Woot! My first Passport!

[MacDawg]

A record of a visit to Israel can make it difficult to travel to certain other countries. Think it used to be like that for South Africa as well... I think that a North Korean, Iranian or Cuban stamp would also raise an eyebrow at passport control upon reentering the US.

Sometimes when traveling between countries with political tensions, they will stamp a piece of paper that you can remove from your passport or reinsert when needed.

When I crossed from Jordan into Israel (1980?), they would not allow you in with a Jordanian stamp, but since we were crossing on land, where did they think we were coming from?? Jordan stamped a paper, we took it out, and gave an undefiled passport to Israel. Silly I know, but that's the way politics are.

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

47 years old and this is your first passport? Yikes!!

{Hangs head in shame}

I'm always amazed at how few Americans have a passport, I think the number is around 1 in 5 with only 3% of those having travelled overseas depending on who's giving the statistics. I just can't understand not having the urge to travel - I was brought up moving all over the world and I just can't imagine being stuck in the one country for my whole life.

Maybe it is not too surprising, given the sheer size of the contiguous 48 states. For myself, I have only been in 19 of our 50 states so far.

A record of a visit to Israel can make it difficult to travel to certain other countries. Think it used to be like that for South Africa as well... I think that a North Korean, Iranian or Cuban stamp would also raise an eyebrow at passport control upon reentering the US.

What a shame that politics rears its ugly head at times. Not sure that I would want to travel to Iran or North Korea; but Cuba is a place that I would love to see. Now I'll have to try to do that as a "student", and that is even harder to do today with the current administration.

 

[Chundles]

{Hangs head in shame}

Maybe it is not too surprising, given the sheer size of the contiguous 48 states. For myself, I have only been in 19 of our 50 states so far.

The sheer size of your 48 contiguous states is the same size as my country so you're not excused there. [EDIT] No offense to you meant there, just pointing out that we both have huge and diverse countries [EDIT] We only have 6 states and 2 territories though, and a population of 20 million so there's a lot of free space out there. Mind you it's barren desolate desert, one of the harshest environments on earth and the second driest continent on the planet after Antarctica so there's not much to see (although millions of tourists see it every year).

What gets me is that the low passport ownership level means that people just don't want to travel. All that "but we've got great things to see and do right here at home" may be true but still, why don't you guys want to see the rest of the world? Are you afraid of it?

It's not going to bite and you guys are so close to Europe and South America it's almost criminal that you aren't taking these opportunities.

Here it's almost a rite of passage to take a year off school between high school and tertiary education and go backpacking around Europe or work in the US/Canada or even take a bigger risk and go through South America. And then there's always Asia, an awesome place to take a holiday and it's the closest to us. Myself, I've spent more than a third of my 23 years living overseas and I wouldn't want it any other way.

I beg all of you guys without passports to get one and start yearning to see other countries and cultures, it's the greatest education you will ever get. Get out and see the world.

 

[Chundles]

Here's the size comparison, with the UK thrown in for good measure.

 

[Chundles]

 

[Will Cheyney]

i love my passport , not too sure why though ? must be all them good memory's .

i hate it in europe now , they do not stamp your passport anymore if your in th EU

They do if you ask them to!

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

The sheer size of your 48 contiguous states is the same size as my country so you're not excused there. [EDIT] No offense to you meant there, just pointing out that we both have huge and diverse countries [EDIT] We only have 6 states and 2 territories though, and a population of 20 million so there's a lot of free space out there. Mind you it's barren desolate desert, one of the harshest environments on earth and the second driest continent on the planet after Antarctica so there's not much to see (although millions of tourists see it every year).

No offense taken.

Did not realize that you were from Oz.

What gets me is that the low passport ownership level means that people just don't want to travel. All that "but we've got great things to see and do right here at home" may be true but still, why don't you guys want to see the rest of the world? Are you afraid of it?

You got my interest up on this topic. Did find this link (http://www.gyford.com/phil/writing/2003/01/31/how_many_america.php) that places an average of 20% of Americans owning passports.

The one reason that I think is valid is that in the US, we trail many other countries with vacation time. And for some short trips are something that doesn't represent "value" for us Americans.

I finally got my passport because I saw a note in the Travel Section of the Washington Post about Icelandair having two night packages with hotel for just $400 in January or February (also to prepare for a cruise with my sister in October 2006 - didn't want to hassle with my German birth certificate and Record of Foreign Birth, not in this post 9-11 world). Even a quick trip like this appeals to the adventures side I have.

My job allows me to swap with others so that I can get 4 days off in a row. I am also in a better financial place to be able to consider short or long trips.

It's not going to bite and you guys are so close to Europe and South America it's almost criminal that you aren't taking these opportunities.

I think that cultural/social/political issues are at play too. For if the US is THE "super power", why look any where else? If we have so many others wanting to get jobs and vacation here in the US, why go else where? Yes, these attitudes stink.

Here it's almost a rite of passage to take a year off school between high school and tertiary education and go backpacking around Europe or work in the US/Canada or even take a bigger risk and go through South America. And then there's always Asia, an awesome place to take a holiday and it's the closest to us. Myself, I've spent more than a third of my 23 years living overseas and I wouldn't want it any other way.

