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UK to USA: Drop Dead

January 21, 2008 at 3:00 PM | by | Comments (2)

We might've named the United States the destination of the year for 2007, but the UK Times says "No thanks" to an American vacation in '08. After all, says writer Matt Rudd, you can get a better gaucho experience in Spain or Argentina, gamble on a wilder vacay in Macao, find a cooler road trip in Australia and ski easier in St. Moritz. And all without the hassles of the American customs and immigration officers!

A preflight e-interrogation, epic queues at immigration, thin-lipped questioning from aggressive border guards and an outside chance of a rubber-gloved rectal rummage are all part of the fun. So, if Chertoff and Co. want to tighten Fortress America further, it's time we considered other more welcoming holiday options. Such as Iran or North Korea.

Guess that warm and fuzzy tourist-luring video of Niagara Falls isn't doing the trick.

Related Stories:
· Travel to America? No Thanks. [UK Times]
· 2007 Awards: Destination of the Year [Jaunted]
· Immigration Video Totally Boring, Inaccurate [Jaunted]
· United States Travel coverage [Jaunted]

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Sorry to all my American friends ...

... but as an Aussie I have to at least kind of agree with this sentiment. I've been to the US three times and have absolutely loved it, but there was always a moment in the immigration line or when talking to the immigration people when I thought "I'm never coming back here". Obviously I keep forgetting that thought and I'm sure to forget it again in the future, but it is always a hassle for me and always a bit off-putting.
amandak on January 21, 2008 at 6:44 PM #Permalink

Yeah, but we have to live here...

You're not alone in your sentiment Amanda, even among Americans. Despite being a card-carrying US citizen I've gotten the third degree from customs agents - I shake my head and grumble afterwards, a bit more ashamed of my countrymen.
benh on January 25, 2008 at 8:43 PM #Permalink

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