(US)Americans: What do you LIKE about other countries?

[Kyla]

I’ve travelled a bit, but I’ll only comment on the two foreign countries I’ve spent the most time in.

Mexico - What a gorgeous country. I love the colors! Mexico City is so exciting and wild, I don’t think I could ever run out of things to do and see and marvel at there. The ruinas are all incredible. And, of course, the best food.

Israel - I think I’d only been in Israel for about a month when, on a hike along the Mediterranean near Haifa, my group found a corner of a mosaic sticking out of a sand dune. Wide-eyed Californians all, we wanted to dig up the dune immediately, but our bored guide told us that we couldn’t start, we’d never stop digging. I loved haggling for my groceries and buying freshfreshfresh pita, baked right there at the shuk. I’ve never been able to find falafel nearly as good in the US, even at Israeli restaurants. I loved the smell of the pine trees, which is sweeter than those here in the US. I loved hearing the call to prayer.

[Una_Persson]

England: Everything except the NHS, store hours, and lack of police protection/assistance.

Scotland and Wales: See above.

Portugal: How friendly the people were, and the large percentage of them that spoke English.

Spain: Ummm…not sure. I’ve had very bad luck every time I went.

France: Most everything, except the smell of dog pee along the Seine. Not as frivilous a complaint as it sounds.

Italy: Weather, sky, colours of the buildings.

Poland: The food, the women, and the Sheraton in Warsaw.

Greece: Everything except the taxidrivers.

Venezuela: Malto.

[MLS]

So as not to repeat what’s been said already, I’ll skip over England, Scotland, Germany and Australia. I love the warm and friendly people in French Polynesia, (once you get out of the tourist areas of Papeete.) Not to mention the beaches.

I love the soft-spoken, friendly residents of Anguilla. And the wonderful food they cook. Oh, and did I mention the beaches?

[SlowMindThinking]

Canada: I love the rugged, outdoorsiness of Canada. Warm, friendly people, who nicely tolerate us Americans for not knowing anything about them.

Scotland: Countryside and friendly people. The intellectual achievements of such a small group. I believe their scientific accomplishments during the 18th and 19th centuries are unparralled. Where men are men, (some) throw huge logs, fought with huge swords, and wore skirts.

Ireland: The accents, the greenery, the friendliness, the women, the beer. That whole saving Western Civilization thing.

England: The accents, the gardens, the friendliness, the humour, the women, the beer.

Germany: The accents, the gardens, the friendliness, the food, the women, the beer. Ok, they weren’t bad at science either, have a fascinating history, and know how to make a thing or two.

Italy: The history, the women, the cars, the food, the women. The splendid vice that was the Roman Empire.

Norway: The fjords, the women. Every Norwegian I’ve met, has been a friend.

Australia: Besides being a friendly, beer drinking country, many seem to think I look like a younger Clint Eastwood. The women. The women.

[yojimbo]

@RindaRinda

Cambodia - Angkor. All I can say is Angkor knocked me on my ass. Three days wasn’t enough. I loved the more jungly, “ruined” temples - just hauntingly, achingly beautiful. But most of all, the people. They are amazing. There is hardly a soul who hasn’t been touched by tragedy, but they carry on, because they must, and because they care. Cambodia broke my heart, and filled it, too.

Not American but I have to say that Angkor was the most amazing place I’ve ever been too. And Cambodia became one of my must return to places. As you say it breaks and fills your heart at the same time.

[Phedre_no_Delaunay]

Besides the US, the only country I’ve ever lived in was Australia. I love it there, and can’t wait to return. There are so many things to love! We lived in the inner city, and it was GREAT! I loved that I felt so safe. I loved that when walking home at midnight, I would see a lot of young women doing the same and not feeling in fear of our safety. I loved the trains. Oh and this is kind of silly, but I loved the toilets! I love that they all seem to “power flush” and that most of them have the half flush button.

And footy! What a fun game to watch. I wish I got more of an opportunity to watch it here.

And the seafood! FANTASTIC, and soooooo fresh. Melt in your mouth goodness. I can’t wait to go back!

[BurnMeUp]

Australia: The people were very nice, and very tolerant of my foibles as an american (looking your way Goo and Judi). The beer and food were wonderful. Overall I’d say the hospitality of making someone just feel welcome.

Singapore: Incredibly clean and safe. The food is fantastic.

China (Hong Kong): The food, the culture, the hustle and bustle of the huge city. The dichotomy between the small island life and the big city. The Mass Transit System is the best.

India: The hospitality. The food. The amazing cultural experience of learning about things that are so removed from anythign you have ever experienced. Seeing bears and monkeys and cows on city streets was fun.

Ireland: The people, the pubs, the Guinness and Jamisons tours.

Canada (BC and Ontario): Cleanliness, sense of nature to the cities as well as being metropolitan.

Hmm I’m starting to see a pattern form. Food.

[Merkwurdigliebe]

Ooooh! I love this thread. There are lots of cool things here. I’ll start!

Germany:
The people are usually pretty nice but I have to admit that I really like the attitude towards sex that people here have. Its really amazing. Its not like people are indecent, its just that women here aren’t afraid to mention to a guy that they like him. Egality is pretty serious here. The food is good, but the beer is the BEST! The Weissbier is worth living in Germany alone. Ummm, reminds me that I’ll probably drink some later. And this is a European thing, in general, but I love the cars and the streets. I don’t know what it is but I really love the German public and transportation infrastructure. I love taking the bus.

Spain: Spain is great. There are many nice people there. It probably has my most favorite television of all of Europe (not including England). Spanish people really seem open and take life less seriously. To some people it may seem that friendships aren’t so deep, but they are friends. They know how to have a good time, for sure. The weather and beaches are GREAT!

France: I haven’t spent too much time in France but I know a lot of French people. I really love the way how they seem like a mixture of northern and southern Europe. Obviously its very pretty and the food there is great.

[Shirley_Ujest]

**England **: Just about everything about it. The humor especially. The films. The guys are hot and naturally, the accents.

**Germany ** It is clean, clean, clean. The roads are to die for. Their foods, meh. Beers are not my speciality. And learning their language is like hocking up a lugie. And I am going there for a three week vacation this summer with the kiddies and Mr. Ujest.

**Mexico **: The people are so nice. The guys have that something about them that just radiates sexuality.

[Bippy_the_Beardless]

@Shirley Ujest

**England **: The guys are hot and naturally, the accents.
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So, how are you doing ?