Places You Can NOT Appreciate Without Seeing Them In Person?

[Major Tom]

Hoodoos of Bryce Canyon

A big +1 to the hoodoos. They were almost enough to make this non-religious person get religion. Breathtaking and awe-inspiring.

The Eiffel Tower. I did not realize how big and massive it is until I saw it for the first time.

Funnily enough, when I went there with my then-girlfriend some years ago, she commented that she thought it was bigger. I was taken aback! In retrospect, I think I know what she meant. She grew up in the Phillipines and told me that the Eiffel tower was something she had known about and wanted to see from an early age. My guess is that it was so iconic to her, that her expectations were far beyond anything that the real structure could possibly ever deliver, no matter how impressive.

 

[audreyh1]

The Eiffel Tower was huge, but what impressed me most was recognizing the names of all the French scientists, mathematicians and engineers engraved on the tower: LaPlace, Fourier, Ampere, etc. (long list). I had no idea they were there and would never had noticed if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes. I had binoculars with me.

Whose are the 72 names inscribed on the Eiffel Tower and why are they there

Gustave Eiffel had the names of 72 scholars inscribed on the border encircling the first floor of the Tower. But how did he choose them and why put them there? By Bertrand Lemoine.

www.toureiffel.paris

 

[Major Tom]

Chaco Canyon, Mesa Verde

+1 to both of these. Walking around Chaco Canyon, for the first time, I felt as if I intuitively understood the strong connection that earlier peoples felt to the land. It's something a lot of us "modern" folk don't get to experience. The long (13 miles, IIRC) drive on an unmade road helps the experience, I think, in that it puts a tangible barrier in between the traveler and the outside world. I was making the trip in a big, top-heavy campervan. My pots and pans rattled the entire time, even when driving slowly!

The Pueblo cave dwellings at Mesa Verde NP were quite a sight. I felt envious of the park employees who lived in the adobe houses and could see them from their back yards.

To these two, I'd like to add Canyon de Chelly. I remember standing at a lookout and looking down into a canyon. The canyon floor in this vast and dry landscape was covered in lush vegetation. There was a single dwelling, and signs that the land around it was being actively cultivated. The canyon floor was so far away, that it looked like a model. There was something captivating and almost spiritual about this vast barren landscape, with small green areas in which a handful of people survived. It was humbling. It felt a million miles away from the densely populated metro areas in which I have spent nearly my entire life.

 

[Major Tom]

While we're talking about the Eiffel tower, I'm reminded of a fun experience I had while at University in the UK in the mid 80's. One Friday afternoon, after the week's lectures were over, my flatmates and I were sitting around wondering what to do. "I know" one of us said, "Let's go to Paris!" We were all instantly thrilled at the thought, so we split into two groups of two each and decided to hitch-hike there. The pair to get there last would buy the drinks. Where would we meet? Under the Eiffel Tower, of course! Paris was 450 miles away, and none of us had ever been to Paris before, let alone knew where the Eiffel Tower was, other than somewhere in Paris. Nevertheless, despite our almost complete lack of knowledge, we set out and 450 miles later, arrived under the Eiffel Tower within a half hour of each other. I don't remember much about the weekend, except that we had a great time. I also remember being kept awake all night by a very amorous French couple in the next room, in a run-down hotel somewhere in the North of France on the way back, an experience that made a big impression on my young mind

Being young was SO much fun. When I think of the things we did on the spur of the moment, with minimal planning and even less money!

 

[Sunset]

But what if all 275,000 people chose not to go, even for 1-2 years? Or even half of that number. Remember the positive environmental impact of the pandemic. I don't need to travel personally see every pretty thing in this world. Many things can be enjoyed just by their existence.

Humans seem prone to damage that which we love. Many places in the world are hurting from overtourism-the Galapagos, Venice, the Himalayas, Yellowstone, Joshua Tree. The carbon footprint from all the air and automobile travel is staggering. In the Galapagos, all the boats leave fossil fuels and paint chips behind, and human waste as well.

You are correct, humans have an impact wherever they go.
Personally, I believe the human race will pretty much end due to our continued over population of the world and eating/polluting/poisoning our land seas and air until it's mostly uninhabitable.

