What background are you from and does it factor into your choices of destinations?

[simongr]

Re: What background are you from and does it factor into your choices of destinations

I am English by birth and lived there for 28 years before moving to Oz 13 years ago. It was six years before I went back to the UK after moving here and that was only because I needed to do a fraud investigation in the UK - it wasn't out of choice. I think I have been back every year since but mostly on the back of business trips.

My background doesn't dictate my travel - in fact I do fairly little personal travel. My parents live in Cyprus so that is where we are vacationing this year.

Personally I would like to travel to places I can dive but I need to factor in family needs as well...

 

[Major]

Re: What background are you from and does it factor into your choices of destinations

My Father's side of the family settled in Sydney, from England around the mid 1800's. My Mother's family came from Ireland in the early 1800's.

Neither side of the family was a factor for my early travel decisions, even though most young Australians headed for London in the late 1960's and I was no exception. The Beatles, Carnaby St etc. ...it was a great time. I drove mini buses on camping tours through all of Europe, The Soviet Union, Scandanavia and North Africa for a bit over a year. Meeting other people and experiencing other cultures was a real life education for me. I am now on my 6th passport.

Interestingly enough my first passport shows me as an Australian Citizen and a British Subject. This did not stop Immigration at London Airport only giving me a 6 month Visa.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Re: What background are you from and does it factor into your choices of destinations

Mine is a lot like crm911's. I was born in southern India, my father migrated to Australia in the early 80's as he had a skill that was in demand back then. My mother and I moved over shortly after, and from then on I've called Australia home. All my education since pre-school has been in Australia, in fact it still surprises me when I get told "gee you don't have an Indian acccent" - although it does make for interesting expressions when I do have to deal with Indian offices. While I was growing up, most of our travels would be return visits to India to see family, I think thats where my passion for travel and in particular flying came from. The contrast of stepping off a modern aeroplane, then a few hours later be rattling along dustry roads in rickshaws was never lost on me, and I think has helped in making me be very open minded about how different each of of our lives can be.

Like crm911, I also hold a OCI to India, its a dual citizenship, that isnt a dual citizenship, and the only reason I have it is so I never have to deal with an Indian consulate again (not for a long time at least).

Since then most of my travel has been in Asia, a few trips to NZ and to the USA for work, and more recently my Job is starting to involve more International travel across Asia - this time now being at the pointy end o fthe plane, expereincing the rarified airs. I am yet to travel to Europe, my wife is keen on visiting Europe at some point, she traces her heritage back several generations to Eastern Europe. I insist that if we go, we go in Winter to experience the other extremes of temperature.

One of my real bug-bears at the moment is this concept of "nationality vs ethnicity", I ask this simple question "what is Australian?"

 

[bertflyer]

Re: What background are you from and does it factor into your choices of destinations

Great thread!
Born in Germany but have spent most of life (>75%) living in Oz and became a citizen 4 years ago. Love that Smartgate when coming home to avoid the immigration lines!! My wife is Indian so one annual trip to India and my work travel takes me to SE Asia, Europe and the US. I still have lots of family in Germany so I usually try to add a few days to any European trips to catch up with them.

 

[harvyk]

Re: What background are you from and does it factor into your choices of destinations

English background here, although my grandparents (from both sides) emigrated here around 40 to 50 years ago. I've never been to England, and I've never met the family living there.
If I was to go there it would not be as a result of any sort of background.

The one that surprises me is I have yet to visit Italy, until recently my Aunty lived there and my cousin (who I get on with really well when he comes out to AU) still lives there.

I have traveled to the east coast of the US specifically to see family who live there, but I was already in the US (west coast) so I figured whats an extra 5 hours flying...

 

[deejo77]

Re: What background are you from and does it factor into your choices of destinations

Australian for a number of generations back. And yes this influences my travel choices - all my relatives except for 1 cousin working in the UK live in Australia. I go overseas so I don't have to go visit.........great aunty so and so or cousin john ect. The occassional family thing is fine but when they want to get together 3/4 times a year its just too much family.

 

[CMak]

Re: What background are you from and does it factor into your choices of destinations

Totally Australian - at least 4 generations.
I travel extensively overseas but find it liberating not to have a pattern or obligation to visit.
The world is there to explore!