VTM members come from all corners of the globe. We all share the same planet, yet we all live very differently. This thread is a place for all of us to come together, tell about where we live, how we live, what we experience, what we eat, how our family dynamics work, what interests we have. This is a place both to share and to learn about the world directly from ourselves.
Use this thread to express how the world works in your corner of it, and to ask others things you've always wondered about distant places. The more we talk, the more we share, and the more we learn about each other. Let's all become better friends right here!
Note: please remember this is not a chat thread, although intense interaction is required!
Full Version: Around The World
A shinny new thread!
Well done, Dorthy!
Where can I begin?
As you may know, I come from Greece, a European country at the southern part of Europe.
Greece is known for its ancestors, for Acropoles, one of the previous seven wonders, for its islands, and maybe its foods. As a Greek girl, I can assure you, we have nothing in common with our ancestors. We're like everyone else, only we're louder, with lots of friends and relatives, and we like to party a lot.
Our scenery is very beautiful. Not only the islands, but also the northern part of Greece. Our capital, Athens, where I live, has many buildings that look great and also, we have monuments. Not to mention the nice weather!
However, we do have stupid politicians. And by stupid, I mean the dumpiest we could ever find. They don't care about people, and although Greece could be in a much better state, it is not because they'd rather put more money in their pockets than invest them to the country.
And I believe Greece is the country that invented, among other things, bureaucracy.
So, if you want crazy stories, I have lots of them. Crazy people are all around me here in Athens. Maybe it has to do with the air they're breathing. Who knows? I guarantee you that if you spend a day here, you'll see the craziest people ever. However, despite the yelling and the swearing, we are kind and friendly.
Just a small intro!
Well done, Dorthy!
Where can I begin?
As you may know, I come from Greece, a European country at the southern part of Europe.
Greece is known for its ancestors, for Acropoles, one of the previous seven wonders, for its islands, and maybe its foods. As a Greek girl, I can assure you, we have nothing in common with our ancestors. We're like everyone else, only we're louder, with lots of friends and relatives, and we like to party a lot.
Our scenery is very beautiful. Not only the islands, but also the northern part of Greece. Our capital, Athens, where I live, has many buildings that look great and also, we have monuments. Not to mention the nice weather!
However, we do have stupid politicians. And by stupid, I mean the dumpiest we could ever find. They don't care about people, and although Greece could be in a much better state, it is not because they'd rather put more money in their pockets than invest them to the country.
And I believe Greece is the country that invented, among other things, bureaucracy.
So, if you want crazy stories, I have lots of them. Crazy people are all around me here in Athens. Maybe it has to do with the air they're breathing. Who knows? I guarantee you that if you spend a day here, you'll see the craziest people ever. However, despite the yelling and the swearing, we are kind and friendly.
Just a small intro!
Most people have a stereotypical view of the UK. It's rains all the time, London is dirty and smelly, there are too many people and we all have bad teeth!
Let me put you straight on a few things. England is very wet but we do have clear seasons and strangley at the moment it's very warm...must be a glitch in the matrix! But this weather means that the UK is also very green. Were I live the air smells fresh and clean and in the Spring it comes to life.
London isn't as dirty as it used to be but you do have to pay a congestion charge if you want to take your car there in the week...thanks Red Ken, the Mayor who is no longer the Mayor. Now it's a rather strange yet personable man called Boris!!
Dental care has come a long way in the past 20 years or so, we too have whitening treatments and braces available...and toothpaste!
The cities are still over crowded, but that makes them very culturally diverse although there are some really nice traditional villages around especially where I live.
What else do we have in the UK....
Shakespeare
The Beatles
Darwin
Orwell
David Beckham
James Bond
Dr Who
Andrew Lloyd Webber
and some of the best actors and actresses in the world like...
Dame Judi Dench
Julie Walters
Jim Broadbent
Michael Gambion
Sean Connery
Not forgetting
Daniel Radcliffe
and the entire cast of all the HP movies which reminds me, what else do we have? JK Rowling and Harry Potter.
Yes, it's expensive, the goverment are rubbishand taxes are extortionate (aren't they in all countries?)
But all in all the UK isn't so bad.
Let me put you straight on a few things. England is very wet but we do have clear seasons and strangley at the moment it's very warm...must be a glitch in the matrix! But this weather means that the UK is also very green. Were I live the air smells fresh and clean and in the Spring it comes to life.
London isn't as dirty as it used to be but you do have to pay a congestion charge if you want to take your car there in the week...thanks Red Ken, the Mayor who is no longer the Mayor. Now it's a rather strange yet personable man called Boris!!
Dental care has come a long way in the past 20 years or so, we too have whitening treatments and braces available...and toothpaste!
The cities are still over crowded, but that makes them very culturally diverse although there are some really nice traditional villages around especially where I live.
What else do we have in the UK....
Shakespeare
The Beatles
Darwin
Orwell
David Beckham
James Bond
Dr Who
Andrew Lloyd Webber
and some of the best actors and actresses in the world like...
Dame Judi Dench
Julie Walters
Jim Broadbent
Michael Gambion
Sean Connery
Not forgetting
Daniel Radcliffe
and the entire cast of all the HP movies which reminds me, what else do we have? JK Rowling and Harry Potter.
Yes, it's expensive, the goverment are rubbishand taxes are extortionate (aren't they in all countries?)
But all in all the UK isn't so bad.
Hello from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA!
Click here to see Lancaster on Google Maps!
Lancaster County is notably called Amish Country. Yes, we have horse-and-buggies, Amish kids riding scooters, and horse drawn plows in some instances tending the fields. We also have an extremely diverse city. Lancaster City is something like 90% Hispanic, making life very dynamic! We have much more diversity here than some of our inhabitants deserve-- they simply don't appreciate it all. With the recent influx of art galleries and music shops to accompany both the Lancaster School of Art and Lancaster School of Music, the city has grown to see even more diversity.
Lancaster is not only home to the Amish in the surrounding farms, but we also have Hershey Chocolate nearby, with Hershey Park.
Lancaster was home to James Buchanan, his house still stands and serves as a museum I believe.
Lancaster was once the Capital of the United States of America for a single day!
Many spots in and around Lancaster County were home to significant events involving the Civil War and the Freedom of the Slaves. Notably the burning of the Wrightsville Bridge near Columbia and the Wrightsville Mansion, a have for slaves travelling on the Underground Railroad.
Lancaster County is also home to Manheim (the town of my high school alma mater!). Just outside the borough of Manheim lies the Manheim Auto Auction- the largest auto auction on the East Coast!
Lancaster lies at a comfortable distance from major cities such as Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore.
It's a great place to live.
Click here to see Lancaster on Google Maps!
Lancaster County is notably called Amish Country. Yes, we have horse-and-buggies, Amish kids riding scooters, and horse drawn plows in some instances tending the fields. We also have an extremely diverse city. Lancaster City is something like 90% Hispanic, making life very dynamic! We have much more diversity here than some of our inhabitants deserve-- they simply don't appreciate it all. With the recent influx of art galleries and music shops to accompany both the Lancaster School of Art and Lancaster School of Music, the city has grown to see even more diversity.
Lancaster is not only home to the Amish in the surrounding farms, but we also have Hershey Chocolate nearby, with Hershey Park.
Lancaster was home to James Buchanan, his house still stands and serves as a museum I believe.
Lancaster was once the Capital of the United States of America for a single day!
Many spots in and around Lancaster County were home to significant events involving the Civil War and the Freedom of the Slaves. Notably the burning of the Wrightsville Bridge near Columbia and the Wrightsville Mansion, a have for slaves travelling on the Underground Railroad.
Lancaster County is also home to Manheim (the town of my high school alma mater!). Just outside the borough of Manheim lies the Manheim Auto Auction- the largest auto auction on the East Coast!
Lancaster lies at a comfortable distance from major cities such as Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore.
It's a great place to live.
I was thinking that summer is approaching (yeah! 
), so I think it would be nice if we all talked about our countries and the places one should see if they ever visited the area where we live. What do you think?
Let's say about Athens. There are several places a tourist should visit. Acropolis is one of them, especially now that the weather is getting better and hotter. The place where Parthenon was built is an amazing one since you can see all of Athens from there, and it is quite exciting and gripping. Also, the hill of Acropolis is surrounded by Plaka, a very picturesque area with cute small houses that always remind me of our islands. You can always visit Thissio and the ancient agora (something like market but in ancient greek), and drink your coffee there.
If you want to get out of ancient monuments, there are other areas in Athens you can have fun. We have Glifada, a place next to the sea, which is awesome during the summer, and of course we have several night clubs and mpouzoukia, where Greek singers make their appearances.
If you want to go shopping, we have a few big Malls around Athens, where you can go by the bus or the subway, and you could always relax at one of the beaches near Athens.
I know I make it sound ideal and it can be if you are here on holidays! I'm always so jealous when I see tourists having fun and enjoying the sun, while I have to go to my classes or run around like crazy... 
Elaine and Tom, what would you suggest to a possible tourist?
I had been to London a few years ago, but I will go again if I find the chance (and the money
). It is always better to have someone local suggesting you places you should go to.
), so I think it would be nice if we all talked about our countries and the places one should see if they ever visited the area where we live. What do you think?Let's say about Athens. There are several places a tourist should visit. Acropolis is one of them, especially now that the weather is getting better and hotter. The place where Parthenon was built is an amazing one since you can see all of Athens from there, and it is quite exciting and gripping. Also, the hill of Acropolis is surrounded by Plaka, a very picturesque area with cute small houses that always remind me of our islands. You can always visit Thissio and the ancient agora (something like market but in ancient greek), and drink your coffee there.
If you want to get out of ancient monuments, there are other areas in Athens you can have fun. We have Glifada, a place next to the sea, which is awesome during the summer, and of course we have several night clubs and mpouzoukia, where Greek singers make their appearances.
If you want to go shopping, we have a few big Malls around Athens, where you can go by the bus or the subway, and you could always relax at one of the beaches near Athens.
I know I make it sound ideal
and it can be if you are here on holidays! I'm always so jealous when I see tourists having fun and enjoying the sun, while I have to go to my classes or run around like crazy... Elaine and Tom, what would you suggest to a possible tourist?
I had been to London a few years ago, but I will go again if I find the chance (and the money
). It is always better to have someone local suggesting you places you should go to.
For the purpose of simplifying my first post, I am going to describe where I have lived for the last four years. I am neither from here originally, nor does my family originate here; my husband's family originated here, and that is why were are here now.
So, with that said, I live in the panhandle of Idaho, which is commonly referred to as North Idaho. My house is 100 miles from the Canadian border to the north, less than an hour's drive to Montana to the east, and four hours (if you obey the speed limit) from Seattle, Washington to the west.
I live in the rather smallish town of Hayden with a population just at 10,000. Although Hayden is not known for much other than our "close in convenience with a country feel," we are just north of the larger city of Coeur d'Alene, which is commonly referred to as CDA.
CDA is a hub of tourism considering all that North Idaho has to offer. You can get a great idea of our topography by using this link to our world famous resort.
Winter offers downhill snow skiing at no less than six locations within an hour's drive, cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, sledding, snow mobiles, ATV riding, ice fishing, ice skating, and general snow play. The other three seasons offer a plethora of lakes, hiking, mountain biking, trails, swimming, camping, boating, water-skiing, many parks for team sports and games, as well as a variety of fine dining and a few galleries down by the resort.
Ten miles north of us in the small town of Athol (pop. >700) is our very own themepark known as Silverwood. My daughter and I spend half our summers either playing in the waterpark or riding the rides. Sometimes both in the same day. Great fun that never wears out!
North Idaho is roughly fifty miles east to west, so we are a sliver between Montana and Washington. During the many ice ages, the Great Missoula Lake was bound by an enormous ice dam, which forced the water to back up into the state of Montana in amounts unseen in ages. When the ice dam would finally break, the Great Floods carved the topography we see today by creating most of the lakes we now have, as well as the Rathdrum Prairie upon which I live at the farthest east side. The Rathdrum Prairie is fairly flat and extremely fertile. Most of the grass seed used in the United States was once grown here by the Jacklin Seed Company, although that land is quickly being devoured by homes.
To the north of us lies the quiet, deep beauty of Lake Pond Orielle. I have to admit this is the most beautiful lake I have ever seen from the north to the southern tip, where I actually will be camping this weekend for Memorial Day Weekend at Farragut State Park. We were hoping to swim, but the water temperature is a frigid 46 and the air temperatures are only going to be in the 70s. Brrr!
Life in North Idaho is definitely slower than in larger cities, where half of the folks are retired and the other half seek outdoor activities with the enthusiasm of bears after hybernation. Boredom here is definitely internally created, as there are more activities here to tempt anyone into physical challenge.
Oh, maybe this is a good place to mention we had six full months of hard winter this past season and I'm tired of shoveling snow!
Anyone with the notion to visit North Idaho, please PM me and I'll give you a few tips on places to visit other than the links already provided! North Idaho really is a beautiful gem.
So, with that said, I live in the panhandle of Idaho, which is commonly referred to as North Idaho. My house is 100 miles from the Canadian border to the north, less than an hour's drive to Montana to the east, and four hours (if you obey the speed limit) from Seattle, Washington to the west.
I live in the rather smallish town of Hayden with a population just at 10,000. Although Hayden is not known for much other than our "close in convenience with a country feel," we are just north of the larger city of Coeur d'Alene, which is commonly referred to as CDA.
CDA is a hub of tourism considering all that North Idaho has to offer. You can get a great idea of our topography by using this link to our world famous resort.
Winter offers downhill snow skiing at no less than six locations within an hour's drive, cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, sledding, snow mobiles, ATV riding, ice fishing, ice skating, and general snow play. The other three seasons offer a plethora of lakes, hiking, mountain biking, trails, swimming, camping, boating, water-skiing, many parks for team sports and games, as well as a variety of fine dining and a few galleries down by the resort.
Ten miles north of us in the small town of Athol (pop. >700) is our very own themepark known as Silverwood. My daughter and I spend half our summers either playing in the waterpark or riding the rides. Sometimes both in the same day. Great fun that never wears out!
North Idaho is roughly fifty miles east to west, so we are a sliver between Montana and Washington. During the many ice ages, the Great Missoula Lake was bound by an enormous ice dam, which forced the water to back up into the state of Montana in amounts unseen in ages. When the ice dam would finally break, the Great Floods carved the topography we see today by creating most of the lakes we now have, as well as the Rathdrum Prairie upon which I live at the farthest east side. The Rathdrum Prairie is fairly flat and extremely fertile. Most of the grass seed used in the United States was once grown here by the Jacklin Seed Company, although that land is quickly being devoured by homes.
