Sooooo I just got back from a ten-day missions trip to Germany!!
On our tourist day, we went to Metz(s?), France and the American War Memorial in Luxemburg, as well as Trier in Germany.
It was incredible. @.@
I think I was the happiest person ever. EVERYTHING WAS SO BEAUTIFUL.
Have you ever been out of your country? What did you think?
I'll admit there was a bit of culture shock, but not in the negative way! Just kind of an 'oh wow, this is what it's like here!' feeling.
It was great.
America sucks.
#Germanyforever
#Franceismyhappyplace
On our tourist day, we went to Metz(s?), France and the American War Memorial in Luxemburg, as well as Trier in Germany.
It was incredible. @.@
I think I was the happiest person ever. EVERYTHING WAS SO BEAUTIFUL.
Have you ever been out of your country? What did you think?
I'll admit there was a bit of culture shock, but not in the negative way! Just kind of an 'oh wow, this is what it's like here!' feeling.
It was great.
America sucks.
#Germanyforever
#Franceismyhappyplace
I was actually born in the Netherlands and lived in Thailand for a... can't remember I've seen pictures of my baby self and my mum next to a statue of a suit of plate armour in Amsterdam. I even have photos of those archaic windmills along with its beautiful scenery 
Europe does seem like a very beautiful place from the photos I have. I also love how most people in Europe are bilingual since secondary language education is compulsory.
I'm actually thinking of going to Serbia when I get older, since I love its history and culture
I heard France is actually pretty xenophobic according to my mum, since they refuse to speak English and demand you speak in their language. I heard Germany is a lot better though, since English and German belong to the same language family and share a lot cognate vocabulary (words that are similar in origin/etymology).
Yeah, it can be quite 'shocking' to be out of your own culture and into another's. Hell, my aunt and uncle know what that feels like and they live England
Anyway, that's awesome that you enjoyed your trip! Must've cost a lot XP
I've seen pictures of my baby self and my mum next to a statue of a suit of plate armour in Amsterdam. I even have photos of those archaic windmills along with its beautiful scenery Europe does seem like a very beautiful place from the photos I have. I also love how most people in Europe are bilingual since secondary language education is compulsory.I'm actually thinking of going to Serbia when I get older, since I love its history and culture
I heard France is actually pretty xenophobic according to my mum, since they refuse to speak English and demand you speak in their language. I heard Germany is a lot better though, since English and German belong to the same language family and share a lot cognate vocabulary (words that are similar in origin/etymology).Yeah, it can be quite 'shocking' to be out of your own culture and into another's. Hell, my aunt and uncle know what that feels like and they live England
Anyway, that's awesome that you enjoyed your trip! Must've cost a lot XP
Thank you for sharing your view -- I've never thought about it that way!
But it's true When I went to America, I had a feeling I wasn't able to put my finger on until now - something along the lines of, everything is so ordinary, I'm used to constantly seeing 300-year-old sculprures and stuff or at least some form of art on every corner and it's just modern buildings here, WHERE IS THE BEAUTIFUL STUFF
Of course my main thoughts were to the effect of OMG everything is so huge and there's such a huge selection of everything and the food looks so good and it's so much more pleasant to ride a bike here, so it's not all bad, but yeah, I sort of kept missing seeing the beatiful stuff I was used to
Anyway, I'm really glad you enjoyed your trip!
But it's true
When I went to America, I had a feeling I wasn't able to put my finger on until now - something along the lines of, everything is so ordinary, I'm used to constantly seeing 300-year-old sculprures and stuff or at least some form of art on every corner and it's just modern buildings here, WHERE IS THE BEAUTIFUL STUFF Of course my main thoughts were to the effect of OMG everything is so huge and there's such a huge selection of everything and the food looks so good and it's so much more pleasant to ride a bike here, so it's not all bad, but yeah, I sort of kept missing seeing the beatiful stuff I was used to
Anyway, I'm really glad you enjoyed your trip!
JohnAtArms wrote:
I heard France is actually pretty xenophobic according to my mum, since they refuse to speak English and demand you speak in their language.
I actually didn't have much of a problem! Granted we didn't speak to many people, and maybe it's because it was a major city, but if we ran into someone who didn't speak English, they didn't seem upset that we didn't know French. And at least for my group, we always tried to use what little we knew!
Europe ftw... not only because i live in denmark xD
CelestinaGrey wrote:
Sooooo I just got back from a ten-day missions trip to Germany!!
On our tourist day, we went to Metz(s?), France and the American War Memorial in Luxemburg, as well as Trier in Germany.
It was incredible. @.@
I think I was the happiest person ever. EVERYTHING WAS SO BEAUTIFUL.
Have you ever been out of your country? What did you think?
I'll admit there was a bit of culture shock, but not in the negative way! Just kind of an 'oh wow, this is what it's like here!' feeling.
It was great.
America sucks.
#Germanyforever
#Franceismyhappyplace
On our tourist day, we went to Metz(s?), France and the American War Memorial in Luxemburg, as well as Trier in Germany.
It was incredible. @.@
I think I was the happiest person ever. EVERYTHING WAS SO BEAUTIFUL.
Have you ever been out of your country? What did you think?
I'll admit there was a bit of culture shock, but not in the negative way! Just kind of an 'oh wow, this is what it's like here!' feeling.
It was great.
America sucks.
