I'm not sure this will count for anything, but here's my personal experience w/regards to travel and cultures.
A little background....I'm of Italian descent, my grandfather immigrated to the USA from Genova. My wife is from Italy, came to Boston when she was a child from a village outside of Naples. She became a US citizen after we were married because she wanted to participate in and excercise her franchise to vote.
My occupation has taken me to the following countries (I've visited each multiple times and traveled extensively in each). China, Hong Kong (love HK), Thailand, Phillipines, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Belgium, France, UK, Switzerland (but only once, and was an in/out type thing).
The Asian countries are the most interesting to me because they are so different than the Western Cultures I am used to.
In HK, you see the mix of the world's cultures. To me, each culture is unique and interesting to see. I have had great experiences in each, and all the way to downright scary and threatening in each as well (driving in Belguim!...hehe Saw!)
I have seen ex-pats from western cultures just act arrogant as hell, and other ex-pats from those same western cultures act with respect.
But I will stick with a quote from my wife...."While it is nice to visit all of these cultures and places, even coming from Italy, there is still no place like the US." To me, I think it translates more simply to "There's no place like home."
On a personal note....Beet1e, whether this is just a BBS persona, or part of his actual character, represents the typical Brit cliche' that alot of the world holds (arrogant, condescending, etc.), but is 180 degrees away from those Brits that I have met and are friends with....although of few Brits in HK were abit arrogant.
Curval, I will hopefully get a chance to visit your country as well, sooner than later, I hope!
Cobra
