Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: rec.travel.travelers (defining a new group) - long
From: connolly@sde.mdso.vf.ge.com (Connolly Sean)
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 23:45:04 GMT
Reply-To: connolly@sde.mdso.vf.ge.com
Organization: GE M&DSO - VF

	I recently started discussion about starting a new group.  There seems
to be a adequate number of people who have mailed me with interested responses,
(~15) so I'm posting a first draft of a possible description of the group.  
Some have recommended making it a mailing list instead.  If you think that's 
better, please let me know.
	NOTE: This is not yet a formal Call For Votes.  It is only a request
for others to put in their opinions about what the new group should be like.
Please don't write just to say yes or no.  After I have gotten input from a 
number of people, I'll put up a formal Call For Votes.  Then, please, let me
know what you think.

	Also, (sheepish grin) if anyone knows how to create a new group,
please let me know...

Regarding the proposed new newsgroup:
This is only the first draft.  Please let me know if you think anything
should be added, erased, modified, or in any way changed.  I've taken
phrases from letters mailed to me here and there to put into this
description - hope you don't mind.

Name: rec.travel.travelers, rec.travel.ers, maybe rec.travel.back-door? 
	Some people recommend rec.travel.adventure.

Targeted audience:  For the traveler, not the tourist!  Those people who wish 
	to travel the world (on a limited budget) for the purpose of learning
	the culture, meeting the people, and living the life of the countries
	they visit.  For people who read Lonely Planet guides instead of 
	Fodors.  Strongly contrasting with the tourist.  Not only for those
	who can travel for months at a time, but for anyone who wishes to 
	gain and spread an understanding of the world.

Indications:
		When you came back from your trip, did your pictures contain
	50 angles of Big Ben, 125 shots of the same castle, and 30 shots of 
	all the four-star hotels you stayed at during your trip?  
	Or: 
		Did they contain shots of you and Pierre sampling your
	fifth vintage of wine that day in France, Hilda running down 
	Alpspitze in Germany that day you two climbed to the top, a picture
	of you taking a hand at milking the farmer's cow in Peru?

		Does your travel journal record: "Today I visited Venice,
	tomorrow, I'm going to Florence, then tomorrow night I'm going to 
	Rome.  Only have one week vacation so I'd better see it all."
	Or:
		Does it say:  "Only have one week holiday this time, but
	I always wanted to know what life was like in the real Italy.  So
	I'll spend the week in [some small, unknown, yet authentic Italian
	town].  Next time, maybe I go see [Venezia | Firenze | Roma], but
	it's not high on my list."

		Is your idea of a good time (while traveling) spending a
	loud, fast-paced, drunken time with a bunch of other 
	Canadians/Americans/Australians in the Hofbrau house in Munich? 
	Or:
		Is it learning an old German drinking song from that 
	Ancient over in the corner, spending a night with a lively
	game of darts in a Irish pub with a bunch of Irish teens, and
	holding an (entirely incomprehensible, yet entertaining) 
	discussion with the young lady you met during your hike, who
	doesn't speak any of your language.

Discussing:
	- Travel stories.  Not "I saw the Eiffel tower and it was beautiful,"
		but, rather, "The three day journey from Greece to Switzerland
		and people I met along the way - featuring: the Brindisi train
		station floor, how to survive on no food for 3 days, and, 
		English: who needs it?," or "Three old men I met on a bench 
		in Nepal"	

	- Hostels: filthy hole in the wall, or treasured place to meet the
		fellow traveler?  Recommended or not recommended hostels 
		around the world, including descriptions.
	
	- Methods for traveling the life of the vagabond:  How to survive with
		a 25 pound backpack, how to wash your clothes when there are
		no laundry facilities or sinks around, 
		can of beans: disgusting, yet nutritious and cheap.

	- How to stretch that dollar (or pound or franc, etc) as far as
		possible while still getting the most out of travel.

	- Travel Sign Language - not everyone speaks English around the 
		world, but put your hand to your mouth then rub your 
		stomach, and most likely you'll find food - or perhaps a 
		doctor!  How to communicate when you don't speak their 
		language, and they don't speak yours.

	- Maybe key words in the languages of the world, plus their 
		pronunciations:
		Thank you. Please. Hello. Goodbye. Enjoy!

	- Important mannerisms of different regions of the world.  How
		to blend in:
		A wink - someone sharing an intimate secret, or a 
			terrible insult?
		I'll have one, please - use the thumb or forefinger to 
			indicate the number?
		Yes or No, what did that nod mean?
	
	- Work/Travel - is it possible? and how to do it.

	As Pam Hinds said in her letter: "The next best thing to traveling 
		is talking about it!!"


-- 
Sean Connolly
connolly@sde.mdso.vf.ge.com
Newsgroups: rec.travel