I beg all of you guys without passports to get one and start yearning to see other countries and cultures, it's the greatest education you will ever get. Get out and see the world.

Good points. The other is that Americans are too used to comfort IMO. Case in point my trip to Sf this past July. Stayed at a "European class" hotel. Very few Americans, but tons of others from around the world.

 

[Abstract]

The one reason that I think is valid is that in the US, we trail many other countries with vacation time. And for some short trips are something that doesn't represent "value" for us Americans.

...... Good points. The other is that Americans are too used to comfort IMO. Case in point my trip to Sf this past July. Stayed at a "European class" hotel. Very few Americans, but tons of others from around the world.

But Canada has around a similar number of days off as the US, and we travel way more than you Americans (per capita). I probably meet 2x more Americans when I travel than I do Canadians, but your population is 9x greater than Canada's.

And Canadians also like being comfortable.

If I had to make an analysis, I think Australians travel the most, then Canadians, British, Japanese, then several countries in Europe (per capita), and then FINALLY the US.

Personally, I don't look at the US and blame it on anything. I just think it's a cultural thing.

 

[xsedrinam]

I beg all of you guys without passports to get one and start yearning to see other countries and cultures, it's the greatest education you will ever get. Get out and see the world.

My first time to visit Oz was this past April. It was absolutely enchanting; the people, the sites, the adventure were worth a semester's grad level course. We were detained in Immigration (Entry) because we had been exposed to Yellow Fever (we live in a South American country where Yellow Fever has had outbreaks), and had not been informed about the need for recent shots' documentation. But the Immigration Health Agent's people skills were so "win-win", she had us agree to a self-imposed quarantine of 5 days whereby we were allowed to enter Sydney with the signed agreement that, if we encountered any fever within the first 5 days' visit, we would contact them immediately. Nothing proved needful for us to have to do that, but that incident was yet another part of a pleasant introduction to Aussies at their best, and we were able to make some new friends.

 

[absolut_mac]

After my sisters support and love and support during my "divorce" this past Spring. I offered her a cruise. So officially It will be a Caribbean nation or Mexico in October.

Cruises are really fanatastic, you'll have a great time.

I wasn't that keen to do one, but my wife spoke me into it. Coupled with the fact that she found an awesome deal that was literally almost impossible to turn down. So if I got another deal liie that, I would definitely go on another one.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Cruises are really fanatastic, you'll have a great time.

I wasn't that keen to do one, but my wife spoke me into it. Coupled with the fact that she found an awesome deal that was literally almost impossible to turn down. So if I got another deal liie that, I would definitely go on another one.

I am hoping for a good time. Just not sure that a free spirit like myself will be able to deal with the port schedules that a cruise ship demands.

 

[cooknwitha]

I know how you feel. I got my first passport about 2 months ago so I could finally spread my wings! No stamps yet but I still like to look at it.

That said, I've been offered a job in Japan and will be off in about 4 months. Woohoo!!!

 

[jdechko]

Chip, having several copies of your pasport is a great idea. In addition to your computer "copy" and your .mac "copy" I'd suggest carrying a paper copy with you on your trip... keep it with your luggage... that way if you lose your personal items, you still have a copy. Also, keep a copy with a friend at home in the Sates. That way you are covered in case you lose access to all of your copies.

And congrats on the passport too... I was happy when I got mine. It feels like an action movie where the guy has 6-7 passports with different aliases... even though I only have one, and its my real name.

 

[emw]

Congrats, Chip. I remember when I got my first passport about 6 years ago for a business trip to Mexico. Since then it's had a workout as I've traveled to about 10 countries since then, many multiple times. Not tons, but enough to have a few stamps and Visas. I just wish some of those trips were vacations

As for US travel - it is amazing that so many of us take the wonder of our own country for granted. I've been to many states, but there are a lot I've never been to that I think would be fantastic - Montana, Alaska, Maine, and Vermont come to mind, especially since I live in "scenic" Illinois.

I hope you get good use out of your passport - and the advice to make copies is very good advice. Having spare copies may come in quite handy sometime.

 

[martin1000]

i love my passport , not too sure why though ? must be all them good memory's .

i hate it in europe now , they do not stamp your passport anymore if your in th EU

Just got back from a trip to Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Estonia and got stamps from each.

Very geeky, but love getting the stamp!!!

 

[Applespider]

The sheer size of your 48 contiguous states is the same size as my country so you're not excused there. [EDIT] No offense to you meant there, just pointing out that we both have huge and diverse countries [EDIT]

I would actually excuse many Americans from not having passports based on their size and diversity. I loved your size comparison pics but I do think that the US is far more diverse than most other single countries. I've visited 27 of the US states and although they share a common language (for the most part although the dialects and accents do vary massively) and currency, the culture, beliefs and cuisine can vary tremendously.

