Consider me a weeb but I like Japan, it has some truly beautiful nature and cuisines to try across the country.
Yes, there is a bit of that anime or gaming side to it, they’ve birthed many favourite nostalgic franchises of mine like Crash Bandicoot or Pokemon.
I also really like their architecture with their traditional houses and castles, the whole thing just seems really peaceful and tranquil given it it is a “quiet and polite” country.
Their country might be set in their ways but that is what I think makes the country special, keeping its traditions, beliefs and culture for many, many years.
My bro likes Spain because of their food and hot sunny weather 😎
What about you? What country do you like and why?
Just vacationed in Belize. Tiny place near Guatemala and Mexico on the Caribbean. It’s the only English speaking country in South America; founded by English pirates who wanted to steal Spanish gold. Great food, friendly people, and interesting history.
Japan. practically everything I really enjoy comes from there.
New Zealand, it has all the good and none of the bad. Never been there but have lived in areas responsible for giving me its accent.
Probably the UK, mainly due to the history. You’ve got archaeology going back to the bronze age and before, well-preserved ruins from throughout the medieval era, and a very well-documented pre-modern history record.
They had a fairly unique path through global history, from the darkness of the colonial and imperial era, to being the bastion against Napoleon and then European fascism, to the seat of the voluntary and cooperative Commonwealth nations today. They’re one of the best examples of just how much a society can evolve, and are still one of a handful of European nations where the far right is struggling the most to gain a foothold. I admire that greatly.
Oh, and I never did quite grow out of my longbows-are-cool phase. And ships. Ships are cool too. And British humour is entertaining. And they like to insert a random letter U here and there for no discernable reason.
Just because you said medieval ruins, I’m much more impressed with the medieval buildings that aren’t ruins. Definitely worth looking into some of these less well know places if you ever plan a trip, or just want to look up some cool pictures.
For US people, the thing thats most impressive, is that all of these were built before Christopher Columbus even started his voyage to the americas in 1492.
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, Nottingham - Established around 1189, makes it approximately 835 years old. The pub is partially built into the sandstone caves beneath Nottingham Castle. Still a great looking and fully functioning pub today, I want to go there.
Anne Hathaways Cottage, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire - Dates back to about 1463, which makes it around 560 years old. A very British medieval farmhouse and the childhood home of William Shakespeare’s wife.
Stokesay Castle, Shropshire - Was built in the late 13th century, around 1291, which makes it over 730 years old. It’s one of the best preserved fortified manor houses in England.
Monnow Bridge, Monmouth, Wales - Was built in the late 13th century, around 1272-1297, making it about 725 years old. It’s the only remaining fortified river bridge in Britain with its gate tower intact.
St. Ives Bridge, Cambridgeshire - Built in the 1400s, making it around 600 years old. The bridge has a full chapel in the middle.
I like Germany. I’ve never been and never a German but I really admire their architecture, design and culture towards building and design. They have so many cool festivals with music and food. I’m also jealous that Europeans can just scoot over to other countries so easily.
Scotland, hands down. I feel so lucky to be living here. I was only going to stay three years & then go back to New Zealand and settle down. Thirty-five years later I’m still here. I fell in love with the hills - and the freedom to walk on them - the lochs, the ancient ruins. But most of all I fell in love with the people. Their craic, their warmth and craziness, their generosity, their music. I love that you can talk to anyone and you’ll often hear an amazing life story.
I love things like this: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/anti-deportations-group-issues-guide-24107754
I love the cultural richness that’s come from successive waves of immigration, from Italy, India & Pakistan, China, Poland and more.
I love the food. I love haggis and Arbroath smokies and Aberdeen butteries and shortbread and oatcakes and Tunnocks caramel wafers.
And least I forget, yes, I love the weather.
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I’m an urban type of person so I’m a fan of megacities where everything you need is a short walk/ride/drive away. For Asia, it would be Singapore and Japan. I haven’t been around Europe much, but I loved Czechia. I haven’t been to the Scandinavian countries so I can’t say, but they are definitely interesting to me from an outsider’s perspective.
Fucking love Mexico. I’m not Mexican, but do speak Spanish… Hot dang it’s a parade down the street literally every day, everyone is super out-of-their-way friendly, and the things they make are amazing: furniture, glass, textiles.
I would love to live there but the cartel violence is terrifying, as is the lack of water. Also… They don’t want me!
What do you mean by them not wanting you?
Huge parts of Mexico are in a major drought right now, so there’s literally not enough water to go around. There is also a housing shortage in the cities (due to a lack of building new apartments, and due to the shortage of older tree-lined neighborhoods - as elsewhere, what’s being built now is not enough and not so nice), and gentrification is creating an affordability issue. It’s not dissimilar to the dissatisfaction in some US cities. Some of this is exacerbated by “digital nomads” who moved during COVID, but it’s also due to longer term government issues very similar to what the US is facing.
Anyway, “Gringo go home” is not an uncommon phrase graffitied on walls. I’d love to move there, but I don’t want to make life more difficult for locals, or be perceived as doing so.
Makes sense, thanks for explaining :)
New Zealand. The wife & I spent 3 weeks there earlier this year. The people were all very friendly, and the range of things to do & see is just amazing if you’re into the outdoors at all.
Don’t mean to be a dick but Crash Bandicoot was created and developed by Naughty Dog, a US company. It was published by Sony for the first several years, though.
have you ever worked for a japanese company? i don’t think you can know a country simply by visiting it.
my impressions of vietnam at 1 year and at 5 years with a family and a business are completely different.
Probably Iceland. No one bothers them and they don’t bother anyone. Doesn’t get hot, fjords and geysers to look at, puffins, bubble hotels, cool metal scene.
I second Iceland. Every time we’ve gone through or visited, though, the volcano near grindavik gifted us with a solo and a light show.
Like, it’s cool to be appreciated, but I wanna try out that posh blue spa thing. I’ve saved my money!
The people seem happy; even the cab drivers. Everywhere we went people seemed to be happy and helpful and nice. Either they all have their tourist game tight or they’re really just great people.
I agree,and I’m from Iceland. People who come complain about the weather though.
China, it’s pretty much the only country where meaningful progress is happening right now.
Top of the list of countries that I haven’t been to and just admire from afar: Peru. Now I’m sure someone is going to come in here and ruin it for me.
No, it’s a beautiful country, the people are nice and the food is great. (Maybe visit first in the dry season though.)
