johanl's VirtualTourist Home Page

Life is a journey, enjoy the ride.

Upcoming trips

China, january 08
USA, march 08
Brazil, june 08
France, july 08
USA, december 08
Back from a trip to California, oktober 2005. Enjoyed it a lot. Lots of things have changed since my last visit in 1981. The land and nature is still as beautiful as it was, so many years ago.

The food is still the same (where ever you go to a restaurant the food does not varies a lot. And yes there is the thai, the chinese, the mexican and many others) but the american kitchen still lacks that really defined food, that special dish that makes it different. But i guess it is part of the American society.

Traffic on the roads is not bad. It is a pleasure to drive in the USA compared to Europe. The courtesy of the drivers (especially the female drivers) even in the bigger cities (LA, SF) was astonishing. The maximum speed surely has a positive influence on the way people drive in the USA. Two lanes for carpooling around LA is awesome. What a great idea. A pitty the lanes are not used a lot. Everyone prefers to drive by him or herself.

I also noticed a lot of foreign brands of cars. It seems that the american automobile driver doesnt automatically choose for the big gustlers and the home brands. Or has it to do with the price of gas and the quality of the foreign cars. Do they last longer and probably better priced at the second hand market?

What about the environment? Everywhere, supported by the (local) government , one tries to underline the importance of the place we live in and how to conserve it (sustainable energy sources, no flush toilets in national parks, dont change your towels every day in the hotel, use the right amount of washing powder ens.) But i havent seen no campa(i)gning on KYOTO. Or didnt i look around ????

Lots of malls and shops. Huge compared to Europe. And all the things they sell. Enormous bags of chips (only dogfood is sold overhere in these big bags) and snacks. Probably eaten, while watching television or enjoying another bbq ( gas powered of course). And what to say about the medicins that are freely sold without prescription. Hundreds of painkillers for example. Good for the customers or for the industry that produces it??

Surprised by the many hobos and bumps in the streets. What a gap between the big houses, fancy shops and expensive cars in
Santa Monica and in that same beautiful city the poor people sitting on benches in 3th street, begging for food, shelter and clothes. A result of the modern society or the lack of a social security system that could prevent those situations.????

And that is what makes traveling so interesting. The differences and the other points of view.
Facts that make you wonder why some people stay at home.

I enjoyed the trip a lot.

Special thanks to vt members Jennifer in SF and to John ( araby on vt) in Ca whose hospitality was amazing. Thanks a lot guys.

I'll have to go back soon !!!!!!!

Thanks for visiting. As you will see, most of my pages are not built yet.
The ones with information and pictures are mostly about the AFRICAN continent.
To my opinion, AFRICA is THE place to be. It is risky from time to time, but the Southern Africa region is ok and without any problems.
Hope you enjoy the pictures and information.