We've already killed off many species, sometimes for food and other times just for fun or fashion.

So basically, the Galapagos is doomed like the rest of earth, but at least they are managing the impact of people as best as they can.

 

[SecondAttempt]

The Alamo (if you’ve been there you may understand)

• Bourbon Street ("It's filthy, smells like pee, there's gross beer everywhere, and broken glass all over the ground.")

Not to be critical but I happened to be in San Antonio a few years back and went to the Alamo. I was totally underwhelmed. Not that I don't appreciate Texas history. I fact I have a strong interest in the history of the southern railroad route and all its implications but really I was very disappointed in the Alamo.

I was on Bourbon Street as a kid so I can't really comment. Going to Mardi Gras some day is a very low priority but maybe I will.

 

[SecondAttempt]

I meant "it". He is also not very muscular.

Scale him down to 5'2" and how big do you think his big toe would be? I assume that is what you are talking about.

 

[old medic]

Here's one that hasn't been mentioned. Means a lot to any car person.

Our team has set a few records on motorcycles on the salt.

 

[Chuckanut]

In Paris while having lunch outside at a small cafe I noticed a small plaque on the wall near my table. The plaque told of the death of policemen who led the revolt against the Nazis as the Allied troops neared Paris. My French isn’t worth 5¢, but even I could read the story of the policeman who died at that spot. It inspired me to look into this part of French history.

A flag unfurled atop the building: the blue, white and red French tricolor, banned by Paris’ German occupiers and last flown officially four years prior. The French police, on strike against the occupation, had returned, this time in revolt. Paris’ uprising against the Nazis had begun.

This plaque from my first visit to Paris has always stuck in my mind. The plaque made the history more real.

 

[braumeister]

Our team has set a few records on motorcycles on the salt.

One of my friends had an uncle who set a lot of records there back in the 30s. It's quite a place.

 

[nwsteve]

Cappadocia at sunrise from a hot air balloon--pretty phenomenal

 

[Surewhitey]

Hiking down from Glacier Point to the valley of Yosemite is the best hike with constant views.

Drive from Banff to Jasper Alberta is the top drive & hiking along the way.

I was emotional many times at the Louvre. Never had that happen so much.

Switzerland was awesome.

I was underwhelmed with the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone, personally. Also I never need to return to New Orleans.

 

[Stormy Kromer]

If for any reason you may be driving on I-29 in South Dakota be sure to stop at the Terry Redlin museum. All his originals are on display in the museum he paid for out of his own pocket. Perpetual care too.

I'd rather go there than Mount Rushmore or Crazy Horse any day.

 

[Koolau]

While we're talking about the Eiffel tower, I'm reminded of a fun experience I had while at University in the UK in the mid 80's. One Friday afternoon, after the week's lectures were over, my flatmates and I were sitting around wondering what to do. "I know" one of us said, "Let's go to Paris!" We were all instantly thrilled at the thought, so we split into two groups of two each and decided to hitch-hike there. The pair to get there last would buy the drinks. Where would we meet? Under the Eiffel Tower, of course! Paris was 450 miles away, and none of us had ever been to Paris before, let alone knew where the Eiffel Tower was, other than somewhere in Paris. Nevertheless, despite our almost complete lack of knowledge, we set out and 450 miles later, arrived under the Eiffel Tower within a half hour of each other. I don't remember much about the weekend, except that we had a great time. I also remember being kept awake all night by a very amorous French couple in the next room, in a run-down hotel somewhere in the North of France on the way back, an experience that made a big impression on my young mind

Being young was SO much fun. When I think of the things we did on the spur of the moment, with minimal planning and even less money!

The day I was at the Eiffel Tower, a huge truck turned over on the street just outside the park. Very exciting stuff for a 17 year old kid who'd rarely been outside his own state.

 

[Koolau]

You are correct, humans have an impact wherever they go.
Personally, I believe the human race will pretty much end due to our continued over population of the world and eating/polluting/poisoning our land seas and air until it's mostly uninhabitable.

We've already killed off many species, sometimes for food and other times just for fun or fashion.

So basically, the Galapagos is doomed like the rest of earth, but at least they are managing the impact of people as best as they can.

