10 hours ago, dutch boy said:

"1955 Chevy 6.5ltr" ?  Is that a diesel engine? When I was in high school I had a 1957 Chevy with a Pontiac 389 engine with 3 deuces, almost killed myself. I wish I would have shipped a muscle car to Thailand before Thailand prevented it. So do you have a muscle car in Thailand? 

The '55 was a stroked 350ci, 400 crank= 383ci....

No, my V8 days are long gone.....😪

1 hour ago, Woke to Sounds said:

My friends have the time and $$ to travel but they don't want to now, because between the cons that were 9-Eleven and Convid 19teen, it killed all the joy of travel, especially long haul flying.

 

But even domestic travel by air is much more a pain now than in, say, 1998.

I prefer International travel over domestic travel.  Long haul flying seems more relaxed then domestic flights.

My parents were very working class, so we did not do much traveling while I was a youth. I look at some of the kids these days who are traveling here with their parents at the age of four or five, and think of how incredibly fortunate they are to have that kind of experience as a young kid. 

 

I definitely was bit by the travel bug early, and took my first trip to Tennessee at the age of 14 with a friend who was a couple of years older. Then spent 3 months in Mexico and Guatemala at the age of 16, and did my first trip to Europe at the age of 19 which was an 8 month trip. A year later I went to Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and India for 7 months. It was amazing seeing Thailand and India 50 years ago. I've done a lot of traveling since and I love every minute of it. 

 

I was with my ex at that time and we would make as much money as we could, sell everything we owned, and then hit the road. Not something I would do these days but it was quite an experience and afforded us alot of worldwide travel at a young age. And what was really thrilling was that the world was such a different place back then, so it's fun to contrast then and now from time to time. 

 

I was then director of marketing and new store development for an International clothing company in India and Nepal in the early 90s and every time a potential franchisee wanted open a store I would fly out to their city to meet them, allowing them to wine and dine me. I ended up spending time in 25 different cities, for 3 to 10 days each time. 46 trips total over a period of 18 months. Amazing memories and experiences. Went to Mumbai (Bombay back then), 10 times. Brilliant stuff. Amazing city. Really got to know India well, and grew to love the place, the people and the culture. Incredibly curious, inquisitive, smart, creative, dynamic and lovely souls. There is a reason why they've had so much success all over the world. 

48 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

My parents were very working class, so we did not do much traveling while I was a youth. I look at some of the kids these days who are traveling here with their parents at the age of four or five, and think of how incredibly fortunate they are to have that kind of experience as a young kid. 

 

I definitely was bit by the travel bug early, and took my first trip to Tennessee at the age of 14 with a friend who was a couple of years older. Then spent 3 months in Mexico and Guatemala at the age of 16, and did my first trip to Europe at the age of 19 which was an 8 month trip. A year later I went to Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and India for 7 months. It was amazing seeing Thailand and India 50 years ago. I've done a lot of traveling since and I love every minute of it. 

 

I was with my ex at that time and we would make as much money as we could, sell everything we owned, and then hit the road. Not something I would do these days but it was quite an experience and afforded us alot of worldwide travel at a young age. And what was really thrilling was that the world was such a different place back then, so it's fun to contrast then and now from time to time. 

 

I was then director of marketing and new store development for an International clothing company in India and Nepal in the early 90s and every time a potential franchisee wanted open a store I would fly out to their city to meet them, allowing them to wine and dine me. I ended up spending time in 25 different cities, for 3 to 10 days each time. 46 trips total over a period of 18 months. Amazing memories and experiences. Went to Mumbai (Bombay back then), 10 times. Brilliant stuff. Amazing city. Really got to know India well, and grew to love the place, the people and the culture. Incredibly curious, inquisitive, smart, creative, dynamic and lovely souls. There is a reason why they've had so much success all over the world. 

 

I wish my parents were working class  

 

Only worked when the 'overdue' notices piled up.   If I didn't work for airlines, my travels would have only been continental USA, and probably all East of the Mississippi River, which if you don't know, kind of cuts the country in half, sort of.

 

Though plenty to see in the Appalachians and S. FL & Keys are more than enough to keep folks busy for a lifetime.   Add CA & MX, and you can call yourself an international traveler, without ever hopping on a plane.   Along with the Caribbean Islands close and cheap to get to, if wanting, and a good part of my playground, for the diving.

 

Why most Yanks never had passports till 9/11, as no real need to leave the Americas.  8-12 hrs or more, to hop over those oceans, isn't really worth the time & cost for most.  Especially if only having 2 week off a year.  Even I only went to Europe once, and that was enough, as damn expensive.

 

USA is large enough by itself to keep many quite happy.  For comparison ...

... Europe (with Russia): ~10.18 million sq km (4 million sq mi)

... USA: ~9.8 million sq km (3.8 million sq mi)

... Russia (European part): ~4 million sq km (making up a huge chunk of Europe) 

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

 

I wish my parents were working class  

 

Only worked when the 'overdue' notices piled up.   If I didn't work for airlines, my travels would have only been continental USA, and probably all East of the Mississippi River, which if you don't know, kind of cuts the country in half, sort of.

