MovieChat Forums > General Discussion > Countries You're Extra Interested In?

Countries You're Extra Interested In?

posted 3 years ago by BillHicksFan (10717)
37 replies | jump to latest

About their history, culture, people, whatever? (Besides your own)

I have two. Italy and Iraq. I think the former is due to the movies, humor, food. Iraq, because it was my "first war" (but not the last) and there's many Michiganders who are of Iraqi descent.

I remember when I was 10, asking and asking for a book on Saddam. I still have it. Although De Sica is my favorite director, I can't find a single interview of his in English, and although I only like 1950s Fellini, he still remained an interesting person - especially in interviews - I have a few director's books full of interviews.

[–] ShogunofYonkers (78608) 3 years ago

Italy for sure, that’s top of the charts. Ancient Roman ruins are amazing, they may have been bastards but they sure built things to last and impress!

England, Ireland, Germany, France and Spain as well. I’m most impressed and interested in the history of Europe’s ability to make a lot of history for a mid-sized continent and how they shaped the world.

I’d love to visit Australia someday, I’ve met a bunch of Aussies and they are cool, laid back people with a sense of humor.

[–] BillHicksFan (10717) 3 years ago

I lived in Australia twice. I especially loved Melbourne.

[–] ShogunofYonkers (78608) 3 years ago

Lucky you!
Australia seems like an amazing place.

I twice read a book called Fatal Shore by Robert Hughes, it was one of those really informative history books that’s so well written that you feel like you witnessed it all.

It’s about the colonization of Australia, there’s a lot of tragedy and plenty of rousing success stories in it.
It reads like a novel but it’s all history, check it out sometime if you get a chance.

[–] GlenEllyn (21660) 3 years ago

Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, and the Scandinavian countries top my list of those I'm interested in. The only one I have any chance of visiting is Canada since I live in Minnesota and could drive there.

[–] jonathan_k80 (6436) 3 years ago

For some reason I've always been fascinated by Cuba... maybe because it's "off limits" due to the U.S. embargo. I also like the music of that country, especially the jazz.

[–] ShogunofYonkers (78608) 3 years ago

Cuba does have an interesting culture and some good crazy loud music, Things are loosening up with Cuba.

[–] Padeen (6459) 3 years ago

Its not off limits, but there are some hoops to jump through if you are American. I'm not sure how the laws have changed over the last few years, but its definitely doable and I think most embark from Canada.

[–] jonathan_k80 (6436) 3 years ago

I don't travel, so I wasn't actually planning on going there; I just find the history, culture and music fascinating for some reason.

[–] Nanook (2056) 3 years ago

I just like being immersed in other cultures and avoiding "tourist-y" stuff. Also try to learn some basics of the language, enough to be polite at least, and avoid relying on English, except folks in Germany and Switzerland usually speak better English than me. Seems people go out of their way to be kind to foreigners who at least make an effort. And the locals know where the good food is...

OK, enough dicking around. Gun to head, I'd be happy eating Mexican or Caribbean (Cuban, Jamaican & Puerto Rican, esp.) food for the rest of my life. Having dated women from the four doesn't hurt. And as mentioned, Afro-Cuban music is fantastic, to boot.

[–] Padeen (6459) 3 years ago

I've always wanted to see Nepal and trek the Himalayas since I love hiking. Closer to home, island hop the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean.

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

I watch NDTV news from India. A billion people with over four hundred languages and every major religion. It has numerous separatist movements including Maoist rebels in the east. Still a poor and backward country in many respects. Every day there are numerous deaths from natural disasters or a train derailment of some kind. Polio and other infectious diseases are rampant in some states of the country. Women are not treated very well and class is still very important.

[–] Otter (24464) 3 years ago

Australia, Iceland, Great Britain, I suppose.

[–] Wint3rFir3 (7386) 3 years ago

When I went travelling a few years ago now, I felt like I was at home in two places = England and Italy. As a result, I've been yearning to go back to both ever since and explore both even more than I did.