Travel Tidbits

Steves Comments 06

As I write this, the original location of these comments is at http://www.ricksteves.com/blog/. There is no way to tell how long it will be available, but there are all the stories Rick wrote, and all the comments of his readers, including all of my posts, and all the comments and complaints about my posts, etc.

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In Prague, Czech Republic, we drove around downtown a while, then this ‘ol homing-pigeon driver drove directly to the campground in Branik, a few miles south of downtown Prague, on the west side of the Vltava River. I don’t understand that. I have driven in how many cities since we were here last, four years ago? We came to this large ancient city with a tangled jumble of streets, from a different direction than in either of the previous two years we had visited here, but still, right to the campground. It sometimes seems a map would be a hindrance. (1995)

Posted by: Jim Humberd - Jan 10, 2008 10:10 PM
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As for the Atom Bombs, millions of people lived for 50 to 60 more years than if the Bombs had not been dropped. Maybe 200,000 died in the bombing, but the Japanese killed many more than that in the Rape of Nanking which they won’t even admit to doing. As for the Japanese internment camps, I have talked to people who had been there, and they told me of the things the Japanese in America were planning to do, during the war. Remember, a country consists of a border and a Culture, if you violate either, out you go. As far as I am concerned, we have violated the border of Iraq , and we are foolish to think we can, or that we should violate their Culture.

Posted by: Jim Humberd - Jan 18, 2008 2:08 PM
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The way a government is run, and the way the people think, are important parts of a Country’s Culture. Our Congress is made up of people with political opinions that range from far left, to far right. When they vote, they are not supposed to vote the party, they are to vote their actual position, the position that got them elected. Having a number of names for groups of Congressmen and Senators, would not solve anything. In Finland, not every person is from a long time Fin background, but they do not have the same percentage of people who are pushing other cultures, as we do in this country. If you don’t like this culture, as a person from another country, do not try to change it. Any changes that are wanted or needed, can be made by long time citizens. I have visited, and enjoyed Finland, my daughter-in-law was born and raised there. I have nothing against the country of Finland, or against Kaarina, but just adapt, ignore, or leave.

Posted by: Jim Humberd - Jan 18, 2008 6:32 PM
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Oh Kathy, learn to read English. I said nothing at all about “shoot the messenger,” and yes we can ignore the message, even from a long time citizen. When Kaarina came here at least she didn’t expect the rest of us learn Finnish, a most fascinating language to listen to. A count from one to ten, would make a comic routine. I don’t mean that to diminish/degrade the language at all, it is beautiful, others sound similar. In Reykjavik, Iceland, in the sauna, a captain and crew (but no stewardess) from Icelandic Airlines were there, and I almost had to laugh when I heard them talking in the Icelandic, or whatever, language. People who have lived in the USA long enough to adapt and assimilate, can make changes that do not disturb others. Don’t try to change our language, or our Constitution, except as permitted in that Constitution. The US was founded and built by immigrants who lived in a melting pot, not a fruit salad as some people want today.

Posted by: Jim Humberd - Jan 19, 2008 12:34 PM
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Kathy, I will grant you all of that. Of course you are entitled to express your opinion, and even attempt to make cultural changes. But no one has the right to demand a major change just to confirm their culture. Remember, the founders of our country were not immigrants, they were born here. So was I, and my ancestors did not obey any immigration law of the US, it didn’t exist when they arrived. And don’t tell me we took it from the Indians, until you tell me who they took it from, and why they were always fighting, this tribe and that, instead of founding the United States of Indians. I traveled differently from most. On every trip, in many countries and on many days, there was the Humberd Question of the trip. Of the 600 nights we spent in a Campsite in our RV in 27 European countries, hardly a night went by that I didn’t look for someone to visit with, and discuss their Government and way of life. I would stop and visit with people on the street, everywhere. Never found one person in any country who was not interesting in exchanging information. Too bad I only speak English, and Hand Signals. My Travel Journal contains comments from France, The Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Greece, Sweden, Norway, Poland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Switzerland, and more. Just comments from real people. As I say in one Snippet, I had a hot political discussion in a Swedish Sauna. And I mean that in both meanings of the word HOT.

