Trip Envy is its Own Punishment
Sep 18th, 2009, 10:30 PM
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Trip Envy is its Own Punishment
I have got to get over my trip envy. Friends are heading off to northern Italy Sunday night for two weeks and my lack of wandering of late has the green monster creeping over me like the ague or chilblains or the grippe ... name any Victorian malady. Melancholia, nostalgia, lunacy ... the humors, the vapors. Whichever one turns a person verde.
OK. I'm over it for now. No, I'm not.
Of course there is a complicated back story, but of course I'm leaving that out. But just knowing that my passport has expired and I have no reason to rush to renew makes me want to open a bottle of wine and wallow in cheap self-pity. (The self-pity is cheap, the wine would not be. Not in this case.)
Tomorrow I'll watch a good "travel" flick, that will fix it. Ronin, maybe, where Deniro and company drive fast cars all over France, leaving innocent tourists and locals splattered on the cobblestones and headless in the sidewalk cafes. That should cheer me up.
Feeling quite like Charlie Brown, I remain, Tomasso Croccante.
OK. I'm over it for now. No, I'm not.
Of course there is a complicated back story, but of course I'm leaving that out. But just knowing that my passport has expired and I have no reason to rush to renew makes me want to open a bottle of wine and wallow in cheap self-pity. (The self-pity is cheap, the wine would not be. Not in this case.)
Tomorrow I'll watch a good "travel" flick, that will fix it. Ronin, maybe, where Deniro and company drive fast cars all over France, leaving innocent tourists and locals splattered on the cobblestones and headless in the sidewalk cafes. That should cheer me up.
Feeling quite like Charlie Brown, I remain, Tomasso Croccante.
Sep 19th, 2009, 02:34 AM
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Oh, man, you've got a BAD case of trip envy. We all know what can cure that, but, it's not always possible, is it? Hang in there, one day we'll be envying you. ( I don't think I want to watch Ronin, somehow.)
Sep 19th, 2009, 02:40 AM
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Good grief, CB!
I totally understand trip envy but some would envy you for living in NYC! It's gonna be a nice weekend; find something you haven't yet done in your wonderful city and pretend you're a tourist. Put on the day pack or fanny pack, grab a bottle of water and your camera and head out for the day.
I totally understand trip envy but some would envy you for living in NYC! It's gonna be a nice weekend; find something you haven't yet done in your wonderful city and pretend you're a tourist. Put on the day pack or fanny pack, grab a bottle of water and your camera and head out for the day.
Sep 19th, 2009, 03:16 AM
#5
How about if I bring Europe to you?
If you are interested in a challenge, you could help me plan an extended weekend for us European Fodorites and my adult English students (from Switzerland). I've never been to New York and am looking for a destination for my English students.
If you are interested in a challenge, you could help me plan an extended weekend for us European Fodorites and my adult English students (from Switzerland). I've never been to New York and am looking for a destination for my English students.
Sep 19th, 2009, 06:35 AM
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I don't mean to say that I'll NEVER take another great trip - just been too long and feels too far in the future (though who knows the future?) The passport ... well, I may be delaying thinking "I don't want it sitting around aging unused." (Insert psycho-insights here.)
Ah, sometimes realities just intrude their insisting ways. Past crimes must be atoned for, the bill for past pleasures paid. And sometimes in the wee small hours one must be allowed those moments of
Beautiful blue sky in NYC today, indeed. A chilly 53 degrees F right now, which is actually lovely. And I will get out into it shortly, probably meet up with my goddaughter and her parents at the flea market and there you have it.
@nancicita and Yvonnne - Ronin is a strange little film, one I like well enough to have my own copy. There is something comic-book about the carnage of the car chases in this film: bystanders tossed aside left and right, but in such a casual and amoral way that it almost becomes funny. The scenery is fun, too. I'm a big fan of "remote-control-tourism", letting a filmmaker show me a place while telling me a story. And I don't worry that the view from Jane Hudson's balcony in Summertime could not be seen from the address of her Venice pensione!
@adrienne - I tell myself often that I live in an endlessly entertaining and "visit-able" city. I even defend the crowds of tourists that sometimes clog the sidewalks - it is great to live in a place that people would want to visit. I've been a visitor myself here for 30+ years.
@schuler - I'm up for that. New York is definitely one of those places that can use a little "editing" for a visitor: so much to see and never enough time?
When my Roman friends make their annual trip (for a trade show) they indulge themselves much more in shopping and dining than anything else (8-10 hours daily being devoted to work.) Andrea loves Brooks Brothers button-down shirts, a distinctive look in fashionable Rome. Barbara loves outfitting their boys at our great outlet stores, like Daffy's.
