Ike yiked at 4:48 pm

Love the intelligent discussion more than the blog post itself. Myself I would like to share some of my experiences. I'm not British or North American, for that matter.

The French way of life is definitely distinctive and worth getting to know and appreciate, but personally, what makes me feel much better as a traveller is for the native people to understand and respect the Tourists as well, something more noticeable in many other countries I have been to. Not hating on any country for that, but a warm welcome always draws me to a place so much more.

It was my first trip to Europe, and on the plane I was given different seats from my family (two seats back). So when we touched down in Paris I asked a French middle-aged couple politely in English to let me pass through. I did not get to explain I wanted to attend to my young son, because the lady immediately cut in and said something like "Do you have the keys to the airplane door? Do you? If not, sit down." She then proceeded to converse with her husband in french and give me the famous dirty glance French stare-down. I think they were annoyed I did not 'Bonjour' them, or maybe airplane fatigue. The man (who was big-sized) stuck his body across the aisle so as to further prevent me from passing them. I was really offended. I remember I thought to myself, "Wow, French hospitality even before I step onto French land proper!" I wanted to explain I needed to get to my family, but their French-speaking ears wouldn't have any of that English coming out of my mouth. Excuse me when I say I wanted to punch them, it was my first experience in Europe and not a good one at all. Now, I regret letting that couple spoil my first day in France.

The other thing is that the Parisians were always in some sort of stare-frown expression on the street. It was imposing, actually. But I was ready to look past that. An old lady at a shoe shop said something in French like, "Don't sit here! It's for people trying on shoes!" We vacated the seat for her thinking she needed it, but she just walked off and cussed. I mean, customer service is not exactly what they pride themselves on.

Another thing funny was this man who was managing those pay-by-token 5-minute back massage machines in the shopping centres. He was walking up and down in a huff and when we got near to have a curious closer look at the machine, he chased away our potential business. What's the point of having machines there if you're not going to let anyone use or even see them. He literally stands there and dusts and mops the sides of the machine for hours. We found it funny because it's just a machine, not a very stressful job, yet he is acting like he is Sarkozy's bodyguard! Again, this shows how the French take so much pride in what they do, whatever job it is. It is a lifestyle, definitely.

I went to Dijon and Mont-St Michel too, which were expectedly less hostile. I can only wish I stayed long enough (only 4 days) in France (Paris for that matter) to change my opinion of them because up to now I still cringe at the thought of The City of Dreams/Romance taglines my local newspaper always deems as Paris. Having read many blogs and articles on this, I now can't wait to go back and rediscover Paris in its "more polite(?)" side. I hope I will get to change my opinions of the place.

Interestingly, I found Barcelona much more lively and hospitable. It could be the nature of the Spanish, who, if I may generalise, are more warm at heart- when giving directions, I found the Spanish always did it with a smile and didn't mind conversing fully in English. We even approached a jogger on his running route to ask for directions, he immediately stopped and marked them out for us, while still panting! I felt so bad. They are also not afraid of starting a conversation, "Where are you from?" being the most common and genuine starter that I have received.

Or maybe, after all this I have said, it may just boil down to perception. I went to Spain 1 year after the France trip, with lowered expectations and a jaded mindset, always believing the people of the region are cold and unwelcoming. Of course, I was nicely surprised on my 2nd trip in Barca. I do remember my fair share of rude people in Spain which, though less than in France, are in no way less rude. A common interesting point I experienced is they get offended when you do not speak Spanish/French/their language, they pretend not to understand your clear articulate English and brush off helping you with a shrug of their shoulders and an "I told you so" lip purse. Yet this was only a very minority in Spain.

No props for guessing which visit I liked more, but my opinions are ever-changing and I do actually want to go back to places I did not like previously, and to set the record straight and reevaluate Parisians for who they really are.

Now, 3 years have passed. The things you learn as you grow older. Thank you for the article.

http://chezlouloufrance.blogspot.com/2011/05/why-are-french-so-rude.html

Ike yiked at 11:37 am

Ike yiked at 1:11 pm

Leg 1: Philadelphia, USA - Tikal, Guatemala [10 teams left]

Leg 2: Tikal, Guatemala - Caracas, Venezuela [9 teams left]

This would be a history (Philly) and culture (Mayan culture) themed route. Teams might have to drive 4 hours from Guatemala city to the ruins in Tikal and perform cultural tasks. I also wanted the race to cover South America, but not too much, so Venezuela was chosen.

