Question:

There are North Carolina clips and Texas drawls.  There’s the Northwest monotone and just watch any American TV show to hear a Noo Yawk accent–even the people in LA have Noo Yawk accents on TV.

Not unless you’re watching NYPD Blue and even they don’t use a new York accent most of the time. The standard American accent is one derived from the great middle area of the country, including the Great Lakes region. If any city shows the American accent it would be Chicago.     *       Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow         *     * My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps *

Response:

There are North Carolina clips and Texas drawls.  There’s the Northwest monotone and just watch any American TV show to hear a Noo Yawk accent–even the people in LA have Noo Yawk accents on TV. Not unless you’re watching NYPD Blue and even they don’t use a new York accent most of the time. The standard American accent is one derived from the great middle area of the country, including the Great Lakes region. If any city shows the American accent it would be Chicago.

Yep.  It’s the closest equivalent to "Standard US Broadcast English". Of course, there are variations here in the Chicago metro region.  There are the suburban "flaaaayut A’s" and the South Side has it’s own "accents" (especially among second/third generation Polish, Italian, and other immigrants)…. I would LOVE it if the infamous Baltimore, Maryland accent was the standard US accent ;–) [BTW "da Parrot Chick" is WRONG about New York accents.  Pretty much any news personality with a strong NY accent will be told/trained to tone it down.  Same goes for folks in the broadcasting bizz with strong Southern accents.  A strong Southern accent invariably marks one as "hillbilly" or "stupid"....] — Best Greg

Response:

I would LOVE it if the infamous Baltimore, Maryland accent was the standard US accent ;–)

I whole-heartedly agree. "Hello Movie-Goers!", etc.. It is a top accent and no mistake. Why "infamous"? Do other yankees not like it? yrs Neville.

Response:

"One girl turns and says, ‘We were hoping you were Canadian.’ Canadian? Since when was it cooler to be Canadian?" Since forever yankee fool! yrs Neville. Europe spits in Yank tourists?

So they say. If you behave well, Europeans will behave well too,

Top advice. nationality is of NO importance to any mentally normal European.

Nice sentiment; pity it`s not strictly true. yrs Neville.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I suspect you might well identify folks from New England as Brits. Never!  We are used to distinguishing thousands (yes, thousands) of different English accents in England and our ears are finely tuned. The accent in the town I live in is very different from that of the towns 7 miles away.  And Manchester and Liverpool are so different you would hardly realise they are about 40 miles apart. I can tell a Maine accent from a New Hampshire one, and I have never been to Maine. — Marie Lewis Isn’t this the premise in the beginning of the movie "My Fair Lady"? There are North Carolina clips and Texas drawls.  There’s the Northwest monotone and just watch any American TV show to hear a Noo Yawk accent–even the people in LA have Noo Yawk accents on TV. My dear Parrot

We in Oregon and the rest of the Northwest consider everybody in the U.S. east of Colorado foreigners with a strange accent. }:~ As, I am sure, they consider us the same way. What a world, eh? Best regards; Alex

Response:

There are North Carolina clips and Texas drawls.  There’s the Northwest monotone and just watch any American TV show to hear a Noo Yawk accent–even the people in LA have Noo Yawk accents on TV. Not unless you’re watching NYPD Blue and even they don’t use a new York accent most of the time. The standard American accent is one derived from the great middle area of the country, including the Great Lakes region. If any city shows the American accent it would be Chicago.

Ah, so speaks the oracle from the center of Republicans and stinking desert. Has the sun and the retirees gotten to you? Alex

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There are North Carolina clips and Texas drawls.  There’s the Northwest monotone and just watch any American TV show to hear a Noo Yawk accent–even the people in LA have Noo Yawk accents on TV. Not unless you’re watching NYPD Blue and even they don’t use a new York accent most of the time. The standard American accent is one derived from the great middle area of the country, including the Great Lakes region. If any city shows the American accent it would be Chicago. Ah, so speaks the oracle from the center of Republicans and stinking desert. Has the sun and the retirees gotten to you?

I live in *southern* Arizona, land of Mo Udall and Raul Grijalva. Be careful when you talk like that around southern Arizonans. Anyway, I’ve actually read up on linguistics. You might try it before making comments about linguistics. For instance, you might look at the dialect map at http://coe.nevada.edu/larchambault/webquest/map.htm and note the limited range of the New York accent. A lot of good information at http://www.ling.upenn.edu/phono_atlas/NationalMap/NationalMap.html     *       Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow         *     * My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps *

Response:

I would LOVE it if the infamous Baltimore, Maryland accent was the standard US accent ;–) I whole-heartedly agree. "Hello Movie-Goers!", etc..

AAAAH!!  I just bought the double DVD of _Pink Flamingos_ twinned with _Female Trouble_…lol! ;o) John Waters is my fave moviemaker precisely because he revels in the wonderful oddity that is the "Bawmer" accent.  He once described Baltimore as a place where "a bunch of hillbillies who were travelling north had their cars break down and so they decided to stay…." It is a top accent and no mistake. Why "infamous"? Do other yankees not like it?