Posted by: Jim Humberd - Jan 19, 2008 5:25 PM
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Jackie said, “You don't see many Europeans immigrating here anymore.” You are right Jackie. Those European Nations contributed the Cultures that in our melting pot, became the greatest Culture ever known. Then in their time of need, we rebuilt their continent using the Marshall Plan. They saw what a wonderful country we had developed, so copied some important features. You are right, “… people moving here are from the dead-poorest Central and South American nations,” because those countries did not develop from the Western European Culture, and the dictators that rule, want the billions of dollars they save by not feeding their people, and the billions of dollars their former citizens send home to keep their families from starving. Do you still have a question about the greatness of Western European Culture? Do you wonder why no one really wants to move to “… the dead-poorest Central and South American nations?”

Posted by: Jim Humberd - Jan 21, 2008 12:25 PM
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Well, if you have Dr. in front of your name, you can rewrite history anyway you wish. Central and South American dictatorships did not originate from Northern Europe, but from the Iberian Peninsula. Can you name me a place in the world that speaks Spanish or Portuguese that are a favorite destination of immigrants? I’ve visited and both, plus Mexico, Central and South America, but no one wants to live there. The Marshall Plan was the bait for European countries, that gave them the start in rebuilding, so they could then help themselves. As for buying the needed equipment from the USA, where else would they buy the things they needed, soon after WW II? I’ve never heard, nor do I believe your comment about Britain and France spending of their Aid money. Jackie said, “You don't see many Europeans immigrating here anymore.” If you happened to see a half-dozen people walking down the street, which one would you recognize the easiest, the German, the Englishman, the Frenchman, the Dutch, the Mexican or the Swede. Not always, but often the Mexican would be recognized. So there is no easy way to tell exactly how many from here or there, have been lucky enough to get here.

Posted by: Jim Humberd - Jan 21, 2008 6:25 PM
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In general discussions I have had throughout Europe and the USA, I don’t find the Iberian Peninsula normally included in the mention of Western Europe, unless the subject is geography. Perhaps I should have identified our Culture as Northern European, which would have been just as wrong. Are you one of those who believe that the Western Hemisphere would be a greater place to live if there were still just a few hundred thousand Indians still living in teepees, and riding horses? I had a friend, a full blooded Indian with a PhD, tell me that is what would have happened by now, if the Europeans had not arrived. I would agree that most of the time when someone immigrates to another culture and tries to change it, it is a big mistake. Which is exactly why I asked the UN in 1950, to stop all immigration, and replace it with Invitation.

Posted by: Jim Humberd - Jan 23, 2008 11:10 AM
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Ok Maggie, so you missed one. == I was in the U S Army twice, and when we were at the firing range, firing all kinds of guns at huge paper targets, if you missed the target all together, they waved a big white flag which was known as “Maggie’s Drawers.” So Mr. Grabowski was just waving a “Maggie’s Drawers” at you. == But be careful who helps you with that Heart stuff. They put some stents in my heart, and the whole thing was made worthwhile by the pretty red-haired nurse who gave me a bath the next morning. I told the Doc that she could cause a lot of problems in a Heart Hospital. After an operation the patient might wake up and see her, and think he had died and gone to Heaven.

Posted by: Jim Humberd - Jan 23, 2008 10:49 AM
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From my first passenger flight in 1950, to my last in 1995 (since then my Sweetie was ill, and she left two years ago), I figure I have been on at least 1,500 flights, have used 118 airports in approximately 35 states and maybe a dozen countries and major Islands. Thank goodness I didn’t have to fly in today’s mess, but I did experience about the first security at an airport. In 1970, while we were in Europe, a couple of airplanes had been hijacked to the Arabian desert and set afire. New and stringent security regulations were in effect at the Frankfurt, Germany, airport when we arrived for our flight home. No one had yet invented metal-detectors and baggage X-ray equipment, but furniture had been arranged in such a manner that passengers were directed into small groups. They had areas blocked off at the terminal building to help control passengers and non-passengers. Men and women were sent into rooms to be physically frisked, and searched very thoroughly. All luggage was put on the tarmac near the plane, and as one identified their luggage, they were escorted directly onto the plane. If you packed a bomb, you rode the plane. I liked it much better the hundreds of times that the beautiful, hot-pants uniformed Sweeties on PSA, met me at the loading gate, and off we went.

