Foreign Travel?

[California]

Google search on 'Elliot Eastman Mindanao' brings up several articles saying the wife's former boyfriend and two others have been arrested. The motive may have been jealousy, not politics.

 

[2manyrocks]

That sounds like the scenario where people know better than to talk or they end up never talking again.

 

[ConawayFarms]

When I visited places with higher risk (not the Philippines but spots in Central America and North Africa), sticking with local friends made all the difference, especially when they knew which areas were smart to avoid. I worried a lot at first, but those local connections really did keep things safe and let me enjoy it way more. Honestly, getting out of your comfort zone is always intimidating, but it feels rewarding if you’re careful and respect the advice from people who live there.

 

[WinterDeere]

I see Europeans are protesting over tourism. The evening news on Monday included a bit where residents were protesting and shooting water guns at tourists eating dinner in Barcelona, and concerns the protests could turn more aggressive.

I'll be in Barcelona along with several other European cities with one of my kids this summer, just another American tourist out there annoying the locals. Hopefully things don't get too ugly.

It seems they acknowledge the need four tourism, that their economy depends on it. But it's claimed there has been a big spike in the number of tourists, and the result is that the locals can no longer afford to or even have access to their own restaurants and other facilities. I'm not sure if this is true, or if their massive amounts of middle-eastern immigration over the last decade has been the bigger factor in making everything appear more crowded, but of course the too-politicaly correct news sources will never acknowledge that factor.

 

[EddieWalker]

The two things I remember the most about Barcelona would be the architecture and the smog. One day walking around, looking at the buildings and we were sick from breathing all the exhaust from the cars. We had to hang out close to the water after that, it was just too hard to breath there!!!!

 

[kenmbz]

The two things I remember the most about Barcelona would be the architecture and the smog. One day walking around, looking at the buildings and we were sick from breathing all the exhaust from the cars. We had to hang out close to the water after that, it was just too hard to breath there!!!!

Cairo, Beijing and Bangkok have the worst smog I've ever seen.
At the time India was still relatively smog free, comparatively.
Worse than LA in the 80's, by an order of magnitude.

 

[WinterDeere]

The two things I remember the most about Barcelona would be the architecture and the smog. One day walking around, looking at the buildings and we were sick from breathing all the exhaust from the cars. We had to hang out close to the water after that, it was just too hard to breath there!!!!

I haven't been to Barcelona before, but I'd be surprised if the air quality hasn't improved in recent years. I'm so used to seeing European cities curtail or even flat-out ban car traffic, and they're also very agressive with their emissions requirements.

 

[EddieWalker]

I was there ten years ago, so maybe the air pollution gotten better. We didn't even realize what was happening until we both commented on how sick we were feeling. It happened slowly, and by the end of the day, we couldn't take it anymore and went back to our hotel. The next day we were fine and realized what had happened. We had a fun day at La Rambla after that and enjoyed that area a lot.

 

[ultrarunner]

I see Europeans are protesting over tourism. The evening news on Monday included a bit where residents were protesting and shooting water guns at tourists eating dinner in Barcelona, and concerns the protests could turn more aggressive.

I'll be in Barcelona along with several other European cities with one of my kids this summer, just another American tourist out there annoying the locals. Hopefully things don't get too ugly.

It seems they acknowledge the need four tourism, that their economy depends on it. But it's claimed there has been a big spike in the number of tourists, and the result is that the locals can no longer afford to or even have access to their own restaurants and other facilities. I'm not sure if this is true, or if their massive amounts of middle-eastern immigration over the last decade has been the bigger factor in making everything appear more crowded, but of course the too-politicaly correct news sources will never acknowledge that factor.

It’s true and Europe is the hot spot this year for many…

I lost two neighbors to Europe…

One retired two years ago and wanted to live in Portugal for a year with his wife and they rented out their 4 bedroom view home in Oakland.

They loved Europe so much they extended it a year because their renter renewed the lease for a second year…

The renter left California after two years and my neighbors said we are not coming back and told the Realtor to sell… and it’s for sale now…

He was head chef for decades at a big hospital and loves the euro food experience.

They have no ties to Europe but it was on their bucket list…

Another neighbor did the same in Italy…
Both commented on the flood of tourists and plenty of expats too…

They avoid all the tourist places and say life is good…

I’ve never known so many that have pulled up and left the Bay Area and several are living the expat life and enjoy it to the point of selling their homes.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

My wife and I are headed to Ireland this November. It will be my first time really being out of the country. Well, except for the Caribbean a couple decades ago.