If you only have a week's holiday, it's far cheaper and easier to hop on a flight of less than 5 hours and end up anywhere from the beaches of Hawaii, the theatres of Broadway, hiking in one of the national parks, driving along the Pacific Coast Highway, sunning in Florida, exploring the wildernesses of the big sky country. When you have so much to do nearer home, there's an automatic disadvantage to going somewhere that you don't understand the language, the hassle of switching currencies and understanding the local ways.

Obviously, I don't agree with that philosophy - I'll fly over the Atlantic for a weekend trip or over to Europe for a city break at the drop of a hat. But there are times I wonder whether I should be smelling the roses in my home country a little more often.

Wandering around London and listening in at tourist haunts, the Aussie/Kiwi tourists always seem much younger than those from the US (who often have children in tow or are retired). I do wonder whether one reason the Aussies/Kiwis are so much more likely to take gap years and travel so extensively when they're younger is that as they get older and have more commitments to jobs/families, their relative isolation from the rest of the world means travelling long-haul is more complex? Flights in double-digit hours for many locations might make it more off-putting?

 

[OutThere]

I can see how getting your first passport would be cool, though I've never experienced it myself.

I've had two passports since I was less than a month old.

 

[cooknwitha]

On the whole, Australia and New Zealand are countries of travellers. I recently read that 14% of New Zealanders live abroad.

I think culturally travelling is a big part of Australia. I find it's the exception when you meet people who have no interest in leaving the country. It's more a case of people saying "when I travel..." instead of "if I travel...".

Also, despite Australia's sheer size, it's only really around the edges were most people live. A bit hot and dry elsewhere. Or you could live on the little island down the bottom. That's where I am and the main reason why I need to leave. It's roughly the size of the island of Ireland but with 8% of the popoulation.

 

[Peterkro]

On the whole, Australia and New Zealand are countries of travellers. I recently read that 14% of New Zealanders live abroad.

I think culturally travelling is a big part of Australia. I find it's the exception when you meet people who have no interest in leaving the country. It's more a case of people saying "when I travel..." instead of "if I travel...".

Also, despite Australia's sheer size, it's only really around the edges were most people live. A bit hot and dry elsewhere. Or you could live on the little island down the bottom. That's where I am and the main reason why I need to leave. It's roughly the size of the island of Ireland but with 8% of the popoulation.

I think the Irish are top world travellers followed by the Kiwis(per capita) can't be arsed looking for source(think it was NZ Herald)

 

[cooknwitha]

I think the Irish are top world travellers followed by the Kiwis(per capita) can't be arsed looking for source(think it was NZ Herald)

Actually, I think we may have been reading the same article!

Just to clarify, I wasn't suggesting Australians were the most travelled, just saying it's a big part.

But yes, I now remember reading the same thing about the Irish. I think I read it on BBC online news.

 

[makisushi]

I am hoping for a good time. Just not sure that a free spirit like myself will be able to deal with the port schedules that a cruise ship demands.

Chip, you will have a great time! Also, I think you will love Montreal. At this point, you deserve to be a jet setting world traveler.

Have fun!

 

[devilot]

Congrats on getting your passport. I was too young to remember my first passport. I feel blessed that my parents put great value in travel-- they make it a point to get the family together (the parents, my older sister, and I) to take at least a week long vacation every year.

Cruises are fun... although, I'd imagine they'd be even more fun if you're old enough to drink and if you go w/ friends/significant other versus your family.

 

[Nickygoat]

Chip - have a great trip. You will post some pics after won't you? Just to depress all of us living in freezing conditions while you're living it up in the Caribbean.

A record of a visit to Israel can make it difficult to travel to certain other countries. Think it used to be like that for South Africa as well... I think that a North Korean, Iranian or Cuban stamp would also raise an eyebrow at passport control upon reentering the US.

That's correct - it was also official advice went I was living in Saudi Arabia to have it stamped on an additional page that you could remove when going through customs.

When you order a British passport, you can choose to have a "supersized" one with extra pages for visas (64 pages?).

Also correct. My dad has been through 3 in the last 10 years - all extra paged ones. I find myself in the situation that I plan my holidays around where he hasn't been - sad isn't it?

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Chip, you will have a great time! Also, I think you will love Montreal. At this point, you deserve to be a jet setting world traveler.

Have fun!

Thanks.

Been thinking how I will do travel in 2006. I am presently thinking of doing a trip every month (trips may only be 3 to 4 days in length sometimes). My shorter trips will probably be state side. So every other month I will see if I can find a cheap trip somewhere "overseas".

Been watching travel news reports, and there seems to be bargains galore for being will to travel most anytime, anywhere.

Chip - have a great trip. You will post some pics after won't you? Just to depress all of us living in freezing conditions while you're living it up in the Caribbean.

Not so sure ho many really will be freezing in the middle of October of 2006. And my first trip being planned is to Iceland in January of February.

 

[Ugg]

i love my passport , not too sure why though ? must be all them good memory's .

i hate it in europe now , they do not stamp your passport anymore if your in th EU

I just got back and every time I crossed a country's border it got stamped. I was really surprised. Even from England to Germany. I had five internal flights so that was part of it but even on the train and the bus I got stamped. Maybe it's different on a train between germany and france?