Posted by: Jim Humberd - Jan 23, 2008 7:26 PM
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A distinguished gentleman we met in Trier, Germany, told us his sons, who had attended college in the US, would prefer to live in our country, rather than return to Germany after graduation. When we asked why, he stopped, thought a moment, then answered, “Freedom from the neighbors.” We responded, “What do you mean by ‘freedom from the neighbors’?” He again thought a moment, then said, “People in Germany are so concerned with what their neighbors are doing — when they wash their car, when they hang wash on the line, stores close early in the evening, and are closed on Sunday. In general there’s a feeling of less individual liberty than many people feel they should expect.” ======= There was near unanimous agreement among the people in Germany, who we asked about “Freedom from the neighbors.” As one lady said, “It wouldn’t be so bad if they were just nosy, but they are so judgmental.” Isn't it funny,we never met one German who admitted to be one of those “judgmental neighbors.”

Posted by: james Humberdd - Jan 27, 2008 9:24 PM
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In addition to clothes, money, and a passport, the most important thing to take with you on vacation is a positive attitude. It’s amazing how many stupid, ignorant, inefficient, obnoxious people you meet when you are in a bad mood. That’s true even when you aren't on vacation. ===== Well come to think of it, it is also true when you write a message on a blog.

Posted by: Jim Humberd - Jan 28, 2008 6:05 PM
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Thank you Rick. You said "Each loudmouth has his Humberd-ian sidekick" and since you spelled my name right, I guess that was a compliment. But wow, I wish I knew what that meant. Will someone translate for me, really. As for your comments on the Iraq war, you are a Johhny-come-lately. I was against it long before it started. Had the UN followed my advice when I visited there, twice, nearly 60 years ago, we would not have had that problem in the first place. I said, “Stop all Immigration, replace it with Invitation.” Remember, I have said a “Country consists of a Border and a Culture, and if you violate either, out you go.” Well Bush has violated the ME’s borders and cultures, but the ME people who have invaded England, France, and the USA, have tried, somewhat successfully to replace a livable culture with their culture that they hated enough to leave. We have not used a tour group on our nearly 1,000 nights in Europe, 100 nights on ships, and 49 states, and dozens of other countries. But I dare not say that it is difficult to travel as successfully as my Sweetie and I have done in our RV, because someone will again accuse me of bragging. We spent nearly 6 months in France during visits over 25 years, and spent not one night in a hotel, and ate in a “regular” restaurant twice in that time. No chef anywhere in the world could surpass my Most Beautiful Sweetie as a cook, and all the ladies in Amsterdam, and on the Champs-Élysées could not match her … … aw well, enough.

Posted by: Jim Humberd - Jan 28, 2008 5:40 PM
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WOW, Rick, Dean, Joel, Jill, KathyM and Audrey, I had to go look in the mirror to make sure who that was that got out of my bed this morning. I like the “intelligent, likeable, and sometimes annoying” part, but where did the “sometimes” come from? Jack Smith, a Columnist for the Los Angeles Times for 30 years or so, wrote about the “parlor game” where a person is to describe himself in one word. In a following column, he quoted my letter to him as saying, “For better or worse, most everybody agrees that in both its positive and its negative connotations, my word is accurate. My word? Curious!” Perhaps the problem is that there is no subject on which I do not have an opinion. Rick and I are in agreement in much that he says politically, and even more of what he says about travel. My travel mode is completely different from what he sells these days, but I seem to remember that some years ago he also traveled in a small RV. Is that not correct? ===== Now I must repeat, In addition to clothes, money, and a passport, the most important thing to take with you on vacation is a positive attitude. It’s amazing how many stupid, ignorant, inefficient, obnoxious people you meet when you are in a bad mood. That’s true even when you aren't on vacation. ===== Well come to think of it, it is also true when you write a message on a blog.