To the north of us lies the quiet, deep beauty of Lake Pond Orielle. I have to admit this is the most beautiful lake I have ever seen from the north to the southern tip, where I actually will be camping this weekend for Memorial Day Weekend at Farragut State Park. We were hoping to swim, but the water temperature is a frigid 46 and the air temperatures are only going to be in the 70s. Brrr!
Life in North Idaho is definitely slower than in larger cities, where half of the folks are retired and the other half seek outdoor activities with the enthusiasm of bears after hybernation. Boredom here is definitely internally created, as there are more activities here to tempt anyone into physical challenge.
Oh, maybe this is a good place to mention we had six full months of hard winter this past season and I'm tired of shoveling snow!
Anyone with the notion to visit North Idaho, please PM me and I'll give you a few tips on places to visit other than the links already provided! North Idaho really is a beautiful gem.
Dorthy, excuse me for this, but I don't remember from where you come. Where did you grow up? I'm really sorry, I find it hard remembering foreign places...
I've always wondered how people decide to live in a smaller city, where things tend to become a little boring at times. Especially for someone like you Dorthy, who from what I can tell, had a very interesting and "adventurous" life. I know that our cities can not be compared with the ones in the US, where the notion of village is...well almost non-existent. But still, I am so used to the city, that I'd find it hard to live somewhere else. Plus, if I lived in the US I'd live somewhere hectic, because...that's me!
Have you ever thought of moving again?
I've always wondered how people decide to live in a smaller city, where things tend to become a little boring at times. Especially for someone like you Dorthy, who from what I can tell, had a very interesting and "adventurous" life. I know that our cities can not be compared with the ones in the US, where the notion of village is...well almost non-existent. But still, I am so used to the city, that I'd find it hard to live somewhere else. Plus, if I lived in the US I'd live somewhere hectic, because...that's me!
Have you ever thought of moving again?
In answer to your question Alkisti, I am originally from Goleta, California. Were you to read the entire link, when the information mentions the Santa Barbara airport was rushed due to the submarine attack on Ellwood, I will define that: "Ellwood" is a ranch, it was then and is still now, owned by my family: we grow avocados, lemons, and oranges.
So, when I mention I grew up on a farm, I did, although it was a ranch rather than a small farm.
Ellwood Ranch can be found here thanks to satelite imagery! Ellwood Ranch is descended from my great-grandfather on my grandmother's side, Russell Doty.
My great-great-grandfather sort of fertilized the other end of Goleta through his devotion to horticulture. Joseph Sexton is my past on my grandfather's side.
I did not include the links for the people, as much as for their contribution to the land that is now Santa Barbara County.
No, I do not have any desire to move again. Perhaps to another house more accommodating of our wants and needs, but not to another place. I have lived many places in my life and I truly want to be able to homestead now. I want my daughter to go to the same school district and grow with the same faces and friends until college is upon us. It is something I never had, so I wish it for her. North Idaho is a great place to raise kids!
I hope that answers your questions, Alkisti.
So, when I mention I grew up on a farm, I did, although it was a ranch rather than a small farm.
Ellwood Ranch can be found here thanks to satelite imagery! Ellwood Ranch is descended from my great-grandfather on my grandmother's side, Russell Doty.
My great-great-grandfather sort of fertilized the other end of Goleta through his devotion to horticulture. Joseph Sexton is my past on my grandfather's side.
I did not include the links for the people, as much as for their contribution to the land that is now Santa Barbara County.
No, I do not have any desire to move again. Perhaps to another house more accommodating of our wants and needs, but not to another place. I have lived many places in my life and I truly want to be able to homestead now. I want my daughter to go to the same school district and grow with the same faces and friends until college is upon us. It is something I never had, so I wish it for her. North Idaho is a great place to raise kids!
I hope that answers your questions, Alkisti.
I am enjoying readin about where everyone comes from and I really should show you more of my part of the world. I'll do that at another time, but I thought I really must share this story with you. This guy walked into Tesco's last week and sprayed urine around the shop, he then drove 4 miles down the road and did it at another supermarket. Here is the story. The reason I'm sharing this, is one on the outside it's quite funny, two it was annoying to have the supermarket closed over the weekend, it was distruptive but mainly, this happened at a store next to where I work. It has had a knock on effect on all the school children, their families and my colleagues.
Some people are just so stupid!
OK in my last post I sort of welcomed you to England, well now I'm going to introduce you to my bit of England.
I live in an area within the Cotswolds escarpment known as Stroud.
One of the biggest tourst attraction in this area is the Cotswold Way, a 'path' marked out acroos open countryside and farmland that stretches for miles.
Nearby is the city of Gloucester, known to most Harry Potter fans as filming has taken place at the beautiful Cathedral.
Famous people assiciated with the Cotswolds are, Dr Edward Jenner, Beatrix Potter, Harry Potter, Jane Austen adn William Morris. There is also one very famous man associated with the village Laurie Lee who wrote the novel Cider with Rosie. This was set in his home village of Slad which is about 2 miles from where I live.
This image is a very true representation of the entire area surrounding my home, although I live in a modern housing development, the countryside is never more than a 1 minute walk away.
About 20 miles from me is the Regency town of Cheltenham which is noted for it's beautiful buioldings and cosmopolitan nightlife, which I am assured by my daughter is true!
As you can see from this map, the Cotswolds are far reaching from Shakespeares home Stratford-upon-Avon in the north, Oxford in the east and Bath in the west.
I think where I live is one of the most beautiful places in the world. I hope you enjoyed your visit?
Some people are just so stupid!
OK in my last post I sort of welcomed you to England, well now I'm going to introduce you to my bit of England.
I live in an area within the Cotswolds escarpment known as Stroud.
One of the biggest tourst attraction in this area is the Cotswold Way, a 'path' marked out acroos open countryside and farmland that stretches for miles.
Nearby is the city of Gloucester, known to most Harry Potter fans as filming has taken place at the beautiful Cathedral.
Famous people assiciated with the Cotswolds are, Dr Edward Jenner, Beatrix Potter, Harry Potter, Jane Austen adn William Morris. There is also one very famous man associated with the village Laurie Lee who wrote the novel Cider with Rosie. This was set in his home village of Slad which is about 2 miles from where I live.
This image is a very true representation of the entire area surrounding my home, although I live in a modern housing development, the countryside is never more than a 1 minute walk away.
About 20 miles from me is the Regency town of Cheltenham which is noted for it's beautiful buioldings and cosmopolitan nightlife, which I am assured by my daughter is true!
As you can see from this map, the Cotswolds are far reaching from Shakespeares home Stratford-upon-Avon in the north, Oxford in the east and Bath in the west.
I think where I live is one of the most beautiful places in the world. I hope you enjoyed your visit?
Elaine, I read the article you linked and all I could think was how weird. Did the paper follow-up on the story? Did the police determine a motive or is he just a wingnut?
When I began your post, I assummed he'd actually urinated on the produce in the store, however I was even more shocked to learn he used some sort of spraying device. I've never heard of such a stunt.
Is your area still talking about the incident or did it blow right over?
On a side note, AOL ran a featured article yesterday noting the ten places in the world that need to be visited in a lifetime: Cotswolds was number two.
When I began your post, I assummed he'd actually urinated on the produce in the store, however I was even more shocked to learn he used some sort of spraying device. I've never heard of such a stunt.
Is your area still talking about the incident or did it blow right over?
On a side note, AOL ran a featured article yesterday noting the ten places in the world that need to be visited in a lifetime: Cotswolds was number two.
The was in court and it turns out he did it in Gloucester city centre in a bookstore (the very bookstore I bought my copy of Twilight in fact). He is being charged with pulic order offences and sent for Psychic evaluation. Apparently he had some kind of grudge.
That's really great news, The Cotwolds needs to have as many visitors this year as possible. The floods last year had a really bad knock on affect on our Tourist industry.
That's really great news, The Cotwolds needs to have as many visitors this year as possible. The floods last year had a really bad knock on affect on our Tourist industry.
Hi everyone. Most of you all know that I was born and raised in Hawaii though I now reside in the continental U.S.
In this link I will share with you all the BEACHES of the main island O'ahu. I have frequented almost everyone of these beaches. That first picture of the rock in Waimea Bay...I jumped off that a time or two. Don't forget to check out the other beaches by scrolling down on the other beaches beneath the picture of the rock. Ali'i beach is where I got married, Mokuleia beach is where I would go camping as a little girl, I would go snorkeling at Sharks Cove.
WAIKIKI BEACH is the most popular beach/city in Hawaii. I didn't go down there much because there were too many tourists and they all seemed to use coconut oil on their skin and sometimes it left a film on the water. What I wanted to show you was the view of Diamond Head Crater. It is a dormant volcano with a state park inside. You can hike up the mountain to the bunkers they made and used during WWII. Some parts are challenging with as much as 100 stairs but my son did this hike with me when he was three, though he was carried by his dad for some of the stairs.
KUALOA RANCH is a ranch nestled in one of the most sacred valleys on O'ahu. They have all sorts of activities there from ATV tours, horseback riding tours, hiking tours and educational field trips for the elementary school kids. Every summer I would camp for three days here, learning about Hawaiian folklore and legends and history of the fishponds and valley. During low tide, I hiked along the reef out to Chinamens Hat...the island out there.
MANOA FALLS HIKE is a pretty easy hiking trail that young kids can manage fairly well. I have only done this hike once. It is beautiful but don't forget the mosquito repellent and water.
So, these are just a few of the things that I have done and grew up with living in Hawaii. There is much more and I would recommend finding things to do out of Waikiki if you really want to maximize and enjoy your time in Hawaii. I will post more pics of Hawaii later. Enjoy...I was getting homesick just posting this
In this link I will share with you all the BEACHES of the main island O'ahu. I have frequented almost everyone of these beaches. That first picture of the rock in Waimea Bay...I jumped off that a time or two. Don't forget to check out the other beaches by scrolling down on the other beaches beneath the picture of the rock. Ali'i beach is where I got married, Mokuleia beach is where I would go camping as a little girl, I would go snorkeling at Sharks Cove.
WAIKIKI BEACH is the most popular beach/city in Hawaii. I didn't go down there much because there were too many tourists and they all seemed to use coconut oil on their skin and sometimes it left a film on the water.
What I wanted to show you was the view of Diamond Head Crater. It is a dormant volcano with a state park inside. You can hike up the mountain to the bunkers they made and used during WWII. Some parts are challenging with as much as 100 stairs but my son did this hike with me when he was three, though he was carried by his dad for some of the stairs.KUALOA RANCH is a ranch nestled in one of the most sacred valleys on O'ahu. They have all sorts of activities there from ATV tours, horseback riding tours, hiking tours and educational field trips for the elementary school kids. Every summer I would camp for three days here, learning about Hawaiian folklore and legends and history of the fishponds and valley. During low tide, I hiked along the reef out to Chinamens Hat...the island out there.
MANOA FALLS HIKE is a pretty easy hiking trail that young kids can manage fairly well. I have only done this hike once. It is beautiful but don't forget the mosquito repellent and water.
So, these are just a few of the things that I have done and grew up with living in Hawaii. There is much more and I would recommend finding things to do out of Waikiki if you really want to maximize and enjoy your time in Hawaii. I will post more pics of Hawaii later. Enjoy...I was getting homesick just posting this
Elaine, ha ha ha! What a crazy story! I can't believe how weird people can be... 
Amanda, oh my God!! What a beautiful place...the beaches...the scenery...I'm not really into sports, but I'd love to sit in one of your clear beautiful beaches, having a drink cold...I've read a book, literature, and the main characters visit Hawaii and the big volcano and the observatory. I really want to visit it. Hawaii has always been considered as the most exotic place. When we feel we need holidays, we always say "I'm going to Hawaii, I can't stand it anymore!". Oh my...I wish I was there. I really want to go on holidays, I'm so tired and I haven't even began my exams yet...
Do you ever visit the areas where you used to live? Do you still have a house there?
What a crazy story! I can't believe how weird people can be... Amanda, oh my God!! What a beautiful place...the beaches...the scenery...I'm not really into sports, but I'd love to sit in one of your clear beautiful beaches, having a drink cold...I've read a book, literature, and the main characters visit Hawaii and the big volcano and the observatory. I really want to visit it. Hawaii has always been considered as the most exotic place. When we feel we need holidays, we always say "I'm going to Hawaii, I can't stand it anymore!". Oh my...I wish I was there. I really want to go on holidays, I'm so tired and I haven't even began my exams yet...
Do you ever visit the areas where you used to live? Do you still have a house there?
Hello from a Midwest States Girl born and raised (aside from the briefest of stints in Connecticut where I earned the name of "bully" from a VTM member who wasn't even born yet. . .ahem.)
I was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, and I still claim it as my hometown even though I lived there less than a year and remember absolutely nothing of living there. Indianapolis is probably most famous for the Indianapolis Speedway which holds many car races over the year, but most famously the Indy 500 for Formula 1 cars. (Poor little Indy cars. . .) Anyways, anyone familiar with Dancing With the Stars will know at least one Formula 1 racer! (Helio Castroneves, who won the race in 2001) Anyways. . . I used to go to the race and some of the time trials with my dad. We'd get to go down Gasoline Alley and such as his company provided some of the instruments that tested the cars' oil.
Now, I hail from the Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, area. I fondly call us the "armpit of America", but I suppose that's all in geographical perspective. Ohio is one of the places in the states where product testing is prime. If a new product fails in Ohio, it's pretty much doomed to fail nation-wide. I don't really know why that is. Our biggest business is Proctor and Gamble from where such things come as Tide detergent, Swiffer, Always, Downy, Pampers, Pledge, etc. . . We have King's Island, a fairly substantial amusement park. A bit North, in Sandusky, OH, there is "Cedar Point" (which now owns King's Island) where major coaster thrill seekers should go - so I'm told. I've never been!
Here's the Cincinnati skyline, which I am totally biased on. I think it's a beautiful skyline. (Ignore the cranes by the ball park. It's finished now.)
Cincinnati is home to the Cincinnati Reds (Go REDS!), and they are pretty pitiful lately. Don't hold that against us. We're a loyal crew. We're home to the Cincinnati Bengals. (See my note behind Reds.) We're home to the new Great American Ballpark for the Reds and the Paul Brown Stadium for the Bengals. We also have Cincinnati Cyclones (hockey) and Cincinnati Kings (soccer).
Cincinnati played a big role in the Civil War and was a major part of the Underground Railroad. If you're around, you ought to stop by the Freedom Center. Many people will recognize the name Harriet Beecher Stowe, most famous for "Uncle Tom's Cabin". She lived in Cincinnati.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow gave Cincinnati the name "Queen of the West" in one of his poems, which is why Cincinnati is also referred to as Queen City.
