Be Happy You Live Where You Do

[Chris G.]

I don't care if you live in New Orleans, Compton, Detroit, or even Canada  , be happy you do.

My parents who are both into their 70's decided to take a 3 week trip to India of all places. Don't even ask me why, but they did. Anyway, I finally spoke to them last night after they have been there for 12 days. They are safe, but what they are seeing is shocking to say the least. People of all ages constantly coming up to them begging for money or food. They say people are starving right in the main streets. They have seen a lot in their lifetime, but never anything like this up close.

When they get home, I am going to have to put my foot down and say no more crazy trips like that. I am worried every night for their safety. They have been to other countries (China being one), and they say they have never seen anything like this. Just be glad you live where you do, unless of course you live in Iraq or some other wacked out country (which I don't think any members are from). That's it, carry on.

[Old Moparz]

Before I met my wife, she had made a trip to Mexico with friends she visiting in CA. This wasn't a trip that included a stay at a fancy resort, this was just a drive across the border. She said it was so different from what people that had vacationed in Mexico, had told her about Mexico. The same deal as what your parents are seeing in India Chris, people begging for food, money, & living in conditions she couldn't believe. Housing was literally shacks on the roadside made from scavenged materials.

I've always tried to see the good side of any situation & stay optimistic. I know damn well that I'm better off than a lot of people in where I live, & grateful for it.

[Charger_Fan]

I think all the able-bodied people in this country who are kickin' back living off welfare should be required to spend 6 months in a country like that, for a nice cold slap-in-the-face type of reality check! I'd say that 99% of those people have no possible idea of how good they have it here in this country, even if they are technically living in poverty. Our version of poverty is nowhere near what it is in countries like that.

[TruckDriver]

I think all the able-bodied people in this country who are kickin' back living off welfare should be required to spend 6 months in a country like that, for a nice cold slap-in-the-face type of reality check! I'd say that 99% of those people have no possible idea of how good they have it here in this country, even if they are technically living in poverty. Our version of poverty is nowhere near what it is in countries like that.

AMEN!

[Lowprofile]

I think all the able-bodied people in this country who are kickin' back living off welfare should be required to spend 6 months in a country like that, for a nice cold slap-in-the-face type of reality check! I'd say that 99% of those people have no possible idea of how good they have it here in this country, even if they are technically living in poverty. Our version of poverty is nowhere near what it is in countries like that.

AMEN!

Better yet, they should have to serve 2-3 years in the National Guard, The Peace Corps, The Conservation Corps, etc...... Something so they can re-pay the kindness that they have received from the American Taxpayer.   

[bull]

Don't worry about those crazy sick and dying Indians. Reincarnation will make it all better.

[firefighter3931]

We are spoiled here in North America ! Those same conditions exist in Mexico and Brazil....i've personally witnessed them myself. 

Honestly, i've got no real desire to visit any "exotic" foreign lands....i've seen all that i want to see. Between Canada and the US there's more than enough fantastic scenery to last a lifetime.  All the cool cars are here too ! 


Ron

[Silver R/T]

yes, living in US and owning Charger is pretty good life, some people are starving to death in other countries

[sixpack70]

I've lived in the Philippines, and I am currently living in Korea (for only 17 more days). Korea isnt bad (some poverty but a fast growing economy). But driving here sucks. If I had any of my vehicles here they would be a waste. I could never use the power and they would be so beat up by the end of a year it wouldn't be worth owning anymore. They also don't have a lot of the conveinences we have back in the states.

The Philippines is real bad. There have been times I've felt pretty guilty for all the things I have, or have had back in the states. I have 4 cars and a large house for my wife and I. I've seen large families live in a tiny huts, and walk or pay 3 pesos ( 6 cents) to ride a motorcycle for transportation (ever seen 5-7 people on a motorcycle?). They might have a gross income of 400 USD a year if they are lucky and food isnt cheap there for people who live on the economy. I've seen people bathe in the streets because thats the only space they can use to wash and not get water all over their house. There is no welfare or government support. I appreciated what I had before, but I truly appreciate what we have now, and how lucky we are to live in the United States.

I also dont have to worry about getting abducted and killed by communists or wacko-islamic rebels back in the States.

[nh_mopar_fan]

India? For a vacation?

I'm sorry, but, anyplace that I am going for a vacation is going to include sun, sand, and a waitress with some cold ones on a tray.

[Charger_Fan]

(ever seen 5-7 people on a motorcycle?).

Well, yes.

BTW, lots more pics presumably from the Philippines about halfway down this thread; http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,2709.450.html

[bull]

Looks like your position on the bike is determined by seniority. I hope they taillight is strong for the sake of the chick on the back.

[73dodge]

I have always said

The poorest person in the US has 100 times more than many of people in the poorest countries in the world.

Some of the poorest people in the world would kill for a chance to be poor in the US

[Chryco Psycho]

we have it good here for sure even if it is cold 9 months / year

[Ghoste]

Well at least India has nuclear weapons and an extremely rigid caste system so it isn't like their society has it's priorities all screwed up or anything.
We do have it good here but for reasons much more than just what we perceive as poverty.

