Comments on: Random Thoughts On My European Bike Tour http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/random-thoughts-on-my-european-bike-tour/ Bicycle Touring Pro Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:05:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Douglas Straight http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/random-thoughts-on-my-european-bike-tour/comment-page-1/#comment-7347 Douglas Straight Thu, 27 May 2010 17:27:05 +0000 http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/?p=3760#comment-7347 Darren- I've spent a few years in Europe, mopstly Greece and Turkey, and I surely miss the slower and casual lifestyes. I really don't like this fast pace Americanism! I may end up in that part of the world again. As for cell phones, I have one and only use it for messages. I rarely leave it on unless I'm expecting an impotant call. Otherfwise the phone can be quite annoying. In all my travels in Europe and Asia I've never had a problem with people knowing that I am American and never hide the fact. Never bothered about religion either. I've always been treated wonderfully. The vast majority of people on this Earth are good and helpfull. I find one of the great benefits of travelling to other countries is realizing that this is so. Thanks again for your great service. Later. Darren- I’ve spent a few years in Europe, mopstly Greece and Turkey, and I surely miss the slower and casual lifestyes. I really don’t like this fast pace Americanism! I may end up in that part of the world again. As for cell phones, I have one and only use it for messages. I rarely leave it on unless I’m expecting an impotant call. Otherfwise the phone can be quite annoying. In all my travels in Europe and Asia I’ve never had a problem with people knowing that I am American and never hide the fact. Never bothered about religion either. I’ve always been treated wonderfully. The vast majority of people on this Earth are good and helpfull. I find one of the great benefits of travelling to other countries is realizing that this is so. Thanks again for your great service. Later.

]]> By: Jim McCracken http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/random-thoughts-on-my-european-bike-tour/comment-page-1/#comment-3723 Jim McCracken Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:35:59 +0000 http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/?p=3760#comment-3723 I agree with your conclussions about learning another language. If you can find an intensive language class before going to the country, you will maximize your learning potential. My first German class was 8 hours a day for 8 weeks and no English allowed. It was the equivalent of 3 years of college level in 2 months. Another thing that really helps is to develop some good friendships with native speakers. If you can be part of the family while you are there and let them know you want to improve your German it helps a lot. They can also help you experience the real culture and avoid the touristy stuff. I've enjoyed following your trips, keep it up! Thanks! I agree with your conclussions about learning another language. If you can find an intensive language class before going to the country, you will maximize your learning potential. My first German class was 8 hours a day for 8 weeks and no English allowed. It was the equivalent of 3 years of college level in 2 months.

Another thing that really helps is to develop some good friendships with native speakers. If you can be part of the family while you are there and let them know you want to improve your German it helps a lot. They can also help you experience the real culture and avoid the touristy stuff.

I’ve enjoyed following your trips, keep it up! Thanks!

]]> By: Jim http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/random-thoughts-on-my-european-bike-tour/comment-page-1/#comment-3717 Jim Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:21:44 +0000 http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/?p=3760#comment-3717 Nice wrap-up to your Euro tour! Nice wrap-up to your Euro tour!

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