Travelling the World

[sorcerer83]

It must be hard for them to break away from the history - I do feel for the Germans on that as they really are desperate for people to forgive their pre-decessors.

thats not very true to say - though i think u just didnt put in exactly the right words...

i dont think the should or need to break away from the history - they should just like every other nation, learn from their history, unlike every other nation, its must more tangible for them, so i see it more as an opportunity than a burden, and it is also used - germany is one of the places in europe with the least antisematism and neo nazicm if im not wrong...
and also their pre-decessors cannot be forgiven for what theyve done or hadnt done, the people today - at least those who were kids then or who werent born - shouldnt be forgiven either cuz theres nothing to forgive them for - they didnt do anything wrong themselves so theyre no to blame for anything - i cant stand israeli jewish people saying racist and nationalistic things against germany today (or of course against any race or nation).
so mostly i think you just said it wrong - but it bothered me...

[Rory Pridinham]

Yeah, I agree with sorcerer - I think the time has passed that Germany has to apologize for their actions in the past. I mean, we can't keep blaming them, because we'd have to do the same to Rome, which invaded most of Europe thousands of years ago, and Britain for 'invading' the Americas, etc, etc, etc. There comes a point where it's just not applicable anymore.

[sorcerer83]

Yeah, I agree with sorcerer - I think the time has passed that Germany has to apologize for their actions in the past. I mean, we can't keep blaming them, because we'd have to do the same to Rome, which invaded most of Europe thousands of years ago, and Britain for 'invading' the Americas, etc, etc, etc. There comes a point where it's just not applicable anymore.

sorry if im too picky but not to be misunderstood - i dont think we should regard ww2 and the holocaust just as we regard all those other historical events u mentioned, mostly cuz ww2 and the holocaust are more unique than those other events, and have many lessons what humanity hasnt yet assimilated

[Rory Pridinham]

Yeah you're right - I didn't quite mean it that way. I mean, don't forget about the victims - that's something time can never wash away. However those who did the deeds are now gone or have repented . . . why blame their descendants for the choices their forefathers made?

Anyway, I don't think I would discriminate against any country due to past actions or even present ones - I still want to hear everyones stories, their trials and tribulations and their accomplishments and victories.

[Phinea Rogue]

You were talking about Prague... I love Prague, for me it's the most beautiful city in Europe, it has such a unique atmosphere and the Old Town Square is just wonderful. I've been there twice already and I'd love to go back there. There's also this pretty Jewish ghetto which I visited, but back then I didn't go inside to see the cemetery and the synagogues, I want to change that and see it the next time I'm there (it's not far from my hometown, about 5 -6 hours by train).

A country I'd love to visit one day again is Greece. I've been to Crete (amazing) and Olymp riviera (north, lovely) and there's still so much to see. I'd like to return to Egypt then, to Italy and to Britain and I'd like to visit any country I haven't been to yet, there's something interesting in all of them.

[Snow_Crystal]

It must be hard for them to break away from the history - I do feel for the Germans on that as they really are desperate for people to forgive their pre-decessors.

why blame their descendants for the choices their forefathers made?

But that's precisely what I was trying to say. Yes do not mistake me, it is important to learn from history in a constructive way, i.e. the events of WWII should never be forgotten but there comes a time when you have to move on.

All I merely say is that every german I meet is always keen to say that it was not them that caused the war but people who lived before them. There is guilt but not from their own actions, only from others. To me that is unjust.

[sorcerer83]

yeah it is unjust, and i thought thats what u meant, but the way u said it, it sounded wrong so i wanted to respond to it thats all

[Rory Pridinham]

Okay . . . moving on . . .

[Snow_Crystal]

Has anyone been on a flight since the terror suspects were arrested? Sounds like a real nightmare in terms of getting onto flights with hand luggage.

I do think it's got to be done though I feel sorry for those people on long haul flights..