Leg 3: Caracas, Venezuela - Libreville, Gabon [NEL]

Leg 4: Gabon (Estuaire, Atlantic Equatorial Coastal Ecoforest regions) [8 teams left]

Gabon was given two legs as it was the only African country visited. The tasks and destination would be particularly nature-oriented; Gabon has the largest percentage of nature reserves by total land area, in the region.

Leg 5: Libreville, Gabon - Helsinki, Finland [NEL]

Leg 6: Finland (Rovaniemi) [7 teams left]

Helsinki is chosen as this leg's obligatory modern European city. Also, I felt we needed some cold here. In the additional leg, racers visit Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland. I just can't get enough of the orgasmic arctic circle leg in Season 17.

Leg 7: Helsinki, Finland - Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia [6 teams left]

Again, change in environment from modern city to sandy desert dunes and rolling plains. Fulfils my Genghis Khan Silk Road fantasy. I like it a lot.

Leg 8: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia - Kathmandu, Nepal [NEL]

Leg 9: Nepal (Pokhara and Annapurna mountain range) [5 teams left]

New country. Also, to visit the mountain range of the Everest in a full leg would be a nice respite from the Andes and Swiss alps that we have seen in previous seasons.

Leg 10: Kathmandu, Nepal - Singapore, Singapore [4 teams left]

After the majesty of untouched wilderness, we need a last big modern city destination before End City. (Sorry beautiful beaches of Indonesia!) It was a toss-up between Singapore and Wellington, New Zealand, but I decided to choose Singapore due to its multiculturalism and availability of flights. In previous visits, the culture of this city was not emphasised enough, especially in Season 16 where it was overshadowed by the fast-forward and u-turn drama all in one leg. Another problem I anticipate would be that the final 4 can be easily identified in the little island. But one can dream.

Leg 11: Singapore, Singapore - Suva, Fiji [3 teams left for finals]

I've said umpteenth times that we NEED a south pacific nation as a final elimination stop in West to East routes. There is quiet, island culture, what's not to love? Also, as it is more secluded, this will be able to hide racers' identity better.

Leg 12: Suva, Fiji - Denver, Colorado

Denver as End City just to be away from the West-Coast-city in-your-face that plague the final leg. Also ties in nicely with the fact that many destinations in this race are different and off the beaten track.

New locales: Guatemala, Venezuela, Gabon, Nepal, Fiji, Denver and Philly

Old locales: Finland, Mongolia, Singapore (all were only used once or twice in the race)

Other locations that NEED to happen:

Europe & Americas;

Greece is really beautiful and a good break from stock European locations Italy, France, Germany, but not likely due to financial crisis.

Turkey is really affordable, I have no idea why they are not going there!

Greenland & Antarctic - would be fun but I'm not desperate over it. Too expensive.

Canada - neglected

Asia & Oceania;

Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines - strictly the inner parts only, big cities overdone

Indonesia - but my dream came true already :) why oh why did it take so long though?

Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan - totally my Silk Road fantasy

South India please - they've done north and east, so please do Chennai or Kerala (again!) or something

China - overdone but it's so big it never gets old if you visit different cities each season. New awesome cities: Hainan, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Harbin, Chengdu, Nanning, Guiyang, Wuhan, Hefei, Huangshan mountains etc... the list could go on

Bhutan & Tibet - if they can get in Bhutan

Papua New Guinea and South Pacific islands - new scenery

Tasmania

Thanks for reading guys, I put a lot of creativity into it, let me know what you think.

Ike yiked at 6:15 pm

Kent and Vyxsin as usual self-destructed on their way to the pit stop. Usually I would cheer for them to be out, but it sucks for any team to be eliminated because of silly mistakes. Also, they were bullied by practically everyone. The black guys were obviously tight with the girls and zev and justin, and even mallory was kinda laughing at them for taking a taxi.I would have loved to see them last till brazil and get eliminated in fourth. flight and easy should go and I was so pissed that zev and justin were saved by the goth's stupidity. Indeed, I have learnt from the goths and zev & justin that one mistake can kill your whole game.

This was such a great episode with the drama, good tasks and spectacular location. It's no wonder the Race always comes back to Switzerland.

Zev & justin have won too many legs and are way too cocky, flight time and big easy have just scraped past by help from others, gallory are rich and don't need the money, kisha and jen are the most likable and deserving to win the million, but if they win it will be anticlimactic with back-to-back first female teams winning from seasons 17 and 18, so I don't know who to cheer for!

Vyxsin, I love you and you ran a great race, but when you said you were happy to leave with the best teammate, I shat my pants in horror. Vyxsin should race with Vicki (from last season). Power women unite!!!

Ike yiked at 2:06 pm

Ike yiked at 2:30 pm

Ike yiked at 10:40 pm