|
azbob
|
 |
« on: November 04, 2009, 01:52:40 PM » |
|
In the late 60’s I lived and worked in Istanbul, Turkey for 18 months. For the youngsters out there, this was the time of the “Ugly American”, kind of like the French are considered now. Of course, I wasn’t “ONE” of those, but there were places you really did not want to say you were American because it caused difficulties. Anyway my friend and I decided we wanted to backpack down the Turkish Mediterranean Cost by bus and hitching rides to truly see the country and all the ancient ruins such as Troy, Ephesus, Antalya, etc. Then, utilizing ferries and working on private boats we were go to as many of the Greek Islands as we could.
But, there was that “Ugly American” stigma very prominent is small towns in Turkey. A dilemma for two young Americans wanting to absorb the culture and also have a good time. So, we became Canadians!!!!! Why? Because it is a English speaking country (except for Quebec) and the average Turk would have heard of Canada, but not heard anything bad.
During this same time, Greeks were very friendly to Americans, so how do belong to two different countries. There was the passport issue also.
Our solution: we sewed American flag patches on the back of our backpacks then over that a Canadian flag patch. It worked!!! Throughout Turkey we were Canadians and thanks goodness we never had to show our passports. We spoke some Turkish and when asked where we were from, we pointed to our flag and said “Can-a-da”. We got some puzzled looks, but mostly smiles and help whenever we needed it. It was nice being Canadian, so thank you for letting be a step child for a few weeks.
When we sailed into Greece, the Canadian flags came off and we were Americans again. We had a great time, but that’s a whole other story!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Hang on tight to your dreams
|
|
|
|
Nova
|
 |
« Reply #1 on: November 04, 2009, 03:53:12 PM » |
|
Ahem. Bob - did I ever tell you what Canadians think about Americans pretending to be Canadian??? Yeah. Not so much!  Then again, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!  Carry on! |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Tell the truth and shame the devil!
|
|
|
|
2Aggies
|
|
« Reply #2 on: November 04, 2009, 04:09:20 PM » |
|
Ahmmm - Bob - did I ever tell you what I think about Americans pretending to not be Americans!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Beer tastes better with sand between your toes and the reef in view!
Why is that Captain Ron?
|
|
|
|
azbob
|
|
« Reply #3 on: November 04, 2009, 07:42:24 PM » |
|
Hey, it was a different time and place. The world was different then!!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Hang on tight to your dreams
|
|
|
|
deadserious
|
|
« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2009, 02:14:09 AM » |
|
Next thing you know you'll be telling people that you voted for Obama just to fit in... Like Otteralum.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Now back to your regularly scheduled drivel...
|
|
|
|
Nova
|
|
« Reply #5 on: November 05, 2009, 06:33:10 AM » |
|
Dead - lay off Otter or you'll get your arse kicked, dude.  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Tell the truth and shame the devil!
|
|
|
|
deadserious
|
|
« Reply #6 on: November 05, 2009, 08:52:04 AM » |
|
I've got no beef with the Otter.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Now back to your regularly scheduled drivel...
|
|
|
|
Nova
|
|
« Reply #7 on: November 05, 2009, 10:04:25 AM » |
|
OK den. Carry on!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Tell the truth and shame the devil!
|
|
|
|
Hon
|
|
« Reply #8 on: November 05, 2009, 04:07:50 PM » |
|
True story...last year, in Germany, traveling by train between Munich and Fussen we struck up a conversation with the young couple sitting across from us. They asked where we were from. When we said 'Canada', they asked why we didn't have a Canadian flag on our bags such as they had seen many times on that very train. My reply 'only Americans have Canadian flags on their bags' almost sent them rolling into the aisle with laughter.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Newfoundlanders are the only people in heaven who want to go home.
|
|
|
|
welland
|
|
« Reply #9 on: November 05, 2009, 05:13:02 PM » |
|
Just got back from doing the islands in the Aegean last week, but I didn't have to pretend that I was Canadian.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Moose in Belize
|
|
« Reply #10 on: November 05, 2009, 05:58:02 PM » |
|
Hey, it was a different time and place. The world was different then!!!!! Do you really think so?  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Keep an open mind and something good may fall in.
Grazing north of the 49th parallel.
|
|
|
|
Moose in Belize
|
|
« Reply #11 on: November 05, 2009, 08:29:47 PM » |
|
Just got back from doing the islands in the Aegean last week, but I didn't have to pretend that I was Canadian. Because you are!! |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Keep an open mind and something good may fall in.
Grazing north of the 49th parallel.
|
|
|
|
welland
|
|
« Reply #12 on: November 05, 2009, 08:39:53 PM » |
|
Your right!!, and proud of it.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Moose in Belize
|
|
« Reply #13 on: November 05, 2009, 08:45:49 PM » |
|
Your right!!, and proud of it. Pet peeve....those that don't know (or care to know) the difference between "your" and "you're". Drives me ape shit! Oh oh, ape shit alert. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Keep an open mind and something good may fall in.
Grazing north of the 49th parallel.
|
|
|
|
welland
|
|
« Reply #14 on: November 06, 2009, 07:24:10 AM » |
|
If thats what drives her ape shit she can't be Canadian eh.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
