tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2424131704277823220.post5527694192006708954..comments2023-09-23T11:16:00.352+02:00Comments on The Franco-American Flophouse has moved: Travel/Expat BooksVictoria FERAUGEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16319699673885400472noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2424131704277823220.post-40059228909319638472014-05-31T20:44:34.969+02:002014-05-31T20:44:34.969+02:00@Karen, I LOVE your take on it. Yes, retaining a ...@Karen, I LOVE your take on it. Yes, retaining a sense of wonder. Of course you will make mistakes. We ALL make mistakes and that's how we know that we're alive and still learning a thing or two.<br /><br />I read Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird on the airplane and I really took to heart what she said about perfectionism. <br /><br />"Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life... I think perfectionism is based on the obsessive belief that if you run carefully enough, hitting each stepping-stone just right, you won't have to die. The truth is that you will die anyway and that a lot of people who aren't even looking at their feet are going to do a whole lot better than you, and have a lot more fun while they're doing it.”<br /><br />@Northerdar, Damn, more titles for my to-read list. :-)Victoria FERAUGEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16319699673885400472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2424131704277823220.post-11264117893473408792014-05-31T18:45:07.863+02:002014-05-31T18:45:07.863+02:00Victoria,
Being more than half deaf without a hea...Victoria, <br />Being more than half deaf without a hearing (got one later when near 30 yrs old) I spent a lot of my time in the library "traveling". How I yearned to travel and see the things I saw and read about in the National Geographic, Look and Life. My family never went further than 2 hours drive when I grew up. I was considered weird because I read. When I was in 3rd grade we studied Marco Polo who I was fasinated with. I wrote my essay as if I was traveling with him. My teacher chose it as the best one. After I met my husband we traveled and lived in the Florida Keys and made our way to live in Canada. We traveled the East coast of the USA and Canada . After he died I went to the US west . I visited 40 states. I visted UK and Ireland for 6 weeks in 2012. I love it. I loved the travel books of Motorcycle Dairies written by Ernesto "Che" Guevara, and recent one he Hunt For Puerto Del Faglioli by Irishman Paddy Tyson.. My boyfriend has a Harley Davidson bike so I loved reading those books. Another favorite novel I read long ago is Travels with Charley: In Search of America by John Stienbeck. Northerndarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01562999941086433360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2424131704277823220.post-17131236982322108712014-05-31T06:36:39.602+02:002014-05-31T06:36:39.602+02:00dear Victoria,
I once worried about being cast as...dear Victoria,<br /><br />I once worried about being cast as "and ugly American", the traveler/tourist who takes little account of the culture, language, customs, etc. and can appear rude and lacking in grace and appreciation for the differences experienced with an attitude of distain. as I ponder future travels, some of which will be on my own, even if I only make it up to the rung of "tourist" in the author's eyes, I simply do not care. I will be the quintessential wide-eyed, delighted, grateful, excited and savoring every detail traveler, enchanted and overwhelmed with wonder for each aspect that helps me see things with new eyes and a thankful heart. I might bumble and stumble because I haven't had much experience the last five years with all the technicalities of getting about, but for me, taking baby steps to get to see new places and feel the joy and accomplishment of meeting new people and happily immersing myself as an inexperienced guest trumps trying to be something I am not (sophisticated and bold. yet.) as more seasoned travelers are busy judging and categorizing other travelers, perhaps they will be kind and a little more understanding of those of us who may unknowingly make a few faux pas simply because we are climbing a learning curve, albeit, ardently wishing to be accepted and welcomed by those we encounter with the best of intentions of showing our gratitude, respect, and genuine interest in whatever setting we land in. I expect to read and learn all I am able about the cultures, the values, the customs, but if I makes mistakes I do hope I am not the baby cast aside with the proverbial bath water! <br /><br />lovely and insightful post - thank you!<br /><br />much love,<br /><br />Karen xoxox <br />tccomments2013https://www.blogger.com/profile/00446394638074551345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2424131704277823220.post-9801316713897304722014-05-31T06:19:44.085+02:002014-05-31T06:19:44.085+02:00Thanks, James - another one for the to-read list.
...Thanks, James - another one for the to-read list.<br /><br />@MK, Not sure either. Most of my friends and family in France when they take their vacation it's to shake off work and RELAX. <br /><br />@Catherine, :-)<br /><br />Victoria FERAUGEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16319699673885400472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2424131704277823220.post-8175125860237523952014-05-30T21:39:19.590+02:002014-05-30T21:39:19.590+02:00I love your description of the author in your open...I love your description of the author in your opening sentences. "He is an arrogant SOB but he writes well and he is never more entertaining then when he is being condescending and cruel." I love it, so honest. Catheinehttp://www.facingcancer.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2424131704277823220.post-69765992467747928592014-05-30T16:08:25.711+02:002014-05-30T16:08:25.711+02:00"The River of Doubt" by Candice Millard ..."The River of Doubt" by Candice Millard is an excellent the true story of Theodore Roosevelt’s harrowing exploration of one of the most dangerous rivers on earth in the uncharted Amazon Jungle. definitely in the Explorer Category.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07968342557143521132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2424131704277823220.post-35622999437178744472014-05-30T14:06:37.748+02:002014-05-30T14:06:37.748+02:00A European colleague explained the difference betw...A European colleague explained the difference between American travel and European travel for me once. He said, in Europe it's all about the journey; in the US it's about the all about destination. Not sure if it's true but that generalization made things a lot clearer for me.MKnoreply@blogger.com