Cincinnati was big into pigs. Because of the river, the pig industry was one of our claims to fame. I suppose that's why we are also home to Cincinnati Flying Pigs. Strange little sculptures, but fun to see.
I live north of Cincinnati in what used to be farmland. It's grown up quite a bit, which is a bit sad for me as I love my space. Geographically, there's not a lot going on aside from a few hills.
Thanks for sharing about the places you're from! It's fun to read!
I was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, and I still claim it as my hometown even though I lived there less than a year and remember absolutely nothing of living there. Indianapolis is probably most famous for the Indianapolis Speedway which holds many car races over the year, but most famously the Indy 500 for Formula 1 cars. (Poor little Indy cars. . .) Anyways, anyone familiar with Dancing With the Stars will know at least one Formula 1 racer! (Helio Castroneves, who won the race in 2001) Anyways. . . I used to go to the race and some of the time trials with my dad. We'd get to go down Gasoline Alley and such as his company provided some of the instruments that tested the cars' oil.
Now, I hail from the Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, area. I fondly call us the "armpit of America", but I suppose that's all in geographical perspective. Ohio is one of the places in the states where product testing is prime. If a new product fails in Ohio, it's pretty much doomed to fail nation-wide. I don't really know why that is. Our biggest business is Proctor and Gamble from where such things come as Tide detergent, Swiffer, Always, Downy, Pampers, Pledge, etc. . . We have King's Island, a fairly substantial amusement park. A bit North, in Sandusky, OH, there is "Cedar Point" (which now owns King's Island) where major coaster thrill seekers should go - so I'm told. I've never been!
Here's the Cincinnati skyline, which I am totally biased on. I think it's a beautiful skyline. (Ignore the cranes by the ball park. It's finished now.)
Cincinnati is home to the Cincinnati Reds (Go REDS!), and they are pretty pitiful lately. Don't hold that against us. We're a loyal crew. We're home to the Cincinnati Bengals. (See my note behind Reds.) We're home to the new Great American Ballpark for the Reds and the Paul Brown Stadium for the Bengals. We also have Cincinnati Cyclones (hockey) and Cincinnati Kings (soccer).
Cincinnati played a big role in the Civil War and was a major part of the Underground Railroad. If you're around, you ought to stop by the Freedom Center. Many people will recognize the name Harriet Beecher Stowe, most famous for "Uncle Tom's Cabin". She lived in Cincinnati.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow gave Cincinnati the name "Queen of the West" in one of his poems, which is why Cincinnati is also referred to as Queen City.
Cincinnati was big into pigs.
Because of the river, the pig industry was one of our claims to fame. I suppose that's why we are also home to Cincinnati Flying Pigs. Strange little sculptures, but fun to see.I live north of Cincinnati in what used to be farmland. It's grown up quite a bit, which is a bit sad for me as I love my space.
Geographically, there's not a lot going on aside from a few hills. Thanks for sharing about the places you're from! It's fun to read!
Janet,
We drive through Cincinnati on our way to Grafton to visit my mother in law. I hope the outskirt suburbs are better because I am not used to such cities. They seem big, over crowded and somehow I get the feeling like I wouldn't be able to breath there. My husband and I want to take our kids to King's Island this summer at least once. We are big roller coaster/rides people so I am excited to visit the theme park.
Alkisti,
Most of my family still lives there so I have places to stay if I ever fancy a visit. It is funny though, all of my life living in Hawaii and there is one tourist attraction that I have never done...the Polynesian Cultral Center. Please keep in mind that the pics in the link are a show and people in Hawaii do not live in grass huts and where hula skirts all the time. They have a fantastic luau I am told but nothing beats the homemade taste of luau that my family can prepare.
We drive through Cincinnati on our way to Grafton to visit my mother in law. I hope the outskirt suburbs are better because I am not used to such cities. They seem big, over crowded and somehow I get the feeling like I wouldn't be able to breath there. My husband and I want to take our kids to King's Island this summer at least once. We are big roller coaster/rides people so I am excited to visit the theme park.
Alkisti,
Most of my family still lives there so I have places to stay if I ever fancy a visit. It is funny though, all of my life living in Hawaii and there is one tourist attraction that I have never done...the Polynesian Cultral Center. Please keep in mind that the pics in the link are a show and people in Hawaii do not live in grass huts and where hula skirts all the time. They have a fantastic luau I am told but nothing beats the homemade taste of luau that my family can prepare.
It's funny how stereotypes work. Whenever Hawaii comes to mind, I think of tanned girls with hula skirts and of people hanging flowers around their neck, and of Bob Marley-ish music playing loud and people dancing slowly... But you have to admit it is a very exotic area!
Lucky you! It's sad you had to leave this area. I mean, living next to the sea, next to nature...nothing is compared to that...
My city seems so asphyxiating! 
Janet, my brother would go crazy if he knew that you had the chance to see F1 cars from so close! He loves Formula one and he really wants to watch a race, since Greece doesn't participate in the championship.
But you have to admit it is a very exotic area!Lucky you! It's sad you had to leave this area. I mean, living next to the sea, next to nature...nothing is compared to that...
My city seems so asphyxiating! Janet, my brother would go crazy if he knew that you had the chance to see F1 cars from so close! He loves Formula one and he really wants to watch a race, since Greece doesn't participate in the championship.
Amanda, we just got back from Maui and had a great time. My wife's family has gone to Oahu a number of times but almost never to Maui. And I must say that the Polynesian Cultural Center was pretty cool to go see, though I suspect that a lot of people that work there dress more modestly than would be typical of the islands they represent since a large part of them are mormon.
I guess I could describe a few different places. I grew up in southern California, but I've lived the last four years in North Carolina. I think it makes much more sense to describe where I grew up since I lived there almost five times as long as I've lived any where else.
I grew up in southern Orange County (just south of Newport Beach, if you've ever watched "The OC"--which I think is a pretty lame title, by the way). Where I lived was called El Toro while I was growing up and there was a marine base there (referenced in War of the Worlds and Independence Day) until it was shut down in the 90s. When it became a city they changed their name to Lake Forest.
My high school had a good sports program and was the best in the nation in football one year in the 80s thanks in part to the coach who is now at another high school nearby and has since coached them to number one in the nation. We were also known for water polo.
The beach was an important part of our recreation. The beach we went to most often is one called T Street in San Clemente because the street you turn on to get there is called Trafalgar. During the winter we'd often go to the beach for a bonfire and/or barbecue (which was usually only what is called a cook out where I live now). During the summer, of course, we'd go to surf, bodyboard, bodysurf, or any other typical beach activities. I never really learned to surf (though any can ride a long board--they're like riding in a boat), but I've always loved to bodysurf. Of course the most fun I've ever had bodysurfing was in Waimea bay at the end of December.
The beaches of Orange County don't have the warmest water, and most don't usually have the biggest waves, but they're quite famous among surfers. If you go to the Wedge in Newport on the right day you might get some great pictures of people with little concern for life and limb, though. There are plenty of bigger waves out there that are less dangerous than waves at the Wedge.
Where I grew up is known for a lot of things, but what is truly most prominent in my mind are the freeways. If you follow the link, about a third of the way down is the El Toro Y. I lived a few miles off that freeway, and yes there are at least 26 lanes at one point. Anywhere you wanted to go was just a combination of numbers away. For example, to get to my in-laws' house from my parents' house, you just have to take the 5 to the 405 to the 605 (unlike the East coast, the word "the" preceeds the number--here North Carolina they would have said "take 5 to 405 to 605").
I guess one of the other things they're known for where I grew up is the weather. Most of the year is spent between 70 and 90 degrees F (21 to 32 C). The bad thing about that is that people are willing to pay a lot of money to live in that climate, which is part of the reason I'm here in North Carolina.
I guess I could describe a few different places. I grew up in southern California, but I've lived the last four years in North Carolina. I think it makes much more sense to describe where I grew up since I lived there almost five times as long as I've lived any where else.
I grew up in southern Orange County (just south of Newport Beach, if you've ever watched "The OC"--which I think is a pretty lame title, by the way). Where I lived was called El Toro while I was growing up and there was a marine base there (referenced in War of the Worlds and Independence Day) until it was shut down in the 90s. When it became a city they changed their name to Lake Forest.
My high school had a good sports program and was the best in the nation in football one year in the 80s thanks in part to the coach who is now at another high school nearby and has since coached them to number one in the nation. We were also known for water polo.
The beach was an important part of our recreation. The beach we went to most often is one called T Street in San Clemente because the street you turn on to get there is called Trafalgar. During the winter we'd often go to the beach for a bonfire and/or barbecue (which was usually only what is called a cook out where I live now). During the summer, of course, we'd go to surf, bodyboard, bodysurf, or any other typical beach activities. I never really learned to surf (though any can ride a long board--they're like riding in a boat), but I've always loved to bodysurf. Of course the most fun I've ever had bodysurfing was in Waimea bay at the end of December.
The beaches of Orange County don't have the warmest water, and most don't usually have the biggest waves, but they're quite famous among surfers. If you go to the Wedge in Newport on the right day you might get some great pictures of people with little concern for life and limb, though. There are plenty of bigger waves out there that are less dangerous than waves at the Wedge.
Where I grew up is known for a lot of things, but what is truly most prominent in my mind are the freeways. If you follow the link, about a third of the way down is the El Toro Y. I lived a few miles off that freeway, and yes there are at least 26 lanes at one point. Anywhere you wanted to go was just a combination of numbers away. For example, to get to my in-laws' house from my parents' house, you just have to take the 5 to the 405 to the 605 (unlike the East coast, the word "the" preceeds the number--here North Carolina they would have said "take 5 to 405 to 605").
I guess one of the other things they're known for where I grew up is the weather. Most of the year is spent between 70 and 90 degrees F (21 to 32 C). The bad thing about that is that people are willing to pay a lot of money to live in that climate, which is part of the reason I'm here in North Carolina.
Here's another stereotype I've got! California is, in my mind, one of the coolest, hottest, nicest places one can be! I used to watch OC (I didn't know it stands for Orange Country- I somehow thought it meant Ocean California, which is silly, I know 
) and I liked how the characters always wore summer clothes and they made a whole episode in the rain because it seemed weird to actually have rain and all this. And noone cared about school (this seems to be like a general phenomenon in american teen series. I'm sure the writers have never visited Greece ). Anyways, my point is that California is very nice and awesome. I loved the pictures, but all the interchanges drove me crazy! Oh my! I feel so left out now. 
) and I liked how the characters always wore summer clothes and they made a whole episode in the rain because it seemed weird to actually have rain and all this. And noone cared about school (this seems to be like a general phenomenon in american teen series. I'm sure the writers have never visited Greece ). Anyways, my point is that California is very nice and awesome. I loved the pictures, but all the interchanges drove me crazy! Oh my! I feel so left out now.
Sam, what a nice post, you took me right back to being a kid. So much so, I have to share the following:
"If you need a car or truck...go see Cal...If you wanna save a buck...go see Cal...if you need a car or truck and you wanna save a buck...if you wanna save a buck...go see Cal.
Cal Worthington and his dog Spot!" ~"Long Beach freeway Firestone Exit Southgate."
"You belong at the Zoo, the San Diego Zoo. You belong at the Zoo and the Zoo belongs to you. If you're feelin' like a kid again, and ready to (bounce around?), say how do you do to the animals to and the San Diego Zoo."
Rather, after all these years, those are how I remember the lyrics.
My stepdad was a Marine during my youth and he was stationed at both El Toro and LTA, before they were dismantled. I lived in Santa Ana, Tustin, Orange County, Irvine and on the base at LTA as a kid. Small world sometimes. When we went to the beach it was almost always Newport Beach and we played many times on Balboa Island. What a quaint place to spend the weekend!
When we finally moved back to SoCal the last time, we moved to Big Bear, which is where I went to High School.
Added Note: I realized it might be confusing how many locations I can claim to have lived, so I will ammend the information. With my mother's second husband being a Marine, from the age of 7 until 13, we moved on average every 9 months. Sometimes more frequently than that. I lived all over SoCal, then we moved to Pensacola, Florida while he was stationed with the Blue Angels, back to SoCal, then to Streamwood, Illinois, and back to SoCal. Then, I joined the Navy after a bit of college and moved as I was transferred.
"If you need a car or truck...go see Cal...If you wanna save a buck...go see Cal...if you need a car or truck and you wanna save a buck...if you wanna save a buck...go see Cal.
Cal Worthington and his dog Spot!" ~"Long Beach freeway Firestone Exit Southgate."
"You belong at the Zoo, the San Diego Zoo. You belong at the Zoo and the Zoo belongs to you. If you're feelin' like a kid again, and ready to (bounce around?), say how do you do to the animals to and the San Diego Zoo."
Rather, after all these years, those are how I remember the lyrics.
My stepdad was a Marine during my youth and he was stationed at both El Toro and LTA, before they were dismantled. I lived in Santa Ana, Tustin, Orange County, Irvine and on the base at LTA as a kid. Small world sometimes. When we went to the beach it was almost always Newport Beach and we played many times on Balboa Island. What a quaint place to spend the weekend!
When we finally moved back to SoCal the last time, we moved to Big Bear, which is where I went to High School.
Added Note: I realized it might be confusing how many locations I can claim to have lived, so I will ammend the information. With my mother's second husband being a Marine, from the age of 7 until 13, we moved on average every 9 months. Sometimes more frequently than that. I lived all over SoCal, then we moved to Pensacola, Florida while he was stationed with the Blue Angels, back to SoCal, then to Streamwood, Illinois, and back to SoCal. Then, I joined the Navy after a bit of college and moved as I was transferred.
I live in Nebraska (USA), and I have lived here all my life. Nebraska is pretty close to being right in the middle of the country. Basically in my town any way you turn there is a corn field and we are among the nations leaders in agriculture production.
We are often called the Cornhusker State because of our devotion to the University of Nebraska at Lincoln football team chiefly (even though they just had a terrible season) and most of their other sport teams.
Kool-aid was invented in Hastings, Nebraska by Edwin Perkins. Cliff Notes were invented in Rising City, Nebraska by Cliff Hillegass.
Famous People born in Nebraska include:
Warren Buffet-The richest man in the world
Gerald R Ford-The United States 38th President
Malcolm X- Civil Rights Advocate
Standing Bear-Indian Rights Advocate
Robert Cheney- Current US Vice president
Grover Alexander- baseball pitcher
Famous People who have lived in Nebraska include:
Johnny Carson- Once the host of the Tonight Show (and tv lands top tv icon of all time)
Ted Kooser- Two time poet laureate
Nebraska is home to the Qwest Center which in the coming weeks will host the US Olympic Swim Trials and in December will host the NCAA volleyball championship game.