One thing about the Baltimore accent:  if you have not been there or watched John Waters movies, you have very probably not even heard it.  Of all the regional US accents, it is probably the *most* regional – specific, and all the more unusual because it is specific to one *city*, not a a large geographic area.  If you go a few miles away from Baltimore, the accent simply ceases to exist….. It is delightful, UNIQUELY American, and I hope that it does not eventually die out as a result of increased linguistic homogenization…. Have some fun : http://home.earthlink.net/~ukeboy/Baltimorese/baltimorese.html Lingo from the Land of Pleasant Living Hope you think sneet! Bawlmer, Merlin = Baltimore, Maryland Downey Ocean = Down to the ocean Fard = Between your eyes and hairline Renkatroll = An emotional issue in city housing Figger = You figger it out! Yoose all = Several of yoose Moran = As in "Lemon moran pie" Far excape = Crawl out the winder to the far excape Semlem = Djever wonder why there’s a 7-11 on every block? Dizzy Whirl = The land of Mickey Mouse Ersters = Delicacy of the Chesapeake Bay Hunnert = 97, 98, 99, Hunnert! Draff = Animal with long neck Tuhmar = Day after today Jeet = "Did you eat?" "No, joo?" Dubya = 23rd letter of the alphabet Warshnin = D.C. Iggle = National symbol of the United States of Mairka Arn = What you do when it’s not "wash & wear" Bummer Stigger = People put them on their cars Yerp = Europe Noose = What you read about in the Noose Paper Calf Lick = Protestant, Jewish, and . . . Plight = Well mannered Croddy = How you break bricks with your bare hand Ollin = Piece of land surrounded by wooder Wooder = The stuff that comes out of a spickit  Zinc = The thing with a spickit that wooder runs into Spickit = Where wooder comes out of Dennis = The doctor who fixes your teeth Praps = Maybe Oryuls = The baseball team from Bawlmer Quar = The group of singers in church Ford = The opposite of backward Beero = As in "the Federal Beero of Investigation" Zatit? Yep, slong! — Best Greg – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – yrs Neville.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There are North Carolina clips and Texas drawls.  There’s the Northwest monotone and just watch any American TV show to hear a Noo Yawk accent–even the people in LA have Noo Yawk accents on TV. Not unless you’re watching NYPD Blue and even they don’t use a new York accent most of the time. The standard American accent is one derived from the great middle area of the country, including the Great Lakes region. If any city shows the American accent it would be Chicago. Ah, so speaks the oracle from the center of Republicans and stinking desert. Has the sun and the retirees gotten to you? I live in *southern* Arizona, land of Mo Udall and Raul Grijalva. Be careful when you talk like that around southern Arizonans. Anyway, I’ve actually read up on linguistics. You might try it before making comments about linguistics. For instance, you might look at the dialect map at http://coe.nevada.edu/larchambault/webquest/map.htm and note the limited range of the New York accent. A lot of good information at http://www.ling.upenn.edu/phono_atlas/NationalMap/NationalMap.html

We Northwestern types pay no mind to research }:~ Sorry I jumped you pal. It’s just that this site is (I believe) about travel and the fun and adventure of it. This bunch of paranoid excrement about fear of travel and off topic comparisons of how we speak in the US are annoying. But then again I am an Opera singer and hence "off balance!" Regards: Alex PS: Used to live in Nevada, which as you know is really a stinking desert. I have bad memories of AZ because I had my military physical there for the draft(and they took me) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -}:’(

Response:

There are North Carolina clips and Texas drawls.  There’s the Northwest monotone and just watch any American TV show to hear a Noo Yawk accent–even the people in LA have Noo Yawk accents on TV.  Not unless you’re watching NYPD Blue and even they don’t use a new  York accent most of the time. The standard American accent is one  derived from the great middle area of the country, including the Great  Lakes region. If any city shows the American accent it would be  Chicago.

Not well, I think.  Chicago has its own accent, which differs from what would be a "standard American".  (Though you will hear a lot of the "standard", due to the movement of people into Chicago from other areas of the midwest.) For a city accent that follows a standard, you should look more to Des Moines, Indianapolis, Cincinatti, etc. — hate spam? <http://www.cauce.org            <http://www.byshenk.net/ive.been.spammed.html

Response:

rec.travel.europe with the following: There are North Carolina clips and Texas drawls.  There’s the Northwest monotone and just watch any American TV show to hear a Noo Yawk accent–even the people in LA have Noo Yawk accents on TV. Not unless you’re watching NYPD Blue and even they don’t use a new York accent most of the time.

But then I don’t find that very surprising as good deal of that show is filmed in a mock-up block of NY set up in a Hollywood studio… ObEuropeanTravel: You should be able see that series also on many European TV channels, albeit in some countries the characters may speak quite different language than what the actors and actresses originally spoke… — L

Question:

Germany is a small part of Europe.  I just got back from Spain & Portugal and folks there were extremely friendly.  Went out of their way to help.

And it would have been the same throughout Europe. — Marie Lewis

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – [...] spoke with someone yesterday who just returned from Europe and was repeatedly heckled by Germans about American foreign policy– she is a quiet middle aged woman unlikely to have started anything I am not sure Americans shouldn’t expect some hassle about our appalling policy — but to pretend that it isn’t happening is naive [...] I have noted, though, that this is the _first_ time, in all of my international travels, that people were openly critical of the US to me. Though, as I’ve mentioned, no one was hostile or offensive, it is a measure of the depth of world opinion that so many were willing to transcend this particular point of etiquette.

