Thoughts on foreign travel (from the USA)

Einhander

I want to take a trip somewhere outside of my native country. I want a chance to see a different part of the world, even if it's not spectacular or awe-inspiring. I think I want to do it partially because I'm bored in general, partially because I think only seeing one way of life keeps me much narrower than I'd like, and partially because I have a lot of friends who have travelled abroad and have grandious stories and I am insanely jealous.

The facts:
I live in the US (Oregon, to be precise)
I don't make a lot of money at this new job of mine
I'd like to go for around a week

So, basically, I'm asking for ideas. Places to go that would be interesting (preferably somewhere that is out of the way, or not one of the "mainstream" tourist attractions), the best ways to get there, and finally, what I'll need to bankroll a trip to another land. I don't need it to be someplace gaudy (in fact, the less tourist-y the better, I'd like to see people acting naturally, not putting on a show), and it can't cost a overly-ridiculous amount (I don't care if I'm sleeping in a tin shanty on the floor in a sleeping bag everynight).

Can you guys in H/A help me? If you've ever had a particularly good or bad experience that has left you wiser while travelling outside of your homeland, I would like to hear about that as well.

Thanks.

saint2e

Well, if you count Canada as a foreign country, Vancouver's a car drive away. Vancouver and Vancouver Island are really cool to visit, so that's a cheap weekend trip, I'd say.

*Paid for by the Canadian Tourism Board

Cauld

Go to Central/South America or a not-touristy part of Mexico. It's not too expensive, jet lag is minimized since the time-zone changes are minimal. Also, if you go to a traditionally hot place in South America, the weather will be nice since its winter in the southern hemisphere. One thing to keep in mind is that when traveling to cheaper countries, airfare is often more than half of the cost, so extending the stay does not necessarily mean increasing the price much ;-)

If you go somewhere not too touristy then the lifestyle should be very different, also it will probably be very cheap to stay/eat/do things. If you speak a little Spanish that would help, but probably isn't required. To save money you can stay in hostels and eat local food (which is more fun anyway), but if you do go somewhere remote/tropical make sure you have the necessary vaccinations and bring a good first-aid kit.

Personally, I found Bolivia to be lovely. You could check out the amazon for not too much if you just chill out in a town near it... there's some nice mountainous places in Peru, but I wouldn't recommend Lima .

What kind of a price range are you looking for? Asia might not be out of the question.

GrimmyTOA

How much money are you looking to spend here? I know you said that you don't make much, but... something a bit more specific would be helpful (for plane tickets etc).

Have you considered Quebec? Northern Canada? The Pacific coast of Mexico? Japan or Thailand or Vietnam?

It all depends on how much you're willing to fork out to get where you're going, you know?

Zoolander

Travel can be expensive. How much are you willing to spend?

Montreal is nice this time of year.

RFX

Since it seems you've never been abroad, I'm guessing you don't have a passport. Keep in mind that now that you need a passport when traveling to Canada, there has been a huge influx of people requesting them. The delay on actually getting your passport is fairly long (I believe the article I read 4 months). Having said that, because the wait is so long, the requirements for passports to/from Canada has been loosened until September. Definitely check all of this stuff out before making any reservations, though.


Also, if you want to go see Europe, I suggest Berlin. I was there back in March, and it's a great place. It's going to be more expensive than Canada, but it's cheap compared to other big European cities. Still, I don't know if it's exactly what you're looking for. Lots of history stuff, lots of art, etc. etc.

Fantasma

Hi,

I will try to give you a little of information regarding the outside world (mainly Latin America). I am a foreigner, and I have been in places like Ecuador, Mexico (Queretaro to be more precise), and Dominican Republic.

It is a mystery to me why North Americans come to these countries, especially after tasting lovely places like New York, and Washington D.C.

When I was in Quito, Ecuador, the height affected me, I was dizzy and having a terrible headache, I was advised not to run or do exercises for approximately a month, including sex. There was poverty everywhere, and constant raining, it was a long trip to get there. The currency used is Dollar, transportation was cheap.

Queretaro, located in Mexico, mostly a tourist place, with many monuments and old buildings from the Colonial era, exchanging dollars for pesos was good because I was able afford going to nice restaurants and go around. I saw a lot of poverty there too. Few flights charted by Continental Airlines.

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, a sunny place with several 5 stars hotels, such as the Jaragua, not difficult getting there, the local currency is peso equal to US$1.00 = 32.00 pesos, it is a big Island, many beaches and also a nice Colonial City in the capital, very similar to Queretaro colonial area, friendly people, many places to eat cheap, hundreds of malls to go shopping of just for looking the girls over, if you know Spanish you could get a girlfriend, but a lot of people speak English, there is poverty everywhere too. Daily flights made by American Airlines, and Continental.