I've just gotten back from my third trip to Europe. Although I've only spent time in parts of Northern and Eastern Europe and England, I love it there. I've met some interesting people, and I've seen some incredible and unforgettable sights while having fun adventures. My travels have never been the typical "touristy" ones - I go with friends and/or European natives, and avoid the big hotels, tour buses and everything that comes with that. I'm happy when people don't immediately recognize me as an American :)
I think that travelling the "right way" - outside of the tourist bubble - can really open your mind and ultimately change you. You see first hand that the world *is* different from what you've grown up with, and you appreciate that. As for me, I've learned that American influences reach far past American borders, and that's a double-edged sword. Sure, an influx of Western culture makes it much easier for us English-speaking people to travel in foreign lands, but that the same time, that Westernization destroys native culture.
I want to see more before we're all One Big Happy Country (TM).
