What we can learn from the title ugly American...

Our view of American Tourists is the ugly American... ..

From Germany to Granada, we hear and see tourists speaking and yelling in English and amazed others don't speak English,.. In the USA, people have voted for English only laws... but when we go abroad we expect the rules to change... 

One of the best parts of travel is to become a part of another culture and country... 

There is a new dynamic that is the exact same perspective but from yet another country... 

This CNN article from 2013 discussed the same learning curve Americans have had now is being traveled thru by the Chinese Tourists as they now begin to become one of the largest traveling countrymen...... 

When traveling, as when you go to another persons home, remember to understand the culture and expectations.. You are a guest.. (no matter the color of your credit card) and all of the manners your parents taught you as a child can make your overseas trip a delight... 

Appreciating how many ways different cultures do and handle situations is exciting and broadens ones world view and makes one more accepting of "the other" even when back at home... 

So as you read the CNN article understand that everyone has been the new tourist and has gone thru the learning curve.. 

A polite reply or gentle comment can go far to help our Guests in American, have a pleasant experience and allows us to enjoy the hospitality that America can be known for.

Travel for cultural understanding, reviving my Blog....

I am not suggesting that we go to a war zone and begin to sing we are the world. I am suggesting that  travel is a great educator and wonderful way to bring people together. 

When I first started a travel company (now closed) I had visions of bringing people together and helping them explore the world... What I now know is there is so much more to the job.. I made the decision to close the "travel agency" down almost 4 years ago... The stress and factors that are out of the Travel Agents control were (for me) measured higher on the chart then the joy of seeing someone enjoy a new destination... 

For a while, I have put travel writing and my belief in the benefit of travel on the shelf.. Trip Advisor continues to post my reviews of locations and restaurants.. which is wonderful... and it is now time for me to pick up my walking stick and begin to blog again... 

My commitment is one post a week... maybe every two weeks... My first new post will be on Monday, April 28th, 2014.

I will be highlighting various locations, best ways to really see the world and sharing articles written (with credit given) about cities, near and far... 

Fair Dinkum means Truth or honest.. in Aussie.. 

Please feel free to share my upcoming posts as desired.

Kendall
Fair Dinkum Travel 

Carlsbad Village Dining Tour

I had the opportunity to play travel /tour guide yesterday here in Carlsbad. One day before the Carlsbad Street Faire  today Nov. 3,2013.
We traveled thru the back streets past Hennesseys to Swami's restaurant on coast Hiway back toward Carlsbad village dr. where we crossed over and stopped at Frescores just past the corner of coast Hiway and the Carlsbad village dr. then across the street to Norte an Olde Carlsbad Staple across the lawns onto the beach and then stopped a moment to admire a beautiful Carlsbad winter day.. ..
After a bit of a reprieve we crossed back over and stopped at the Tamarack Beach Resort and went to the sundeck.. our final stop was Dinis.. on our way back we passed The Armenian Cafe, Cafe Elysa,  Pizza Port and Bottle Shop, Beach City Smoothies, and lets not forget Peons, 83 degrees, and The Grand Deli. There are so many more but we were going in a short circle to get the lay of the downtown eating choices.
We stopped at some of the restaurants looked over the menus and proceeded on.. It was a short hour tour and it gave my guest a great overview of a sampling of the restaurants, cuisines and various ambiances that the village has to offer...

I share this as taking a short restaurant tour highlights the charm of our central area and international options locals and guests alike may enjoy.
Go to  Visit Carlsbad for a full list of dining experiences through out Carlsbad.

The Sainte Claire Hotel, San Jose, Ca.

The Sainte Claire, San Jose Ca.

“Approved with a few minor issues.

This is a very old hotel and very nicely decorated. I have a room on the top floor (6th) and it is very nice... My room comes with a queen size bed lots of pillows.. This is a good thing.. not just two huge but 3 medium size.. The room was very clean and taken care of... and the hotel staff is very welcoming and courteous. The lobby has been restored and it is a very nice property in the midst of a very thrown together city..
Only issues to be away of.. and not major. Like several others have mentioned. The bathroom tub is cracked and peeling.. So even though it has a large tub.. I wouldn't recommend taking a bath. . as the rust is obvious.
Other minor issue.. the electrical plugs behind the desk, one is for the phone the other has an extension cord with two lamps and the clock radio plugged in.. Not the coffee pot.. had to pull the desk out, unplug the various items to get coffee working..
Thank Goodness, this is a very clean hotel so I didn't have any surprises when I pulled the desk away from the wall..
So over all would concur with the other reviewers.. it is fairly priced for the city area, parking is 29 a day valet only.. There is not parking readily available in San Jose downtown .. so this is not an added expense but a necessity.
The furniture and design make this a nice place to relax in the midst of a very eclectic city.

Room Tip: Other travelers have mentioned noise.. Between the dumpsters around the city and the noise outside...

See more room tips

• Stayed August 2013, traveled solo
  • Value
  • Location
  • Sleep Quality
  • Rooms
  • Cleanliness
  • Service

Life of a local:Carlsbad, Ca. a summer vacation destination and home.. how a local has fun.....

Carlsbad is known around the world as an international vacation spot... we have nice beaches, some fine dining, Legoland and not a long drive to either Disneyland or Hollywood to the north or San Diego and the Gaslamp down south...As a volunteer at the Carlsbad Visitor Center, I get a chuckle out of the travelers that ask what do we do if the sun is not out?... A fair question... and one that I always am drawn back to..
I will be posting the life of a local in the future..
If you are a local and would like to share your favorite regular Carlsbad outings.. let me know...
thanks,
Kendall