Originally Posted by
Kevin AA
What you're describing is "visited country X extensively", not just "visited country X". A brief visit is still a visit.
The part I bolded is just ridiculous... how can a few days in Hawaii NOT count as a visit to the U.S.?
Haha, my logic is that if Hawai is the only part of the USA that you've been to, and someone asks you: "Have you been to the US? What was your impression?", I believe the asnwer would not simply be a "YEs, I loved it" but rather a "YEs, but only to Hawaii, so I cannot tell about the mainland"
LEt's take other examples: Does Hong Kong count as China? If so, after spending a few days in HK, one would be able to say "I have been to China and loved it!" or would they be expected to say something like "I have been to China... Well, Hong Kong to be precise.."...
There are many countries where I believe that simply setting foot and walking around is enough: for Instance, most Caribbean countries are basically and Island with beaches and small towns.. No need to extensively roadtrip the island, as long as you leave the airport, have a swim or eat lunch in a town, I'd say you have properly visited the country.. But this cannot be applied to the USA, Brazil, Italy...
A little more: As Jahason says in his post, he has only been to Tijuana in Mexico, and therefore, feels something is missing. The logic being that MExico has so many world renowned sights (Mexico City, Cancun, Maya Pyramids...) that having been to a secondary city feels incomplete. In my case, I have been to Dammam in Saudi Arabia (3rd largest city) for nights, however, I still believe that one must see Ryadh,Jeddah or MEcca for it to count as a proper visit of Saudi Arabia.
Finally, to add to the Hawaii point, I am only stating that Hawaii does not, in many foreigners eyes, represent the "American experience" that you'd get from roadtripping on Route 66, or Camping in a DEsert or Hailing a Cab in NY.
As for the "Extensively" you added, I do not agree, here is why
- I am ok with someone spending 5 days in NY and saying they've visited the USA because it is generally assume that NY is the #1 city to visit in the US.. Likewise, if someone spent 5 days in Beijing and Shanghai, I would again be ok with them saying they visited China. However, do not believe that spending 5 nights in NY or 5 in Shanghai and Beijing counts as having visited those countries "Extensively"..
- What is an "Extensive" visit: say you're visiting France. Many will only visit Paris, and even spending 10 days in Paris does not count as an extensive visit because you won't have seen Mont St-Michel, or the Reims Cathedral, or the French Riviera...