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How well traveled are Via Chicago members?


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I think the reason I put trains closer than cars is that you're more likely to have a chance to really check out the scenery, and not have to concentrate on the driving; you're more likely to interact with someone local; and you're also able to eavesdrop on people you don't know, which I love to do! In a car, you've got to stop to interact, but then (unless you're just leaning out the window to ask directions, or buying something at a drive-through liquor store), your feet are touching the ground anyway, so: you're there.

 

In my mind, buying something at a drive-through liquor store most definitely puts you in the "been there" slot.

 

Perhaps that's because I live in a state with few, if any, drive through liquor stores.

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I've never actually been to one. I was just trying to think of some other transaction where you could stay in the car. You're right, though, I would probably characterize that as a legitimate "been there" moment, if I ever experienced it.

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American Samoa

Argentina

Australia

Austria

Bahamas, The

Barbados

Belgium

Belize

Bosnia and Herzogovina

Brazil

Canada (Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island)

Chile

Croatia

Czech Republic

Denmark

Egypt

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Guam

Hungary

Israel

Ireland

Italy

Jamaica

Japan

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxemborg

Mexico

Monaco

Morrocco

Netherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Peru

Poland

Portugal

Russia

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Turkey

United Kingdom

United States

Uruguay

Vatican City

Virgin Islands

 

I have been to Slovenia (Ljubljana) for real. Sheesh.

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Finally Slovenia in the house!!!!!!!! dancing_geek.gif tongue.gif

 

 

Damn. I just missed claiming Slovenia! Beautiful Ljublijana. I'll never forget the old folks doing shots of Slivovitz at 8AM at the train station. And the lack of food (white bread even) available in the grocery. Or how our train was held at the Italian border for hours while they searched for weapons smuggling going into Slovenia. But that was a while ago, and technically, it wasn't Slovenia, it was Yugoslavia, but not to the Slovenians. One of the strangest trips I've ever taken. The Sovenian Alps are amazingly beautiful. But I stray from the thread....

 

One day, it would be cool to set this up in poll fashion, and tally the numbers for each country. As it is, it will be over fast as a thread. I still love the concept though.

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American Samoa

Argentina

Australia

Austria

Bahamas, The

Barbados

Belgium

Belize

Bosnia and Herzogovina

Brazil

Canada (Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island)

Chile

China

Costa Rica

Croatia

Czech Republic

Denmark

Ecuador

Egypt

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Guam

Hungary

Iceland

Israel

Ireland

Italy

Jamaica

Japan

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxemborg

Mexico

Monaco

Morrocco

Netherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Peru

Poland

Portugal

Russia

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Turkey

United Kingdom

United States

Uruguay

Vatican City

Virgin Islands

**************************

 

added Costa Rica, Iceland, Ecuador, China

 

Airports don't count, or I'd add Panama

 

49 states as well. Gotta get to Rhode Island one day.

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49 states as well. Gotta get to Rhode Island one day.

 

Rhode Island is beautiful...Newport although very tourist is really worth a visit. Providence too has a decent town and better Italian food than little Italy in NYC! At least you have a good final state to go I got North Dakota! I am going to hit up North Dakota next year as my goal is to hit all 50 before my 30th Bday in August! What did you do in North Dakota? I am just planning a night in Fargo....hopeful I can catch a concert at the Fargo Dome when I am up there... :cheers

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American Samoa

Andorra

Argentina

Australia

Austria

Bahamas, The

Barbados

Belgium

Belize

Bosnia and Herzogovina

Brazil

Bulgaria

Canada (Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island)

Chile

China

Costa Rica

Croatia

Czech Republic

Czechoslovakia

Denmark

Ecuador

Egypt

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Guam

Guatemala

Hungary

Iceland

Israel

Ireland

Italy

Jamaica

Japan

Jordan

Kyrgystan

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxemborg

Mexico

Monaco

Morrocco

Netherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Peru

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Russia

San Marino

Serbia

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Syria

Turkey

U.S.S.R.

