Sad news....

[Nonskimmer]

It's funny, but I didn't really have to join the military to learn the basics of British culture. As I was telling Med once, the region of Canada that I grew up in celebrates it's British roots to a degree, and it's reflected somewhat in much of the culture here. My great-grandmother was English too.
Joining the Navy allowed me to experience many cultures, but when I first visited England it seemed very familiar in many ways. I like it there.

[the lancaster kicks ass]

as do I..........

[Medvedya]

In my travels in the States I found that if you can get away from the bland corporate stuff - shopping malls and Starbucks, it always improved 110%.

In my experience, you have to go looking for it, but when you find what I call the 'real' America, I.E towns with a high street that has individualy owned shops and bars, and where they don't mind if the paint has chipped a bit, or have to say fake sounding greetings when you enter, it's always been great.

The other thing that's really good about Americans is that they generally have this 'can do' mentality. I guess it stems from the days of pioneers.

Instead of talking about doing something for ages and then allowing it to sputter out, they'll talk about it for as much as is necessary, and then go off and actually do it - usually at full throttle.

[cheddar cheese]

I have to say that of all 3 different countries Ive been to that Britian is probably best. Spain has too many Brits living there and theres no sence of culture (in the part I went to anyway) and the French are just rude. I like the South of France, but the people just ruin it for me.

However, if you include the Principality of Monaco then that blows Britian into the weeds. I love it there

[the lancaster kicks ass]

but have you ever been??

[trackend]

Here here Med you've hit the nail on the head I have friend's who live in Wenatachee Washington state a typical USA one main street town I had the best Steak of my life in an old Poolroom/diner the people where really friendly they thought I was Australian at first because I kept say cheers mate and at that time Crocodile Dundee was the no1 movie .
We had a brilliant time just talking about our families and what we did for a living I learned more about the USA in 2 hours of conversation with these nice people than I could have in twenty years of TV watching.
This as you rightly say Med is the real America and these are the type of people that give it a bit of back bone.
My friends husband was an ex Marine Bandsman and taught at the college unfortunately he died from a brain tumour not long after we visited him but we keep in contact with his wife and I am sure we will return to see her soon perhaps this time I'll get a chance to do the Boeing plant tour.

[cheddar cheese]

Yep Got photos somewhere...

[Medvedya]

I can't get my head round why anyone would want to go to a fast food outlet in the States, when if you do a tiny bit of looking around you can always find a diner or restraurant with loads of character, that serves really great proper food, plenty of it, and you'd only pay a tiny bit extra.

[trackend]

You need to try somewhere else in Spain Cheesy, where I go there are some Brits but not many in fact there's not even many Spanish the nearest town is 10 miles away on the other side of the valley and the noisiest thing there is the Goat bells as the goat herd leads them across the hills, definitely a place to recharge the old batteries.

I know what you mean Med the only grub I was not keen on was corn bread the one I had I thought it tasted like the dry cellulose sponge that I use to wash me car with.

[the lancaster kicks ass]

well it may be more expensive, but only slightly, and it's far better value for money..........

it's the same over here, people always say how when they go to plymouth (or nearest city) they'll go to Mc. Donalds or burger king, i know a great little restauraunt on the street next to the main shops and it's gread, they've textured the walls in there and it's like a gaint orange cave, when i tell people about it they kind of look at me in but i even took a friend there once an she loved it as well...........

[cheddar cheese]

Where abouts is it? Ive been in most eateries in Plymouth.

Trackie, the place I went in Spain (Alicante) was totally packed with British people! I stayed with my Uncle and Aunt and the Street they lived in had all British people there. I dont doubt there are less British places in Spain but from what ive seen it ant too great.

[trackend]

Cabrera is 3 hours south of Alicanti and 30 mins inland and 30 mins up.
I think its like anywhere Cheddar . Southend is full of kiss me quick hats and burger bars but 10 miles away is the Heybridge basin full of old Thames sailing barges and oo ar pubs brilliant. I believe every country has a + and a - its just a case of finding the positive bits.

[evangilder]

Med andTrackend, you guys both have it right. Similar to what I did, get off the beaten path and find the real people. When I hit the big cities in Europe, people were not as friendly. But get away from the big cities and you find the character of the nation.

[Nonskimmer]

Halifax, Nova Scotia isn't exactly a "big" city. We're all friendly here!
(Yeah, right!)

Well I am. That's all that matters. And I actually grew up in a small community called Sheet Harbour.

[Medvedya]

Have you been to Gib guys - Its great! Loads of history, some of the biggest naval guns you'll ever see, and a bottle of Voddy (Stolichnaya -the proper stuff no less) is £5 and a packet of 20 Marlboro lights was 73p when I was there in 1999!