tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-896911960035171090.post5949985117912266602..comments2024-03-25T02:15:50.088-07:00Comments on Legends of Medieval France and Italy: Montauban, A City of Art and legendsLinda C. McCabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11554730334838454885noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-896911960035171090.post-73149571829630408042010-01-15T07:36:01.035-08:002010-01-15T07:36:01.035-08:00I lived in Montauban from 1971 to 1983 and now liv...I lived in Montauban from 1971 to 1983 and now live in Arlington, VA. It's a great town! I miss it.Joelle in VAnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-896911960035171090.post-91339954323604195422009-04-22T09:42:00.000-07:002009-04-22T09:42:00.000-07:00Catanea,
I do recognize that not all tourists are...Catanea,<br /><br />I do recognize that not all tourists are well behaved. Especially Americans. There is an Ugly American stereotype that has been earned and is perpetuated on a daily basis. Then again, those are the same people who are embarrassing in their home environs as well.<br /><br />My husband and I did our best in our travels in your country to show respect and deference. We thought of ourselves as being ambassadors from the U.S., but we did not identify ourselves as such either. When asked, we said we were from California. As if that were a whole different country. During our talks with French people, many responded by saying they wanted to visit California. We can only think it is because our interaction with them was positive and they wanted to see our beautiful state in return.<br /><br />I also wanted to say that the entire feeling of the Midi-Pyrenees region was different than Provence.<br /><br />Between the two, I much prefer the authentic French villages where I struggled with the language barrier over the heavily traveled Provence areas where I didn't need to speak French and I could have swung a proverbial dead cat and hit at least three American tourists.<br /><br />To me it is similar to the difference between Napa and Sonoma counties. Napa has the high name recognition and is swarming with tourists, while Sonoma has better wines, multiple appellations and fewer busloads of people looking to guzzle wine.<br /><br />I live in Sonoma County and am a fierce partisan when it comes to Napa/Sonoma rivalry, but I do not want to encourage diverting busloads of crass tourists here over our neighbors to the east. I would rather have tourists who are knowledgable in wine visit because they are more likely to appreciate what we have to offer. <br /><br />In this economy, I believe that every locale would do well to encourage people to come visit and spend some dollars in restaurants, lodging, and souvenirs. If nothing else, it helps strengthen the local governments' coffers through sales taxes which in turn will help their local community.<br /><br />I hope that helps explain my thoughts a little more.Linda C. McCabehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11554730334838454885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-896911960035171090.post-1253591395415225612009-04-18T02:20:00.000-07:002009-04-18T02:20:00.000-07:00Hello. I only wish to suggest that maybe all Frenc...Hello. I only wish to suggest that maybe all French cities are not actually pining for more (or any) American tourists, nor for their dollars. It is possible, you know!Cataneahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10588504767629307478noreply@blogger.com