Interesting.  I moved to the UK for six months in early 1964.  It seemed to me that I was required to explain in great detail to every inhabitant of Britain that although I did come from Texas, I was not personally responsible for shooting John Kennedy.  It was tedious, but an early lesson in the fact that there are other perspectives.  All in all, it is bound to be a good thing for many Americans to learn that the talking heads of FAUX News and sputtering talk radio zealots do not constitute the sum of the world’s information or opinions.

Response:

Interesting.  I moved to the UK for six months in early 1964.  It seemed to me that I was required to explain in great detail to every inhabitant of Britain that although I did come from Texas, I was not personally responsible for shooting John Kennedy.  It was tedious, but an early lesson in the fact that there are other perspectives.  All in all, it is bound to be a good thing for many Americans to learn that the talking heads of FAUX News and sputtering talk radio zealots do not constitute the sum of the world’s information or opinions.

Also interesting. I lived in England from 1962 – 1965 with the US Air Force (I’m a "Brat") and was never even asked about the Kennedy assassination (heard about it on Radio Luxembourg riding on our school bus from Lakenheath HS in Suffolk to home at Greenham Common AFB in Berks.) except to be offered condolences. What we caught a lot of grief over was the ban-the-bomb fervor. We were the closest US base to London, so we had a *lot* of protestors at both gates. Some of my classmates were  actually physically assaulted and our shuttle bus was stoned by "peace" demonstrators. We learned to tell people that we were Canadian off base. <shrug ‘Course, that’s harder to do when you’re traveling and waving your US passport around. The DH and I both went to Lakenheath as kids and we’re traveling back to the UK in the fall for a stroll down memory lane. Don’t anticipate any difficulties. Would appreciate feedback from anyone who travels there in future, however. Terry Pulliam AAC(F)BV66.0748.CA "Now, my suspicion is that the universe is not only queerer than we suppose, but queerer than we *can* suppose." John Burdon Sanderson Haldane – 1892 – 1964

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Interesting.  I moved to the UK for six months in early 1964.  It seemed to me that I was required to explain in great detail to every inhabitant of Britain that although I did come from Texas, I was not personally responsible for shooting John Kennedy.  It was tedious, but an early lesson in the fact that there are other perspectives.  All in all, it is bound to be a good thing for many Americans to learn that the talking heads of FAUX News and sputtering talk radio zealots do not constitute the sum of the world’s information or opinions. Also interesting. I lived in England from 1962 – 1965 with the US Air Force (I’m a "Brat") and was never even asked about the Kennedy assassination (heard about it on Radio Luxembourg riding on our school bus from Lakenheath HS in Suffolk to home at Greenham Common AFB in Berks.) except to be offered condolences. What we caught a lot of grief over was the ban-the-bomb fervor. We were the closest US base to London, so we had a *lot* of protestors at both gates. Some of my classmates were  actually physically assaulted and our shuttle bus was stoned by "peace" demonstrators. We learned to tell people that we were Canadian off base. <shrug ‘Course, that’s harder to do when you’re traveling and waving your US passport around. The DH and I both went to Lakenheath as kids and we’re traveling back to the UK in the fall for a stroll down memory lane. Don’t anticipate any difficulties. Would appreciate feedback from anyone who travels there in future, however. Terry Pulliam AAC(F)BV66.0748.CA "Now, my suspicion is that the universe is not only queerer than we suppose, but queerer than we *can* suppose." John Burdon Sanderson Haldane – 1892 – 1964

This USA citizen just returned last Tuesday evening from Lugano, Switzerland – Venice, Italy – Salzburg, Austria – London, England (spent a full week in London).  Wife, daughter and I were treated no different than any other trip we have taken to Europe in the past decade.  Whilst the TV, radio and newspapers were full of Bush & Blair, no one was other than perfectly hospitable to us even after they could figure out we were North Americans (accent).  Having said that, we also took care to wear clothing that allowed us to blend in.  ie: no USA flags on our jackets.  Rode trains and public transport buses.  We were never, ever uncomfortable or ill at ease.  Extremely enjoyable trip. — Rich www.headachedrugs.com

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Marco R. della Cava USA TODAY <snip Absolutely crap longwinded, largely anecdotal article. The only bit worth reading is: "At its best, travel remains a vital force in promoting understanding. — DFM spoke with someone yesterday who just returned from Europe and was repeatedly heckled by Germans about American foreign policy– she is a quiet middle aged woman unlikely to have started anything I am not sure Americans shouldn’t expect some hassle about our appalling policy — but to pretend that it isn’t happening is naive It depends on what you mean by "heckled."  I haven’t been in Europe for some months now, but recently returned from India, China and Hong Kong.  People I met did confront me about American foreign policy, but not in a hostile or aggressive manner — they wanted to hear, from an American, why America has taken the course that it has.  Of course, I was the wrong person to ask, as I oppose the administrations actions in this regard. I have noted, though, that this is the _first_ time, in all of my international travels, that people were openly critical of the US to me. Though, as I’ve mentioned, no one was hostile or offensive, it is a measure of the depth of world opinion that so many were willing to transcend this particular point of etiquette.