Boys Town (now Boys and Girls Town) was founded in Nebraska by Father Flanagan.
Nebraska hosts the College World Series every year and we are building a new stadium so our contract can be renewed.
We have the Henry Doorly Zoo which is considered one of the best zoos in the country, it has the worlds largest indoor rain forest exhibit, worlds largest indoor desert exhibit, worlds largest nocturnal exhibit, a world class aquarium, and the zoo is adding an arctic exhibit, Madagascar exhibit, and possibly an outback exhibit.
Arbor Day was started in Nebraska City by Julius Sterling Morton.
Nebraska has the only unicameral government in the United States.
Chimney Rock is also found in Nebraska and Chimney Rock served as a landmark on the Oregon Trail and it appears on the Nebraska state quarter.
We are often called the Cornhusker State because of our devotion to the University of Nebraska at Lincoln football team chiefly (even though they just had a terrible season) and most of their other sport teams.
Kool-aid was invented in Hastings, Nebraska by Edwin Perkins. Cliff Notes were invented in Rising City, Nebraska by Cliff Hillegass.
Famous People born in Nebraska include:
Warren Buffet-The richest man in the world
Gerald R Ford-The United States 38th President
Malcolm X- Civil Rights Advocate
Standing Bear-Indian Rights Advocate
Robert Cheney- Current US Vice president
Grover Alexander- baseball pitcher
Famous People who have lived in Nebraska include:
Johnny Carson- Once the host of the Tonight Show (and tv lands top tv icon of all time)
Ted Kooser- Two time poet laureate
Nebraska is home to the Qwest Center which in the coming weeks will host the US Olympic Swim Trials and in December will host the NCAA volleyball championship game.
Boys Town (now Boys and Girls Town) was founded in Nebraska by Father Flanagan.
Nebraska hosts the College World Series every year and we are building a new stadium so our contract can be renewed.
We have the Henry Doorly Zoo which is considered one of the best zoos in the country, it has the worlds largest indoor rain forest exhibit, worlds largest indoor desert exhibit, worlds largest nocturnal exhibit, a world class aquarium, and the zoo is adding an arctic exhibit, Madagascar exhibit, and possibly an outback exhibit.
Arbor Day was started in Nebraska City by Julius Sterling Morton.
Nebraska has the only unicameral government in the United States.
Chimney Rock is also found in Nebraska and Chimney Rock served as a landmark on the Oregon Trail and it appears on the Nebraska state quarter.
I come from Germany and I'd really like to visit Hawaii and Athens.
What do we know about Germany?
1. Germans wear Lederhosen (leather trousers).
2. Every German drinks beer.
3. Germany has Autobahnen (highways).
4. If you're making a movie and you need an evil guy: take a German (Die Hard for example).
5. The expressions 'Kindergarten' and 'Poltergeist' are originally German.
6. Germans are punctual, hard-working and have no sense of humor.
7. Germany is ruled by (what appears to be) a woman called Angela Merkel.
8. Germans make beer.
9. Germans have a terrible accent when speaking English (see point 4 again).
10. Germany was divided for about 50 years, partly with a wall.
11. Germany lost at this year's Eurovision Song Contest.
And number 12 for Harry Potter fans: Gregorovitch lived in Germany before hiding from Voldemort.
Who needs some more stereotypes about Germany should watch 'Beerfest'.
Okay, now some new information.
I live in a small town (population about 20,000) a bit South of Bremen, which the europeans here might know because Werder Bremen soccer team normally plays in the Champion's League.
We do have summer in Germany, but winter too.
I don't know anything special around here, only the pretty cool church in Bremen. Yet Germany has the Brandenburger Tor and we had the soccer world championship two years ago.
In Munich there's the Oktoberfest, oh I mean, the Oktoberfest. There people do wear leather trousers and drink beer (see points 1 and 2), but I want to say that this takes place in southern Germany and I live pretty much in the North.
To points 3 and 4. I think everyone knows enough about our not so glorious history, since there are a lot of movies, newspaper articles, books and other stuff about the failed Austrian post-card-painter and his brown friends. Yet I want to mention that Germany is also the home of Goethe, Schiller, Beethoven, Bach, Luther and Einstein.
To points 6 and 7. I don't think Germans are extra punctual or hard-working, but there sure is a difference between, let's say Spain, and us, but that's mainly due to the hot weather down there. And yes, our Chancellor is Angela Merkel, but politicians aren't different from all over the world. They raise their own daily allowances like what seems once a month, drive the newest and biggest cars and start their campaign already though the next election is more than a year away. Oh, and we do have some sense of humor, at least some of us do.
To point 9. Well, it's pretty much like in the rest of Europe: In every country some people have a strong accent (like Fleur or Krum) and some don't. The only difference might be due to the fact that German is some kind of a 'hard' language, not as smooth as French or as sexy as Spanish, you know?
To point 10: Yes, Germany was divided, yes, Germany is not really one country yet and yes, we in West Germany still make fun of the people in what used to be East Germany, but that's the same all over the world, I think.
To point 11: We have no friends, a bad taste of music and no petroleum gas (like Russia), what did we expect?
If you should ever come to Germany, I think you should go to one of the bigger cities, because there you could get some cool architecture and some culture (paintings and middle-age music and such). On the country-side it's pretty boring, but I like it here, because it's rather quiet, not that hectic and you always get some fresh air.
Or you could go to the Oktoberfest and enjoy drinking some beer.
What do we know about Germany?
1. Germans wear Lederhosen (leather trousers).
2. Every German drinks beer.
3. Germany has Autobahnen (highways).
4. If you're making a movie and you need an evil guy: take a German (Die Hard for example).
5. The expressions 'Kindergarten' and 'Poltergeist' are originally German.
6. Germans are punctual, hard-working and have no sense of humor.
7. Germany is ruled by (what appears to be) a woman called Angela Merkel.
8. Germans make beer.
9. Germans have a terrible accent when speaking English (see point 4 again).
10. Germany was divided for about 50 years, partly with a wall.
11. Germany lost at this year's Eurovision Song Contest.
And number 12 for Harry Potter fans: Gregorovitch lived in Germany before hiding from Voldemort.
Who needs some more stereotypes about Germany should watch 'Beerfest'.
Okay, now some new information.
I live in a small town (population about 20,000) a bit South of Bremen, which the europeans here might know because Werder Bremen soccer team normally plays in the Champion's League.
We do have summer in Germany, but winter too.
I don't know anything special around here, only the pretty cool church in Bremen. Yet Germany has the Brandenburger Tor and we had the soccer world championship two years ago.
In Munich there's the Oktoberfest, oh I mean, the Oktoberfest. There people do wear leather trousers and drink beer (see points 1 and 2), but I want to say that this takes place in southern Germany and I live pretty much in the North.
To points 3 and 4. I think everyone knows enough about our not so glorious history, since there are a lot of movies, newspaper articles, books and other stuff about the failed Austrian post-card-painter and his brown friends. Yet I want to mention that Germany is also the home of Goethe, Schiller, Beethoven, Bach, Luther and Einstein.
To points 6 and 7. I don't think Germans are extra punctual or hard-working, but there sure is a difference between, let's say Spain, and us, but that's mainly due to the hot weather down there. And yes, our Chancellor is Angela Merkel, but politicians aren't different from all over the world. They raise their own daily allowances like what seems once a month, drive the newest and biggest cars and start their campaign already though the next election is more than a year away. Oh, and we do have some sense of humor, at least some of us do.
To point 9. Well, it's pretty much like in the rest of Europe: In every country some people have a strong accent (like Fleur or Krum) and some don't. The only difference might be due to the fact that German is some kind of a 'hard' language, not as smooth as French or as sexy as Spanish, you know?
To point 10: Yes, Germany was divided, yes, Germany is not really one country yet and yes, we in West Germany still make fun of the people in what used to be East Germany, but that's the same all over the world, I think.
To point 11: We have no friends, a bad taste of music and no petroleum gas (like Russia), what did we expect?
If you should ever come to Germany, I think you should go to one of the bigger cities, because there you could get some cool architecture and some culture (paintings and middle-age music and such). On the country-side it's pretty boring, but I like it here, because it's rather quiet, not that hectic and you always get some fresh air.
Or you could go to the Oktoberfest and enjoy drinking some beer.
I live on the east coast of Australia, and haven't really ventured away from it. That said, I have travelled the length of it, from the Great Barrier Reef to Tasmania. I lived in south western Sydney as a young child, before my family took a holiday to Coffs Harbour and never really came back. We've lived there ever since.
Coffs Harbour is a tourist city. I'm a block and a half from the nearest beach, and there are at least six resorts along the Coffs Coast. We are home to the Big Banana, as bananas were once our largest industry, but since banana growers have headed north to the tropical climate in Queensland we have started focusing on macadamia nuts. Did you know that macadamia nuts are native only to east coast Australia? Every large producer of macadamia nuts in the world originated from bringing this Australian plant to their own country.
Just south of Coffs is an "alternative" town called Bellingen. It was a mecca for hippies in the sixties, and in many ways the town hasn't moved on from then. Every time I go there it's like entering a time warp. It's a wonderful area though, all green and lush, at the base of the Great Dividing Range, and all the restaurants have wonderful food. I went to high school with some Bellingen kids and they really are something else. One of my friends has parents who used to be circus performers before they settled in Bellingen when they had her. They all have this beautiful view of the world that is refreshing to see.
Last year I moved to our nation's capital, Canberra, in order to attend university. It's 850 kilometres and nine and a half hours from Coffs, so it wasn't easy to bring all of my stuff down here. After coming from a sub-tropical region, Canberra was a real shock to the system! It was once described as "a waste of a good sheep paddock", and is a literal dust-bowl on windy days. Canberra doesn't seem to believe in having all four seasons - it goes straight from Summer to Winter and back again. That said, I couldn't imagine living anywhere else.
Coffs Harbour is a tourist city. I'm a block and a half from the nearest beach, and there are at least six resorts along the Coffs Coast. We are home to the Big Banana, as bananas were once our largest industry, but since banana growers have headed north to the tropical climate in Queensland we have started focusing on macadamia nuts. Did you know that macadamia nuts are native only to east coast Australia? Every large producer of macadamia nuts in the world originated from bringing this Australian plant to their own country.
Just south of Coffs is an "alternative" town called Bellingen. It was a mecca for hippies in the sixties, and in many ways the town hasn't moved on from then. Every time I go there it's like entering a time warp. It's a wonderful area though, all green and lush, at the base of the Great Dividing Range, and all the restaurants have wonderful food. I went to high school with some Bellingen kids and they really are something else. One of my friends has parents who used to be circus performers before they settled in Bellingen when they had her. They all have this beautiful view of the world that is refreshing to see.
Last year I moved to our nation's capital, Canberra, in order to attend university. It's 850 kilometres and nine and a half hours from Coffs, so it wasn't easy to bring all of my stuff down here. After coming from a sub-tropical region, Canberra was a real shock to the system! It was once described as "a waste of a good sheep paddock", and is a literal dust-bowl on windy days. Canberra doesn't seem to believe in having all four seasons - it goes straight from Summer to Winter and back again. That said, I couldn't imagine living anywhere else.
Very interesting posts Hannah, DoubleD, and HPnerd.
I just wanted to post a quick response to Dorthy. I can't believe you know those commercials! For some reason they just stick out. Cal Worthington with all his animals--especially the chimp. Sheesh!
I only wish you could remind me of the jingle that was directions to somewhere (maybe a car lot) that had the little bouncing white ball over words as it sang. It's just not coming to me but it fits right in with the other two you mentioned. It might have ended with something like "South Beach".
I just wanted to post a quick response to Dorthy. I can't believe you know those commercials! For some reason they just stick out. Cal Worthington with all his animals--especially the chimp. Sheesh!
I only wish you could remind me of the jingle that was directions to somewhere (maybe a car lot) that had the little bouncing white ball over words as it sang. It's just not coming to me but it fits right in with the other two you mentioned. It might have ended with something like "South Beach".
I have to admit that I probably should have posted here earlier ( maybe, sorta ) since I was one of the people that suggested we start a thread like this.
That being said, I am from North Carolina and live about 15 minutes from Sam, even though we have never met and I have lived here most of my life. I did a stint in Chicago and Minnesota and then convinced my hubby that NC winters are SOOOO much better than the MN winters (and after snowblowing our driveway 3 times a day he started to believe me )
Typically we have 3 and a half seasons. Spring, Summer, Fall and occasionally winter. When we first moved back (December 2001) the weather leading up to Christmas was in the upper 60s-70s, then the first of January we got hit with 18 inches of snow, so you never know what will happen! I don't think it's snowed much since then, at least not in the middle of the state where I live.
Being in the middle is nice... we're about 2-1/2 to 4-hours form the beach (depending on which beach you're going) and 2-1/2 to 4-hours from the mountains (again, depending on which area of the mountains you're going). Around where I live are 3 major universities: Duke (private school with a mediocre basketball team ), University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (the first state-run university in the US, also with a mediocre basketball team) and North Carolina State University (known for its design school, engineering schools, vet school and agricultural schools... and at one time had famed basketball coach Jim Valvano who brought his team from bottom to NCAA champs in 1983... I'm not a State fan, just love that story).
We also have the Research Triangle Park here which has many many companies of varying industries: telecommunications, computer technology, bioengineering and even though I've lived here most of my life, I'm sure Sam can comment on more of the companies since many are in his area of expertise.
Growing up, the tourism slogan was "Variety Vacationland" it's cheesy but true! There is a lot to see and do in our great state. We have vineyards, skiing, historical landmarks, beaches, shopping (if you need furniture, this is where you come), we have white water rafting, hiking (the Appalachain Trail and Blue Ridge Parkway go through our mountains). At the outer banks, where the Wright Brothers made the first airplane flight you can try your hand at hang-gliding (which I have done and it's pretty cool), there are many eco-tours for kayaking and canoeing... and all this is coming off the top of my head. I'm sure if you'd like to come here you can find so much more to do.
I'm a pretty social person, so if you're headed this way, just let me know! I'll be happy to give you some pointers or even host you for a couple of nights!
We are the home of Pepsi and Hardees. We have some of the best barbeque around and sweet tea is a staple!
OK, I've bounced around a lot, so I'll close now. Don't want to get too disjointed.