But in July this year they brought the twins (7 yrs) with them, and really did some sightseeing: museums, Staten Island Ferry (great view of Miss Liberty, for free) and much less shopping. Because how long will seven-year old boys put up with that? By the way, the boys spent trade-show days in day camp with New York kids their age, learning to play baseball. Their English is pretty good - their dad has always insisted they have an English-speaking au pair for just that reason.
The parents of those boys love New York restaurants - not the fancy ones, but the variety and ethnic mix. They are crazy for good barbecue, which we have now. And one of their favorite places is a quirky Spanish restaurant of long-standing called El Quixote. When here they eat the way they never do at home: steak, good burgers, more beer than wine.
In any case, if I can help with your planning I will be happy to. It's generally a pretty good time to come to NYC - hotel rates are down with the slow economy, and your Euros are still packing a punch.
Ah, sometimes realities just intrude their insisting ways. Past crimes must be atoned for, the bill for past pleasures paid. And sometimes in the wee small hours one must be allowed those moments of
Beautiful blue sky in NYC today, indeed. A chilly 53 degrees F right now, which is actually lovely. And I will get out into it shortly, probably meet up with my goddaughter and her parents at the flea market and there you have it.
@nancicita and Yvonnne - Ronin is a strange little film, one I like well enough to have my own copy. There is something comic-book about the carnage of the car chases in this film: bystanders tossed aside left and right, but in such a casual and amoral way that it almost becomes funny. The scenery is fun, too. I'm a big fan of "remote-control-tourism", letting a filmmaker show me a place while telling me a story. And I don't worry that the view from Jane Hudson's balcony in Summertime could not be seen from the address of her Venice pensione!
@adrienne - I tell myself often that I live in an endlessly entertaining and "visit-able" city. I even defend the crowds of tourists that sometimes clog the sidewalks - it is great to live in a place that people would want to visit. I've been a visitor myself here for 30+ years.
@schuler - I'm up for that. New York is definitely one of those places that can use a little "editing" for a visitor: so much to see and never enough time?
When my Roman friends make their annual trip (for a trade show) they indulge themselves much more in shopping and dining than anything else (8-10 hours daily being devoted to work.) Andrea loves Brooks Brothers button-down shirts, a distinctive look in fashionable Rome. Barbara loves outfitting their boys at our great outlet stores, like Daffy's.
But in July this year they brought the twins (7 yrs) with them, and really did some sightseeing: museums, Staten Island Ferry (great view of Miss Liberty, for free) and much less shopping. Because how long will seven-year old boys put up with that? By the way, the boys spent trade-show days in day camp with New York kids their age, learning to play baseball. Their English is pretty good - their dad has always insisted they have an English-speaking au pair for just that reason.
The parents of those boys love New York restaurants - not the fancy ones, but the variety and ethnic mix. They are crazy for good barbecue, which we have now. And one of their favorite places is a quirky Spanish restaurant of long-standing called El Quixote. When here they eat the way they never do at home: steak, good burgers, more beer than wine.
In any case, if I can help with your planning I will be happy to. It's generally a pretty good time to come to NYC - hotel rates are down with the slow economy, and your Euros are still packing a punch.
Sep 19th, 2009, 06:37 AM
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"Ah, sometimes realities just intrude their insisting ways. Past crimes must be atoned for, the bill for past pleasures paid. And sometimes in the wee small hours one must be allowed those moments of ..."
Is there a reason I didn't finish that thought?!
Is there a reason I didn't finish that thought?!
Sep 19th, 2009, 06:48 AM
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I'm SO on this wavelength. My passport doesn't need to be renewed, but my only hope for leaving the USA in the foreseeable future is a contract to cover HIV/AIDS meetings in Tanzania. And no, I'm not turning up my nose at that - I love Africa, and the work I do - but still, it's not the same as sitting at a sidewalk café in Perugia or winding through the countryside of the Dordogne.
Sep 19th, 2009, 08:24 AM
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Oh Tom... your writing is pulls me right in.
I have no plans for Europe and cannot even think of it... so I do understand. I too live in a wonderful place that many travel to (Southern California) but my heart yearns for the streets of Paris, or the hills of Austria, or a canal in Venice...but alas, here I sit.
I do understand.
Peace,
Dawn
I have no plans for Europe and cannot even think of it... so I do understand. I too live in a wonderful place that many travel to (Southern California) but my heart yearns for the streets of Paris, or the hills of Austria, or a canal in Venice...but alas, here I sit.