[Hagger 9003]

well, someone posted about amsterdam earlier, so as the boards amsterdam resident, i must plug my beautiful city! come for the museums, stay for the tolerant attitude to certain herbs! seriously, this is a very nice city to be living in right now, a good mix of old and new. theres places like the van gogh museum, and then places like the red light district... and they are all major tourist pulls. its such a paradox, but i still like it!

also, on the history/nationhood topic, i think that yes, history is important, and you cant blame people, etc. the thing is, people still talk in terms of coming from a certain country, being american, being belgian... what does it really mean? my parents are english, i was born in malaysia, and currently live in holland. i have a friend who is half american, 1/4 canadian and 1/4 italian, who was brought up in paris, is quite french culturally, and now lives in amsterdam, where he can speak passable dutch. he has 3 passports. which nation does he take his history from? its such a slippery thing... anyway, i think we need to get back on topic. i just felt i needed to say that.

[Snow_Crystal]

Hi All! Sorry haven't posted here for ages. I just wanted to report back on Valencia and Madrid!

We went out to valencia back in February and were blessed with some fantastic weather. What a brilliant city. So many shops and great food and it has a mixture of things you can do. We went down to the new Port which is hosting the America's cup this year and went to the Oceanographic centre. We didn't get to a few things along that bit but I hear they are definitely worth a look - well that's something for us for next time. Great thing was it wasn't as touristy as we were expecting.

Also went to Madrid (we transferred over on the train and seeing as this is was our last holiday abroad for a while - I'm expecting a baby in July) we decided to go First Class. Absolutely brilliant and they really look after you - they must think the UK train system is rubbish when they come over!

Madrid was great but I have to say I really wish we had chosen a hotel that wasn't quite so central. I don't mind a bit of partying but there were times (at 3-5 every morning) when you still hadn't got any sleep from the night before and were a little desperate by that stage. Shame as you ended up catching up on a bit of sleep during the day.

I think if we were to do the same holiday again I wish we had swapped and did Madrid first and then Valencia - Valencia was so chilled and so relaxing. We've been to Barcelona as well (but not this time round) and I have to say of all the Spanish cities so far, Valencia is my favourite - I might be biased a little as one of my best friends has moved out there but after the hustle and bustle of Barcelona or Madrid, Valencia is certainly a good place to cbill out!

Anyone else been anywhere lately?

[Simatra]

Hi Snow! Haven't seen you in a while!
It's not recent, but when I was little I went to Flordia. Yeah Disney World! Can't really remember much about it, I was only six. then we've also been to Kentucky on a boat trip. That was great! I'd do them again in a heartbeat!
i'd love to vist Ireland, anyone here from or go to that beautiful land?

[Snow_Crystal]

Hiya!

Yeah been really busy with work and stuff so haven't had much of a life outside that lately! Doh!

I've only been to Northern Ireland (Belfast for a flying trip) but would love to spend some time in Southern Ireland and I'd like to do Scotland properly too. Have never had a chance to really. I suppose you always think they just on the doorstep so could be done at any time but we should just get on and do it as you only live once.

Would love to hear where others have been lately

[choki]

I'll be flying to Hong Kong in May for 6D5N free and easy!!!!
Will try out the new Disneyland over there and perhaps a 1 day trip to Macau.

I read from someone's earlier post about not wanting to eat the food in HK (raw fish and octopus)
??? LOL... HK food are mainly chinese cuisine and my fav... SEAFOOD!!!
Well, of cos the jap restaurants in HK do serve those raw fish slice and stuff

AND if I manage to save up in time, I will be joining my fren for a trip to US in Dec Disney World in Florida will definitely be a must

[FawkesthePhoenix]

i've wanted to go to Disney World my whole life, but i never have. but i have been to many other places, i've been to New Port, RI; Boston, Mass; Washington D.C. twice;
Mystic, Conn; Baltimore, Maryland, i've been to PA countless of times, and i've been to the state (not the city, sadly) of NY a ton of times.