About one in four Americans have a passport: do you?

[richnota]

It amazes me that so few of my fellow citizens have a passport. Latest estimate (from summer '07) was 27%. Now I understand there's a few reasons:

- A lot of folks cant afford to go far--but that would only account for part
- Its a really big country compared to many and you could spend all your travel time within its borders
- Some people just don't like unfamiliar places.

Traveling around the world (and through the US) really changed my perspective. I'd argue that getting to know regular people from other places really gives you a different pov on things.

Have you been abroad?

[nickn]

Nope. I've never left the country and I never intend to.

[jrthebassguy]

I do not - but only because I simply can't afford to travel abroad. When I can afford to go overseas for a vacation or even spend a semester abroad, I'll get one.

[jonathan_matos5]

i have one, but do not use it as much as i would like.

[GregC]

Yes, but it took a remarkably long time for me to actually travel abroad. Lack of money early on, then I just didn't have the opportunity for a long time.

[Pacman]

Originally Posted by nickn

Nope. I've never left the country and I never intend to.

That's the saddest thing I've ever heard.



I have two, a diplomatic passport and a standard one. I love traveling abroad - I recommend the exerience to anyone. Not only do you get a chance to see amazing things about other cultures, you get a unique appreciation for America. One that you'll never get staying in your own country.

[anyonefortennis]

Originally Posted by nickn

Nope. I've never left the country and I never intend to.

Why is that?

[Scarlet Fire]

I plan on getting mine this summer.

[Disraeli Gears]

I've got a passport, but if I remember correctly it expired last april. I'll prolly need to renew it though, it's probable that I'll be going to Germany in the next few years

[whoatherechunk]

what?!?!?!?!? you never want to leave america. wow!!!!!

Originally Posted by nickn

Nope. I've never left the country and I never intend to.

[whoatherechunk]

o yea and i do have a passport......

[KeithBMI]

Nope.

[dls59]

Yes, I have a passport.

[bongomania]

Yes, I have one, and while I've only used it a handful of times so far (due to limited finances), I intend to fill it up in the years ahead.

I do have a stamp in there from one country that "should not" have a stamp in there.

[Jared Lash]

Yes I do.

And my photo from it is possibly the worst I've ever taken. It makes me look like a sexual deviant from a registered offender directory. More than usual anyway.

Every time I've left the country I've had the same feeling on the return trip. It's an odd mixture of being really happy to be back in the US combined with a strong desire to travel abroad again.

[nickn]

Originally Posted by whoatherechunk

what?!?!?!?!? you never want to leave america. wow!!!!!

Originally Posted by anyonefortennis

Why is that?

Originally Posted by Pacman

That's the saddest thing I've ever heard.

I like where I live. I get homesick when I'm away for more than a few days. As for seeing the sights of the world? The most beautiful sight I've ever seen, in photos OR in real life, is less than 75 miles from my house. The second most beautiful sight I've seen... completely different sight, also roughly 75 miles away. (Vasquez Rocks and the view from my friend's cabin in the San Bernardino Mountains).

As for travelling and seeing different cultures, I'd rather travel within the US and see every unique culture and community that exists before I even consider looking outside of the US.

[MakiSupaStar]

I have dual citizenship. I have passports for both countries. My son has three.

Edit: Nick, buddy, I live about twenty minutes away from you. Those places are nice, but there are places and people on this planet that humble those places. We do live in one of the best places on the planet, but that doesn't mean that we can't check other places out.

[Benjamin Strange]

Originally Posted by nickn

I like where I live. I get homesick when I'm away for more than a few days. As for seeing the sights of the world? The most beautiful sight I've ever seen, in photos OR in real life, is less than 75 miles from my house. The second most beautiful sight I've seen... completely different sight, also roughly 75 miles away. (Vasquez Rocks and the view from my friend's cabin in the San Bernardino Mountains).

As for travelling and seeing different cultures, I'd rather travel within the US and see every unique culture and community that exists before I even consider looking outside of the US.

I can understand liking where you live, but if you think you're seeing "every unique culture" in America you are gravely mistaken. America is one of the only countries I know where you can travel 3000 miles and still be in the same place.

I've got a passport, and I use it for my job - travelling the globe playing bass. I really want to travel more and more, and see more exotic cultures. I'm planning on putting music down for a few years and wandering the earth like that guy from Kung Fu.

[The BurgerMeister]

i have a passport, yes. i need to travel more, though.

[SuperDuck]

I'd love to study a broad but I don't know what my life would say. ar ar ar

I do have a passport, but I've only left the country to go to Canada. We had to postpone our honeymoon to Germany again, but that's 'cause we bought a house.