[Brock Samson]

  Actually the educated in India are doing pretty well just now (ever heard of "Offshoring:?) right along side the uneducated so the disparity is HUMONGUS!!! THe best educated BTW: are currently in South Korea!
  Yes those pics of the motor bikes are a huge wakeup call to any motor head who values a trunk and back seat not to mention a V-8.
  I  don't have to go far to witness poverty as i could take a five minute walk and pass 50 homeless here in the city of Saint Francis.
  I read the population of the Mexico City dump is 10,000!

This Nation is so blessed and we are so lucky and fortunate to be it's citizens... 
  Our forefathers did us a world of good!
                THANK YOU!

[Ghoste]

Probably also a good time to mention a thank you to all the armed forces personnel past and present who have maintained what those forefathers started.
THANK YOU! (even though I'm north of that flag-it applies to our troops as well)

[Charger_Fan]

Probably also a good time to mention a thank you to all the armed forces personnel past and present who have maintained what those forefathers started.
THANK YOU! (even though I'm north of that flag-it applies to our troops as well)

(and that includes our friends to the north )

[Todd Wilson]

People of all ages constantly coming up to them begging for money or food. They say people are starving right in the main streets.

Why dont they tell them to go get an american job that has been out sourced to India!!



Todd

[Brock Samson]

IE:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/11/02/BUGH3M472I1.DTL

[71charger_fan]

Moving to Egypt instantly bumped me from the middle class to the wealthy class. There is a lot of poverty and begging here, but nothing on the scale of India.

[Chris G.]

Why dont they tell them to go get an american job that has been out sourced to India!!

Todd

Hmmm. good idea Todd. I will tell my 70+ year old parents to tell some homeless Indian guy(in India) to get a damn job. Why didn't I think of that before. 

[Orange_Crush]

Chris, why are you gonna put your foot down?  Let 'em travel.  They obviously enjoy it.  My parents have been all over the world and still spend a lot of time traveling.  Thy've lived in Hong Kong, Ecuador, Colombia, and the US and they made sure we traveled extensively asd part of our education.  I consider myself lucky for having seen both the good and the bad of the world.  I have live in Ecuador and I have traveled to Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Paraguay, Hong Kong, China, India, Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, Panama, Germany, England, Spain, France, The Czech republic, Hungary, Austria, Portugal, Morocco, Egypt, and I'm sure there are one or two I have failed to mention.

In india, I saw much of what your parents saw.  I was also there during a cholera epidemic so I had the opportunity to see a couple of people die in the streets like dogs.  India also occasionally has bubonic plague outbreaks...nice huh?  I will tell you right now that india is, AT LEAST, 10 times worse than ANY Latin American nation.

Why is latin America better than India?  Well, in Latin America there is NO Caste system.  You CAN rise above the station you were born in.  Its not easy, but it IS possible.  If you are born a beggar in India, you will die a beggar and there is nothing you can do about it.

[Chris G.]

Chris, why are you gonna put your foot down?  Let 'em travel. 

OC, I couldn't stop them if I wanted . They still want to travel, but they agreed that 23 days is too long to be going to India.

[bill440rt]

India? For a vacation?

I'm sorry, but, anyplace that I am going for a vacation is going to include sun, sand, and a waitress with some cold ones on a tray.

Well, 2 outta 3 ain't bad!

Chris, I hope your parents return safely. I'm with you, I wouldn't want them travelling to some wacked out place like that for a vacation. That's NO vacation when you have that added stress.
Good luck, bud!

[Steve P.]

It sounds to me like your parents are well rounded people. Everyone takes chances every day. I'm not saying, let's all walk through a mine field. Just that you never really understand what is what until you experience it with your own senses.

4 years of traveling around the world in the Navy did it for me. I have spent the better part of my life trying to forget some of the places I have been. As close as Cuba and Jamaica and Mexico. Never mind Puerto Rico and most of South America... 

I helped stop a kidnapping in Brazil. Mom and 3 kids on a bus. Mom lets go of her little girls hand for as long as it took to sneeze. The little girl started screaming as a man grabbed her up and ran off the moving bus. My buddy and I and a Marine that was on the sidewalk, took him down and safely got the little girl back with her mother.  Our leagal department took it from there. I have no idea what ever happened to the kidnapper..


Even places like Ireland and Scotland have monstrous amounts of begging and pleading, starving people.

The reallllllly crazy thing is that we do too.. Right here in the good old USA..

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

My grandparents were the same way.....they hit almost every country in their life....world travelers.

I say if your parents are still able to get out & about then so be it.   I do agree however that maybe they should stick to more "stress free" countries in their stage of life.

Wishes for a safe return bud

[moparsuebear]

Be thankful they are only on VACATION to a foreign country!! My husband, AKcharger, is stationed in Korea for a year and I would give anything to have him home with me!