I do understand.
Peace,
Dawn
Sep 19th, 2009, 08:50 AM
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LoveItaly - it is all relative right? You want to be in NYC and Tom wants to be in Europe... I want to be in Paris... someone else wants to be in Southern California... I am working hard on water the grass where it grows these days as the saying goes...
Sep 19th, 2009, 09:45 AM
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Man I understand you and in a slightly different way. Geez, I just got back from a month in France and I'm already on that wavelength (how sad is that, is it ever enough?) I wrote about it in a trip report (Our Month in France) and I keep reading it over and over and looking at the pictures and wishing I was still there!!!!!!!!. Keep the faith, dude, your time will come (a mantra I tell myself daily).
Sep 19th, 2009, 09:49 AM
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Hi Dawn, isn't it the truth? Well as long as we and are loved ones are healthy, or get healthy everthing else is all right. I keep reminding myself of that! Wishing you and yours a nice weekend.
Sep 19th, 2009, 11:15 AM
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I feel your pain, Tom. My last trip to my beloved Italy was a year and a half ago. I don't see a trip next year happening, although I guess you never know. Damn my lack of frequent flyer miles....
I will be in NYC in January, so that's something to look forward to, but not the same.
Johanna
I will be in NYC in January, so that's something to look forward to, but not the same.
Johanna
Sep 19th, 2009, 05:02 PM
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Today I watched Rush Hour 3 because it is in Paris. Lousy movie but for perhaps 15 minutes I was riding through Paris. Here is hoping that I'll cross the pond in the the next year or two, before my passport expires.
I empathize.
I empathize.
Sep 23rd, 2009, 08:49 AM
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I sympathize with the Ronin choice...like the action, but the scenery..woohoo. Or French Kiss, or...
Last year was an empty year, with no big trips. This year I found out that someone I always wanted to see was going to be in a play in London. Work got in the way, then suddenly schedule opened up. I had time, I had a credit card, I was going to go to London. Booked on a Sunday to leave the next Thursday, flight+hotel package deal. I'm glad I did.
I like to think that my next trip begins with a, how to put it, finding the excuse to go. For example, my niece mentioned she'd like to go see the World Cup in S.S next year. OK, so now I'm "manipulating" her to get her dad convinced to sign-up for the ticket lottery.
Since any move forward moves you towards a trip, you must renew your passport.
It's identifying the next destination, then taking the little steps towards doing it. It may be buying the travel guide., looking for trip reports here, putting aside $50 a week...the little things that give you a positive vibe that closing in on your goal can give you.
Then, one day, out of curisoty, you check a website to see how much a flight would cost...perhaps an outline of an itinerary that you update as time goes by...
A year where I don't do a trip somewhere outside of N.A. makes me think that I'm running out of time to see places, that I have to get moving again...look at the list of places I want to go, when???
This week, I found out my nephew may be working in Yemen for a year...so I have another possible dream to work on.
LIttle steps.
Last year was an empty year, with no big trips. This year I found out that someone I always wanted to see was going to be in a play in London. Work got in the way, then suddenly schedule opened up. I had time, I had a credit card, I was going to go to London. Booked on a Sunday to leave the next Thursday, flight+hotel package deal. I'm glad I did.
I like to think that my next trip begins with a, how to put it, finding the excuse to go. For example, my niece mentioned she'd like to go see the World Cup in S.S next year. OK, so now I'm "manipulating" her to get her dad convinced to sign-up for the ticket lottery.
Since any move forward moves you towards a trip, you must renew your passport.
It's identifying the next destination, then taking the little steps towards doing it. It may be buying the travel guide., looking for trip reports here, putting aside $50 a week...the little things that give you a positive vibe that closing in on your goal can give you.
Then, one day, out of curisoty, you check a website to see how much a flight would cost...perhaps an outline of an itinerary that you update as time goes by...
A year where I don't do a trip somewhere outside of N.A. makes me think that I'm running out of time to see places, that I have to get moving again...look at the list of places I want to go, when???
This week, I found out my nephew may be working in Yemen for a year...so I have another possible dream to work on.
LIttle steps.
Sep 23rd, 2009, 11:36 AM
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I totally understand that line of thought....Here's a sobering idea at least where Italy is concerned: Try to get anything processed LEGALLY here and you'll get nostalgic for anywhere the hell else. After x many mornings in line at the Questura, even Rome can lose its charm and turn any nice sane person into a cursing lunatic. Never thought I'd miss the States at times....not that we're much better.....