Kathleen
That being said, I am from North Carolina and live about 15 minutes from Sam, even though we have never met and I have lived here most of my life. I did a stint in Chicago and Minnesota and then convinced my hubby that NC winters are SOOOO much better than the MN winters (and after snowblowing our driveway 3 times a day he started to believe me
)Typically we have 3 and a half seasons. Spring, Summer, Fall and occasionally winter. When we first moved back (December 2001) the weather leading up to Christmas was in the upper 60s-70s, then the first of January we got hit with 18 inches of snow, so you never know what will happen! I don't think it's snowed much since then, at least not in the middle of the state where I live.
Being in the middle is nice... we're about 2-1/2 to 4-hours form the beach (depending on which beach you're going) and 2-1/2 to 4-hours from the mountains (again, depending on which area of the mountains you're going). Around where I live are 3 major universities: Duke (private school with a mediocre basketball team
), University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (the first state-run university in the US, also with a mediocre basketball team) and North Carolina State University (known for its design school, engineering schools, vet school and agricultural schools... and at one time had famed basketball coach Jim Valvano who brought his team from bottom to NCAA champs in 1983... I'm not a State fan, just love that story).We also have the Research Triangle Park here which has many many companies of varying industries: telecommunications, computer technology, bioengineering and even though I've lived here most of my life, I'm sure Sam can comment on more of the companies since many are in his area of expertise.
Growing up, the tourism slogan was "Variety Vacationland" it's cheesy but true! There is a lot to see and do in our great state. We have vineyards, skiing, historical landmarks, beaches, shopping (if you need furniture, this is where you come), we have white water rafting, hiking (the Appalachain Trail and Blue Ridge Parkway go through our mountains). At the outer banks, where the Wright Brothers made the first airplane flight you can try your hand at hang-gliding (which I have done and it's pretty cool), there are many eco-tours for kayaking and canoeing... and all this is coming off the top of my head. I'm sure if you'd like to come here you can find so much more to do.
I'm a pretty social person, so if you're headed this way, just let me know! I'll be happy to give you some pointers or even host you for a couple of nights!
We are the home of Pepsi and Hardees. We have some of the best barbeque around and sweet tea is a staple!
OK, I've bounced around a lot, so I'll close now. Don't want to get too disjointed.
Kathleen
Hello all I am from where it is commonly known as the sunshine state. I am from (USA) Florida known for it's gorgeous beaches
Take a look at Miami Beach
South Beach at night. here is where the nightlife is<3
this is dowtown miami(: really pretty at night
We are known as the sunshine state for the constant sun we have but then yet again I feel like we should be more known as the Hurrican state, seeing as that is what we get more than anything. Some of the worst Hurricanes that Flrodia has experienced are the following:
take a look at any picture you'd like. all are the before and after of it :/ I was born six days after this.
Hurricane Wilma is probably the worst Hurricane that Miami experinced in a long time because we went literally weeks with no electricity. we all had to depend on generators from neighbors :/ i still remember that year, I was in 8th grade.
But on the lighter note Florida is rich with culture and many wonderful experiences. Our University of Miami Baseball team is amazing Our Florida Marlins were the World Series Champions in 03 & our Miami Heat were the Champions in 06.
Some well known cities are:
Orlando because of this -> Walt Disney World, Universal Studios where the Harry Potter theme park is going to be held & much more.
Then there's Busch Gardens -> Sheikra roller coaster. yes i rode that
Well anymore you'd like to know I'm here. I really love Florida more than you can possibly imagine. There's so much to do and see
known for it's gorgeous beachesTake a look at Miami Beach
South Beach at night. here is where the nightlife is<3
this is dowtown miami(: really pretty at night
We are known as the sunshine state for the constant sun we have but then yet again I feel like we should be more known as the Hurrican state, seeing as that is what we get more than anything. Some of the worst Hurricanes that Flrodia has experienced are the following:
take a look at any picture you'd like. all are the before and after of it :/ I was born six days after this.
Hurricane Wilma is probably the worst Hurricane that Miami experinced in a long time because we went literally weeks with no electricity. we all had to depend on generators from neighbors :/ i still remember that year, I was in 8th grade.
But on the lighter note Florida is rich with culture and many wonderful experiences. Our University of Miami Baseball team is amazing
Our Florida Marlins were the World Series Champions in 03 & our Miami Heat were the Champions in 06.Some well known cities are:
Orlando because of this -> Walt Disney World, Universal Studios where the Harry Potter theme park is going to be held & much more.
Then there's Busch Gardens -> Sheikra roller coaster. yes i rode that
Well anymore you'd like to know I'm here. I really love Florida more than you can possibly imagine. There's so much to do and see
I've been meaning to post in here for a while! I'm from Australia. Born in New South Wales but have spent just over half my life in Queensland. Queenslanders seem to think that just because I live here I must love the Brisbane Broncos and root for the Maroons in State of Origin. Quite the opposite actually. I HATE the Broncos and I'm a Blues supporter through and through. As my Mum says to every Queenslander who thinks we should go for the Maroons because we live here - 'It's State of Origin not Sate you Live In Now'. I don't like Queenslanders, especially at SoO time. If the Blues win it's only because the Maroons have suffered major injuries but if they win it's because they were obviously the better team. In NSW the news isn't so biased. I prefer their news.
Anyway, I have lived everywhere from Adelaide in South Australia to a small opal mining town called Lightning Ridge in NSW, from the Gold Coast to Macleay Island in Moreton Bay. I'mk currenty living south of Brisbane in a suburb called Stones Corner, which is one of the best shopping ares around! Well it was. It's kind of booming here right now so the shop landlords have put up their rent, some places are now paying $6000 a month, most don't make enough to cover it so half the places are closed. Apparently they're planning to build an apartment complex right where the local supermarket is, which sucks because my BF works there! And it's the closest supermarket for the oldies that live around here. (This area is mostly home to immigrants who can't speak the language and old people.) I want to stay in the area because it's close to everything but I think we'll have to move to somewhere cheaper. As it is we're already paying $600 a fortnight in rent alone. Which for a couple about to have a baby and practically living on one income isn't good.
It's raining right now. Another wet winter it seems. Which I suppose is good because it'll shut up the people who are complaining about not being able to water their lawn. (Although I'll bet anything that tomorrow if the rain has stopped there'll be that one moron on my street out washing his car or washing the pavement.) Water restrictions are still in effect. I think they should keep them forever. The moment they take them away people will be wasting water again.
Here are some things about Australia I don't like:
1. That we're encouraged to be common to make other countries like us, ie the G'Day crud.
2. That our Prime Minister apologised to the Aborigines and said they wouldn't file claims for compensation. Idiot, of course they would! I've never met an Aborigine that didn't think they were the lowest class around no matter how much special treatment they got. And that's coming from a girl who went to a school full of them!
3. That we're becoming more and more like America.
4. How many people drink to get drunk, or drink to fit in and play up the 'Weekends at the Pub' thing.
5. I don't like that the cost to travel from here to the City (10 mins) is increasing all the time and that they're blaming petrol prices. Are they too stupid to realise they've been putting prices up since the beginning of public transport?
Some of the good things about Australia:
1. ..................
2. ..................
3. ..................
4. I'm sure there's at least one thing! ..........................
5. Vegemite!
I could go on forever! but I won't. Mainly because I'm bored and want to go watch a movie.
Anyway, I have lived everywhere from Adelaide in South Australia to a small opal mining town called Lightning Ridge in NSW, from the Gold Coast to Macleay Island in Moreton Bay. I'mk currenty living south of Brisbane in a suburb called Stones Corner, which is one of the best shopping ares around! Well it was. It's kind of booming here right now so the shop landlords have put up their rent, some places are now paying $6000 a month, most don't make enough to cover it so half the places are closed. Apparently they're planning to build an apartment complex right where the local supermarket is, which sucks because my BF works there! And it's the closest supermarket for the oldies that live around here. (This area is mostly home to immigrants who can't speak the language
and old people.) I want to stay in the area because it's close to everything but I think we'll have to move to somewhere cheaper. As it is we're already paying $600 a fortnight in rent alone. Which for a couple about to have a baby and practically living on one income isn't good.It's raining right now. Another wet winter it seems. Which I suppose is good because it'll shut up the people who are complaining about not being able to water their lawn. (Although I'll bet anything that tomorrow if the rain has stopped there'll be that one moron on my street out washing his car or washing the pavement.) Water restrictions are still in effect. I think they should keep them forever. The moment they take them away people will be wasting water again.
Here are some things about Australia I don't like:
1. That we're encouraged to be common to make other countries like us, ie the G'Day crud.
2. That our Prime Minister apologised to the Aborigines and said they wouldn't file claims for compensation. Idiot, of course they would! I've never met an Aborigine that didn't think they were the lowest class around no matter how much special treatment they got. And that's coming from a girl who went to a school full of them!
3. That we're becoming more and more like America.
4. How many people drink to get drunk, or drink to fit in and play up the 'Weekends at the Pub' thing.
5. I don't like that the cost to travel from here to the City (10 mins) is increasing all the time and that they're blaming petrol prices. Are they too stupid to realise they've been putting prices up since the beginning of public transport?
Some of the good things about Australia:
1. ..................
2. ..................
3. ..................
4. I'm sure there's at least one thing! ..........................
5. Vegemite!
I could go on forever! but I won't. Mainly because I'm bored and want to go watch a movie.
Hurrah! Another Blues supporter!
I found it interesting to read about the places where you have lived, Triad. Brissy must be lovely this time of year, apart from the rain. I went back to visit my parents in Coffs during the uni break, and I couldn't believe how warm it was! I'm back in Canberra and it's a top of 8 degrees today.
I found it interesting to read about the places where you have lived, Triad. Brissy must be lovely this time of year, apart from the rain. I went back to visit my parents in Coffs during the uni break, and I couldn't believe how warm it was! I'm back in Canberra and it's a top of 8 degrees today.
Here I finally can see how many people from different countries are Veritaserum-nians!
I love travelling and knowing different places, despite I have never went off my country. But I positively wish I'll do it someday! One of my biggest ambitions is to see the world
Oh, come of it, Triad, I'm sure Australia has more than only one interesting thing! Well, I don't know where do you live exactly. As somebody said, we see how stereotyped we are when we really know it. I see Australia as an amazing place full of nature, but I know in some places things could be really hard. Well, I've read The Thorn Birds (but I have never ended it, since it bored me), but maybe things have changed a little.
Florida sounds great! I love those skies you showed us, Nicky. I'm sure you have lots of fun there.
Well, I've read a bit of the other posts too ... Germany, Nebraska ... All sounds great places to visit!
I'm from Argentina, and as I don't have much time , I'll post a few pics for now, and later I'll be back to tell you a bit more about it. First, I have to say that I live in a city in Entre Ríos, a province by the river Paraná (the name of my city, by the way)
Here a few pics taken in Córdoba, on a holiday like three years ago (mostly taken by me):
An odd an beautiful clud in the sunset
A stream across the road
In Merlo, San Luis, the same holiday
Another of the hills in Merlo (so awesome!)
A waterfall called Cascada del Toro Muerto (or Death Bull Waterfall)
More Merlo's hills!
Dique La Viña, or Vineyard Dam
Now, at home:
From over the fence
In the park of the city, by the river (believ me, the park reaches that above the river and more)
The main square of the city at night
An artificial little island in my granparent's city
All were taken by me
I love travelling and knowing different places, despite I have never went off my country. But I positively wish I'll do it someday! One of my biggest ambitions is to see the world
Oh, come of it, Triad, I'm sure Australia has more than only one interesting thing!
Well, I don't know where do you live exactly. As somebody said, we see how stereotyped we are when we really know it. I see Australia as an amazing place full of nature, but I know in some places things could be really hard. Well, I've read The Thorn Birds (but I have never ended it, since it bored me), but maybe things have changed a little.Florida sounds great! I love those skies you showed us, Nicky. I'm sure you have lots of fun there.
Well, I've read a bit of the other posts too ... Germany, Nebraska ... All sounds great places to visit!
I'm from Argentina, and as I don't have much time
, I'll post a few pics for now, and later I'll be back to tell you a bit more about it. First, I have to say that I live in a city in Entre Ríos, a province by the river Paraná (the name of my city, by the way)Here a few pics taken in Córdoba, on a holiday like three years ago (mostly taken by me):
An odd an beautiful clud in the sunset
A stream across the road
In Merlo, San Luis, the same holiday
Another of the hills in Merlo (so awesome!)
A waterfall called Cascada del Toro Muerto (or Death Bull Waterfall)
More Merlo's hills!
Dique La Viña, or Vineyard Dam
Now, at home:
From over the fence
In the park of the city, by the river (believ me, the park reaches that above the river and more)
The main square of the city at night
An artificial little island in my granparent's city
All were taken by me
QUOTE(DeSs @ Jul 26 2008, 04:36 AM) [snapback]523601[/snapback]
Oh, come of it, Triad, I'm sure Australia has more than only one interesting thing!
Well, I don't know where do you live exactly. As somebody said, we see how stereotyped we are when we really know it. I see Australia as an amazing place full of nature, but I know in some places things could be really hard. Well, I've read The Thorn Birds (but I have never ended it, since it bored me), but maybe things have changed a little.Is the Thorn Birds Australian?
I'm sure for a tourist Australia has interesting places but for a citizen...it's rather lame. Okay, for me at least. I've done the Theme Parks (I'll never do Luna Park though, too many people have died there) I've been to all the Zoos (I'll never go to Australia Zoo though). It holds no interest for me anymore. I've lived in all areas, pretty country, outback, cities, suburbia. There's nothing new for me.
I've never wanted to travel though. Well I've wanted to visit Egypt, London, Ireland, America for Disneyland, Tokyo for Disneyland. Mayeb in a few hundred years I'll go traveling. My partner wants to spend a few years in Japan teaching, which is fine I suppose. As long as he doesn't expect me to learn the language. I tried in high School, what a wasted 5 years that was! But he wants our little girl to learn a new language before she starts school, and since he's almost obsessed with Japan it seemed fitting we'd go there. I doubt we will though. I'd rather go live in Canada, everyone I've known whose been there has said they never wanted to come back. So it must be good.
Some of you may know from the Introduction Thread, I'm from a small upstate New York town in the 'US of A'. It's a suburb of the city Rochester, NY. And even though I'm from NY I'm still 5 hours from NYC. We have mainly farms of corn and wheat around us.
My town isn't the most exciting town in the world, but it sure is beautiful and our local school district has been ranked number 121 in the whole nation (kinda random I know). The city that I live near (Rochester) has quite a few colleges in and around it and two stick out very well in the world. One, Eastman School of Music, is debated as the top music school in the world (it's a toss up between Eastman and Juilliard). The other is the University of Rochester, which has one of the best medical schools in the nation. Besides that, we're a boring and dead city to be perfectly honest.