the mild mannered woman of my acquaintance was called a ‘pig’ by German tourists in Italy.  I can assure you that she was not attempting to have a political argument with them.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Marco R. della Cava USA TODAY <snip Absolutely crap longwinded, largely anecdotal article. The only bit worth reading is: "At its best, travel remains a vital force in promoting understanding. — DFM spoke with someone yesterday who just returned from Europe and was repeatedly heckled by Germans about American foreign policy– she is a quiet middle aged woman unlikely to have started anything I am not sure Americans shouldn’t expect some hassle about our appalling policy — but to pretend that it isn’t happening is naive It depends on what you mean by "heckled."  I haven’t been in Europe for some months now, but recently returned from India, China and Hong Kong.  People I met did confront me about American foreign policy, but not in a hostile or aggressive manner — they wanted to hear, from an American, why America has taken the course that it has.  Of course, I was the wrong person to ask, as I oppose the administrations actions in this regard. I have noted, though, that this is the _first_ time, in all of my international travels, that people were openly critical of the US to me. Though, as I’ve mentioned, no one was hostile or offensive, it is a measure of the depth of world opinion that so many were willing to transcend this particular point of etiquette. I was in Europe in 1953, and there was a great deal of bitterness here and there about the execution of the Rosenbergs–and I heard about it. Most of the talk then though was about Joe McCarthy. Many Europeans I met were very much afraid that he would take over our country inm a Hitler mode. I have not run into hostility since.

Many Americans were, too, IIRC!  (We survived him, thanks to a fortuitous auto accident, but now we have another, in a position of more power – what are the odds that we’ll muddle through a second time?) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –      Larry

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Marco R. della Cava USA TODAY <snip Absolutely crap longwinded, largely anecdotal article. The only bit worth reading is: "At its best, travel remains a vital force in promoting understanding. DFM spoke with someone yesterday who just returned from Europe and was repeatedly heckled by Germans about American foreign policy– she is a quiet middle aged woman unlikely to have started anything I am not sure Americans shouldn’t expect some hassle about our appalling policy — but to pretend that it isn’t happening is naive

Germany is a small part of Europe.  I just got back from Spain & Portugal and folks there were extremely friendly.  Went out of their way to help. Frank Matthews

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Marco R. della Cava USA TODAY <snip Absolutely crap longwinded, largely anecdotal article. The only bit worth reading is: "At its best, travel remains a vital force in promoting understanding. — DFM spoke with someone yesterday who just returned from Europe and was repeatedly heckled by Germans about American foreign policy– she is a quiet middle aged woman unlikely to have started anything I am not sure Americans shouldn’t expect some hassle about our appalling policy — but to pretend that it isn’t happening is naive It depends on what you mean by "heckled."  I haven’t been in Europe for some months now, but recently returned from India, China and Hong Kong.  People I met did confront me about American foreign policy, but not in a hostile or aggressive manner — they wanted to hear, from an American, why America has taken the course that it has.  Of course, I was the wrong person to ask, as I oppose the administrations actions in this regard. I have noted, though, that this is the _first_ time, in all of my international travels, that people were openly critical of the US to me. Though, as I’ve mentioned, no one was hostile or offensive, it is a measure of the depth of world opinion that so many were willing to transcend this particular point of etiquette.

I was in Europe in 1953, and there was a great deal of bitterness here and there about the execution of the Rosenbergs–and I heard about it. Most of the talk then though was about Joe McCarthy. Many Europeans I met were very much afraid that he would take over our country inm a Hitler mode. I have not run into hostility since.      Larry

Response:

It depends on what you mean by "heckled."  I haven’t been in Europe for some months now, but recently returned from India, China and Hong Kong.  People I met did confront me about American foreign policy, but not in a hostile or aggressive manner — they wanted to hear, from an American, why America has taken the course that it has.  Of course, I was the wrong person to ask, as I oppose the administrations actions in this regard. I have noted, though, that this is the _first_ time, in all of my international travels, that people were openly critical of the US to me. Though, as I’ve mentioned, no one was hostile or offensive, it is a measure of the depth of world opinion that so many were willing to transcend this particular point of etiquette.

I think it’s more a function of your travels and interactions. I was living in Europe when the cruise missiles were being deployed, people were quite opinionated about the U.S…. pro and con. jay Tue, Mar 11, 2003 — Legend insists that as he finished his abject… Galileo muttered under his breath: "Nevertheless, it does move."

Response:

Marco R. della Cava USA TODAY <snip Absolutely crap longwinded, largely anecdotal article. The only bit worth reading is: "At its best, travel remains a vital force in promoting understanding. — DFM

spoke with someone yesterday who just returned from Europe and was repeatedly heckled by Germans about American foreign policy– she is a quiet middle aged woman unlikely to have started anything I am not sure Americans shouldn’t expect some hassle about our appalling policy — but to pretend that it isn’t happening is naive

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Marco R. della Cava USA TODAY <snip Absolutely crap longwinded, largely anecdotal article. The only bit worth reading is: "At its best, travel remains a vital force in promoting understanding. — DFM spoke with someone yesterday who just returned from Europe and was repeatedly heckled by Germans about American foreign policy– she is a quiet middle aged woman unlikely to have started anything I am not sure Americans shouldn’t expect some hassle about our appalling policy — but to pretend that it isn’t happening is naive

It depends on what you mean by "heckled."  I haven’t been in Europe for some months now, but recently returned from India, China and Hong Kong.  People I met did confront me about American foreign policy, but not in a hostile or aggressive manner — they wanted to hear, from an American, why America has taken the course that it has.  Of course, I was the wrong person to ask, as I oppose the administrations actions in this regard. I have noted, though, that this is the _first_ time, in all of my international travels, that people were openly critical of the US to me. Though, as I’ve mentioned, no one was hostile or offensive, it is a measure of the depth of world opinion that so many were willing to transcend this particular point of etiquette.

