Tourism Enriches

I have seen this very question posted on Yahoo Answers so many times; now I want to put an end to this debate/discussion once and for all! I am an American, born and raised here..lived in both the East Coast and West Coast of USA. I have travelled extensively all over the USA and Australia, too. Many people have said good things and bad things about both countries. Now, I will tell you what I think is really the truth. No B.S. First, the similarities between the USA and Australia: Both countries are about the same size (excluding Alaska, which is extremely cold and very barren). Both offer freedom,democracy, human rights, and both are multi-cultural societies (USA is mostly white, black, latino, and some Asians; while Australia is mostly white, Asian, and 2% Aboriginals). In Australia, you can go to a nice movie theatre and watch the latest American movies, goto the video store and rent American movies and listen to American music on your car stereo. Australia has just about EVERYTHING that USA has: Costco, Target, Lamborgini, BMW, Mercedes, you name it; even Google has an office in Australia. Both USA (NBA) and Australia (NBL) have pro-basketball leagues. In Australia, you have access to american culture without having to be in the USA. But, here are the differences:Australia has a very manageable 22 million people…the USA has over 300 million and growing fast. This is due to Australia’s isolation in the southern hemisphere and strict and controlled immigration policy. Australia wants “highly skilled” migrants (they go by a ‘points system’, and you need 120 points) and those who have at least a working knowledge of the english language….USA will basically take everyone, with skills or not. Having over 300 million people and growing in the USA causes many problems on the whole infrastrature: traffic getting worse, public transit getting crowded, work environment getting more stressful and demanding, more competition for jobs, and more friction between people. I feel USA is just getting too crowded now, and it’s projected to get to 400 million people by 2030! Australia’s climate is much better. Australia is sunnier, warmer and doesn’t get the terrrible weather that USA gets. USA gets freezing temperatures (the midwest can drop to 30 below zero), and snowstorms, a lot of tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, and places like California experience earthquakes. They’re talking about the “Big One” that has a 99% chance of hitting California within 20 years. About the worst that Australia gets are bushfires, and some flooding in the northern part of the country. Australia has a lot of “exotic” landscapes and thousands of miles of pristine beaches. Australia is an island-continent, and does not have a big problem with illegal immigration. There are anywhere from 8-20 million illegals living in the USA, maybe more, because USA shares a physical border with Mexico. USA has the highest violent crime rate in the developed world; in large part because there are 80-100 million guns in the U.S. and growing, due to the 2nd amendment (the right to ‘bear arms’) …in Australia guns are illegal, and so there are very few guns and gun crimes. The USA is a high stress environment….Australia is much more relaxed, and laid-back…and safer. I also think many Americans are arrogant people, and many Australians are friendlier. Australia’s Minimum Hourly wage is equivalent to $US 13.00, while in the USA it is less than $8.00/hr. Australia’s income tax is 30%, in the USA it’s 28%. Property Tax (on housing you pay every year) is thousands of dollars lower in Australia than in the USA! That is a major difference. In USA, most employees get 1-2 weeks vacation to start. In Australia, every full-time employee starts off with 4 weeks vacation, but if you work in the healthcare field or for the government, you start off with 6-8 weeks! And after 15 years, everyone gets what they call ‘long service leave’-you get 13 weeks(over 4 months) vacation on top of the 4-8 weeks annual leave you normally get. You get 17-21 weeks vacation after 15 years of employment! In Australia, everyone is covered under free public healthcare, but in the USA, tens of millions don’t have health or medical insurance. Aussies can retire at age 60-62, but in America, the retirement age is 65-67. There you have it. I was once a Proud American. Not anymore. I want to hear from Americans, especially from those that have lived in both countries. Tell me why USA is a better place to live than Australia. Come and Defend your country. I’m also interested in hearing from Australians who have lived in both countries, too. I want to hear what Aussies have to say about this topic.
Source(s): research and travel experience, and info from my Australian fiance’. I’m planning to move to OZ later this year!

Best buy, Stop & Shop, Wal-Mart, or Target. Which would be better for a job?
I am searching for a job.. and I’m also wondering, I’m a student who is 15 years old and am turning 16 also. I am an asian, and I am an american citizen. I have been working with landscaping for people, and gardening and etc, but I feel the need of a stable, job.
From the places listed above, or anywhere else that you reccommend, which job would be the best?
and how old do you have to be to work? I heard you have to be at least 16 but is that true? is there any other way for me to work?

For me, it’s Ireland. green is my favorite color and i love the tranquility of Irish culture and kindness of the Irish people. i love celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and eating colcannon (cabbage and potatoes) to highlight my Irish heritage (i’m joking, i’m really Asian but i consider myself Irish too). Ireland has one of the most beautiful landscapes, architecture, art, history, cuisine in the world and I own 3 paintings from Ireland which I truly love. All the experiences I had with Irish people are kind and friendly and I have a high respect for them!

Okay, don’t know the girl who sings or the name just what the video was. It was her laying on the ground and then getting pulled( whike she was lying on her back) through a bunch of different landscapes. It was a girl with short kind of curly hair and the song had an asian feel to it. I can’t remember any words though!!