We're located about 25 miles south of Lake Ontario and because of the close proximity of the lake, we get lake effect weather. Basically meaning that it i totally random and the weatherman is correct about as often as a chinese fortune cookie.
I can't tell you too much more about farmland, but if you have any questions about NYC or anything in NY go ahead and ask, I'll likely be able to help.
-Nick
HJP
My town isn't the most exciting town in the world, but it sure is beautiful and our local school district has been ranked number 121 in the whole nation (kinda random I know). The city that I live near (Rochester) has quite a few colleges in and around it and two stick out very well in the world. One, Eastman School of Music, is debated as the top music school in the world (it's a toss up between Eastman and Juilliard). The other is the University of Rochester, which has one of the best medical schools in the nation. Besides that, we're a boring and dead city to be perfectly honest.
We're located about 25 miles south of Lake Ontario and because of the close proximity of the lake, we get lake effect weather. Basically meaning that it i totally random and the weatherman is correct about as often as a chinese fortune cookie.
I can't tell you too much more about farmland, but if you have any questions about NYC or anything in NY go ahead and ask, I'll likely be able to help.
-Nick
HJP
Well, since I'm in here, I thought I'd share. Though, I probably live in one of the more boring places out of everyone in here. I think it's awesome reading about where everyone is from and seeing pictures. You guys have grown up and lived in some really beautiful places and it makes me want to travel! I also find it amusing that everyone says their hometown/living location is boring and ordinary. So I might as well chime in.
Contrary to where most of you live, Lexington, Kentucky really is boring and ordinary. An out-of-towner might find some things to do here, but spend over a week in town, and you'll already be out of stuff to do. I'm sure you'd visit Keeneland, as everyone who comes into town usually does. That's sort of an ugly picture of the place. Prettier? Yeah....horse racing has been in my family for a long time, so I'm kind of immune to all the glory of it. But I would still highly suggest it to a tourist. If they come to town at the right time of year.
Since I don't really have any pictures of my own town, ( ) I'll just find some.
We're quite known for farms like this, and the rolling hills with black farm fences.
There's downtown. Might find some little parks and things to do there. Unfortunately, our most popular club was just torn down so that some stupid rich guy could build another ridiculous tall building that will remain 3/4 empty for its entire life span, just like the other large buildings around here.
The Lexington Cemetery is a beautiful place. Cherry blossoms. Most people don't really fancy visiting cemeteries though. Unless they happen to be photographers or people who just generally like the beauty of places. Can't find many pictures that do it justice.
See? I'm already out of things to suggest to you. The main thing that we do around here is eat and go to movies. Not even joking. That, or go to bars. Course, when sports are in, people go to Rupp Arena to watch the UK Wildcats (YAY!) or they go to Commonwealth Stadium to watch the UK Wildcats. (YAY!) Sports are BIG here.
I like reading the Wikipedia page about my hometown. I find it interesting to know the things that I should know about the place where I live.
We have the Nation's Largest Carbon Footprint!!!!!
There's something to be proud of. We're also a great place for Spring Allergy Sufferers....
Now that I've thoroughly littered this post with URL's, I'll think I'll shush. I like my little city. Chicago makes me crazy, and tiny little rural towns would drive me up the wall too. Don't get me wrong, I love them for visits, but I am happiest in my not-too-big, not-too-small Lexington. Where we have all of our teeth (95% of us), we all have shoes, and we don't have inter-family relationships. Well...most of us. We leave that to West Virginia. 
Edit: Oh, thought I should mention that we birthed Johnny Depp, George Clooney, and Muhammad Ali. Maybe not from Lexington (all of them) but they're from Kentucky. We have two Olympians now. One who is Alumni from my high school. Hunter S. Thompson. We also gave the world Tom Cruise....but I like to leave him out.
Contrary to where most of you live, Lexington, Kentucky really is boring and ordinary. An out-of-towner might find some things to do here, but spend over a week in town, and you'll already be out of stuff to do. I'm sure you'd visit Keeneland, as everyone who comes into town usually does. That's sort of an ugly picture of the place. Prettier? Yeah....horse racing has been in my family for a long time, so I'm kind of immune to all the glory of it. But I would still highly suggest it to a tourist. If they come to town at the right time of year.
Since I don't really have any pictures of my own town, (
) I'll just find some. We're quite known for farms like this, and the rolling hills with black farm fences.
There's downtown. Might find some little parks and things to do there. Unfortunately, our most popular club was just torn down so that some stupid rich guy could build another ridiculous tall building that will remain 3/4 empty for its entire life span, just like the other large buildings around here.
The Lexington Cemetery is a beautiful place. Cherry blossoms. Most people don't really fancy visiting cemeteries though. Unless they happen to be photographers or people who just generally like the beauty of places. Can't find many pictures that do it justice.
See? I'm already out of things to suggest to you. The main thing that we do around here is eat and go to movies. Not even joking. That, or go to bars. Course, when sports are in, people go to Rupp Arena to watch the UK Wildcats (YAY!) or they go to Commonwealth Stadium to watch the UK Wildcats. (YAY!) Sports are BIG here.
I like reading the Wikipedia page about my hometown. I find it interesting to know the things that I should know about the place where I live.
We have the Nation's Largest Carbon Footprint!!!!!
There's something to be proud of. We're also a great place for Spring Allergy Sufferers....Now that I've thoroughly littered this post with URL's, I'll think I'll shush. I like my little city. Chicago makes me crazy, and tiny little rural towns would drive me up the wall too. Don't get me wrong, I love them for visits, but I am happiest in my not-too-big, not-too-small Lexington. Where we have all of our teeth (95% of us), we all have shoes, and we don't have inter-family relationships. Well...most of us. We leave that to West Virginia.
Edit: Oh, thought I should mention that we birthed Johnny Depp, George Clooney, and Muhammad Ali. Maybe not from Lexington (all of them) but they're from Kentucky. We have two Olympians now. One who is Alumni from my high school. Hunter S. Thompson. We also gave the world Tom Cruise....but I like to leave him out.
QUOTE(Triad)
I'd rather go live in Canada, everyone I've known whose been there has said they never wanted to come back. So it must be good.
Yes a lot of tourists say that when they come here. And surprisingly I've met a lot of people from Australia who came on their vacation.
So I see I'm the first Canuck to post. I've always lived in Canada, though I live in a different town from that which I was born in. I've also traveled the entire east coast (Quebec, NS, PEI, NB) and I found it very pretty. But I consider Sudbury, Ontario my real hometown.
First some general info about Canada; maple syrup is essential in most pantries, we get incredibly long winters, and we use the metric system. To the south we have the USA, and to the North, East, and West, we have oceans.
Sudbury is the largest city in Northern Ontario in population, and the 24th largest metropolitan area in Canada. It is also the only city in Ontario which has two official names — its name in French is Grand-Sudbury. It's main industry is mining, and if you talk to someone from Sudbury, they will undoutbedly tell you that they someone who works for the mines. But we have grown tremendously and have other industries. If the mines ever closed we would probably survive, but it would be a very different way of life for us.
Some geographical and historical information; Sudbury is in a giant crater also known as the Sudbury Basin. This is the reason our mining is so great. Our most abundant minerals are nickel and copper. Sudbury was founded in the late 1880s primarily as a lumber town. It was also a town that bordered the CPR railway. Eventually, prospectors realized that there was a lot of minerals in the earth and they began mining. We're also famous for the Superstack, the "World's largest chimney. Mining keeps our town going, but having the huge black piles of waste rock really isn't pretty. This picture is of the hot waste rock being dumped in Sudbury at the refinery.
Life in Sudbury is the same as anywhere else in Canada. People can't live without their Tim Hortons, and we have both city life and country life. I live in the country, in the middle of nowhere to be exact. I'm not even technically in Sudbury, but it's the closest town to me. The city is a very busy place and I'm not sure I'd like to live in the city. This picture is of downtown Sudbury in the very early winter it appears. We get a lot of snow in the winter, I remember being stuck at a friend's house one time because overnight we got about 5 feet of snow that completely covered the road.
We have many cultural festivals to celebrate the different cultures represented in the city. This weekend is the Dragon Boat festival. We have the "Paris Street Bridge of Nations" which is a bridge that has flags of all the nationalities represented in Sudbury. Currently there are 72 flags on the bridge. I've seen the flag for every country mentioned in this thread so far.
We're very supportive of our OHL team, the Sudbury Wolves. Everyone I know supports our team and our arena is always full, even though this year we weren't the best. Some of our other famous attractions are the Big Nickel, Science North, the OLG slots, horse racing, and Laurentian University. I'm sure there's much more I could say about Sudbury, so if you have any questions just ask.
Some notable people from Sudbury;
-Todd Bertuzzi (NHL hockey player)
-Alex Trebek (The host of Jeopardy!)
-Hector Blake (Coached 8 Stanley Cup teams)
-Jeffrey Buttle (Figure Skater)
-Randy Carlyle (NHL hockey player and coach)
-Alex Baumann (1984 Olympic gold medalist)
-Mike Foligno (NHL hockey player, OHL coach)
And Thomas Edison visited our little town way back when it was first beginning.
I always wanted to go to Australia, and I would like to go to Charlotte, NC one day to visit all the NASCAR places. Greece and the rest of Europe would be amazing to see also. There's a lot of places I want to visit and I'm hoping that one day I'll get the chance.
--x Lauren
Well, I've been to Australia and found it beautiful. We were only on the east coast but saw a lot from Cairns to Sydney to Melbourne and even went over to Tasmania. I really enjoyed our time there and would like to go back one day. So, even if Triad isn't overly impressed, I'll give a tourist's review and say it's a neat place to visit!
Lauren, I actually know someone who works for NASCAR. I THINK he's still in Charlotte, but he could have moved to Texas. Unfortunately for you he's on the business end and I doubt he'd be able to get you into a pit crew, but I'm sure there are ways to do it! My hubby loves NASCAR (he's from MN of all places) so if you want to visit NC I'm sure we could get you to Charlotte or the Rock! I did notice that most of your celebrities play hockey or skate. I wonder why that is . Seriously, is it a PE requirement?
There is more I want to comment on, but hubby has informed me that I should go to bed (seeing as it's almost 1:40 AM)!
Kathleen
Lauren, I actually know someone who works for NASCAR. I THINK he's still in Charlotte, but he could have moved to Texas. Unfortunately for you he's on the business end and I doubt he'd be able to get you into a pit crew, but I'm sure there are ways to do it! My hubby loves NASCAR (he's from MN of all places) so if you want to visit NC I'm sure we could get you to Charlotte or the Rock! I did notice that most of your celebrities play hockey or skate. I wonder why that is
. Seriously, is it a PE requirement?There is more I want to comment on, but hubby has informed me that I should go to bed (seeing as it's almost 1:40 AM)!
Kathleen
Kathleen, Charlotte is definitely on my list of places to go. If I'm lucky, the ultimate goal is to be working there for someone involved in NASCAR. I plan on taking my dad there one day as well, seeing as he wants to go someday.
Yeah, I just realized most of the famous people were hockey players. I believe that's because that's all we do in the winter. No matter who you are here, you are involved in hockey in one way or another. Ice hockey in the winter, street or field hockey in the summer, no matter what season there's always hockey. It's like an addiction that everyone is involved in. I'm a street hockey girl myself, I'm one of the few people here that isn't that good at skating.
--x Lauren
Yeah, I just realized most of the famous people were hockey players. I believe that's because that's all we do in the winter. No matter who you are here, you are involved in hockey in one way or another. Ice hockey in the winter, street or field hockey in the summer, no matter what season there's always hockey. It's like an addiction that everyone is involved in. I'm a street hockey girl myself, I'm one of the few people here that isn't that good at skating.
--x Lauren
I know that the purpose of this topic is to discuss about our little corner of the world. However, I just finished reading a very interesting article about under-aged marriages in Afghanistan, Ethiopia and Nepal.
Facts about Afghanistan:
57% of girls are married during childhood
60% of girls never attend to school
Every woman gives birth to 6.8 kids approximately
Life expectancy: 42 years
The article talks about Giulan (sp?) who is 11 years old and is getting married to a 40 year old man. When Giulan was asked what she feels about her soon-to-be husband, she replied: "I know nothing about this man. What should I feel? Nothing!".
Things can be worse though. Another girl, Rosan, an 8 years old girl, a child, is getting married to a 55 years old man, for he promised to give to her parents 12 sheeps and 2 cows, a great deal for these poor people. People consider this a fair trade: the husband's money and experience for her fertility.
Facts about Ethiopia:
57% of girls get married before the age of 18
72% of girls never attend school
Every woman gives birth to 5.4 kids approximately
Life expectancy: 50 years
The article talks about Leivalem (sp?), a 15 years-old girl is getting married to a 16 years-old boy, who did not desire this marriage, but was forced into it. According to local customs, the bride can't see the groom until they are married, she is not fed for several days in order to be weak (so as not to resist), and she travels far from home, so that she can not find her way back. The bride signs a contract, which she has never read but bonds her with a man she doesn't know for the rest of her life.
Women are not given a choice: they have to get married. Otherwise, they'll end up alone (something people despise) or they will sell their bodies to make a living. Many girls run from home and go to a local bus station in order to leave town. However, there are men who manage to fool them and sell them to local bars where they work as something more than servants.
As far as education is concerned, women who know how to read and write are the most undesirable and the most possible to end up alone.
Facts about Nepal:
63% of girls get married before the age of 18
33% of girls never attend school
Each woman gives birth to 3.1 kids approximately
Life expectancy: 63 years
Things seem better in Nepal, when compared to the other two countries. Girls are still forced to marry at an early age, and they have to work, without receiving the basic education. However, people have more freedom of speech and greater resistance against tradition. More and more men stand up against their fathers' will: they do not want to end up with an unhappy marriage. They ask for their rights, for equal treatment of both sexes, they ask for marriage over the age of 21. Nepal might be far away from acquiring human rights, the way West has integrated them, but there is certainly more hope for them than from other countries.
I know this was a little bit long, but this article had me thinking. You should see the pictures, these girls are so miserable and the worst part is that they have no choice. It is marriage or nothing.
How do you feel about this?
Facts about Afghanistan:
57% of girls are married during childhood
60% of girls never attend to school
Every woman gives birth to 6.8 kids approximately
Life expectancy: 42 years
The article talks about Giulan (sp?) who is 11 years old and is getting married to a 40 year old man. When Giulan was asked what she feels about her soon-to-be husband, she replied: "I know nothing about this man. What should I feel? Nothing!".
Things can be worse though. Another girl, Rosan, an 8 years old girl, a child, is getting married to a 55 years old man, for he promised to give to her parents 12 sheeps and 2 cows, a great deal for these poor people. People consider this a fair trade: the husband's money and experience for her fertility.