#Germanyforever
#Franceismyhappyplace
Trier? You could have visited me haha
I went to Canada for a couple weeks in May, and it was amazing. One, I haven't seen so many uninterrupted trees before in my life. Two, there are old buildings everywhere. Like wow. Three, the music is so different? I didn't expect that at all? I'm in love with Great Big Sea? Someone send help? Four, there are so many boats in so many museums and I got to touch so many of them. And don't even get me started on Peggy's Cove.
In short: I loved it so much my poor southern soul is willing to brave the cold to live there.
In short: I loved it so much my poor southern soul is willing to brave the cold to live there.
trinfan wrote:
I went to Canada for a couple weeks in May, and it was amazing. One, I haven't seen so many uninterrupted trees before in my life. Two, there are old buildings everywhere. Like wow. Three, the music is so different? I didn't expect that at all? I'm in love with Great Big Sea? Someone send help? Four, there are so many boats in so many museums and I got to touch so many of them. And don't even get me started on Peggy's Cove.
In short: I loved it so much my poor southern soul is willing to brave the cold to live there.
In short: I loved it so much my poor southern soul is willing to brave the cold to live there.
I wanna go visit Canada sometime. SO badly. Now that I have my passport, it's actually a possibility!!
@GamerWoona: Heehee!! Trier was epic though
Duuude you were super close to where I live! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it so much!
Technically I just came back from Germany an hour ago?
Farthest I've ever been was Hungary when I was around 6 years old or so, London when I was 16. Went to France once as a kid and as a teen with a friend but didn't like it very much because we were in Paris, and I dislike big cities in general.
Regarding French xenophobia, it's true about most French people not taking too kindly to people who only speak English, but it has more to do with manners and their education. It's not so much xenophobia really. English is not a language that is/was taught by default like it is in the Netherlands and Germany and Belgium (in fact, in France the second language they were taught was German for a long time), and people who don't even try to speak French but insist on using English only are considered very rude. Typically, even if you speak horribly broken French, they appreciate you trying and will work with you much more willingly than if you don't even bother. (I had a friend from France when I was a kid, granddaughter of a neighbor, and we both appreciated each other's efforts a lot!)
Quote:
Have you ever been out of your country? What did you think?
Technically I just came back from Germany an hour ago?
Farthest I've ever been was Hungary when I was around 6 years old or so, London when I was 16. Went to France once as a kid and as a teen with a friend but didn't like it very much because we were in Paris, and I dislike big cities in general.Regarding French xenophobia, it's true about most French people not taking too kindly to people who only speak English, but it has more to do with manners and their education. It's not so much xenophobia really. English is not a language that is/was taught by default like it is in the Netherlands and Germany and Belgium (in fact, in France the second language they were taught was German for a long time), and people who don't even try to speak French but insist on using English only are considered very rude. Typically, even if you speak horribly broken French, they appreciate you trying and will work with you much more willingly than if you don't even bother. (I had a friend from France when I was a kid, granddaughter of a neighbor, and we both appreciated each other's efforts a lot!)
Sanne wrote:
Duuude you were super close to where I live! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it so much!
Technically I just came back from Germany an hour ago? Farthest I've ever been was Hungary when I was around 6 years old or so, London when I was 16. Went to France once as a kid and as a teen with a friend but didn't like it very much because we were in Paris, and I dislike big cities in general.
Regarding French xenophobia, it's true about most French people not taking too kindly to people who only speak English, but it has more to do with manners and their education. It's not so much xenophobia really. English is not a language that is/was taught by default like it is in the Netherlands and Germany and Belgium (in fact, in France the second language they were taught was German for a long time), and people who don't even try to speak French but insist on using English only are considered very rude. Typically, even if you speak horribly broken French, they appreciate you trying and will work with you much more willingly than if you don't even bother. (I had a friend from France when I was a kid, granddaughter of a neighbor, and we both appreciated each other's efforts a lot!)
Quote:
Have you ever been out of your country? What did you think?
Technically I just came back from Germany an hour ago?
Farthest I've ever been was Hungary when I was around 6 years old or so, London when I was 16. Went to France once as a kid and as a teen with a friend but didn't like it very much because we were in Paris, and I dislike big cities in general.Regarding French xenophobia, it's true about most French people not taking too kindly to people who only speak English, but it has more to do with manners and their education. It's not so much xenophobia really. English is not a language that is/was taught by default like it is in the Netherlands and Germany and Belgium (in fact, in France the second language they were taught was German for a long time), and people who don't even try to speak French but insist on using English only are considered very rude. Typically, even if you speak horribly broken French, they appreciate you trying and will work with you much more willingly than if you don't even bother. (I had a friend from France when I was a kid, granddaughter of a neighbor, and we both appreciated each other's efforts a lot!)
Really?? Aww I wish I could have come visit you!
Overall, I tried to use what little of German and French I knew. I could never do full sentences, except 'I love you' in German (from my dad telling us), 'I only speak a little German', and the typical French mannerisms of 'please' and 'thank you'. I didn't know we were going to France on our tour day so I hadn't done any preparation for it. But no matter where I was, I always tried to slip German in there, especially 'thank you' when I was purchasing anything. It's just plain manners.
I really enjoyed the whole trip. Everything was so beautiful!
When I went to France on a school trip when I was 13, I spent ages at this ice cream place in a town in Normandy, ordering ice cream with my friends, in French. Finally got to the end of it all, the guy turns around and goes "that was pretty good!" In perfect English.
But no, French on a whole don't tend to like a lack of effort to speak their language. I imagine tourist spots are better for it. I've been a few times but most of those were in more rural parts.
But no, French on a whole don't tend to like a lack of effort to speak their language. I imagine tourist spots are better for it. I've been a few times but most of those were in more rural parts.
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