Friday, November 18, 2011

My all- time favorite travel writer is Art Buchwald who, in the 1960s was the special correspondent for the Paris edition of the New York Herald Tribune. It’s a pleasure to share this humorous insight presented in such whimsical yet subtle observation of how many of our fellow citizens view the world away from the confines of their everyday lives.

BON VOYAGE
As one who has made a close study of tourism, I believe I have isolated a type of tourist that is becoming more and more prevalent. I recently met an American couple who had been touring Europe for a month and were on the home stretch in Paris. In line with my theory, their reactions were predictable. “Jane,” the man said, “didn’t like Rome, but I still thought it was better than Venice.” Jane said: “That’s because Harry didn’t have the experiences I had. I still maintain I’d rather spend four days in Venice than two in Rome.” “It was that bad huh?” Harry said: “Well it wasn’t as bad as Zurich. Jane agreed: We both hated Zurich. It was almost as bad as Copenhagen.” “You didn’t like Copenhagen?” I asked. “Does anyone like Copenhagen?” Harry wanted to know. “We were almost as disappointed in it as we were in London.” “Which,” said Jane, “turned out to be dreadful.” “The funny thing,” said Harry, “ I hated London, but I thought Jane liked it, so I said I liked it.” “And,” said Jane, “I thought Harry like it so I didn’t tell him I hated it. If we had known , we would have left right away.” “But where would you have gone?” I asked. “Not to Monte Carlo, that’s for sure,” Harry said. “I don’t see what Princess Grace sees in that place,” Jane said. “Well what about Paris?” I foolishly asked. “The worst,” said Jane. “The people are so unfriendly and the prices are high, and I don’t see what there is that’s so special about Paris.” “There’s no doubt it,” Harry said. “Europe’s overrated.” I left them on the Champs Elysées. Harry was explaining to Jane why he didn’t like the Arc de Triomphe, and Jane was telling Harry why she didn’t like the Place de la Concorde. You couldn’t find two happier people.