What were your favourite countries when you were eight?

[Judge]

In my teens and 20s was obsessed with Afghanistan and Indonesia, primarily because they were never talked about in the news and I wanted to know more about them.

I was always fascinated by the shape of Sulawesi (formally known as the Celebes Island). Maybe the strangest shaped island on the planet. Also recall meeting an Indonesian who moved into my college dorm at the time. It was quite amusing hearing him talk about the politics of his country. He kept referring to the ruling party as "the Government Party". And I kept asking him in confusion what ideology that party represented. He kept saying the same thing over and over. That the party that exclusively represents the government IS "the Government Party". LOL. Okie dokie! To learn that his explanation of the ruling party was quite literal, and decidedly anything but democratic.

Would I want to visit such a place, then or now? No. Though I must say, I've always enjoyed the film "The Year of Living Dangerously". A story following an Australian reporter covering an attempt by the communists to take over Indonesia in the early 60s. And I'm guessing this is a film you have seen.

 

[Sora]

I remember loving to look at our atlas.

I loved it when I discovered Hungary, as I had been hungry.

Then I discovered Turkey.

I just loved thinking of the 2 countries and laughing.

What were your favourites countries aged eight or lower?

What are your first memories of looking at an atlas?


(I kept looking at the atlas and was a bit disappointed - no chicken, or chocolate. Wonder if anyone has country synaesthesia)

I think if someone were to ask the 8yo me what my favorite country is I would probaly say "USA", because although I most likely didn't know anything about it, it was the only country I always heard people talking about (I'm brazilian btw). Although I strangely have the memory of looking at the atlas at school and finding the name "Angola" funny, because of the angola chicken

 

[Fridgemagnetman]

I think if someone were to ask the 8yo me what my favorite country is I would probaly say "USA", because although I most likely didn't know anything about it, it was the only country I always heard people talking about (I'm brazilian btw). Although I strangely have the memory of looking at the atlas at school and finding the name "Angola" funny, because of the angola chicken

So there is a chicken!

 

[tree]

Chicken D’Angola: curiosities and characteristics – Fazenda Olhos D'Água

I didn't know there was an angola chicken.

I knew there was a rodeo at the Angola Prison because my parents used
to go there, to see the events and shop for crafts the prisoners made.
Angola Rodeo | Louisiana State Penitentiary

 

[Sora]

I think it's not that known in other countries, but angola chickens are kind of a commom sight at some farms in Brazil

 

[Tom]

I always liked Upper Volta.

 

[Streetwise]

I think if someone were to ask the 8yo me what my favorite country is I would probaly say "USA", because although I most likely didn't know anything about it, it was the only country I always heard people talking about (I'm brazilian btw). Although I strangely have the memory of looking at the atlas at school and finding the name "Angola" funny, because of the angola chicken

The one phrase I know in Portuguese “bom dia”

 

[Sora]

The one phrase I know in Portuguese “bom dia”

Boa noite! This one means good night, so now you know two

 

[Streetwise]

Boa noite! This one means good night, so now you know two

Thanks and I might remember it when there is a picture with it I remember it much better

 

[Judge]

I always liked Upper Volta.

Yep. Easier to pronounce than "Burkina Faso".

But their capital is still Ouagadougou.

 

[Crossbreed]

I loved it when I discovered Hungary, as I had been hungry.

Then I discovered Turkey.

I hope that you didn't use the good China...!

 

[LucyPurrs]

I was always fascinated by the shape of Sulawesi (formally known as the Celebes Island). Maybe the strangest shaped island on the planet. Also recall meeting an Indonesian who moved into my college dorm at the time. It was quite amusing hearing him talk about the politics of his country. He kept referring to the ruling party as "the Government Party". And I kept asking him in confusion what ideology that party represented. He kept saying the same thing over and over. That the party that exclusively represents the government IS "the Government Party". LOL. Okie dokie! To learn that his explanation of the ruling party was quite literal, and decidedly anything but democratic.

Would I want to visit such a place, then or now? No. Though I must say, I've always enjoyed the film "The Year of Living Dangerously". A story following an Australian reporter covering an attempt by the communists to take over Indonesia in the early 60s. And I'm guessing this is a film you have seen.

Oh yes Judge, I love that film and have seen it several times!!! I also backpacked & scuba dived through 13 islands of Indonesia, including Sulawesi (the orchid isle) in 1991 just after the Gulf War ended. I was a bit uncertain as to how I'd be received as the country is heavily Muslim but was well received everywhere and had no trouble at all. I was a single traveler staying in Lonely Planet cheap places. Started in Irian Jaya (Indonesian New Guinea) and ended up in Singapore 8 weeks later. Lots of adventures and really GREAT memories from that trip. One of the BEST things I ever did.

 

[NecroCurator]

Ancient rome. Particularly the imperial period. It was my first obsession really. My parents took me to Rome when I was 12, and after a day they no longer felt the need to hire tour guides. My cousins were a bit embarrassed though. I found it hard to hide my overflowing enthusiasm.

 

[ASD_Geek]

When I was that age, I liked the shape of Italy, but I was fascinated with France, England and Austria. My fascination with Austria was probably due to my obsession with the Sound of Music,

 

[HannahMarie]

I still have never visited another country. But I do remember having a globe and sometimes I'd spin it around just to see what random country my finger would end up on. The only time I remember really liking a particular country was when I loved the "Madeline" books and cartoons. That made me interested in France and wish that I could live there!

 

[GrownupGirl]

I don't know much about other countries when I was 8. Although like most other Canadian kids I knew more about the states than I did about my own country.