Posted by: Jim Humberd - Jan 29, 2008 11:20 AM
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Oh my, the name Humberd appears on this page 26 times already, and I thank those who spelled it correctly. I want to be plain and make sure that you understand that while I have traveled a lot, in no way do I want to be looked at as competition for Rick. I have nothing for sale, but I do offer a lot of stories of our travel. (Thank you KathyM - Jan 29, 2008 4:35 PM) These days the trip from the bed to the bathroom, leaves me more tired than driving from the Eiffel Tower to St. Peter’s, years ago. Off the Travel subject, but in response to others ---- My copy of the Constitution says “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, …” and on and on. The American Heritage Dictionary says — “Establishment: Something established, as an established church.” “Establishing: To set up; to bring about; to introduce.” Think about it, the Crystal Cathedral is “an establishment of religion,” the First Baptist Church is “an establishment of religion,” a Synagogue is “an establishment of religion,” and the Catholic Cathedral is “an establishment of religion.” Someone starting a new religion is “establishing a religion,” a word with a different meaning, a word not mentioned in the Constitution. But they must not make a law respecting an establishment of religion.

Posted by: Jim Humberd - Jan 29, 2008 8:34 PM
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Well KathyM my love, I am not interested at this time in getting into all the ideas of this Supreme Court and that one. I was just talking about the way the First Amendment was originally written. I know that generation after generation interprets words differently, the advances (or is that just changes) in the methods available to communicate, and the change in our culture, leads to more and more differences in how we read and react to what was written years ago. Jeremy B, I don’t have an opinion on just what the limits are to “… respecting an establishment of religion … .“ Luckily for all of us, I am not on the Supreme Court. As for lunch in Budapest (or elsewhere), my Sweetie was the cook and responsible for the essential body nutrients, I was the driver and and my responsibility was to find the most beautiful spots to park the RV for meals. In Budapest, in 1980 while the Berlin Wall still stood, we went to the top of a hill in Pest, overlooking Budapest. There we found a large Russian Monument commemorating the “liberation” of Budapest in 1944-45. We ate lunch with the Danube River, Chain Bridge, Margaret Island, Margaret Bridge, and the Parliament Building (one of the most beautiful government buildings in Europe) just out our dining room window. The food was splendid, the view was superlative. And I am still waiting for agreement in what is meant by “Humberd-ian.” Sounds good, but we need agreement on the definition.

Posted by: jim Humberd - Jan 30, 2008 9:17 AM
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RICK, I need your help on what you meant by this Humberd-ian stuff. I have looked up the words Contrary, and Contrarian in the dictionary, then I re-read my last dozen posts, and can’t find the connection. But maybe that is just what confirms the use of the term. Don’t worry, you won’t hurt my feelings, nor will you bloat my ego (is that still possible?), but please explain. Since you have now made me famous, how could I complain, since you spelled my name right. The only contrarious thing I could see, is that I travel in a different mode than Rick’s tours. Someone said I was bragging when I told a little about my travel experience. I wonder what he would say if I told you I was introduced to the not-yet-called computer business in 1944, and that 45 years ago I trained NASA how to program a couple of the computers used to put the men on the moon. Well, even with all that experience, I wasn’t able to retire from a payroll until I was about 50 years old. Then my Sweetie and I traveled and traveled some more. By the way, one definition of “contrarian” has to do with the stock market, but I assure you I own no stock in ETBD.