 

Though plenty to see in the Appalachians and S. FL & Keys are more than enough to keep folks busy for a lifetime.   Add CA & MX, and you can call yourself an international traveler, without ever hopping on a plane.   Along with the Caribbean Islands close and cheap to get to, if wanting, and a good part of my playground, for the diving.

 

Why most Yanks never had passports till 9/11, as no real need to leave the Americas.  8-12 hrs or more, to hop over those oceans, isn't really worth the time & cost for most.  Especially if only having 2 week off a year.  Even I only went to Europe once, and that was enough, as damn expensive.

 

USA is large enough by itself to keep many quite happy.  For comparison ...

... Europe (with Russia): ~10.18 million sq km (4 million sq mi)

... USA: ~9.8 million sq km (3.8 million sq mi)

... Russia (European part): ~4 million sq km (making up a huge chunk of Europe) 

I agree that the US is fascinating to travel around, and I've had the good fortune of traveling around it extensively. There is much beauty to be found, there are some fascinating cultural aspects, and the park system is extraordinary, it's truly the world's best. 

 

However the world has even more to offer, and I really have no understanding of Americans that have no desire to travel overseas. I've always been quite astonished by that. And I'm extremely grateful that I'm not in that group. 

17 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

However the world has even more to offer, and I really have no understanding of Americans that have no desire to travel overseas.

Those that have the time and can afford to, do.   My one brother is fine example, of folks that can.   I always had the time, but if not working for the airlines, almost free flights in FC, then I certainly wouldn't have bothered.

 

Also consider, most Yanks get 2 weeks off a year, if that, unless working for a very good company, then maybe 4 weeks.   Europe & Asia isn't exactly an inexpensive short hop to get to.

 

When I traveled to TH from PHL or even MEM, it was 5 days travel time if not just going to DMK.  From west coast, might knock 2 days off.   A lot of flights got in late to TH, and left early, so you had to overnight to get away from or back to DMK.   

 

NWA & UA, got in late at night to TH, and left early in the morning to return to USA.   West coast, more option w/Asian carriers.  5 days of you 14 days off (13, as lost one due to dateline) and high airfare.

 

Going to EU/UK takes about 8 hrs air time, and 3 hrs check in, and repeat to return.   You can be in the Caribbean in 2-4 hrs air time, depending where you live in USA, sitting on a pristine beach in less than 6 hrs, and so much cheaper to get to, and hotels not expensive like EU/UK pricing.

 

As you say, USA has so much to offer, that took me a long time to squeeze in, and I had the time and 'free' flights ($20 FC w/NWA, free at other airlines I worked at).   I didn't go the EU or TH until my last year in the USA.

 

Only went to EU for Amsterdam (museums) and to visit niece in Sweden.  Didn't come to TH, but once, year before I moved here.   All other travels were in North Americas, having 23 countries (7000+ islands), and 2 of the largest countries.  I few places only had access via sea planes, way too cool.

6 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Also consider, most Yanks get 2 weeks off a year

Omg lol 

No wonder they are obsessed about Trump...they have no life !

Some of them bring Trump comments into posts that have absolutely nothing to do with politics 

And now you folks know why ....a lousy 2 weeks a year holiday !!!

8 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Omg lol 

No wonder they are obsessed about Trump...they have no life !

Some of them bring Trump comments into posts that have absolutely nothing to do with politics 

And now you folks know why ....a lousy 2 weeks a year holiday !!!

 

and who brought trump into a travel thread   

 

You want to eat, you work.   We also, well, most workers, don't give almost half their income to gov't to support the social programs of the lay abouts.   You pay for your holiday time off, with taxes.  Yanks don't have to leave the country to see new & diverse environments.

 

Most Yanks pay <3% income tax, let that sink in.  Only us in high income brackets get hit with 35% & up.  Most mid class, about 15-20%.

8 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

 

Most Yanks pay <3% income tax, let that sink in.  Only us in high income brackets get hit with 35% & up.  Most mid class, about 15-

Sure and NO free healthcare in America 

 

Blood tests are free in Australia 

 

I can go to a public hospital if I want for free , emergency free 

 

( I choose though to have top private health insurance rather than go into a public hospital)

 

I can get sexual health tests free even though I still work full time

 

.your right though we are paying 30% tax on our wages for this 

30%

Dentists not free !!!!!!!.

7 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

At least I get far more than 2 weeks a year !

Is that for real?

Your joking 

They don't have Unions in America?

No long service leave?

 

 

Way off topic now... but ... from AI :

 

... "In 2024, about 9.9% of U.S. wage and salary workers were union members"... and unions only care abut themselves, as I have extensive experience with them, both sides.   

 

Again, you ignorance is astounding.