United Kingdom

United States

Uruguay

Vatican City

Virgin Islands

Wales

Yugoslavia

**************************

 

Added Bulgaria, Romania, Wales, the mighty U.S.S.R., Guatemala, Kyrgystan (saw it earlier but not on the list now), Syria, Jordan, San Marino, Andorra, the late Czechoslovakia, Serbia/Yugoslavia

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Guest Speed Racer

I think the reason I put trains closer than cars is that you're more likely to have a chance to really check out the scenery, and not have to concentrate on the driving;

 

The one time I took a train through a country it was Germany to Austria(Frankfurt to Salzberg), and they rerouted the train while we were on it - I recall a long announcement well outside of my limited German, and thought nothing of it until the train stopped at what looked to be a goat farm; most people in our car got off, and then it started going backwards on the track. I was trapped with this Australian woman who sounded exactly like Pinky who was fixing to ski in the Alps. She was my only hope, as she had taken this same train annually for years, but I had trouble believing what she said because she sounded exactly like Pinky.

 

I ended up getting off the train and what seemed to be a sheep farm and waiting with a man fresh out of 1878, sheep by his side, who just seemed to be standing on the cement platform because that's what he did every day at 4:28. After an hour another train came that looked like it was headed to somewhere that wasn't there, it stopped, I got on, and took me exactly where I wanted to go.

 

My sister, waiting in Austria, explained that the train had been rerouted from its Frankfurt - Salzberg plan to Frankfurt - Vienna, for some reason I didn't care about at the time she explained it. If I hadn't gotten off, I would have been another 5 hours out of my way, after a plan that was already 30 hours behind schedule (one hellishly frightening emergency landing resulting in two extra flights through two useless countries - my bags, for the record, took two altogether separate flights, landing in Berlin, flying to Vienna and getting bused to my final destination, Linz). I might have killed someone.

 

Never bought anything aside from the train ticket, but I'll be damned if that didn't count as some quality Germany time. Or Austria time, come to think of it...never was sure where that sheep farm was.

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The one time I took a train through a country it was Germany to Austria(Frankfurt to Salzberg), and they rerouted the train while we were on it - I recall a long announcement well outside of my limited German, and thought nothing of it until the train stopped at what looked to be a goat farm; most people in our car got off, and then it started going backwards on the track. I was trapped with this Australian woman who sounded exactly like Pinky who was fixing to ski in the Alps. She was my only hope, as she had taken this same train annually for years, but I had trouble believing what she said because she sounded exactly like Pinky.

 

I ended up getting off the train and what seemed to be a sheep farm and waiting with a man fresh out of 1878, sheep by his side, who just seemed to be standing on the cement platform because that's what he did every day at 4:28. After an hour another train came that looked like it was headed to somewhere that wasn't there, it stopped, I got on, and took me exactly where I wanted to go.

 

My sister, waiting in Austria, explained that the train had been rerouted from its Frankfurt - Salzberg plan to Frankfurt - Vienna, for some reason I didn't care about at the time she explained it. If I hadn't gotten off, I would have been another 5 hours out of my way, after a plan that was already 30 hours behind schedule (one hellishly frightening emergency landing resulting in two extra flights through two useless countries - my bags, for the record, took two altogether separate flights, landing in Berlin, flying to Vienna and getting bused to my final destination, Linz). I might have killed someone.

 

Never bought anything aside from the train ticket, but I'll be damned if that didn't count as some quality Germany time. Or Austria time, come to think of it...never was sure where that sheep farm was.

 

At least you have a story to tell! I had a similar expierence getting off the train at the wrong stop in Latvia (nothing is in english so the language barrier is a big problem, we heard what we thought was our stop in Latvian but they must have said next stop Ramulda?!). It was me, my friend and a drunk they kicked off the train for not having a ticket. Not only was there no station there, there was no ticket window, information or a bathroom....on top of that the drunk guy followed us up and down the platform screeming "LATVIA, LATVIA....ok...LATVIA, LATVIA...ok" We ended up catching a train the other direction an hour later and never got to where we were intending to visit which was Rimulda (A concentration camp used in WW2)..meanwhile we had to wait in the brisk 5 degree weather..but we still laugh about our expierence.

