I agree Nager that you have no need to travel overseas as tourists. I do it because I am interested and curoius of others'cultures, foods, art, archetecture and well, darn it, there is just a lot of neat stuff to see and do in other countries. I have travelled to most of the US and although I still have lots to see and do here, there is a certain charm of foreign lands.

MIchaelR I agree that EXTREME nationalism is the source of much of the world's problems, A cannot but believe that moderate pride in your homeland is not a bad characteristic. I guess the key is to control your nationalism and patriotism. I hope you didn't get too flooded out in Calif, Michael. I read that Napa has gotten slammed with flooding.