I was just speaking to my friends in Houston and they were talking about coming to visit me in England.
They said they would apply for passports so they could make the trip.
Now, these people are in their mid 30's and they have never left the continental USA.
I was quite surprised at this and they said that something like 90% of all Americans don't have a passport.

(Mind you, 63% of all statistics are bogus )

I have just about lost count of the countries I have visited,so, apart from those of you who travelleled with the Millitary, who goes abroad? Who doesn't? Why and why not?

Just curious

 

i'm one of those who don't count, travelled with the military.
other then that i think a lot of the reasons are because america is a very vast area offering many different climates and "cultures" without ever leaving the national borders.
must also remember that many people do go to canada, mexico, jamaica, bahamas, and virgin islands. none of which require a passport.
finally the language barrier keeps many people from travelling to foreign soil.
just random thoughts.

 

Exactly, I have been to Mexico, Canada, and Jamaica and I have never had a passport. Canada only requires a drivers license, Mexico and Jamaica both require a birth certificate I believe. Granted, if we really go overseas, you need a passport but that's about it.

As far as why we don't travel more, I think there are several reasons, First, The US is a big place. It's hard enough just to see everything that is here without trying to go other places. Second, travel is something of a "rich mans sport" in this country. Third, we are all work-a-holics! Seems most people I know work 60+ hours a week and can't seem to take off of work more than a couple of days without missing something.

 

I have been to many foreign countries.
Lets see....
I crossed the Mason Dixon line when I was in my teens,
I have been to Georgia and Texas.
The scariest country I've been to is California.

 

that's because going to clifornia you run into that language barrier thing again.

 

Exactly! That's one scary place

I have a passport, but I've only been to Mexico, Canada, Bahamas, and Guadalupe in the Carribean. I had wanted to visit France, but I think now I'll skip that trip and plan a trip to the UK instead.

 

I don't have a passport either.

I have never needed one for the places I have visited:

Mexico, W. Carribean, and Jamaica

 

No passport here either. I've never even flown anywhere. I've been to Canada several times but its only a short drive over the bridge or threw the tunnel (I prefer tunnel) for us in the big D.

 

Don't need a passport...........
There's plenty to see in the good ole USA

 

I have a passport that I used to go on my honeymoon to Scotland and Ireland.

I have not used it since, (I think they expire after a while, don't they?), that was 10 years ago this May.

 

Yes, they do expire. I just had to renew my bosses' passports for a trip they are taking in June. If I remember correctly, 10 years was the limit..they had to apply for new ones.

I got married in May as well!! My hubby and I will be celebrating our first year anniversary on May 18 (Been together 6 years on that date as well)

Congrats on the 10 years

 

It is very expensive to fly anywhere from the midwest.

 

Look at the size of the Europeon countries. When I was in the Army, I could travel for 8 hours and have gone through 4 or 5 countries. If I travel 8 hours from where I live now, I'd end up close to Canada (or in Lake Erie)......

 

I'll bet it's even harder to get a flight out of North Dakota.

1) You never know when you're going to take off.
2) It's uncomfortable sittin on a Nuclear warhead.
3) The Air Force gets pissed when they find you on their missile.
4) The only flights are to the former USSR, Communist China, North Korea and France.

 

I have a passport. I've been to England and Scotland with a tour group (my cousin lives in Edinborough(sp.?) Scotland)
Also to Spain, Andorra, France, and Italy as part of People to People Student Ambassadors.
On a side note, French people, though cowards, are actually very nice, so long as you attempt to speak their language. I encountered more rudeness in Spain.