Thomas

Just a note to say thank you for those who replied to my querry some time ago. The trip via greyhound bus from Calif to NYC is still on by my two friends from France. They do plan to stop at various cities along the way. I often think it best to not go by bus, but the girls have a 15 day pass of some kind. Being a bit older myself, I feel unconfortable about what the girls may have to go through to get to NY.

I like the idea of having them stay in NYC hotel to really BE in NYC rather than staying with us in NJ and taking the bus to manhattan, only 1 hour ride, however. Then again, there will be no cost staying here with us. I am concerned about dominating their time by suggesting siteseeing activities. I tend to think I know what a foreigner (sp) would like for a first trip to the USA. Perhaps we should not go along with them on every trip to the city. But it would be fun to see the Empire State Building, to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, see the downtown sites in Soho, Tribeca, Little Italy, etc. What we might do is give them a list of things to see, ask them what they would want to see, etc, etc. At any rate, my thoughts are with this trip for these two 19 year olds.

FainaAgain

I wish they'll have a safe trip. Tell them not to go anywhere alone, especially to the restrooms. The seats are not reserved, so they should sit as close to the driver as possible.

ElendilPickle

Tell them to sit together on the bus; Greyhound gets its share of weirdos.

Lee Ann

wantsomesun

Do they have a clue what they are getting into? The Greyhound Bus is NOT for the fein of heart. It is not the chosen method of transportation I would choose, been there done that.

The stops are usually not in great areas, the people on the bus are usually there because they can not afford other means of travel.

They will spend HOURS traveling and not really see anything. There is nowhere to stand or walk around on the bus, and after a while they will hate it.

Coming from France they probably do not understand how large the country is and how long by bus it would take to get anywhere.

Try and talk them out of this, it really is not a great option for 2 girls.

Tell them about JetBlue, a lost cost airline that flies from CA to NY, for about the same cost or maybe less than the bus, will be alot more comfortable and they will get a better idea of just how large the US really is.

seetheworld

I agree, they should fly JetBlue! At the very least, they should stay together and follow the sound advice given by the others.

suze

I think the key may be since they were raised in Europe, they do not realize how darn BIG this country is. The whole thing sounds like an awful idea to me. I can't imagine it will be the fun adventure they are probably picturing.

J62

Thomas,

Thanks for the update. Your initial inquiries from 1mo ago generated a lot of discussion. The girls are committed to taking the trip, so I'd like to hear a trip report when all is said and done. I might learn something fun.

J62

indytravel

Have a way for them to get in touch with you as a back-up plan. Buy them a disposable cell phone? Phone credit card number? Call you collect?

Tell them to call if they want to bail and you'll be able to book them some (hopefully) cheaper air fares to get on their way if they need to.

Give them a list of cities on their itinerary where bailing is a viable option. Podunk, Indiana doesn't cut it. If they make it to Podunk they need to go one stop further to Dayton, Cincinnati are someplace with reasonable access to discount airlines.

starrsville

Fergie did this with a girlfriend during their gap year. Ran out of money midway and had to work for a month or so to earn more money to move on. It's not that unusual a concept for European young adults.

birgator

Once they get to NY, perhaps you may want to pick them up, and have them spend the first night at your house -- to do laundry, sleep in a decent bed, have a home cooked meal, call home etc.

Depending on how much time they have left, you're probably smart in taking them at least on a one day overview tour of NY -- it's a pretty overwhelming city for anyone! Cover the highlights on that list you're composing (excellent idea) based on their input.

You may want to check the NY youth hostel and have them stay there a few nights -- I do think you're correct in wanting to let them have the experience of staying in town. That way, they can complete their trip with things like shopping, be in a safe place, have others to perhaps pal around with, etc.

B/