Response:

Marco R. della Cava USA TODAY <snip Absolutely crap longwinded, largely anecdotal article. The only bit worth reading is: "At its best, travel remains a vital force in promoting understanding. — DFM Absolutely agree with you!

Alex

Response:

-0800: Marco R. della Cava USA TODAY As an A-list celebrity, actor Vince Vaughn Second post of this already!  So I ask again, who the hell is this supposedly "A-list celebrity" Vince Vaughn?  Is he "A-list" in his own mind?

He not really A-list in the sense of being in the biggest movies, as in those with massive international distribution.  He tends to be in smaller budget quirky movies, generally playing quirky characters.  He has a relatively good reputation as a actor.  Younger people might consider him A-list in those respects. Let’s call him a B+.

Response:

Marco R. della Cava USA TODAY As an A-list celebrity, actor Vince Vaughn

Second post of this already!  So I ask again, who the hell is this supposedly "A-list celebrity" Vince Vaughn?  Is he "A-list" in his own mind?

Response:

Marco R. della Cava USA TODAY

<snip Absolutely crap longwinded, largely anecdotal article. The only bit worth reading is: "At its best, travel remains a vital force in promoting understanding. — DFM

Response:

As an A-list celebrity, actor Vince Vaughn Second post of this already!  So I ask again, who the hell is this supposedly "A-list celebrity" Vince Vaughn?  Is he "A-list" in his own

mind? He’s more like a B-List Actor. That movie he was in called "Swingers" was funny though……

Response:

Marco R. della Cava USA TODAY As an A-list celebrity, actor Vince Vaughn employs an array of weapons to cope with hecklers, from a Saharan wit to a waiting limo. But during a movie shoot recently in England, Vaughn found himself repeatedly reaching for the same comeback. Three totemic words from the attic of history: the Marshall Plan. I’d say one in three conversations wound up the same way, basically that ‘America is the devil.’ So I’d ask folks to think about the Marshall Plan a bit and get back to me,” says Vaughn, 32, referring to the Allied blueprint for the reconstruction of Europe after World War II. ”In the end, though, I just had to tell people, ‘I’m not having this discussion anymore.’ But if you’re heading overseas, be prepared to have it. Again and again. If the past 100 years were widely considered the American Century, this new one is fast shaping up as the Anti-American Century. Just ask tourist Colleen Frost, 33, who hopped into a cab recently on her first day in Berlin. An English-speaking driver demanded an explanation for what he called ”America’s megalomania. He wanted to know what I would think of my country if my brother or boyfriend was killed in a war,” says Frost, a dental hygienist from Santa Fe. She says the ride was over before she could provide an answer for the disgruntled cabby. How times have changed. A mother lode of goodwill fostered in the decades after the defeat of Nazi Germany has been reduced to dust in recent years. A growing number of foreigners see some of the United States’ political decisions (pulling out of the Kyoto Treaty on global emissions) and personal choices (Americans’ penchant for gas-loving SUVs) as at best unilateral and at worst selfish. The confrontation over Iraq (news – web sites) is just more fuel on a bonfire. From Spanish plazas to Parisian metros, American tourists are being quizzed, grilled and even spat on by people who do not approve of the Bush administration’s drive for a war against Saddam Hussein (news – web sites). As a result, a declining number of Americans (54% today vs. 79% a year ago) believes that the USA enjoys a favorable image abroad, according to a recent Gallup poll. And a majority of Americans (64%) cite a fear of unfriendliness as the top concern of traveling abroad during wartime, according to a survey in the February issue of Cond

Question:

trains are very well heated, but outside it is extremely cold. The population has suffered the last few years under extreme cold temperatures. I would stay in Ulan Bator and not go to the countryside, it is too cold. regards, Giny Tozai Travel Amsterdam www.tozai.nl – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dear newsgroup members, I’m planning to take the transsiberia-express with a stop in Ulan Bator as a start of an asia-trip. However, I would like to start this journey in the beginning of februari, which is supposed to be extremely cold in both russia and mongolia. Does anybody have experience with this journey in this period. Concrete questions I have: – what is the temperature in the train and what defects can I expect in winter? How is the train heated? – how is the way of live of the local people in this period? But all experiences are welcome! Thanks, – Chris

Response:

Dear newsgroup members, I’m planning to take the transsiberia-express with a stop in Ulan Bator as a start of an asia-trip. However, I would like to start this journey in the beginning of februari, which is supposed to be extremely cold in both russia and mongolia. Does anybody have experience with this journey in this period. Concrete questions I have: – what is the temperature in the train and what defects can I expect in winter? How is the train heated? – how is the way of live of the local people in this period? But all experiences are welcome! Thanks, – Chris

Response:

Question:

Generally speaking, how much time would you allow for travelling if I don’t manage to get night trains?  I had sort of thought that 33 days should allow me 10 countries staying 2-3 days in each or is this just being over ambitious?

