There are McDonalds, Burger Kings, pizza joints, and equivalent local places all over Europe. For example, when in Ypres Belgium, where the World War One Flanders Fields are located, grab a meal at Ypres Burger.
Who's never traveled outside of the United States?
- Thread starter Bailey28
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I've pulled the plug on assisting you. I'll just say, to each his own and good luck with that.
... But have you ever thought how much better tacos are in Mexico or how much better egg rolls are in Vietnam? Or the women in Puerto Rico? Or the bacon in Canada?
If you've been to St Thomas, you would have been technically over another country in transit. I'd assume it was by air, but I think even by boat it would probably pass through territorial waters of other countries. I've personally never been in a US territory, so you've done something I've never done.
As for the other stuff, I've been overseas. Been on a few guided, multicity tours, but also just spent some time just one our own with a car. Had a day a tour a few times. Never visited Canada where it wasn't all self-guided. Visited Australia once, but it was made a bit easier because we had family friends with cars living there.
If getting sick is the main worry there are a number of very affordable medical insurance plans which also include medical evacuation. We always buy a policy whenever we take a cruise and it’s a minor expense at best.
I know a few people who are afraid to leave the US because they have to leave their gun behind. These same people also won’t go to several US states for the same reason. I love guns and usually have one with me, but I have no desire to allow fear to rule my life. Others are afraid of airplanes, and I know one person who doesn’t like to travel because he will “only eat American food.” I also don’t love flying but I would rather endure the flight rather than miss the opportunity to go somewhere interesting. It’s a great big map and the US is only a small part of it.
My maternal grandmother was one of those people, and as the years passed her world just kept getting smaller and smaller. For her last decade she wouldn’t even go outside the house unless she had a medical appointment. I don’t want to become someone like her.
I know a few people who are afraid to leave the US because they have to leave their gun behind. These same people also won’t go to several US states for the same reason. I love guns and usually have one with me, but I have no desire to allow fear to rule my life. Others are afraid of airplanes, and I know one person who doesn’t like to travel because he will “only eat American food.” I also don’t love flying but I would rather endure the flight rather than miss the opportunity to go somewhere interesting. It’s a great big map and the US is only a small part of it.
My maternal grandmother was one of those people, and as the years passed her world just kept getting smaller and smaller. For her last decade she wouldn’t even go outside the house unless she had a medical appointment. I don’t want to become someone like her.
If you never want to leave your home country to travel abroad, North Korea would fill the bill. Is there such a thing as a North Korean passport?
And where in "America" have you visited?
I agree that the United States has a lot to offer. I'm assuming that by America you mean the United States. I've been to most states in the US, traveled through Canada a few times, drove to Alaska. North America is my home, and I've enjoyed it tremendously.
In 1968 I traveled outside the US for the first time. I want to Mexico and, for brevity sake, won't go into all that I did there. I lived in Mexico for about six months, had an apartment in San Miguel de Allende, and traveled through many parts of the counry, often on "chicken buses." My time in Mexico was a wonderful, eye-opening experience. The people I met were warm, friendly, and helpful, and the places I visited opened my eyes to seeing things in a way I never experiened in the US (until that time).
As beautiful and culture-rich as America is, it's but a small, and rather insulated, part of the world.
Latin America became a place I visited somewhat often: Ecuador, Peru, Chile, a taste of Bolivia, and a stint in BA, also Panama.
I've enjoyed wonderful relationshps with Latinas from Colombia, Panama, Peru, and Argentina.
My regret, if I really have a regret, is that I didn't travel more. I think not experiencing Italy would be that regret.
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Other than Mexico City a bit of Canada and the Cariribean cruise I went on I was never abroad until recently. Spent a couple weeks in rural France with the local culture. It was a great time. I would like to do more trips like that but I am getting older and travel does not come easy.
In retrospect I wish that I had traveled to other cultures when I was young. I also wish that I could have taken my children overseas to have broadened their experience and perspective of the world. If I could go back I would have made that a priority.
In retrospect I wish that I had traveled to other cultures when I was young. I also wish that I could have taken my children overseas to have broadened their experience and perspective of the world. If I could go back I would have made that a priority.
Why wouldn't there be? Granted, anyone with a passport needs permission to leave. But they have diplomats and international athletes. Also flight attendants, pilots, and workers. There's this "chain" of North Korean restaurants around the world called "Pyongyang" where the staff are from North Korea. I'm sure they're all carefully vetted to check for people who might defect.
I did a lot of international travel while working. Glad I did it and it was a really nice thing doing it on company money, especially since my air travel and accommodations were always first class, literally. That said, I was always glad to get back home.
But since we're talking international travel, I loved the geography and natural beauty of South Africa the most. IME, the people of England were the friendliest and most fun loving. I always had a great time in the UK, even when it was under stressful work situations.
I can tell you this, riding my bicycle across the continental US in 1992 (northern route) and 1996 (southern route) on back roads exposed me to far more social and geographic diversity than any of my world travels did. Being a California boy I felt like I was on a different planet in parts of the southeast, Mississippi in particular. Tennessee felt like a foreign land as well.
IMO, it's a far bigger loss not seeing as many states as possible than it is not traveling internationally.
Scott
But since we're talking international travel, I loved the geography and natural beauty of South Africa the most. IME, the people of England were the friendliest and most fun loving. I always had a great time in the UK, even when it was under stressful work situations.
I can tell you this, riding my bicycle across the continental US in 1992 (northern route) and 1996 (southern route) on back roads exposed me to far more social and geographic diversity than any of my world travels did. Being a California boy I felt like I was on a different planet in parts of the southeast, Mississippi in particular. Tennessee felt like a foreign land as well.
IMO, it's a far bigger loss not seeing as many states as possible than it is not traveling internationally.
Scott
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I've never traveled outside the USA. 2016 was the first time I ever flew. 
For someone who's staying put, Drifter seems an odd choice for a handle.
Been to tijuana.thats it
Since a young age I've always been interested in the humanities. I like to travel , put my hand on a stone wall that someone built 1000 years ago . When I watch tv which is rare it's usually about another country , culture , architecture etc. I guess you could say I'm curious.
You probably should research a bit before making comments like that. 3/4 of McDonald's locations are NOT in the US, 1/2 of Burger Kings are outside of the US, there are KFCs in 130+ countries, and so on.... You wouldn't starve.
Had the opportunity once, but didn't end up going. Was in San Diego with extended family and they decided to go on the spur of the moment. But I was a kid and wasn't required to have any ID. The rest of my family had ID and that was sufficient to enter Mexico and return at the time (early 80s). I stayed behind in San Ysidro with my father. Kind of boring but he did take me to McDonald's.
And yeah - it was that McDonald's.