Why is it that when you see Black people driving nice, expensive luxury cars, most people assume they either stole it or spent 90 percent of their salary on it and probably live in the ghetto somewhere? When you see White or Asian people driving luxury cars, why do most people assume they have actual money?My dad owns a landscaping business and drives a mercedes benz suv and he get stares all the time.

The first person to type out:About Auckland
Auckland’s waterside location has fostered the locals’ love affair with the sea, earning this place the nickname “City of Sails”.
Auckland sprawls over a narrow isthmus between the sparkling waters of the Waitemata and Manukau Harbours. A cloak of rainforest covers the surrounding hills, dozens of dormant volcanic cones dot the landscape and enchanting holiday islands are scattered throughout the vast Hauraki Gulf. Two of the best island getaways are Waiheke Island and Great Barrier Island
Auckland’s heart beats to a Polynesian rhythm, its people a melting pot of European, South Pacific and Asian cultures and a strong indigenous Maori heritage. This diversity brings with it an abundance of unique dining and shopping experiences.
Auckland’s temperate climate, easy access to the coast and variety of activities earn the city consistent top five rankings in international lifestyle surveys. Discover for yourself why it is one of New Zealand’s best destinations.

There are some freaky things going on.
I have a windows millennium version.
I was going through my files and there are pictures of random asian ladies and pictures of like random chinese landscapes like the taj mahal. and also pictures of whiteboard drawing (notes, diagams, of “modulation” and other stuff.)
its weird. and whats going on.
should i have my computer restored completly?

Japan, what a beautiful country! So many people are dreaming to visit him at least one time in live. The question is, why I like it so much? …and i tis really hard to answer. The roots i would search in my childhood – watching anime with my cousins, visiting karate lessons or playing with my tamagochi. But my first big experience with Japan was on my primary school. I can remember exactly that day. I was 8 years old. Into our schoolroom came one man, for ask us-children, if somebody don’t want to go to japanese classes. No answer. Even if I really wanted, I was ashamed to be the only one and tell something. So the man left. The same day, when I came home, my mother saw, that there is something wrong with me. Of course she asked me, and I told her the whole story. Next day she came with me to school and spoke with my teacher. Problem was cleared and the next week I was sitting in the room with the other children suspenseful waiting for our new teacher. He was really nice, we used to sing, learn poems by heart (about “KA” that is our “little friend”, or about “YAMA” what means “mountain”, but in Slovak language “jama” is “hole”). He told us too many interesting things about Japanese theater or schools in Japan, etc. He was my favorite teacher Sorrow, that was my last year in this school, also the only one year I had opportunity to study Japanese…
Actually the things I know about Japan, I wouldn’t call experiences, there are just lots of things that are interesting for me and I like. For example the respect that people have for the history and natural. Wonderful stories about samurais and geishas I red with tears in my eyes. As well as the beautiful politeness and manners the people grow up with, like they dont speak loud near the plants and are quiet on the train. The landscape is beautiful too, and the fact that they are islands. Hot baths at night before bed, sakuras, calligraphy and many more. There are so many places I would like to see with my own eyes.
I would like discover basic things that I don’t know like the taste umami, how to wear kimono, or rules of tea ceremony. But too know thinking that is different, because I belive that, all change begins with thinking that is different. I would use my experience in Japan to foster multicultural understanding among people. And also to bridge gap in understanding with the uniqueness of Asian people to the rest of the world, thus, in my own little way, contributed to make the world a little more harmonious despite individual differences.

It is snowing again outside, and fairly steadily, despite being early April and thus spring in the northern hemisphere. Now, I like where I live, but I am tired of the snow, so the question occurred to me: Where should I move to?
* I like four seasons. Things being the same all the time would bore me.
* I like occasional snow. I don’t like five feet of it, and I don’t like it snowing in April. (Both of which happen frequently where I live.)
* I do not like hot, hot summers. Well, to be exact: It’s not the heat; it’s the humidity. I hate humidity.
* I want some sort of interesting landscape, not endless plains. Mountains and rivers and/or a beach would be ideal.
* I like different cultures. I speak English, French, Spanish, some Dutch, and beginning Arabic, so I can get on in most parts of the world that aren’t the Asian coast. (I do know a bit of Vietnamese, but I do not pronounce it well at all.)
Where in the world should I move to, if I win the lottery?

which city is best suited for me? here’s a little back ground on me.
1. Diversity in music, culture, people and food is very important to me
2.I’m of asian decent so i will need to live in a place where people will openly accept me as an equal and be offered equal opportunities in the job market.
3.*I just graduated with a european masters degree in marketing/advertising/pr so i want to pick the city that can offer me the most opportunities in that this field*.
4.I like the bustling urban landscape and i’m more of a toronto, san fran or new york city girl then an L.A chick.
5. i need to work in a city, where i can save a decent amount of cash and not live paycheq to paycheck because rent and food is crazy expensive (i hear this alot about sydney).
so that’s a little bit about me. now i want to hear your stories about living in au and any tips or pointers would be so greatly appreciated!!