I think that 10 countries in 33 days is much too ambitious. One country a week is more reasonable, though obviously this is just a rule of thumb. — Francais / English / Esperanto Esperanto FAQ: http://www.esperanto.net/veb/faq.html Rec.travel.europe FAQ: http://www.faqs.org/faqs/travel/europe/faq

Response:

10 countries in 33 days?  Sounds like you want bragging rights and not a vacation.  We took 30 days last trip and did Paris and environs, Lourds and Barcelona and Majorca and Avignon, with 2 nights in London to visit friends and catch the flight home from Heathrow.  Much more and we would have missed to much and not had a fantastic trip. Bill

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Generally speaking, how much time would you allow for travelling if I don’t manage to get night trains?  I had sort of thought that 33 days should allow me 10 countries staying 2-3 days in each or is this just being over ambitious? I think that 10 countries in 33 days is much too ambitious. One country a week is more reasonable, though obviously this is just a rule of thumb. — Francais / English / Esperanto Esperanto FAQ: http://www.esperanto.net/veb/faq.html Rec.travel.europe FAQ: http://www.faqs.org/faqs/travel/europe/faq

Response:

 I was advised to buy the Thomas Cook Europe Rail Timetable but the girl in the travel agents informed me that it was published on a monthly basis and that there was no point in buying it until just before I left, if this is the case then how do you really plan in advance?

Use www.bahn.de to check train connections.  I was hoping to try and travel at night to save on the money as I don’t really know if

Question:

I’m wanting to possibly visit South Africa this fall (I’m in the U.S.) and a friend suggested that to get an affordable ticket I fly first to London and then get a ticket from London to Johannesburg. Is there any way to get this London-JBG before leaving the States, preferably through the Internet somehow? (and how much should expect to have to pay?) Also, can this also be done through Amsterdam? (I assume because of the Dutch-Boer connection). It would be easier for me, as I have family in Amsterdam. tia! Note: if you read this in one of the alt. or rec. groups could you also respond by email? thanks

Response:

I’m wanting to possibly visit South Africa this fall (I’m in the U.S.) and a friend suggested that to get an affordable ticket I fly first to London and then get a ticket from London to Johannesburg. Is there any way to get this London-JBG before leaving the States, preferably through the Internet somehow? (and how much should expect to have to pay?) Also, can this also be done through Amsterdam? (I assume because of the Dutch-Boer connection). It would be easier for me, as I have family in Amsterdam. tia!

If you have family in Amsterdam, have them find a local agent that offers cheap fares.. You can get a cheaper ticket to africa if you buy a separate London-Africa ticket. You can do this online though most companies online. Michael

Response:

I’m wanting to possibly visit South Africa this fall (I’m in the U.S.) and a friend suggested that to get an affordable ticket I fly first to London and then get a ticket from London to Johannesburg. Is there any way to get this London-JBG before leaving the States, preferably through the Internet somehow? (and how much should expect to have to pay?) Also, can this also be done through Amsterdam? (I assume because of the Dutch-Boer connection). It would be easier for me, as I have family in Amsterdam. tia!

Try www.vliegtarieven.nl or www.waarheenwaarvoor.nl to find out about fares from Amsterdam to Johannesburg. Cheapest tickets (return) are normally around 1300 guilders (590 euros, 540 US$) Sjoerd

Response:

[ courtesy copy sent via email as requested ] I’m wanting to possibly visit South Africa this fall (I’m in the U.S.) and a friend suggested that to get an affordable ticket I fly first to London and then get a ticket from London to Johannesburg. Is there any way to get this London-JBG before leaving the States, preferably through the Internet somehow? (and how much should expect to have to pay?) Also, can this also be done through Amsterdam? (I assume because of the Dutch-Boer connection). It would be easier for me, as I have family in Amsterdam.

From London it looks like 400 pounds ($565) on Olympic round-trip during September. Olympic is not the world’s most favorite airline but it does have excellent food. Plus you can stop in Athens if you like – in my experience they are free and easy with the stopovers. I have family in Amsterdam as well but I usually do this sort of thing through London as British travel agencies are in the main much easier to deal with when it comes to buying tickets from out of the country. You can buy over the internet from places like www.campustravel.co.uk (if you’re not a student then the very cheapest fares aren’t available but the 400 pound one is). Get an e-ticket if the airline does that; otherwise you’ll have to either pick up the ticket, or have it sent to someone you know in the UK who can mail it on to you. miguel — Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu

Response:

I’m wanting to possibly visit South Africa this fall (I’m in the U.S.) and a friend suggested that to get an affordable ticket I fly first to London and then get a ticket from London to Johannesburg. Is there any way to get this London-JBG before leaving the States, preferably through the Internet somehow? (and how much should expect to have to pay?) Also, can this also be done through Amsterdam?

I do think so. (I assume because of the Dutch-Boer connection). It would be easier for me, as I have family in Amsterdam. tia!

There might be KLM offers with stopover in AMS. Note: if you read this in one of the alt. or rec. groups could you also respond by email? thanks

It’s on-topic on travel groups, so what’s the problem? Regards, ULF — Ulf Kutzner     Backhaushohl 46         D-55128 Mainz

Response:

I’m wanting to possibly visit South Africa this fall (I’m in the U.S.) and a friend suggested that to get an affordable ticket I fly first to London and then get a ticket from London to Johannesburg. Is there any way to get this London-JBG before leaving the States, preferably through the Internet somehow? (and how much should expect to have to pay?) Also, can this also be done through Amsterdam? (I assume because of the Dutch-Boer connection). It would be easier for me, as I have family in Amsterdam. tia! Note: if you read this in one of the alt. or rec. groups could you also respond by email? thanks

Another UK possibility http://www.netflights.com

Response:

I’m wanting to possibly visit South Africa this fall (I’m in the U.S.) and a friend suggested that to get an affordable ticket I fly first to London and then get a ticket from London to Johannesburg. Is there any way to get this London-JBG before leaving the States, preferably through the Internet somehow? (and how much should expect to have to pay?) Also, can this also be done through Amsterdam? (I assume because of the Dutch-Boer connection). It would be easier for me, as I have family in Amsterdam. tia!

