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We arrived back in Australia last week after yet another amazing visit to the US.
It began in Seattle at my first ever Paizocon. Although it was much anticipated, the convention managed to be even better than I expected. I got to finally meet a large number of the staff (my goal was to say hello to all of them, but that turned out to be beyond me) and they were universally friendly, approachable and incredibly generous with their time. I attended all those seminars I've always been so jealous about missing, got to go to the banquet and hear the big news and updates direct from the staff, rather than waiting for snippets on the messageboards. I also played in a couple of games, met some 3PP guys I'd only ever spoken to via email and even survived being the canary in a trap-laden Bill Webb dungeon. :) If you've never been to Paizocon - you should make it a priority. It was a lovely feeling to be amongst such friendly and happy people.
After that we spent a week driving down the west coast to San Francisco, spent a couple of days there and finally flew to New Orleans for the final week. As usual we were struck by a sense of community and welcoming friendliness everywhere we went. The side of America we love and wish we could explain to our friends back home.
It was whilst we were in New Orleans that Orlando happened - displaying the other side of the US and the bit that gets all the airplay here at home. When I tell people about our trip, their response is always "You weren't anywhere near Orlando, I hope?" It's such a shame that the violent side of America is what makes the news - not the welcoming, generous people we see and meet every time we visit.
The attack in Orlando was tragic and awful. Made even worse by the stupidity of hating someone else just for who they are and how they live. I can't imagine what it's like to be targeted in that way and the fact people still manage to express themselves and live their lives in the face of such violence and loathing is quite inspirational.
I love American people and I truly hope that the compassionate, friendly, tolerant people that I've always been fortunate enough to meet can find a way to win over the violent, intolerant few who always seem to make the news.
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Working on it. :-)
We love you, too, Steve! And as CY says: we're working on it! :D
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.....and finally flew to New Orleans for the final week. As usual we were struck by a sense of community and welcoming friendliness everywhere we went. The side of America we love and wish we could explain to our friends back home.
You must have visited a different New Orleans than the one I'm familiar with......
Sadly, I'm not joking. As it's my hometown, I still have plenty of friends there and constantly get news. The crime rate has been really bad in the last year or so, and it's only getting worse.
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Glad to hear you had a bang-up trip Steve, yeah, despite the bad press, most of us 'Mericans are good folk, and as CY says, we are working hard on fixing the rough patches.
Come to ny.
I will show you around personally.
We are wonderful people here, with a few exceptions.
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We're working on it, Steve! We're working on it.
The only way to fight hatred and violence is with joy and peace.
Oh, and I totally agree with Freehold DM!
Completely ignore the perception about the Big Apple being dangerous. New York City is one of the safest cities in the US. It's an amazing place: the cultural and financial capital of the US. There's always something interesting to do.
And New Yorkers can be some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet!
In fact, the only city I love more than New York is Boston...
(Go Sawx!)
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There is plenty more to see. Not sure the twin cities is a huge destination for your future trip planning but you'll find a big midwestern welcome if you decide to visit!
Take care thanks for letting folks know its not an all out war zone in the U.S.!
We'll get there eventually. Our goal is to visit every state. We've only ticked off about ten so far. :)
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.....and finally flew to New Orleans for the final week. As usual we were struck by a sense of community and welcoming friendliness everywhere we went. The side of America we love and wish we could explain to our friends back home.You must have visited a different New Orleans than the one I'm familiar with......
Sadly, I'm not joking. As it's my hometown, I still have plenty of friends there and constantly get news. The crime rate has been really bad in the last year or so, and it's only getting worse.
I'm a pretty cautious traveller, so stick to the busy areas with lots of people around. We pretty much just visited the French Quarter, the Garden District and then various paddlesteamer/bus tours (plus an awesome airboat ride to see and hold some alligators). :)
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That's right! We're not violent at all!
In fact, the only city I love more than New York is Boston...(Go Sawx!)
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Come to ny.
I will show you around personally.
We are wonderful people here, with a few exceptions.
We're working on it, Steve! We're working on it.
The only way to fight hatred and violence is with joy and peace.
