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You didn't? You just did it again. You talk about how they're "at least middle class and professional" ... and then assume everyone else is "working lower wage employment."
Again, I believe that most people traveling abroad are at least middle class. Not sure why this is controversial, especially because less than 40% of Americans even have a passport. I don't think lower-than-middle-class families are jetting off abroad too often, at least not for leisure purposes.
And again, you seem to have a problem with this. Apparently you think people not earning a middle class wage are frequently dropping 10k to go to Europe on vacation.
Again, I believe that most people traveling abroad are at least middle class. Not sure why this is controversial, especially because less than 40% of Americans even have a passport. I don't think lower-than-middle-class families are jetting off abroad too often, at least not for leisure purposes.
And again, you seem to have a problem with this. Apparently you think people not earning a middle class wage are frequently dropping 10k to go to Europe on vacation.
Now you're moving the goal posts.
You originally started down this (flawed) path with the assertion that you didn't believe that PROFESSIONALS in the US had an average of 16 days off - which no one claimed anyway. When this was pointed out to you - that we're not talking about ONLY professionals, you backtracked to claim that you didn't know why we were talking about anyone other than people with professional jobs and more than two weeks of paid vacation, because apparently only those people have the extra money (and apparently time) to travel internationally. Then when I pointed out to you that my husband gets NO TIME OFF WITH PAY (along with tons of other people in the US) but we still travel internationally, you ignored that and hooked onto this whole weird take on things.
Stop while you're behind! You're chasing your tail around!
International travel is expensive. But different people have different situations, and people from all walks of life find travel interesting and try to work it in. It's the LOGISTICS that are often difficult, as I've explained in detail repeatedly, so I won't do so again.
As an American who's lived abroad for years and traveled tons:
What other countries call neighbors, we call states. I wonder how many Europeans have been to Asia, Africa, and South America?
Another aspect is the American disdain for Hostels. The closet equivalent in America is the love motel(much rarer) and cheap "motels" which are depicted as universally shady places for hookers, junkies, and illicit affairs. So American vacations budget an additional $75-$200 per night at a respectable hotel rather than a hostel. Except for big cities, there isn't a hostel culture here.
$1400 round trip ticket abroad + $1500 in hotel fees = $3400 in da hole just to walk around abroad. Got kids and wife? Add another $3000+.
I think we need some sort of work-visa exchange so more Americans can work abroad. Right now, the US army seems to be the easiest way for poor Americans to see the world.....working abroad rocks...wish more jobs offered it.
That's great and I'm sure you had a blast. Most people who are in college don't have the funds (unless they come from someone else) to travel internationally. Most people out of college and under 26 don't either!
But like I said, if you have the funds for it, I would definitely recommend international travel.
As for youth hostels - no thanks. Besides the fact that I'm 51, I'm also spoiled to a good night's sleep in a comfortable private room with a private bathroom. And lest I be accused of not being adventurous enough, walking the El Camino de Santiago is on my bucket list - I'll make an exception in that case. Though I'll probably regret it about three nights into the trip, and I'll be on my phone scouring the area for hotels!
Many hostels offer that if you pay slightly more. I've been to Hostels that destroy hotels and closely resemble bed and breakfasts in the states. Heck, some hostels were former hotels so all the amenities are available for those willing to pay 10-30% premium; they just converted half the rooms to bunk beads....I suppose there weren't any mints on a pillow.
The answer to your concern is simply spending more money....don't even get me started on some of the elite/high end hostels...one guy in China made a jungle village in the city that is Swiss Family Robinson with Sushi Chefs and Tree house rooms....in the CITY.
Hell of alot of fun staying in hostels....much more guest interaction and crazy camaraderie; no hotel can match that IMO.
I've stayed in $2k a night suites....give me a hostel anytime.
ok, well the Carolina beaches work for me. I can go out on the Isle of Palmes and then go to downtown Charleston later. Don't have to spend a lot of money or travel time either.
I guess if you like ocean water that looks like brown river water you would enjoy SC beaches. I prefer bluish green ocean water myself.
Many hostels offer that if you pay slightly more. I've been to Hostels that destroy hotels and closely resemble bed and breakfasts in the states. Heck, some hostels were former hotels so all the amenities are available for those willing to pay 10-30% premium; they just converted half the rooms to bunk beads....I suppose there weren't any mints on a pillow.
The answer to your concern is simply spending more money....don't even get me started on some of the elite/high end hostels...one guy in China made a jungle village in the city that is Swiss Family Robinson with Sushi Chefs and Tree house rooms....in the CITY.
Hell of alot of fun staying in hostels....much more guest interaction and crazy camaraderie; no hotel can match that IMO.
I've stayed in $2k a night suites....give me a hostel anytime.
To each his own. Not my thang. Heck, I don't even like many bed and breakfasts. I prefer nice hotels. And there's nothing wrong with that, for that matter.
ok, well the Carolina beaches work for me. I can go out on the Isle of Palmes and then go to downtown Charleston later. Don't have to spend a lot of money or travel time either.
South Carolina does have some beautiful beaches! So does North Carolina. I love the Outer Banks.
I guess if you like ocean water that looks like brown river water you would enjoy SC beaches. I prefer bluish green ocean water myself.
The beach itself isn't the main attraction along the SC coast though; it tends to act as an added bonus. I can't remember the last time I even went to the beach when I visited Charleston.
To each his own. Not my thang. Heck, I don't even like many bed and breakfasts. I prefer nice hotels. And there's nothing wrong with that, for that matter.
So basically you refuse to visit another culture b/c you are inconvenienced in staying in anything less than a nice hotel. I take it you aren't into going camping either.
So basically you refuse to visit another culture b/c you are inconvenienced in staying in anything less than a nice hotel. I take it you aren't into going camping either.
Where or when did I say I refuse to visit another culture? I just refuse to stay in hostels.
And you're right - I don't care much for camping either. So what?
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Though I'll probably regret it about three nights into the trip, and I'll be on my phone scouring the area for hotels!