1 minute ago, georgegeorgia said:

Sure and NO free healthcare 

Blood tests are free in Australia 

I can go to a public hospital if I want for free !.

I can get sexual health tests free even though I still work full time

 

.your right though we are paying 30% tax on our wages !!!

 

Nothing is free, someone is paying for it.  

 

What sucks, is those paying for it, and never use it.   I'd much rather pay as I go, as I manage my money, much better than any govt.

1 minute ago, KhunLA said:

Nothing is free, someone is paying for it.  

 

What sucks, is those paying for it, and never use it.   I'd much rather pay as I go, as I manage my money, much better than any govt.

Maybe, but, until you can't pay as you go.........🤫

2 minutes ago, transam said:

Maybe, but, until you can't pay as you go.........🤫

I never had private health insurance, and never needed it.  Pre Obama / ACA, healthcare was never as silly priced as it is today in USA.   Workers had healthcare via employment.  Now, they have to pay part or all of the premiums, and it doesn't cover much, until you probably exhausted your saving or tapped your CC.

Just now, KhunLA said:

I never had private health insurance, and never needed it.  Pre Obama / ACA, healthcare was never as silly priced as it is today in USA.   Workers had healthcare via employment.  Now, they have to pay part or all of the premiums, and it doesn't cover much, until you probably exhausted your saving or tapped your CC.

No drugs

Bourbon daily

Just protein and electrolytes

No doctors in 3 years

1 minute ago, KhunLA said:

I never had private health insurance, and never needed it.  Pre Obama / ACA, healthcare was never as silly priced as it is today in USA.   Workers had healthcare via employment.  Now, they have to pay part or all of the premiums, and it doesn't cover much, until you probably exhausted your saving or tapped your CC.

Oh don't cry poor 

I'm sure they still have government hospitals in America you can go to for free

Now can we get BACK ON TOPIC please 

6 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

No drugs

Bourbon daily

Just protein and electrolytes

No doctors in 3 years

You could get a recall if they find out what you do on here...............

14 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Oh don't cry poor 

I'm sure they still have government hospitals in America you can go to for free

I wasn't poor, far from it, I simply never needed it.   Part of the reason I started working a salaried job, after 33 yrs old, as thought I might, and good to have a company pay for it.   But never really needed it, outside of work.

 

Had a spill on my MC, would have been inexpensive if I had to pay, just broken clavicle.  Had another spill, broke wrist, when unemployed, just paid out of pocket.  Everything till 33 yrs old was out of pocket, nothing expensive.  Way cheaper than premiums.

 

Yes, plenty of gov't hospitals provide free care, for those that can't afford it.  

 

And to correct you, I used my sick time, to simply use it, as I earned it.   Vacation time, and I was up to 6 weeks off, with only 10 yrs service, on my way to 8 weeks off, if staying more than the 13 yrs I was there.  I think 10 was the max.

 

I worked 2 days a week for about 8 of those 13 yrs, (very liberal work rules), so I had all the time off I wanted, along with money, along with almost free flights.  I could take a 2 weeks or a month off any time I wanted, and I did, a lot.

 

Yea, back on topic, leave trump out of it.

Some offensive posts along with replies removed

28 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Now can we get BACK ON TOPIC please 

yeah if the children go play in the freeway we will 

May I ask is anyone finding travel more difficult as they age 

 

And I don't mean only physically but mentally as well 

42 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Now can we get BACK ON TOPIC please 

Travel is awesome

3 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Travel is awesome

 

Only when it is without you.

Troll posts removed

 

@Harrisfanonly warning, discuss the topic and stop just trolling other posters!

Met a Thai woman who took a 1 year sabbatical and lived in Italy the entire year. She complained that she got mugged. But that's "immersion in culture" more than normal travel. Maybe we should stay in places at least one month to absorb the culture rather than just hopping around frantically. 

 

I have work colleagues who have never travelled overseas, they say it's a waste of money!

1 minute ago, save the frogs said:

Met a Thai woman who took a 1 year sabbatical and lived in Italy the entire year. She complained that she got mugged. But that's "immersion in culture" more than normal travel. Maybe we should stay in places at least one month to absorb the culture rather than just hopping around frantically. 

 

I agree, I'm sure if I stayed somewhere like Manila Philippines for a month I would think far far different about it than the few days I stayed 

29 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Travel is awesome

But you've never even been to Thailand

1 minute ago, Alpha84 said:

But you've never even been to Thailand

Sure lol

8 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

I agree, I'm sure if I stayed somewhere like Manila Philippines for a month I would think far far different about it than the few days I stayed 

Don't limit your opportunities like that. Manila is fantastic, but these cities are even better: Dhaka, Lagos, Kinshasa, Port-au-Prince, Karachi, Jakarta, Caracas, Mogadishu, Sana’a, Damascus, Manila, Cairo, Kabul, Harare, Mumbai, Delhi, Baghdad, Tegucigalpa, Guatemala City, Addis Ababa, San Pedro Sula - You should visit them all in a week!