Oh, and I totally agree with Freehold DM!
Completely ignore the perception about the Big Apple being dangerous. New York City is one of the safest cities in the US. It's an amazing place: the cultural and financial capital of the US. There's always something interesting to do.
And New Yorkers can be some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet!
In fact, the only city I love more than New York is Boston...
(Go Sawx!)
New York was the first US city I visited and it remains one of my favorites. We left wanting to move there for a year - such a lot to see and do. And yeah - we felt very safe and the people were much friendlier than my preconceptions. I swear I expected a mugger on every corner. :/
(Boston was fun too).
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I'm from suburban Connecticut, so there's not much going on here. But we were the ideal wartime community of 1943!
Still on the list for the future...
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I don't think we crossed paths this year Steve, so I'm glad I didn't get a chance to ruin anything for you. :) Hope you're able to make next year too!
Me too. I'll pay more attention to which forumites are going to be there next time. I was kicking myself to see some of the people I missed out on saying hello to.
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Ever been to Philadelphia? Yeah the cheesesteaks are great, but there is also a restaurant with bento boxes. The museums are incredible. There are still some big book stores, one of which is part of a university. Septa transitpasses are good for the trains too on the weekend. Maybe when they bring Philcon back into Philadelphia. If enough people promise to visit when they bring back Philcon, maybe they will.
Write or E-mail here.
You might want to land outside Philly, rent a car, fill it full of soda pop, and drive into town. There's a soda tax that even applies to bottled tea with no sugar in it. They are one instigator away from a reenactment of the Boston tea party.:)
No, really, I was kidding. Don't blame me if it happens.
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If you make it to Fairbanks Alaska, look me up.
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Seattle does have a lot of conventions and a lot of people working in the "game" industry. Lovely Summer's too. Maybe I take them for granted because I've been here all my life and don't go to that many! However, I have met more than a few people with a level of "geek celebrity" outside of conventions.
As for the other side, there is a local radio talk shows that has been poking fun at Flordia news reports for longer than just recent events. They have a section of their daily news report called "Things Are Not Right in Florida", and a oft-played sample of a little girl bemoaning "Oh Florida". I haven't been to the state but I understand they have lovely weather, golf, and beaches. A nice place to retire. On the other hand they are they only place where you will find both alligators and crocodiles.
Hey! Florida is awesome!
(Except in the summer. Don't come here then.)
;p
That said, our house will likely be horrifically messy, but we have a couch, here in Ocala, if you need one (and maybe, depending on forwarding, an inflatable mattress instead).
Sure, it sucks, but it's cheap! We'll take you to all the high-class joints!
You know: Ocean Buffet, Golden Corral (also a buffet), Publix for the free snacks, McDonalds... just the ritziest! Our treat! Once! (This is a jo-, I say a joke, Son!)
I'll even plan to run a PF game for you! Hm... if we want my wife as a player, it'll need to be summer after all... just, uh... bring cool clothes... yeah... :)
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Completely ignore the perception about the Big Apple being dangerous. New York City is one of the safest cities in the US. )
I think it's leftover reputation from back in the 70's through early 90's when it really was rather dangerous. (Not that you were likely to be murdered if you stepped outside then either.)
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We'll get there eventually. Our goal is to visit every state. We've only ticked off about ten so far. :)There is plenty more to see. Not sure the twin cities is a huge destination for your future trip planning but you'll find a big midwestern welcome if you decide to visit!
Take care thanks for letting folks know its not an all out war zone in the U.S.!
Yup, if you come to Minnesota, Pan and I would both be able to give tons of recommendations on things to do and see.
Baltimore depends, really depends. It has an interesting culture that you have to experience and live in to understand. I visit, so I have a clue, that's all.
Cheers Steve, I absolutely love your country as well, I've spent a great deal of time in Australia and love the people there. If I may recommend, next time you visit the USA, check out Southern California. I see you've been to the Bay Area, but So Cal is fun as well. San Diego is a great town, as is Santa Barbara.
Of course there are other great tourism spots as well, such as Florida and Hawaii.