I highly recommend an overnight or two in Amsterdam or London if you do it this way.  We flew San Francisco to London, then London-Johannesburg with just a 10-hour break in between.  Both are night flights.  It was brutal! The London-Joburg flight felt like the longest I’d ever endured.  Surprisingly we recovered quickly once arrived in Zimbabwe (we had another short flight from Joburg) but boy was it crappy on the way. Depending on where you are in the US, there are also some non-stop flights to Joburg.  I believe from New York and also from somewhere in the south, either Atlanta or Miami.  Don’t know about the price though. Lisa B

Response:

Question:

The rate of inflation is very high in Turkey. Prices hardly keep up with the inflation. Therefore if you are from a country with a strong currency, Turkey might even be cheaper than you expect. Because of the inflation, all prices mentioned are in dollars. Several people have written to tell me that this is not really inflation, but devaluation. There is inflation in Turkey, but the currency looses it’s value compared with foreign (stronger) currencies.

It’s both. For people in Turkey, paid in Lira, it’s inflation. The money they earned this week will be worth less next week if they don’t spend it right away or exchange it for something that holds its value (like a foreign currency). G

Question:

Hi I was wondering if anybody knew of a tourist agent / website that offers cheap flights to Munich from Belfast. I need to leave on the 31st August from Belfast – a one way ticket is required and I am a student. Thanks for you help, John

Response:

And if you’re based in Northern Ireland, check: http://www.usitnow.com/countries/northire/index.html or vist the USIT offices – Queen’s Student’s Union, City Centre and Jordanstown, as well as the other UU locations around NI. http://www.usitnow.com/countries/northire/frames/fram_offices.htm If student fares haven’t changed since I was one [long time ago!], they’re going to be your best bet.  Return to Munich from Belfast is listed at

Question:

Hi, I am an American university student looking for advice. I had hoped to visit Paris this September, but have to postpone it for financial reasons. Is the third or fourth week of March a good time for that city as well? I was in Florence and Rome this past March and it was lovely and warm, but Paris is further north. Can I expect decent weather in Paris in late March? Can anybody recommend this, or should I go somewhere else in France for spring break, like the Massif Centrale (sp?), or Provence? I’m looking for castles, churches and monasteries, preferably on beautiful days. Thanks very much for any advice.

Provence, baring a Mistral, is likely to be dependably warmer.  Paris should not be so cold late in March, but the weather can be quite changeable and unpredictable.  I would suspect the Massif Cental to be colder. —         <http://www.worldtable.com   Food/Wine/Travel                      - The Fall 01-Spring 02 schedule for a cooking school in Gascony Links and notes on food, wine, travel and France in particular Our auto rental and leasing suggestions and proposal in Europe.

Response:

Paris tends to be cool and still a bit rainy (sometimes very rainy, as this year) in March.  When the weather is nice, however, it is very nice (but still cool).  March is the leading edge of the high season for tourism in Paris. The average temperature in March is 45 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average daily high of 51 degrees, and an average daily low of 38 degrees.  It rains at least a little bit roughly every other day (although, in practice, this means that it will rain for two or three days, then it it will be dry for two days, then it will rain, etc.). The warmest parts of the south of France are about five degrees warmer than Paris in March, but they have only one third of the rain (e.g., Nimes).

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I am an American university student looking for advice. I had hoped to visit Paris this September, but have to postpone it for financial reasons. Is the third or fourth week of March a good time for that city as well? I was in Florence and Rome this past March and it was lovely and warm, but Paris is further north. Can I expect decent weather in Paris in late March?  Can anybody recommend this, or should I go somewhere else in France for spring break, like the Massif Centrale (sp?), or Provence? I’m looking for castles, churches and monasteries, preferably on beautiful days. Thanks very much for any advice. Matthew McGuire

Response:

For all which concerns France log on my web site. For France itself it is http://www.jack-travel.com/Jacks_Europeantravels/html/FranceTravel.htm Jack Visit my personal website where you’ll find my travel tips, hotel suggestions, and restaurant reviews for Paris, most regions of France, Belgium, Amsterdam and Venice. http://www.jack-travel.com/

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I am an American university student looking for advice. I had hoped to visit Paris this September, but have to postpone it for financial reasons. Is the third or fourth week of March a good time for that city as well? I was in Florence and Rome this past March and it was lovely and warm, but Paris is further north. Can I expect decent weather in Paris in late March?  Can anybody recommend this, or should I go somewhere else in France for spring break, like the Massif Centrale (sp?), or Provence? I’m looking for castles, churches and monasteries, preferably on beautiful days. Thanks very much for any advice. Matthew McGuire

Response:

spring in France and in paris could be nice; most of the time as we are in what we call a moderate atlantic climate, at that period the weather is very changeable: it could be mild weather , but usuallly in march we got "giboul

Question:

You could also take a ferry to Holland and stay in Amsterdam for a few days: http://www2.stenaline.se/servlet/se.ementor.econgero.servlet.presenta… in?data.node.id=1&data.language.id=2 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi there, In mid-June I have a friend coming up from Hong Kong (where I’m from actually – I’m just studying over here at the moment) and will plan to travel a bit around the U.K. and perhaps to neighbouring countries. Bearing in mind we both have typical student budgets can anyone suggest some good places to go? I have not finalised anything yet, but plan to visit Scotland, The Lake District, North Wales (on our way to Hollyhead, where we will probably get the ferry to Dublin), and of course he will arrive in London so he will see that too. Prices in this country tend to be very high so that is my main concern – does anyone know how much a ferry journey would cost to Dublin, or to Denmark from Newcastle? And is there actually anything to do in Denmark? Worth visiting? Any help / ideas / or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Terence.

