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Santa Fe, NM. After living in Europe for 9/10 years I went back on a visit to this city. I found the museums interesting, but otherwise even the downtown older part of the city was not particularly appealing. I did not find the physical scenery appealing either. I stayed several weeks, but could have left after three days with no regrets. And I was, admittedly, unprepared to find that parts of the town and the surrounding countryside were essentially car oriented to an unpleasant degree...which I should have expected in any U.S. urban area.
I am aware many people are in love with the city, but for whatever reason it did not appeal to me.
I had lived in the U.S. for sixty-one years and travelled a fair amount, but this was my first time in the SW. And it was my last, as I have no desire to return and would rather do more travel in Europe or Asia if and when I can.
as I have no desire to return and would rather do more travel in Europe or Asia if and when I can.
This is what I started to realize in the past few years. Instead of visiting highly similar places in Canada and the US, now every time I fly, it has to be out of North America, let it be Europe, or South America or Asia. It is more expensive but well worth the money.
Istanbul- I wouldn't say I didn't enjoy Istanbul, but I found it to be somewhat less impressive than what I expected. It IS an impressive city with an incredible history. There's some outstanding architecture. The food is excellent (and affordable) if you can work your way past the overpriced touristy spots. Istanbul's public transit shortcomings bothered me a bit. For such an old city with beautiful twisting alleyways and narrow streets, being a pedestrian is a real challenge. I know parts of the Old City are pedestrian only, but it's not enough. It's difficult to focus on the sights when you're afraid of being run down. I felt like I was being ripped off or people were trying extra hard to take advantage of me everywhere I went. I've been to India multiple times, Thailand, China, all over the Caribbean, etc. where this is normal for merchants, but Istanbul was the worst. Turkey in general is a beautiful, fun, friendly country that I enjoyed. Istanbul is a place I'm glad I experienced, but I don't have much desire to return.
Location: Chapel Hill, NC, formerly NoVA and Phila
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The first time I went to New Orleans I was disappointed. I'm not sure why, and I don't know what I expected. We did all of the tourist things and enjoyed it well enough, but as a whole, the city did not "wow me" as I expected it to. However, a few years later, I found myself passing through New Orleans and decided I would stop for a visit. And that time, I really loved it.
Sometimes we need to give some places second chances. It could be a bad time of year, bad weather, a bad frame of mind or perhaps, there are some places that are more of the type where the beauty of it grows on you rather than jumps out at you. Just a thought.
The first time I went to New Orleans I was disappointed. I'm not sure why, and I don't know what I expected. We did all of the tourist things and enjoyed it well enough, but as a whole, the city did not "wow me" as I expected it to. However, a few years later, I found myself passing through New Orleans and decided I would stop for a visit. And that time, I really loved it.
Sometimes we need to give some places second chances. It could be a bad time of year, bad weather, a bad frame of mind or perhaps, there are some places that are more of the type where the beauty of it grows on you rather than jumps out at you. Just a thought.
And New Orleans was almost the opposite for me. When I first went there, I thought it was great and such fun! Then, after living there a few years for college, I grew to hate it and couldn't wait to leave. I just couldn't get past the underlying grit and corruption of the place.
And New Orleans was almost the opposite for me. When I first went there, I thought it was great and such fun! Then, after living there a few years for college, I grew to hate it and couldn't wait to leave. I just couldn't get past the underlying grit and corruption of the place.
that's not surprising as NO is never touted as a best place to live.
The first time I went to New Orleans I was disappointed. I'm not sure why, and I don't know what I expected. We did all of the tourist things and enjoyed it well enough, but as a whole, the city did not "wow me" as I expected it to. However, a few years later, I found myself passing through New Orleans and decided I would stop for a visit. And that time, I really loved it.
Sometimes we need to give some places second chances. It could be a bad time of year, bad weather, a bad frame of mind or perhaps, there are some places that are more of the type where the beauty of it grows on you rather than jumps out at you. Just a thought.
Exactly the same with us and Munich. The first time we were there we were less than impressed (although, honestly, how can you NOT be impressed with any big city in Europe) but it was likely due to us being there at the end of a long and exhausting trip. The second time we were there, we had a German friend with us who acted as a tour guide, and it was FABULOUS even though we saw the same places we saw the first time! Now Munich is a favorite of ours!
Munich was one of the most impressive and interesting place I ever visited, and I found people particularly nice there. In fact I enjoyed it more than Berlin! (never been to Hamburg).
On the other hand , I didn't have high expectations for Algeria (a third world country), but it didn't even live up to the low expectations I had. And I wouldn't go back there , it has become downright dangerous for Europeans (a French hiker has been murdered by an Islamist group there one month ago).
that's not surprising as NO is never touted as a best place to live.
True. Instead I get to live in a place where we're almost obsessively friendly. It's really too bad with NOLA too because it has so much to offer but the negatives so overwhelm the positives.
Now, I say y'all should all come down and visit Charleston. It will live up to your expectations!
Munich was one of the most impressive and interesting place I ever visited, and I found people particularly nice there. In fact I enjoyed it more than Berlin! (never been to Hamburg).
Munich is definitely more interesting than Berlin.
I heard a lot of good things about Berlin and ended up pretty disappointed after visiting it for 5 days. A historical walk tour was quite interesting but overall the city didn't impress me that much.
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