What have you learned in your travels?

[Southdowners]

We've spent a couple of days in the company of a Dutch couple. She was a real force of nature having lived in kibbutz , travelled in China and other far flung countries as a doctor/surgeon. Both were of a similar age to us... 66-70 ish.

When we were saying our goodbyes we were asked 'what have you learned in your travels'. The question took both of us by surprise and the the thing that sprang to my mind was how I was shocked, but not surprised, by Janteloven in Scandinavia.

Throughout our trips to Scandinavia I had a feeling of disquiet. Despite the beauty of the landscape I felt low and couldn't account for it. When I read about Janteloven it really hit home. The rules are taken as something to live by where no-one is better than another.

The ten rules of Janteloven state:

1. You're not to think you are anything special.
2. You're not to think you are as good as we are.
3. You're not to think you are smarter than we are.
4. You're not to imagine yourself better than we are.
5. You're not to think you know more than we do.
6. You're not to think you are more important than we are.
7. You're not to think you are good at anything.
8. You're not to laugh at us.
9. You're not to think anyone cares about you.
10. You're not to think you can teach us anything.

It's all about the community, which I totally get, but I felt it went too far.

What have you learned from your travels?

 

[EML]

1. There's nowt as queer as folk
2. All bets are off once you're past Dover
3. The people you meet travelling are always interesting, pretty much by definition
4. Don't let anyone jump in front of you in a queue in South America
5. Avoid the Guardia Civil in Spain. Maybe they're better now?
6. Don't get out of the car if there's a lion nearby
7. It's a big world out there
8. ...etc, etc

 

[deleted79651]

That travel broadens the mind; but cruising thickens the waistline ...

Steve

 

[billym]

A lot can be learned from the Constitution of the " Independent Republic of Uzupis"

1. Everyone has the right to live by the River Vilnelė, and the River Vilnelė has the right to flow by everyone.
2. Everyone has the right to hot water, heating in winter and a tiled roof.
3. Everyone has the right to die, but this is not an obligation.
4. Everyone has the right to make mistakes.
5. Everyone has the right to be unique.
6. Everyone has the right to love.
7. Everyone has the right not to be loved, but not necessarily.
8. Everyone has the right to be undistinguished and unknown.
9. Everyone has the right to be idle.
10. Everyone has the right to love and take care of the cat.
11. Everyone has the right to look after the dog until one of them dies.
12. A dog has the right to be a dog.
13. A cat is not obliged to love its owner, but must help in time of nee (sic).
14. Sometimes everyone has the right to be unaware of their duties.
15. Everyone has the right to be in doubt, but this is not an obligation.
16. Everyone has the right to be happy.
17. Everyone has the right to be unhappy.
18. Everyone has the right to be silent.
19. Everyone has the right to have faith.
20. No one has the right to violence.
21. Everyone has the right to appreciate their unimportance.
22. No one has the right to have a design on eternity.
23. Everyone has the right to understand.
24. Everyone has the right to understand nothing.
25. Everyone has the right to be of any nationality.
26. Everyone has the right to celebrate or not celebrate their birthday.
27. Everyone shall remember their name.
28. Everyone may share what they possess.
29. No one can share what they do not possess.
30. Everyone has the right to have brothers, sisters and parents.
31. Everyone may be independent.
32. Everyone is responsible for their freedom.
33. Everyone has the right to cry.
34. Everyone has the right to be misunderstood.
35. No one has the right to make another person guilty.
36. Everyone has the right to be individual.
37. Everyone has the right to have no rights.
38. Everyone has the right to not to be afraid.
39. Do not defeat
40. Do not fight back
41. Do not surrender

 

[mitzimad]

Never put the top of the cassette anywhere it can fall into the sluice

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[The general]

What have I learnt ? All the research , watching travel programs , nothing can be better than actually visiting the countries /places . Some bad some good . That’s what I have learnt .

 

[Brains]

Travel broadens the mind.
Everyone that can travel should travel, otherwise you end up with a very insular society, which is not good for anyone.
(Insular=island minded.....)

 

[Tea Bag]

Hi.
An hour on the road before dawn......... Is worth TWO hours after..........
Tea Bag ( Experientia docet )

 

[maison]

That people basically want the same things from life whatever country they live in. A decent roof over their heads, not to be hungry, someone to love and be loved by and to live in peace.

If we could only sort out the politicians we all may be able to do just that.

 

[Lenny HB]

I like holidays in a Motorhome best.

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[Snoopy]

To slow down and enjoy our well earned trips away, be it- 2 nights, or if lucky enough 5 days away

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Quoted to me in Benin, West Africa "Europeans live to eat, Africans eat to live" Never forgotten that.

When a man with a gun has it pointed at your head in a less than stable foreign land, trust me, you will willingly offer him everything you own to see your family again. I know this first hand.

 

[Ivory55]

Always park your motor pointing the right way to go home

 

[Stag man]

That whatever happens is exactly what we planned

 

[Grianan]

I think the most important thing is what I’ve learnt when not being able to travel …

… don’t let an opportunity to travel pass you by

I’ve missed little more these last 18 months than being able to travel and I know some people have lost friends and family so I am inordinately lucky in that respect. I missed (and resented) being allowed to travel up north in my own country to my own house and then I missed travelling abroad. I’ll try not to let any chances pass me by from now on. I have learnt that our precious freedom to travel should not be taken for granted.

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[suavecarve]

There is always room for one more at an aire

 

[G-RMPS]

Having worked with individuals from all over Europe I learned that if you have a common business objective:

* pick someone from each country to fulfill the task. It will be fun and frustrating, and you’ll never achieve your objective.

* pick a team from your own Nationals. You will get the job done quickly but no other country will accept your outcome

 

[Tea Bag]

Always park your motor pointing the right way to go home

Hi.
We might be " Kin ". way back. Super dad said when i started out. " Park up so you can escape " True. ( He said that when i visited him in Wormwood scrubs,he was doing a 10 stretch !!...................... NOT TRUE...)
Tea Bag

 

[Tombola]

All sounds a bit overkill to me
Just "BE" and be nice

 

[jollyrodger]

Never trust a garmin satnav
Never lost just on a different route

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[L' Hobo]

In 50+yrs of travel, never be surprised that everydays a school day and ALWAYS tidy one's own house BEFORE commenting on others + reliability is better that show, be it vehicle or man!

 

[Scotch mist]

the more social effort you put in , the richer your travels are