had been traded for a Basket and some sandals?
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Old 07-19-2004, 18:40   #6
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Iraq.

Actually, that probably answers all of your questions, lol.
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Old 07-19-2004, 18:44   #7
Bill Harsey
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California.
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Old 07-19-2004, 18:49   #8
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Australia. It reinforced the rugby rivalry and made me realise how much the countries are similer culture wise. It also made me realise how good NZ was, though Australia does have a few points over us, namely the weather.

But I won't ever repeat that



I'd like to hit Europe or North/South America after Uni. I think I'll leave the Mid East and Africa alone. Would love to go to South Africa one day, but the current situation negates that to some extent.
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Old 07-19-2004, 19:27   #9
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Quote:
Originally posted by Bill Harsey
California.
That shit aint funny!

My wife comes to the conclusion that I need to see a Psyhchiatrist/ologist in San Francisco...because of my need to recognize/understand other walks of life.

I have to tape one of our conversations.

Listen Doc..."I don't drink non-fat chai tea latte...never been in a STARBUCKS until I got out here...here is my resume to help you".

SOB didn't even know what SF was!
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Old 07-19-2004, 19:31   #10
NousDefionsDoc
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Quote:
Originally posted by Max Power
Iraq.

Actually, that probably answers all of your questions, lol.
No shit? Dude, you need to come down here.

ROTFLMAO @ Guy
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Somewhere a True Believer is training to kill you. He is training with minimal food or water, in austere conditions, training day and night. The only thing clean on him is his weapon and he made his web gear. He doesn't worry about what workout to do - his ruck weighs what it weighs, his runs end when the enemy stops chasing him. This True Believer is not concerned about 'how hard it is;' he knows either he wins or dies. He doesn't go home at 17:00, he is home.
He knows only The Cause.

Still want to quit?
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Old 07-19-2004, 19:33   #11
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My first overseas visit was Augusta Bay, Sicily. It was turnover so interaction with the people was minimal. I did get to go on a tour to Mount Etna which was ineresting to see all the lava and etc.

During my Navy time I visited 39 cities in 15 countries and they seem all about the same. The people were mostly nice, especially the english women on "Holiday". Only a few places stick out in my mind that I would like to travel back to.
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Old 07-19-2004, 19:34   #12
The Reaper
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Quote:
Originally posted by Guy
That shit aint funny!

My wife comes to the conclusion that I need to see a Psyhchiatrist/ologist in San Francisco...because of my need to recognize/understand other walks of life.

I have to tape one of our conversations.

Listen Doc..."I don't drink non-fat chai tea latte...never been in a STARBUCKS until I got out here...here is my resume to help you".

SOB didn't even know what SF was!
SO YOU ACTUALLY WENT???

You ARE whipped!

TR
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"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." - President Theodore Roosevelt, 1910

De Oppresso Liber 01/20/2025
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Old 07-19-2004, 19:37   #13
NousDefionsDoc
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Of course he went. You don't think Guy would pass up a chance to mess with a Kalifornia shrink do you?

I'll bet the poor man is still being treated by his colleagues. LOL
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Somewhere a True Believer is training to kill you. He is training with minimal food or water, in austere conditions, training day and night. The only thing clean on him is his weapon and he made his web gear. He doesn't worry about what workout to do - his ruck weighs what it weighs, his runs end when the enemy stops chasing him. This True Believer is not concerned about 'how hard it is;' he knows either he wins or dies. He doesn't go home at 17:00, he is home.
He knows only The Cause.

Still want to quit?
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Old 07-19-2004, 19:40   #14
Bill Harsey
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Quote:
Originally posted by Guy
That shit aint funny!

My wife comes to the conclusion that I need to see a Psyhchiatrist/ologist in San Francisco...because of my need to recognize/understand other walks of life.

I have to tape one of our conversations.

Listen Doc..."I don't drink non-fat chai tea latte...never been in a STARBUCKS until I got out here...here is my resume to help you".

SOB didn't even know what SF was!
Laughing Too Hard To Type! Do all these other folks worry about understanding yours? I think that would be a good beginning.
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Old 07-19-2004, 19:42   #15
Bill Harsey
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Quote:
Originally posted by NousDefionsDoc
Of course he went. You don't think Guy would pass up a chance to mess with a Kalifornia shrink do you?

I'll bet the poor man is still being treated by his colleagues. LOL
That would make for some serious reality tv. I'd give up a credit card no. for pay per view!
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