Facts about Ethiopia:
57% of girls get married before the age of 18
72% of girls never attend school
Every woman gives birth to 5.4 kids approximately
Life expectancy: 50 years
The article talks about Leivalem (sp?), a 15 years-old girl is getting married to a 16 years-old boy, who did not desire this marriage, but was forced into it. According to local customs, the bride can't see the groom until they are married, she is not fed for several days in order to be weak (so as not to resist), and she travels far from home, so that she can not find her way back. The bride signs a contract, which she has never read but bonds her with a man she doesn't know for the rest of her life.
Women are not given a choice: they have to get married. Otherwise, they'll end up alone (something people despise) or they will sell their bodies to make a living. Many girls run from home and go to a local bus station in order to leave town. However, there are men who manage to fool them and sell them to local bars where they work as something more than servants.
As far as education is concerned, women who know how to read and write are the most undesirable and the most possible to end up alone.
Facts about Nepal:
63% of girls get married before the age of 18
33% of girls never attend school
Each woman gives birth to 3.1 kids approximately
Life expectancy: 63 years
Things seem better in Nepal, when compared to the other two countries. Girls are still forced to marry at an early age, and they have to work, without receiving the basic education. However, people have more freedom of speech and greater resistance against tradition. More and more men stand up against their fathers' will: they do not want to end up with an unhappy marriage. They ask for their rights, for equal treatment of both sexes, they ask for marriage over the age of 21. Nepal might be far away from acquiring human rights, the way West has integrated them, but there is certainly more hope for them than from other countries.
I know this was a little bit long, but this article had me thinking. You should see the pictures, these girls are so miserable and the worst part is that they have no choice. It is marriage or nothing.
How do you feel about this?
Afghanistan
Oh my God! An 8 year old married to a 55 year old?! I don't know why this is catching me so off guard if I learned this is in my World History class 2 years ago. Maybe it was the age difference. That's like getting married with your grand-daughter or something :/ Or maybe a late child of your own. I don't know, but personally I have always thought that those kind of arranged marriages are sick and wrong and unethical no matter the country or religion or culture. At 8 years of age I barely knew about my body and what are the functions and what will happen at puberty. And this little girl is being given off for marriage with a man of 55 for what? 12 sheeps and 2 cows? Mmm yummy? No. Then expected to give birth to about 7 kids. I feel terribly bad for countries like that. I don't even know how that man let alone her parents, are able to sleep at night. God bless that child. Those percentages are insanely out of control. 57% married in childhood. I was playing with Barbies and watching Disney Channel for the love of all that's holy. I know that this is how they live, but I can't stand and stay quiet.
Ethiopia
So apparently the men want ignorant women? Joy, there's nothing more unattractive than a woman who knows what they're talking about and knows how to write there name. Ugh hideousness [sp?]. This article I don't mean to sound rude but I had to laugh. The lengths a girl has to go in order to not do this. Atleast I will give it to them, the age isn't wild like some places, but this is like cruel and inhumane. You're getting married to a stranger, not knowing if he carries diseases or health problems that can affect you or the child. It's like sleeping with danger. It is wrong to starve a girl for weeks just so she doesn't object or fight back. And then take her away from home to not find her way back. I don't get the world. I would love to know where they get this stuff. What rules of ethic book are they reading? Oh wait, but my favorite is how the intelligent and witty are considered unattractive and unwanted. If that were true in this world then I might as well hide in a ditch with a rock over my head for life.
Nepal
Just when I thought that things could get worse I was proven worng. Thank God, I thought that life no longer had any hope. Though like it was mentioned this country still sticks to no education for the females and arranged marriage, it isn't as strict as other. They bend there rules; Not bad. I can definetely see the hope in this country. I just don't get if they have freedom of speech and what not then why continue with all theses arranged marriage and no school? Hmm interesting...
Sorry for the all of a sudden rant I had, it just upset me all that I read. And I couldn't just stay quiet with my thoughts and sweep them under a rug. Interesting alkisti. You opened my eyes more to this world and what still goes on.
Nicky<3
Oh my God! An 8 year old married to a 55 year old?! I don't know why this is catching me so off guard if I learned this is in my World History class 2 years ago. Maybe it was the age difference. That's like getting married with your grand-daughter or something :/ Or maybe a late child of your own. I don't know, but personally I have always thought that those kind of arranged marriages are sick and wrong and unethical no matter the country or religion or culture. At 8 years of age I barely knew about my body and what are the functions and what will happen at puberty. And this little girl is being given off for marriage with a man of 55 for what? 12 sheeps and 2 cows? Mmm yummy? No. Then expected to give birth to about 7 kids. I feel terribly bad for countries like that. I don't even know how that man let alone her parents, are able to sleep at night. God bless that child. Those percentages are insanely out of control. 57% married in childhood. I was playing with Barbies and watching Disney Channel for the love of all that's holy. I know that this is how they live, but I can't stand and stay quiet.
Ethiopia
So apparently the men want ignorant women? Joy, there's nothing more unattractive than a woman who knows what they're talking about and knows how to write there name. Ugh hideousness [sp?]. This article I don't mean to sound rude but I had to laugh. The lengths a girl has to go in order to not do this. Atleast I will give it to them, the age isn't wild like some places, but this is like cruel and inhumane. You're getting married to a stranger, not knowing if he carries diseases or health problems that can affect you or the child. It's like sleeping with danger. It is wrong to starve a girl for weeks just so she doesn't object or fight back. And then take her away from home to not find her way back. I don't get the world. I would love to know where they get this stuff. What rules of ethic book are they reading? Oh wait, but my favorite is how the intelligent and witty are considered unattractive and unwanted. If that were true in this world then I might as well hide in a ditch with a rock over my head for life.
Nepal
Just when I thought that things could get worse I was proven worng. Thank God, I thought that life no longer had any hope. Though like it was mentioned this country still sticks to no education for the females and arranged marriage, it isn't as strict as other. They bend there rules; Not bad. I can definetely see the hope in this country. I just don't get if they have freedom of speech and what not then why continue with all theses arranged marriage and no school? Hmm interesting...
Sorry for the all of a sudden rant I had, it just upset me all that I read. And I couldn't just stay quiet with my thoughts and sweep them under a rug. Interesting alkisti. You opened my eyes more to this world and what still goes on.
Nicky<3
Ok, maybe I'm too off topic from what you were talking, but I have a doubt.
How do the US or UK celebrate Christmas? Because all I've learnt sounds very different from the way we do, and I'm stuck to this since I have to write this fan fic and I don't know how!
I'll tell how we celebrate it and then you'll see
We gather with our families on Christmas Eve, as it's summer, usually have cold meals, or also barbecues, and we stay awake and celebrating till the clock struck midnight. As it's already Christmas, we all have toasts, and unwrap the presents, and kiss each others. And fireworks! Then stay a little longer, and go to sleep.
The next day, we ate all the remainings of the previous fest and have a more quiet meeting.
But what I've heard (by HP, or the Simpsons, for instance ) is that you unwrap presents and celebrate on the proper Christmas day. What do you do the previous day? You have a Christmas dinner on Christmas or on Christmas Eve? What's Box Day?
I'm just curious, but it's really interesting. I don't know if the differences are because of the cultures, the religions or the wheater.
How do the US or UK celebrate Christmas? Because all I've learnt sounds very different from the way we do, and I'm stuck to this since I have to write this fan fic and I don't know how!
I'll tell how we celebrate it and then you'll see
We gather with our families on Christmas Eve, as it's summer, usually have cold meals, or also barbecues, and we stay awake and celebrating till the clock struck midnight. As it's already Christmas, we all have toasts, and unwrap the presents, and kiss each others. And fireworks! Then stay a little longer, and go to sleep.
The next day, we ate all the remainings of the previous fest and have a more quiet meeting.
But what I've heard (by HP, or the Simpsons, for instance
) is that you unwrap presents and celebrate on the proper Christmas day. What do you do the previous day? You have a Christmas dinner on Christmas or on Christmas Eve? What's Box Day?I'm just curious, but it's really interesting. I don't know if the differences are because of the cultures, the religions or the wheater.
But what I've heard (by HP, or the Simpsons, for instance ) is that you unwrap presents and celebrate on the proper Christmas day. What do you do the previous day? You have a Christmas dinner on Christmas or on Christmas Eve? What's Box Day?
Well for me since I am American born but my family is Cuban [Hispanic] this is how we have always celebrated. Since my grandmother's birthday is on Christmas Eve that's something else we celebrate. But what we do is that [ & at times it gets cold in Miami ] our families come over at night and we celebrate mostly my grandams birthday and eat a big feast as well. And we stay awake. But when I was younger my familiy made sure that all the kids went to sleep early or Santa Claus wasn't going to leave us gifts. But as we got older they just gave us the gifts, so at the stoke of midnight all of us open our gifts. Before they only let us open one. So yea (: Then on christmas day everyone gets together in the day into the night and all the kids play with there new toys ; Our cousins get together and what not. But it's somewhat like you DeSs. I mean I'm not American American but we do things like that along the lines (: And religion, well I don't know lol I never really let that influence me
Culture and Reiligon can play a role. I mean it depend in what you believe in and culture is depends what you're accustom to do I guess.
Well for me since I am American born but my family is Cuban [Hispanic] this is how we have always celebrated. Since my grandmother's birthday is on Christmas Eve that's something else we celebrate. But what we do is that [ & at times it gets cold in Miami ] our families come over at night and we celebrate mostly my grandams birthday and eat a big feast as well. And we stay awake. But when I was younger my familiy made sure that all the kids went to sleep early or Santa Claus wasn't going to leave us gifts. But as we got older they just gave us the gifts, so at the stoke of midnight all of us open our gifts. Before they only let us open one. So yea (: Then on christmas day everyone gets together in the day into the night and all the kids play with there new toys ; Our cousins get together and what not. But it's somewhat like you DeSs. I mean I'm not American American but we do things like that along the lines (: And religion, well I don't know lol I never really let that influence me
Culture and Reiligon can play a role. I mean it depend in what you believe in and culture is depends what you're accustom to do I guess.
QUOTE
But what I've heard (by HP, or the Simpsons, for instance ) is that you unwrap presents and celebrate on the proper Christmas day. What do you do the previous day? You have a Christmas dinner on Christmas or on Christmas Eve? What's Box Day?
I honestly couldn't even imagine it being warm on Christmas. We have so many songs and things that talk about snow on Christmas and what not, that they just seem to go hand in hand to me.
For my family, we have to split our Christmas celebrations between my mom's side and my dad's side. (Mom's side lives on the opposite side of the state.) If we're in town, we go to my grandmother's house and we decorate a very large Christmas tree. Her house is pretty large, so there's enough room for her ridiculous amount of ornaments. The tree has fallen before though.... The kids mostly decorate the tree. That is followed by a dinner that is usually just chili. Nothing really fancy. Christmas day=presents in the morning (early) naps during the day, and Christmas dinner at night. Then the following weekend, regardless of what day Christmas falls on, we go visit my mom's side of the family and do presents and dinner pretty similarly.
Sometimes my mom's family comes into town for us, and if that's the case, we skip my grandmother's on Christmas Eve and make our own dinner. But we always open our presents on Christmas morning. No present-opening before that at all. Other than that we really don't have any cool traditions or anything.
I can't recall actually ever haivng snow on Christmas. One year it was 55 degrees F and was stormy all day.
Kind of weird to me. I think we have had one snowy Christmas I can remember. Other than that...just cold! We don't do Box Day. I think that's solely Canada and Great Britain? I'm not sure...
Well Aubrey I totally understand the two different places for Christmas theory. I grew up in NY with lots of snow for Christmas. in the 90s we used to get about 2 feet of snow, so it was always those classic Christmas holidays with tons of snow and sledding, etc. However as time approaches the present, we've gotten less snow, so that now, we might only get a dusting. In fact, last year all of our snow melted and then showed up again a week after Christmas so it was a cold but green Christmas.
However, in the past 6 years I've split up my Christmas holidays with my mother and father. My mother I spend it up in NY like always. But with my father I visit him in St. John, United States Virgin Islands, which is about 85 and sunny in the middle of December (plus no Christmas trees). In fact, we put a couple strands of lights around a palm tree and that's about as far as our decorations go.
The day before Christmas, since my parents split, we really just treat it like any other day. Well, actually we clean a bit to make it look nice. Sometimes we'll have my cousin and aunt over and get tipsy off of champagne and sing Christmas carols. Then on Christmas morning we open our presents and spend all of Christmas day hanging around spending time with each other.
By Box Day do you mean Boxing Day? And I know that it's in Canada; I don't think it's practiced nationally in the US.
-Nick
HJP
However, in the past 6 years I've split up my Christmas holidays with my mother and father. My mother I spend it up in NY like always. But with my father I visit him in St. John, United States Virgin Islands, which is about 85 and sunny in the middle of December (plus no Christmas trees). In fact, we put a couple strands of lights around a palm tree and that's about as far as our decorations go.
The day before Christmas, since my parents split, we really just treat it like any other day. Well, actually we clean a bit to make it look nice. Sometimes we'll have my cousin and aunt over and get tipsy off of champagne and sing Christmas carols. Then on Christmas morning we open our presents and spend all of Christmas day hanging around spending time with each other.
By Box Day do you mean Boxing Day? And I know that it's in Canada; I don't think it's practiced nationally in the US.
-Nick
HJP
DeSs, I am from the UK so I can help Though I'm not sure why there are differences really, there just are I guess.
Anyway what I do on Christmas Eve (and as far as I know most of the British population do the same) is we spend the day with the immediate family, my parents usually do the last minute stuff for the next day while I watch a Christmas film with my brother. Its usually spent like a normal day, I may even go out with friends or something too.
But in the evening we always go to my cousins family, the whole of my mothers side of the family gathers there (my dads family are from Liverpool in England while I live in Wales so we pretty much don't see them ever). We too have a meal, usually a little buffet my cousin prepares for us. We sit and we all talk about anything really, whatever comes to mind, and have a laugh and get drunk.
Then around midnight everyone leaves we go back home and me and my brother are sent to bed to wait for Santa. (I'm 17 and my parents still won't admit that Santa doesn't exist and wait til we're asleep to fill our stockings.) When I was kid we would leave milk and cookies out for Santa and Rudolph but I grew up
Then you're right, on Christmas day in the morning after we've had breakfast and got showered and dressed we sit by the tree and open all our presents. Then either we go to our grandparents or they come to ours and we have the traditional Christmas meal of Turkey and pull crackers and stuff. After that my grandparents give us our presents from them and we give them ours to them. They stay round quite late and after they leave we might watch another film, or check out our new presents and stuff.
