Feel Free to create one!

Simplest way is to edited and change the topic title then see what happens!

Well, for Pete's sake, let's do something with this, or, as you say, Brit, start something new.

As I'm just getting the hang of TBD, I was thinking about doing just this thing. I've been many places and would really like to talk about international issues without separating them completely.

I was in Kosovo in 1998, I used to live in Scotland, have been a writer about many issues and places, and am currently starting a requested series on Bhutan. Sometimes, while I'm writing and remembering, I need a place to vent. Could we do that?

Roxley has just returned from China and she has I'm sure something to tell us - as have many other seasoned travellers.

We're looking to you Kathy-O to lead us through here!

Exactly! :-)

Kathy,

What was your perception of how Americans are viewed/treated when you were abroad? Did you feel welcomed or perhaps diseased?

It concerns me that the international image of all Americans is entirely based on Bush and Hollywood.

Any comments?

Thanks for the encouragement. It looks like people were just waiting for someone to jump in. I see that there are a lot of responses now, so let's see what I can do...

Writing, venting, remembering - sounds like the fuel for many fruitful discussions. The past two years have held several opportunities for me to travel - some for business, and some for pleasure. It had been 30+ years since I had been outside of the U.S., and I had several wonderful experiences.

I realize that although my travels seemed much like a honeymoon to me (I was falling in love with the world, almost!), there are other experiences in the world that are troubling. But my overriding impression is that no matter where you go in the world, people are people, and we are all connected. There is always something that we can find in common with others.

I'm open for it all....