A question for the non-US X-Markers...

**BoldHighlander** · 1st July 10, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by Detroitpete

Not sure if I should post here or not, since my thought is that the OP was thinking more in terms of those not from the states and where they'd like to visit....

And just by coincidence I saw this new thread that touches upon that very subject (showing XMarkers around your "hometown"): where would you go?

**Detroitpete** · 1st July 10, 02:45 PM

DOH! Sorry--didn't see it

**ThistleDown** · 1st July 10, 03:11 PM

Be careful Sir William. Remember your original question was: "Imagine, if you will, that you are going to visit the United States for a few weeks. Cost of the airfare, hotels, meals, transportation, and other fees is not a major issue.

Where would you like to go in the United States and what would you like to see or do?"

You are getting answers from your own countrymen about what they would like a visitor to see. I don't think that was what you wanted, was it, to plant new ideas in the mind of a potential tourist? It seems to me that you had a hidden question within the first one: "what do you already know about that you want to see?" Subtle, very subtle -- but very, very good

Rex

**Chas** · 1st July 10, 03:11 PM

If I may, I would like to add a bit more European insight.

As a general rule of thumb, Europeans are not overly impressed with North American cities. I have worked in cities in the UK that were old, long before 'Columbus sailed the ocean blue in Fourteen Hundred and Ninety Two'. The foundations of my last house were laid down in the 12th century. We've seen 'modernism' and 'post-modernism' and 'brutalism' and frankly can take it or leave it.

Just being a city isn't good enough - we've got our own thanks.

But the natural beauty - that is where your country scores. And in the end, that is what will impress Europeans and give them something to remember.

Regards

Chas

**Bugbear** · 1st July 10, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by Chas

If I may, I would like to add a bit more European insight.

As a general rule of thumb, Europeans are not overly impressed with North American cities. I have worked in cities in the UK that were old, long before 'Columbus sailed the ocean blue in Fourteen Hundred and Ninety Two'. The foundations of my last house were laid down in the 12th century. We've seen 'modernism' and 'post-modernism' and 'brutalism' and frankly can take it or leave it.

Just being a city isn't good enough - we've got our own thanks.

But the natural beauty - that is where your country scores. And in the end, that is what will impress Europeans and give them something to remember.

Regards

Chas

We have ancient cities over here too, Chas. Zia Pueblo comes to mind. Ron might chime in on the Hopi...

* I'll try to keep quiet now.

**Chas** · 1st July 10, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by Bugbear

We have ancient cities over here too, Chas. Zia Pueblo comes to mind. Ron might chime in on the Hopi...

* I'll try to keep quiet now.

No argument from me, Ted. I had assumed (probably mistakenly) that that the ancient cities had at some time been abandoned and would come under a heading of 'ancient artifact'. I did not realise that they had been in constant habitation - sorry.

Regards

Chas

**Bugbear** · 1st July 10, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by Chas

No argument from me, Ted. I had assumed (probably mistakenly) that that the ancient cities had at some time been abandoned and would come under a heading of 'ancient artifact'. I did not realise that they had been in constant habitation - sorry.

Regards

Chas

Na, I was just saying. It can be very interesting, and there's several places like that.

However, the Phoenix area has been inhabited continually for eons, thousands of years, but it has had risings and fallings of populations/cultures. We still use some parts of the Hohokam water works that fell out of use before the Spanish showed up. It's been modified with cement etc, of course. I really don't think people feel, deep down below what they have been told, so disconnected from the past of the land out here, at least I don't. I can't imagine why our international air port, Sky Harbor, would have Native American motifs all over the place, other wise. Ancestors of the people who lived here before the Spanish et al showed up still live here and contribute to the local culture. That's the way we are.

**ThistleDown** · 1st July 10, 04:30 PM

I don't think that Zia Pueblo would be considered a "city" to Europeans, but the point Chas is making is that there are very few -- if any -- cities in America that are in themselves intriguing to Europeans. The area of New Mexico that includes Zia Pueblo would certainly be of interest because it is the vast wilderness that entices.

Someone else mentioned Las Vegas. Monte Carlo and Monico are far more interesting to those Europeans who wish to gamble. And in Europe that's the only reason one would go to Las Vegas (or Reno).

There are many population centres in the US that have seen human inhabitation for a long time, but it is not an American such as you, Ted, knowing about them that Sir William is interested in. He wanted to know what the rest of the world knows: where in the US would Europeans, Asians, Africans, South Americans and those from Oceana want to visit if we had our druthers, lots of time and an unlimited budget?

Rex