Boxing day is just an excuse for most people to be lazy really I usually go out with my friends on boxing day (even though everythings closed ) and we catch up on how our Christmas's were and talk about what presents we got. Boxing day really isn't anything that big, it's just another day but it has a special name
I hope that answers your question well enough.
Oh and no, being in Britain we never get snow on Christmas
Kelly
x
Though I'm not sure why there are differences really, there just are I guess. Anyway what I do on Christmas Eve (and as far as I know most of the British population do the same) is we spend the day with the immediate family, my parents usually do the last minute stuff for the next day while I watch a Christmas film with my brother. Its usually spent like a normal day, I may even go out with friends or something too.
But in the evening we always go to my cousins family, the whole of my mothers side of the family gathers there (my dads family are from Liverpool in England while I live in Wales so we pretty much don't see them ever). We too have a meal, usually a little buffet my cousin prepares for us. We sit and we all talk about anything really, whatever comes to mind, and have a laugh and get drunk.
Then around midnight everyone leaves we go back home and me and my brother are sent to bed to wait for Santa. (I'm 17 and my parents still won't admit that Santa doesn't exist and wait til we're asleep to fill our stockings.) When I was kid we would leave milk and cookies out for Santa and Rudolph but I grew up
Then you're right, on Christmas day in the morning after we've had breakfast and got showered and dressed we sit by the tree and open all our presents. Then either we go to our grandparents or they come to ours and we have the traditional Christmas meal of Turkey and pull crackers and stuff. After that my grandparents give us our presents from them and we give them ours to them. They stay round quite late and after they leave we might watch another film, or check out our new presents and stuff.
Boxing day is just an excuse for most people to be lazy really
I usually go out with my friends on boxing day (even though everythings closed ) and we catch up on how our Christmas's were and talk about what presents we got. Boxing day really isn't anything that big, it's just another day but it has a special name I hope that answers your question well enough.
Oh and no, being in Britain we never get snow on Christmas
Kelly
x
Oh, thanks guys to explain me that much about your customs! I love learning new things about another countries.
I always wanted to try on one of those crackers ... we don't have anything like that, I think.
Here we see many fireworks. For Christmas Eve and Christmas day properly, we spent it with my grandparents from my dad's side, sometimes here or rather in their country house. The last times were at my home, and there're also my aunt, uncle and little cousins.
For New Year, we go to my other family's town (I mean, from my mum's side). Since it's a small town, it's more animated, or, well, you have the chance to see more fireworks, since it's all near. Besides town people always want to have nicer stuff than their neighboors And as there are my other cousins, I have much more fun there, and also unwrap the Christmas presents they got me! (because I don't see them in the time that goes from Christmas to New Year)
Parents, haha! We here have to pretend because of the little cousins
Charming, we all trying to keep that girl busy till midnight and say "No, girl, those are just empty boxes ... Santa puts the presents only after midnight, if you behave" Which is the same they did with me and my sister before! (that makes me feel so oldie, sniff)
I love learning new things about another countries.I always wanted to try on one of those crackers ... we don't have anything like that, I think.
Here we see many fireworks. For Christmas Eve and Christmas day properly, we spent it with my grandparents from my dad's side, sometimes here or rather in their country house. The last times were at my home, and there're also my aunt, uncle and little cousins.
For New Year, we go to my other family's town (I mean, from my mum's side). Since it's a small town, it's more animated, or, well, you have the chance to see more fireworks, since it's all near. Besides town people always want to have nicer stuff than their neighboors
And as there are my other cousins, I have much more fun there, and also unwrap the Christmas presents they got me! (because I don't see them in the time that goes from Christmas to New Year)Parents, haha! We here have to pretend because of the little cousins
Charming, we all trying to keep that girl busy till midnight and say "No, girl, those are just empty boxes ... Santa puts the presents only after midnight, if you behave" Which is the same they did with me and my sister before! (that makes me feel so oldie, sniff)
I'm leading this topic once more to a very different direction.
Here is an article which presents the cases of seven Egyptian women who have been sexually harassed on the streets of Cairo. All of them talk of verbal abuse and some mention being touched by strangers. Most of them are unwilling to talk openly about that to their friends, and the ones who have asked for help during the harassment were treated indifferently. Apparently, this is an everyday issue in Egypt. Maybe the conservative way their society works is responsible for these cases. Women in Middle East are something less than humans. They are not treated equally and their rights are being abused on a daily basis.
What do you think about these events? Is it really an everyday issue only in Egypt or are women of the West less eager to talk about it? How does sexual harassment appear in your corner of the world?
Here is an article which presents the cases of seven Egyptian women who have been sexually harassed on the streets of Cairo. All of them talk of verbal abuse and some mention being touched by strangers. Most of them are unwilling to talk openly about that to their friends, and the ones who have asked for help during the harassment were treated indifferently. Apparently, this is an everyday issue in Egypt. Maybe the conservative way their society works is responsible for these cases. Women in Middle East are something less than humans. They are not treated equally and their rights are being abused on a daily basis.
What do you think about these events? Is it really an everyday issue only in Egypt or are women of the West less eager to talk about it? How does sexual harassment appear in your corner of the world?
I believe that sexual harassment happens in every corner of the world, though it is given much less attention in some places. In some areas, such as Egypt, sexual harassment occurs on a daily basis for many women. Back in the 40's, during the Holocaust, many women were raped by Nazis, so when they were pregnant, everyone already knew who the fathers were.
In my corner of the world (the United States), sexual harassment happens, but the incidents are usually reported. Leaders of my country try to stop it, and encourage everyone to inform someone if such a thing happens to them. Sexual harassment really needs to stop, as it is unfair to people everywhere (not just women), and just a horrible thing to do.
In my corner of the world (the United States), sexual harassment happens, but the incidents are usually reported. Leaders of my country try to stop it, and encourage everyone to inform someone if such a thing happens to them. Sexual harassment really needs to stop, as it is unfair to people everywhere (not just women), and just a horrible thing to do.
I'm afraid to say it, but Ginevra Molly Weasley's right; sexual assault and harrassment does occur all around the world, but as with most things, those assaults in America are more publicised. I live in Australia, and sexual assault happens here too, but before early last year, it was only something that happens in movies and NCIS. But early last year, a close friend of mine was raped by her uncle, which brought the issue home for me. It impacted me greatly, but as you have mentioned already, in some areas of the world, this is a regular occurance. This really breaks my heart, I saw first hand the trauma my friend went to, and I hate the thought of this being a common thing. I should stop before I get too fired up about how women are treated overseas. Sexual harrassment needs to stop, I don't know how that would be possible, but it does.
I watched last night the movie called "Borat". Has any of you seen it?
Basically, it is about a journalist from Kazakhstan who travels all the way to the USA in order to take some lessons for the cultural improvement of his country.
I was amazed by how big the differences are between the two cultures. Maybe they were a little bit exaggerated for the sakes of the movie, but there was, there is a huge gap between them. The very basic things we have integrated in our societies, are either ignored or being laughed at by the Kazakhs.
So, if you live outside of the US, how different do you think that your country is in comparison to America? And if you live in America, what, according to you, makes you different than the other societies? This question involves customs, behavior, and everything else that builds everyday life.
Basically, it is about a journalist from Kazakhstan who travels all the way to the USA in order to take some lessons for the cultural improvement of his country.
I was amazed by how big the differences are between the two cultures. Maybe they were a little bit exaggerated for the sakes of the movie, but there was, there is a huge gap between them. The very basic things we have integrated in our societies, are either ignored or being laughed at by the Kazakhs.
So, if you live outside of the US, how different do you think that your country is in comparison to America? And if you live in America, what, according to you, makes you different than the other societies? This question involves customs, behavior, and everything else that builds everyday life.
Being Australian, I would say that my way of life here is strongly influenced by America (This is not always necessarily a good thing, but I won't get into that here). Thus, apart from the climate and obvious geographical differences, I'd say we're not that different.
We have an obesity epidemic. An aging population. Of the 97% of people who are eligible to give blood, only 3% do. Rising petrol prices. A new Prime Minister who promised the world (and whom I voted for) and who has, inevitably, left us disappointed.
Like I said, not that different.
On the other hand, social issues aside, there are vast cultural differences and peculiarities that abound.
We seem to have a love of Big Things. I have lived near three such Big Things (the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour, the Big Mushroom in Belconnen, and the Big Coathanger, also known as the Sydney Harbour Bridge), and I have visited five others (the Big Pineapple on the Sunshine Coast, the Big Prawn in Ballina, the Big Golden Guitar at Tamworth, the Big Oyster at Taree, and the Big Merino in Goulburn). Where did this come from? Who was it that woke up one morning and decided that Coffs Harbour needed a Big Banana?
We have a cultural tendency toward Tall Poppy Syndrome. This is where, instead of being happy that someone has risen above the pack, we choose instead to cut them down to size metaphorically speaking.
We are naturally laconic, or at least I only tend to like people who don't take themselves to seriously. You see it in Australian comedians all the time. We find it funnier to joke about our own misfortunes than to take it out on someone else.
We are a sporting nation. This can be a problem for one such as myself, as I am often told that dancing "isn't a real sport". I generally tell these people to rent a copy of Gene Kelly's musical "Singin' In The Rain", fast forward to Donald O'Connor's "Make 'Em Laugh" number, and then come back and tell me that dancing isn't a real sport.
Australia is the cultural birthplace of Pub Rock. It says a lot, really.
That's about all I can come up with at the moment, maybe I'll post again later
We have an obesity epidemic. An aging population. Of the 97% of people who are eligible to give blood, only 3% do. Rising petrol prices. A new Prime Minister who promised the world (and whom I voted for) and who has, inevitably, left us disappointed.
Like I said, not that different.
On the other hand, social issues aside, there are vast cultural differences and peculiarities that abound.
We seem to have a love of Big Things. I have lived near three such Big Things (the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour, the Big Mushroom in Belconnen, and the Big Coathanger, also known as the Sydney Harbour Bridge), and I have visited five others (the Big Pineapple on the Sunshine Coast, the Big Prawn in Ballina, the Big Golden Guitar at Tamworth, the Big Oyster at Taree, and the Big Merino in Goulburn). Where did this come from? Who was it that woke up one morning and decided that Coffs Harbour needed a Big Banana?
We have a cultural tendency toward Tall Poppy Syndrome. This is where, instead of being happy that someone has risen above the pack, we choose instead to cut them down to size metaphorically speaking.
We are naturally laconic, or at least I only tend to like people who don't take themselves to seriously. You see it in Australian comedians all the time. We find it funnier to joke about our own misfortunes than to take it out on someone else.
We are a sporting nation. This can be a problem for one such as myself, as I am often told that dancing "isn't a real sport". I generally tell these people to rent a copy of Gene Kelly's musical "Singin' In The Rain", fast forward to Donald O'Connor's "Make 'Em Laugh" number, and then come back and tell me that dancing isn't a real sport.
Australia is the cultural birthplace of Pub Rock. It says a lot, really.
That's about all I can come up with at the moment, maybe I'll post again later
I found this interesting article. According to it, a recent research "proves" that states of America are linked to certain stereotypes and characteristics. New Yorkers for example are presented as stressed out, whereas Californians are more laid-back, and such.
What do you think about that? If you live in one of the places mentioned in the article, are the statements correct?
And then, what other stereotypes do you think are often applied to your own country or area?
What do you think about that? If you live in one of the places mentioned in the article, are the statements correct?
And then, what other stereotypes do you think are often applied to your own country or area?
What do you think about that? If you live in one of the places mentioned in the article, are the statements correct?
As it happens, I'm a New Yorker. Well, the first thing I always point out when I say I'm a New Yorker is, I'm not from New York City or any city for that matter. I live in the country and mostly everything where I live is farms, hills, fields, forests and mountains. I don't agree with the statement about New Yorkers being stressed out. At least not here. Everyone gets stressed out, but I don't think the people here are any more 'stressed out' then people in other states. I can't really say I think this with the whole state, I'm just going by what goes on in the area I live in. All the tiny towns and such. Like I said, most of the people here are farmers and they're all hard working. That's how I'd describe the people here. They might not be well off and struggling to get by, but that doesn't change their attitude. Remember, I'm only really basing my statement on the county I live in. But 'stressed out' really doesn't fit.
Chelsea
As it happens, I'm a New Yorker.
Well, the first thing I always point out when I say I'm a New Yorker is, I'm not from New York City or any city for that matter. I live in the country and mostly everything where I live is farms, hills, fields, forests and mountains. I don't agree with the statement about New Yorkers being stressed out. At least not here. Everyone gets stressed out, but I don't think the people here are any more 'stressed out' then people in other states. I can't really say I think this with the whole state, I'm just going by what goes on in the area I live in. All the tiny towns and such. Like I said, most of the people here are farmers and they're all hard working. That's how I'd describe the people here. They might not be well off and struggling to get by, but that doesn't change their attitude. Remember, I'm only really basing my statement on the county I live in. But 'stressed out' really doesn't fit.Chelsea
I can't talk about the USA. But I know that there are many stereotypes for other countries. French are thought to be rude. The truth is that French don't like English people because they feel antagonistic against them for the matter of language. English are thought to have black humour. I don't know if that's true or not. But I do think that their humour is different than mine. Greeks are thought to be...I don't know. I found an article that characterizes us as "ethnic hysterics", because of the Fyrom issue. It is true that we love our country a lot. We might judge it but we will never allow a foreigner to judge it. It's like the saying, you can say anything about your mother, but noone else can.
They believe that we think that everything came from Greece. It is true that many things were invented here, but our history is the only thing to be really proud of. That's why we're holding on so tightly to it.
On the positive side, we are believed to be easy-going, fun, warm, and with good food. That's all true. But we can also be rude, express improperly, and argue very loudly.
I guess that some stereotypes are true and some aren't. I don't think we should judge others by using these stereotypes though. And I don't think that a research can really discern certain characteristics according to the area one lives.
The truth is that no matter what, I love my country. I just don't like the people who make all the decisions. But that's true everywhere, isn't it?
They believe that we think that everything came from Greece. It is true that many things were invented here, but our history is the only thing to be really proud of. That's why we're holding on so tightly to it.
On the positive side, we are believed to be easy-going, fun, warm, and with good food. That's all true. But we can also be rude, express improperly, and argue very loudly.
I guess that some stereotypes are true and some aren't. I don't think we should judge others by using these stereotypes though. And I don't think that a research can really discern certain characteristics according to the area one lives.
The truth is that no matter what, I love my country. I just don't like the people who make all the decisions. But that's true everywhere, isn't it?
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