Posted by: Jim Humberd - Jan 30, 2008 12:17 PM
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KathyM said, “Jim, I can see you in Speakers Corner disagreeing openly - can't you?” Not even for a minute Kathy, unless of course the speaker is as wrong as some people I read on the Internet, and not just on Rick’s site. And Bill, what would those parts of Africa be like today if they had not been colonized years ago? I sure do wish the British, French, Dutch, Germans, Italians, Portuguese, Spanish, or Belgians could have done it different and better, but I do believe the Africans are better off for that help. I know there are many Indians in our country who live in our culture, but just drive across Arizona and see how they live in their culture, and imagine what it would be like if we hadn’t helped. Yes I know, many were killed for no good reason, years ago. My Aunt and Uncle lived, and taught school on Indiana Reservations for 30 years, and they had great difficulty trying to help them live a better life than their parents had. And Bill, I would love to know how and what, Right or Wrong, we need to do to finish the job in Iraq.

Posted by: Jim Humberd - Jan 30, 2008 6:30 PM
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Oh my, “D” I am so sorry Rick is “rubbing your nose in it” by telling about his wonderful trips. Please don’t read my comments, because I enjoyed a lot of travel, mainly because My Beautiful Sweetie was with me. We visited both Budapest and Prague in our RV, back in the days of the Berlin Wall, so were we lucky, or just happy? Our first airfare from LAX to Frankfurt, was $285 RT, and much more as the years went by. I remember a lady who was incensed to receive a drink of water in a Styrofoam cup while on a cross-country flight on a 747. You may have heard that same story about a different lady, but I was there this time. Although a 747 spews a lot of pollutants, the environmaniacs still fly, but they don't want to drink from a Styrofoam cup. Maybe it would be nice to have a carbon neutral flight, but I would rather have one with the beautiful, friendly, happy stewardess’, as I found on my many hundreds of flights, in years long past.

Posted by: Jim Humberd - Jan 31, 2008 11:49 AM
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We visited both Berlin and Munich in 1970, and visited each, multiple times since. I would prefer Berlin, if I could see only one.======= At the former Checkpoint Charlie we asked a Berlin Policeman if it was possible for us to “liberate” a piece of the Berlin Wall, somewhere. As he gave us directions to nearby Mühlen Straße, he put his hand over his eyes, as if to say, “If I don’t see you … … .” With his tacit permission, on Sept. 4, 1991 we helped remove the Wall. Displayed along with my cane collection are two ten inch pieces of the wall, along with the hammer that did it. ========The city hall in Munich, Germany, is called the Rathaus, a restaurant in the cellar (keller), is called “Ratskeller.” Along with our dinner, we asked for ice water, then refills. The waitress smiled and returned with a pitcher of water with a chunk of ice. When Emmy used the restroom, she had to pay 20 phennig (5 cents) for the toilet and 10 phennig (2.5 cents) just to wash and dry her hands. She didn’t have her purse with her, but … … . We still have the menu that shows that 28 Deutsch Marks, $7, covered the cost of a complete steak dinner, plus desert for four. That was in 1970, quite a few years ago.

Posted by: Jim Humberd - Jan 31, 2008 5:23 PM
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We are not Pollyannish about our travels, but there is really no place where we have visited in 70 countries and Islands that we would not be happy to revisit tomorrow. Of course some are more interesting than others, but when we travel we know it is their home, if we don’t like it we can leave. We have never been mistreated, we have never rushed to get away from anywhere. We are there to learn about their home and way of life, and we try not to tell everyone that our home and our culture is best, even though we are positive that it is. We have been asked a thousand time, what is your favorite country, what is the best place to visit. Our answer, “There is no best, each is unique, there are many differences.”

Posted by: Jim Humberd - Jan 31, 2008 9:13 PM
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As we traveled, we said hundred of times, “Would we like to live here?” Not that we were rich, but since we really never intended to move, we never did give consideration to earning a living. We loved Trondheim, Norway, but that’s too cold. We were surprised at how nice Lubljana, Yugoslavia, was, but said no to the then Communist Government. From our first visit in 1970, and several since, Bern, Switzerland seemed to be the most beautiful and livable of any place in Europe, but too cold for us. Southern Italy had the climate, and fascinating tourist sights, but not the living conditions. By 1995 we had determined, “All in all, our trips proved ‘It’s a nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there,’ is not a cliché, it’s the truth.”

Posted by: Jim Humberd - Feb 01, 2008 12:24 PM

Tidbit by Jim and Emmy Humberd

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