 

Photographic evidence....none of guy yelling Latvia though :hmm

2323232327ffp3443enu3d3.jpg

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Rhode Island is beautiful...Newport although very tourist is really worth a visit. Providence too has a decent town and better Italian food than little Italy in NYC! At least you have a good final state to go I got North Dakota! I am going to hit up North Dakota next year as my goal is to hit all 50 before my 30th Bday in August! What did you do in North Dakota? I am just planning a night in Fargo....hopeful I can catch a concert at the Fargo Dome when I am up there... cheers.gif

 

 

I did some work a long time ago in the oil fields of western North Dakota. I also drove across it a couple of times when travelling between Madison and Seattle. Never did anything in Fargo other than breakfast - don't get too excited. The badlands (similar to South Dakota's) in the southwest of the state are beautiful and deserted. Driving across the state is not something I'd ever opt to do again.

 

I've always wanted to go to Providence actually, and also to check out touristy Newport. One day!

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American Samoa

Andorra

Argentina

Australia

Austria

Bahamas, The

Barbados

Belgium

Belize

Bosnia and Herzogovina

Brazil

Bulgaria

Canada (Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island)

Chile

China

Costa Rica

Croatia

Czech Republic

Czechoslovakia

Denmark

Ecuador

Egypt

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Guam

Guatemala

Hong Kong

Hungary

Iceland

Indonesia

Israel

Ireland

Italy

Jamaica

Japan

Jordan

Korea, North

Korea, South

Kyrgystan

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxemborg

Malaysia

Mexico

Monaco

Morrocco

Netherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Peru

Philippines

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Russia

San Marino

Serbia

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Syria

Taiwan

Thailand

Turkey

U.S.S.R.

United Kingdom

United States

Uruguay

Vatican City

Vietnam

Virgin Islands

Wales

Yugoslavia

**************************

 

Added: Hong Kong, Korea (North and South), Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam.

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American Samoa

Andorra

Argentina

Australia

Austria

Bahamas, The

Barbados

Belgium

Belize

Bosnia and Herzogovina

Brazil

Bulgaria

Canada (Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island)

Chile

China

Costa Rica

Croatia

Czech Republic

Czechoslovakia

Denmark

Dominica

Ecuador

Egypt

Estonia

Finland

France

French Polynesia

Germany

Greece

Guam

Guatemala

Hong Kong

Hungary

Iceland

Indonesia

Israel

Ireland

Italy

Jamaica

Japan

Jordan

Korea, North

Korea, South

Kyrgystan

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxemborg

Malaysia

Malta

Mexico

Monaco

Morrocco

Netherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Peru

Philippines

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Russia

San Marino

Serbia

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Saint Lucia

Sweden

Switzerland

Syria

Taiwan

Thailand

Turkey

U.S.S.R.

United Kingdom

United States

Uruguay

Vatican City

Vietnam

Virgin Islands

Wales

Yugoslavia

**************************

 

Added: Dominica, French Polynesia, Malta, Saint Lucia

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I am not well traveled at all.....but I can add Cuba to that list. :ninja

 

I spent a couple days in Fargo, ND this last summer, during my epic road trip - even watched independent league baseball there. Fargo is a pretty cool town. I really liked it. I got to see the "woodchip" Marge statue; it was a highlight....and they have one of the best junk/antique malls I have ever been to.

 

American Samoa

Andorra

Argentina

Australia

Austria

Bahamas, The

Barbados

Belgium

Belize

Bosnia and Herzogovina

Brazil

Bulgaria

Canada (Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island)

Chile

China

Costa Rica

Croatia

Cuba

Czech Republic

Czechoslovakia

Denmark

Dominica

Ecuador

Egypt

Estonia

Finland

France

French Polynesia

Germany

Greece

Guam

Guatemala

Hong Kong

Hungary

Iceland

Indonesia

Israel

Ireland

Italy

Jamaica

Japan

Jordan

Korea, North

Korea, South

Kyrgystan

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxemborg

Malaysia

Malta

Mexico

Monaco

Morrocco

Netherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Peru

Philippines

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Russia

San Marino

Serbia

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Saint Lucia

Sweden

Switzerland

Syria

Taiwan

Thailand

Turkey

U.S.S.R.

United Kingdom

United States

Uruguay

Vatican City

Vietnam

Virgin Islands

Wales

Yugoslavia

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I thought this thread was about REMOVING countries you have visited from the list. Am I mistaken?

 

EDIT: Nevermind. I reread the first post. I guess I found the first version more interesting.

 

EDIT 2: Apparently, I forget that I have added countries to the list in this thread.

 

:stunned :hmm

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