Ask a Finn!

[Pyrrho]

From seeing those bits of "comedy," it is understandable why you smile like this:



I think I must have had a similar expression while watching those clips.

[PäronMårts]

As I said, foreigners never get it.

[c172]

What do you drive?

[Pyrrho]

...

What do Finns like to do for vacation? And where do Finns like to go for vacation?

In summer they go boating and fishing or just relaxing and sauna bathing to their summer cottages that are usually located next to lakes or the sea. Finns also like to pick berries and mushrooms. Aren't we barbaric?

...

No, you don't sound barbaric.  But do Finns normally just stay in Finland, and not visit other countries?  Do you visit other countries?

I would visit several European countries, probably with some frequency, if they were not so far away (I am in the U.S.).  The plane trip from here is quite unpleasant; I have flown across the Atlantic a couple of times, though I did not get to Finland (along with quite a few other places that I would very much like to visit).

[PäronMårts]

...


In summer they go boating and fishing or just relaxing and sauna bathing to their summer cottages that are usually located next to lakes or the sea. Finns also like to pick berries and mushrooms. Aren't we barbaric?

...

No, you don't sound barbaric.  But do Finns normally just stay in Finland, and not visit other countries?  Do you visit other countries?

I would visit several European countries, probably with some frequency, if they were not so far away (I am in the U.S.).  The plane trip from here is quite unpleasant; I have flown across the Atlantic a couple of times, though I did not get to Finland (along with quite a few other places that I would very much like to visit).

Finns go a lot abroad, mainly to some touristic places though. With all the cheap air airlines it's just too easy to go anywhere in Europe. I've flown to Poland from my hometown for 5 euros a couple of times (the 20 minute bus ride to airport costs 3 euros). Needles to say, I have been to Poland many times (I've lost count, but it's somewhere around 10-15), mostly as way to other countries. Going to Balkans this summer for a few weeks.

I would like to visit the U.S. and do a road trip through the country, hopefully in a few years.

[Longhorn]

Can you sing this and/or do you know the lyrics by heart

https://youtu.be/1ygdAiDxKfI

[DeistPaladin]

What's it like being Sweden's wife? 

(This is my wife's favorite gay pairing in Hetalia, one of the children is Sealand, not sure who the others are)

[Pyrrho]

...

I would like to visit the U.S. and do a road trip through the country, hopefully in a few years.

If you do that, make sure you consider how very large the U.S. is.  Many people don't get a sense of how huge this country is, and imagine that going from one place to another will be much faster than it really is.

Here is an overlay map of part of Europe and the (Continental) U.S.:




Here is another overlay, though this is obviously North America, and not just the U.S.:



From that, you can see why most Americans never visit Alaska.


Here is a map of one state over Europe:



Granted, that is one of the largest states, but it should help one get matters into perspective.

Particularly in the western states of the U.S., the drive from one city to the next can be a very long drive.

If you are going from New York to Los Angeles, it is almost 4,000 km:

http://www.distancefromto.net/distance-f...os+Angeles

Given that you drive on roads, and not in a perfectly straight line, you would probably be driving a bit more than 4,000 km.

Edited to add:

Using MapQuest, the suggested quickest route (so without any sightseeing along the way), it is 4497.07 km and will take 43 hours and 22 minutes, not counting delays due to traffic, or any detours that may occur due to road construction or whatever.

http://www.mapquest.com/#a9a3fa835ce60734babe1612

The hours are constant driving, so if you can handle driving 10 hours per day, you will get there in 5 days.

[DeistPaladin]

I remember once when visiting London, I wanted to take a side trip to Stonehenge in the country. I figured I would have to get a motel in the local town and then go back to London the next day. 

Nope, it's just a bus ride up and then a bus ride back the same day. 

My German teacher in high school who was a native from Berlin (her family got out and emigrated to America right after the Second World War but prior to the Berlin Wall going up) once had family visiting her in Kentucky. They wanted to go to the beaches in Florida. She told them it's a two day drive. The distance just astounded them. 

[Pyrrho]

Just a bit more to add to what I stated above.

Keep in mind, that 43 hours and 22 minutes from MapQuest is assuming no delays in traffic, and that you are constantly driving the speed limit.  Stops for fuel are extra time, and any time you drive a little slower than the speed limit, you are also taking extra time.  If you do not significantly go over the speed limit, it will take you longer than MapQuest is estimating, because there will be issues with traffic, and you will not be able to maintain the speed limit all the way.  So you should figure you are going to be spending a lot of time in the car.

I personally have driven a trip further than the distance from New York to Los Angeles, and I assure you, it is not all fun and games.  Parts of such a drive are mind-numbing.  Particularly in the larger western states, one can drive for hours between things.  Make sure you plan your refueling, as you do not want to be in the middle of nowhere and run out of fuel.  Especially if it is either the dead of winter in a cold state, or the heat of summer in a hot state.

Also, take breaks from driving if you get a little tired.  Otherwise, you may end up killing or maiming yourself and/or others.