It's true that humans tend to spoil everything beautiful, but what is the answer? Do we limit who gets to see these wonders? How do we decide who gets to see them. Right now, it's those with the money to do so. Do we set up a lottery and then let people go for free?

Returning you now...

 

[Koolau]

Not to be critical but I happened to be in San Antonio a few years back and went to the Alamo. I was totally underwhelmed. Not that I don't appreciate Texas history. I fact I have a strong interest in the history of the southern railroad route and all its implications but really I was very disappointed in the Alamo.

I was on Bourbon Street as a kid so I can't really comment. Going to Mardi Gras some day is a very low priority but maybe I will.

I went to the Alamo and one thing I have to admit: It was smaller than I thought it would be (What did I expect an old mission church to look like? A John Wayne movie??)

Of course, to me, the history of the place was what appealed and fulfilled my expectations. IIRC the current grounds were much smaller than the actual fortifications that were constructed at the time of the battle. Since the mission is now right in the middle of the city, it does seem incongruous. It could just be a "museum." I had to use my imagination to some extent to realize what it must have been like to fight a losing battle there for 13 days in late February and early March of 1836.

 

[Texas Proud]

Remember that the Alamo that you see today is just a small part of the overall mission...

I have read that the original covered 5 acres...

 

[motley]

I went to the Alamo and one thing I have to admit: It was smaller than I thought it would be (What did I expect an old mission church to look like? A John Wayne movie??)

Of course! I admit I expected a big sprawling fort kind of thing overall.

Strasbourg Cathedral also has to be seen to appreciate.

 

[mh]

We are currently at Grand Tetons NP and there is nothing like seeing those mountains in person to appreciate how huge they are as well as dramatically scenic.

if you are still there - this is a good way to see the snake river in the park Grand Teton Float Trips on the Snake River | Solitude Float Trips

 

[mh]

Not to be critical but I happened to be in San Antonio a few years back and went to the Alamo. I was totally underwhelmed. Not that I don't appreciate Texas history. I fact I have a strong interest in the history of the southern railroad route and all its implications but really I was very disappointed in the Alamo.

I was on Bourbon Street as a kid so I can't really comment. Going to Mardi Gras some day is a very low priority but maybe I will.

don’t bother with mardis gras. go to the jazz festival there instead. much more enjoyable. frenchmen street is more fun than bourbon street also (IMO)

 

[audreyh1]

if you are still there - this is a good way to see the snake river in the park Grand Teton Float Trips on the Snake River | Solitude Float Trips

Embarking on one tomorrow. Weather’s not great at the moment.

 

[tulak]

In Paris, I found the crypts in the Pantheon fascinating. Many famous people are there, including Marie Curie, whose birth place in Warsaw I found by chance while wandering around the old town. And in the main hall, you can spend time thinking about Foucault and his pendulum experiment, the first demonstrating the rotation of the Earth. That was an unexpected find for me, since I went for a morning walk through the Latin Quarter, with no plans, and came across the Pantheon and decided to take a look.

I haven’t had a chance to visit the crypts of Paris, but it’s been high on my list. Last time I tried, the line was too long. One of these days…

 

[luckydude]

For me, it's soccer match day in any English or Irish pub. I traveled to Dublin in July and was in the Sinnott's Bar watching the Euro Final between England and Spain. The atmosphere was electric. As an American and not at all a soccer fan, I never appreciated how crazy Europeans are about soccer. Until that day. It was awesome and something to be experienced.

 

[tulak]

Ah, that reminds me of watching France win the World Cup in a small town close to Pont du Gard. We cut short our visit there to watch the game. That was fun!

 

[Midpack]

Northern lights! If you ever have the opportunity, you MUST! You have to see it to believe it. I saw them twice while night sailing on Lake Michigan toward the north end. Once was just for a few moments but the first time it went on for about 10 minutes - probably the greatest natural phenomenon I’ve ever seen.

Also I think I ran into bioluminescence night sailing into Grand Traverse Bay from Lake Michigan. It was so bright the water looked like a swimming pool lit up at night - but as far as the eye could see. Maybe just the way the moon was reflecting off the water that night?