Response:

Hi Terence You could have a look at our website – AboutBritain.com, which has details of loads of things to do in Britain – its got all the admission charges as well, so you’ll know how much everything will cost in advance! Home Page: http://www.aboutbritain.com Also there’s the AboutBritain.com forums, where you can chat about British-specific things: http://www.aboutbritain.com/forums/ Hope this is helpful…. Clare — http://www.aboutbritain.com The premier online guide to Great Britain

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi there, In mid-June I have a friend coming up from Hong Kong (where I’m from actually – I’m just studying over here at the moment) and will plan to travel a bit around the U.K. and perhaps to neighbouring countries. Bearing in mind we both have typical student budgets can anyone suggest some good places to go? I have not finalised anything yet, but plan to visit Scotland, The Lake District, North Wales (on our way to Hollyhead, where we will probably get the ferry to Dublin), and of course he will arrive in London so he will see that too. Prices in this country tend to be very high so that is my main concern – does anyone know how much a ferry journey would cost to Dublin, or to Denmark from Newcastle? And is there actually anything to do in Denmark? Worth visiting? Any help / ideas / or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Terence.

Response:

Hi there, In mid-June I have a friend coming up from Hong Kong (where I’m from actually – I’m just studying over here at the moment) and will plan to travel a bit around the U.K. and perhaps to neighbouring countries. Bearing in mind we both have typical student budgets can anyone suggest some good places to go? I have not finalised anything yet, but plan to visit Scotland, The Lake District, North Wales (on our way to Hollyhead, where we will probably get the ferry to Dublin), and of course he will arrive in London so he will see that too. Prices in this country tend to be very high so that is my main concern – does anyone know how much a ferry journey would cost to Dublin, or to Denmark from Newcastle? And is there actually anything to do in Denmark? Worth visiting? Any help / ideas / or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Terence.

Response:

Hi there, In mid-June I have a friend coming up from Hong Kong (where I’m from actually – I’m just studying over here at the moment) and will plan to travel a bit around the U.K. and perhaps to neighbouring countries. Bearing in mind we both have typical student budgets can anyone suggest some good places to go? I have not finalised anything yet, but plan to visit Scotland, The Lake District, North Wales (on our way to Hollyhead, where we will probably get the ferry to Dublin), and of course he will arrive in London so he will see that too. Prices in this country tend to be very high so that is my main concern – does anyone know how much a ferry journey would cost to Dublin, or to Denmark from Newcastle? And is there actually anything to do in Denmark? Worth visiting? Any help / ideas / or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Terence.

Response:

Hi Terence You could have a look at our website – AboutBritain.com, which has details of loads of things to do in Britain – its got all the admission charges as well, so you’ll know how much everything will cost in advance! Home Page: http://www.aboutbritain.com Also there’s the AboutBritain.com forums, where you can chat about British-specific things: http://www.aboutbritain.com/forums/ Hope this is helpful…. Clare — http://www.aboutbritain.com The premier online guide to Great Britain

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi there, In mid-June I have a friend coming up from Hong Kong (where I’m from actually – I’m just studying over here at the moment) and will plan to travel a bit around the U.K. and perhaps to neighbouring countries. Bearing in mind we both have typical student budgets can anyone suggest some good places to go? I have not finalised anything yet, but plan to visit Scotland, The Lake District, North Wales (on our way to Hollyhead, where we will probably get the ferry to Dublin), and of course he will arrive in London so he will see that too. Prices in this country tend to be very high so that is my main concern – does anyone know how much a ferry journey would cost to Dublin, or to Denmark from Newcastle? And is there actually anything to do in Denmark? Worth visiting? Any help / ideas / or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Terence.

Response:

You could also take a ferry to Holland and stay in Amsterdam for a few days: http://www2.stenaline.se/servlet/se.ementor.econgero.servlet.presenta… in?data.node.id=1&data.language.id=2 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi there, In mid-June I have a friend coming up from Hong Kong (where I’m from actually – I’m just studying over here at the moment) and will plan to travel a bit around the U.K. and perhaps to neighbouring countries. Bearing in mind we both have typical student budgets can anyone suggest some good places to go? I have not finalised anything yet, but plan to visit Scotland, The Lake District, North Wales (on our way to Hollyhead, where we will probably get the ferry to Dublin), and of course he will arrive in London so he will see that too. Prices in this country tend to be very high so that is my main concern – does anyone know how much a ferry journey would cost to Dublin, or to Denmark from Newcastle? And is there actually anything to do in Denmark? Worth visiting? Any help / ideas / or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Terence.

Response:

Question:

We have used this transit from London via Lille to Barcelona and it seemed to us a good journey. How many tickets did you use for this trip?

It was four years ago and I cannot be sure but I would expect that each "leg" (ie train) generated one "billet" to be compost