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[starlagurl]

Grand Canary Island you mean?

That sounds very unfortunate! What made you pick that place?

[starlagurl]

Have you been there before?

[cheli]

What about the Bay of Fundy? That's pretty incredible. I liked New Brunswick a lot!

I visited it from the NS side. It was nice, but I ain't going but to Canada just to see the NB bit!

[olwenjlangford]

Grand Canary Island you mean?

That sounds very unfortunate! What made you pick that place?

We have been to other islands in the canaries before being only a 3 hour flight and good all year round weather. I just think they have gone too seedy, I prefer something more conservative and would not chose to where filth is not pushed down your throat, call me prudish if you want but I personal have good moral standards

[starlagurl]

Well, sounds like you should go to the Bahamas next then. This kind of thing is definitely not tolerated there.

[pswaring]

I have visited and studied all over the world with the exception of Australia and Ireland. In the mid 80s I spent 2 months as a foreign exchange student in India. Despite the beauty of the Taj Mahal, Red Fort and the famous pink city (Rajastan?) and the kindness of the students at the University of New Delhi----I would never, ever, ever. ever, ever, ever, ever, ever return to any part of India. It is by far the most depressing, impoverished place (except perhaps some parts of Africa) on the face of the earth. I feel sorry for the local citizens who have no choice but to live there. Evidence of the caste system is widespread and results in the mistreatment of citizens by their fellow citizens to such an extent that many (those considered to be the "untouchables" ) generations are doomed to live in poverty all of their lives.

[starlagurl]

I'm sorry to hear that. India sounds like a fascinating place to visit, but probably not a nice place to stay forever... I'd like to go there someday.

[smalltowntravel]

While I enjoyed the week on the beach at Troncones I would never - NEVER - drive again from NM. Just too scary and sad unless you are in one of the cities. It did not take long to get used to the bunkers and machine gun soldiers along the road but seeing people live under a cloth tied between trees was just too much. Don't even get me started on the animals roaming in search of a morsel of food.

[starlagurl]

Very sad to hear that. Were you afraid of the soldiers? What were they doing there?

[smalltowntravel]

Very sad to hear that. Were you afraid of the soldiers? What were they doing there?

I was not afraid as they were just standing behind the bunkers - you get used to it as along the road (and we drove for 3 days) they were stationed at the beginning of towns and at crossroads. There did seem to be the potential for violence and the travel advisories for Americans came out the day after I arrived home.

However, driving along the roads gave me too much insight into what living in Mexico requires outside of the cities. I am sure to fly in again - just won't do the road trip. Troncones was a lovely village with very friendly and helpful people, the beach pristine, and there was plenty to do and see.

[starlagurl]

Wow, when was this? What was going on politically?

[smalltowntravel]

Wow, when was this? What was going on politically?

Nothing unusual going on politically - that is actually how they do things - you would not see it if you flew into Ixtapa and just headed to your hotel - it is between towns and at the edges. We crossed the border 1/11/09 and took three days getting to our destination just north of Ixtapa. Stayed in Chihuahua, Zacatecas and Patzacuro on our way. All were guarded with mandatory car checks before entry or exit.

I left for home on the 22 or so - just after that the drug war started and a travelers advisory was issued. Just an FYI - if you ever drive into Mexico, make sure you get some sort of entry paper at the border. When attempting to fly out I was detained (in a locked room) in immigration until things could be sorted out. The problem would not have occurred if I had flown there.

[starlagurl]

So they are looking for drug dealers... wow...

So you flew back home instead of driving, and then you were interrogated by American border guards?

You'd think they'd have all that information in their computers...when you crossed the border etc. etc.

[smalltowntravel]

I was held up at the airport because the border guards - on Mexican side did not ask for passports or give any papers. The entire border check was a soldier sticking his head into the car.

Maybe it's different at different crossings.

[starlagurl]

Ohhhhhhh, right it would be Mexican border guards asking you questions when you are going into Mexico. Yes, I understand now how this could be confusing to the Americans. That's unfortunate.

I guess you "live and learn" like Martin says.

[darrenstravels]

Some of the more remote, small towns in the north west of South Carolina were....hostile.

[starlagurl]

To who? You? Why?

[darrenstravels]

I had the wrong accent, a friend had the wrong colour skin.

I guess they were classic "Good Ol' Boys".

[starlagurl]

Ohhhhhhhhh yes skin colour can be a problem...

Would you like to share?

[darrenstravels]

Ohhhhhhhhh yes skin colour can be a problem...

Would you like to share?

Pulled into a small gas station, whilst chatting with the attendant fella he mentioned that "we don't get many of them around here". I asked what, he replied "coloreds" and "they ain't too popular round here". He asked about my accent, asked if I were French. Bare in mind this was during the "Freedom Fries" era, literally two months after the Iraqi invasion happened. I suppose to some people who haven't left their state I do sound French...

Anyway it was very hostile, and I was really intimidated. My friend was in the car and didn't know about any of this. I should point out that most cars there were Dodge Ram 1500's, and had confederate flags on. We looked very much the typical college kids lost in the sticks - hooded tops with college names on etc. Maybe it was just me being paranoid, but it felt threatening at the time.

On another occasion I took the wrong exit off the freeway, got lost in North Charleston, and found myself literally blocked in by two cars parked across the road, surrounded by loads of blokes. I did the fastest three point turn and went through a red light to get the F... out of there. My friend still mentions that as one of her best moments in life. The fool!