Confessions of a European traveler
 

Just for fun and in no particular order....

I abuse my luggage.

I cannot read a street map (no matter which way I turn it).

I require gelato in my diet almost every day while abroad.

I am giddy when I speak in a foreign language and the person understands me. Even if it is only "thank you".

Before buying clothes I determine if I will be able to take them with me to Europe.

I am not a good photo taker and always leave myself out of pictures.

I like my passport to be stamped.

I don't like taking taxi cabs.

I believe some people spend more for a week at Disneyland than I do for 2 weeks in Europe.

That's enough for now. What about you?

I believe more than one long, fancy restaurant meal per trip is a just too much time away from the "real Europe."

I love cracking the code to the local mass transit system.

I carry on my baggage (always within the legal limit). So that's me you're all yelling about when there's no room in the overhead.

I will pay whatever it takes to buy a pair of cute shoes that I can walk in for hours.

I wear jeans in Europe.

I won't be caught dead in disguise with a fanny pack.

I buy cheesy fridge magnets to commemorate my trips.

I gawk.

I have taken only one decent picture in all my travels.

Sometimes I get confused when I wake up and look at the ceiling. It’s never the old familiar one.

I’ve never been able to stand and eat my lunch. I don’t have the guts to try it.

When I am tired I babble in Italian when it should be French, Spanish when it should be Italian. I can also swear up a storm in Spanish.

So what's the difference.
Form a german point aof view:

>I cannot read a street map
I have a few GPS's supposed to tell me where I am. Sometimes I don't succeed.

>I require gelato in my diet almost every day while abroad.

while at home. Unfortunatly all the italian ice cream parlors close during winter and sell gingerbread instead, arrgghhh.

>I speak in a foreign language
I try to speak any language and they don't understand whatever.

>Before buying clothes
Before buying clothes I determine if they're worth the money. Who cares what others think.

>and always leave myself out of pictures.
Agreed, those clothes just don't fit. ;-)

>more for a week at Disneyland than I do for 2 weeks in Europe.

Disneyland is far to expensive. I can spend 2 weeks in Europe without spending ANY money. Just have to fill the fridge first. ;-)

I walk more in one day in Europe than I do in a week at home. I use this to justify my increased wine/cheese/olive/gelato intake.

I create my own guide book before I leave, obsessivly monitoring message boards looking for tips on unique things to see and amazing places to eat.

I only do carry-on and plan my wardrobe to be as light as possible and offer multiple variations on outfits.

I take hundreds of photos (including my meals!), but only have one or two of myself in every trip.

I always try to take the train or metro into town rather than a taxi from/to the airport.

I'm willing to pay a little more for a "room with a view".

I dress to blend in and I'm extremely flattered when spoken to in the local language rather than English.

I try to take at least one international trip per year and for the last 17, I've been somewhere in Europe at least every other year.

While I love big, long fancy meals, I'm also more than happy to sit in a cafe with a glass of wine and a plate of cheese.

You're so right on about that daily gelato fix..I lie to my wife about this...I always promise to limit myself to one a day. I've never, that is never, kept that promise in Italy (or Croatia, for that matter). Oh, yes, there are several ersatz gelato shops here in L.A. I've tried them once each, never been back . I love saving it for Italy..just as I never order a lobster here, only when I frequently visit the "homeland"...Massachusetts and Northern New England..only opting for genuine Maine lobsters , prepared by people who know what they're doing!Only place I've found that can come close is Australia, and their species of Rock Lobster. In fact Costco every now and then features it.
As for street maps, I'm an incurable map freak, and love to conquer them by finding the most obscure street, or village on the country maps...
I know people who spend more for a weekend in Vegas than I do for three weeks in Europe, anywhere....the same autmatons who seek out the latest and most ridiculously expensive restaurant fads here in L.A....I can eat far better for two weeks in Italy, rural France, and certainly in bargain places like Croatia, Turkey, Morocco or Romania for what they spend in one night.
As the old saying goes.."to each his own:..or as the trattoria mama says .."Sacisse his own"..

Stu

Linda,
funny you mention the expense of trips to Disneyland.
Some friends of mine, a family of 4, just got back from a weeklong cruise from NYC, which stopped only at Miami, Cape Canaveral, and the cruiseline's 'private island' off Florida, for an afternoon barbecue. The ship had about 2500 passengers, and my friend reports that there were long lines for dinner, the laundry facility, the on-board shows, the breakfast buffet. The cost? For the whole family, over $6000 base cost, plus the extras on the ship like beverages. This was a major dent in their family budget, by the way.
Despite the dollar to Europe ratio, I keep thinking of all the places in Europe they could have gone for a week, especially since they happen to have a large bank of FF miles for free plane tickets.

Back to the topic:
I go to Europe and feel the need to buy myself a present that is much more expensive than I would think of indulging in in a typical week at home.
I tell myself that the trip itself is the gift, but I rarely listen to myself on that one.

I look at the maps in American Way magazine everytime I'm on a plane to fantasize about where else I'll travel.

I check my frequent flyer mileage daily to see what's been posted in my account.

I strategize about earning more frequent flyer miles towards my next European trip.

While I'm wearing clothes, I ask myself if they'd be included in my wardrobe on my next trip (as though the clothes care if they stay home or not!)

My vacation to Europe starts from the moment I enter the airport for my departure.

I'm disappointed when my passport doesn't get stamped.

Elaine: I know what you're talking about. These are the same type of people that say they NEVER would be able to afford a trip to Europe!! LOL. I think some of my co-workers (and family) think I'm rich because I go to Europe once a year. They just don't realize if you plan acordingly, it is affordable.

I'm not good at small talk unless the subject is "Paris"

My souvenirs are my photos, cheesy pens and magnets, and scarves

I always bring cookies from Monoprix home

I have more Paris map books than any local

My husband bought an auto tag with "I -heart- Paris" for my car

I wanted to name my dog "Chloe" or "Zoe" but she just didn't look like one

I start saying "Bonjour" as I enter a room about a month before my trip

The local cell phone towers look like <i>Eiffel</i> Towers to me

I have many trips to Europe planned in my head and wish I had the money to take all of them NOW!

I require a glass of wine at an outdoor table at about 5:00 every day.

I too spend too much money on gifts for myself!

I can wear clothes more than once without washing them - and I don't think anyone notices...

I read this forum even when I don't have an upcoming trip...

Linda L.....I'm a LindaL too.....but I hope that your middle L isn't the same name as mine........mine is not very dignified!!!

Simone 1.....I too, suffer from ceiling confusion. *Have trouble eating while standing *and cross-babble
Whew, I was beginning to think you were my seperated twin...but I do have taken a few good photos.

Stu....Very wise to stay away from gelato while home...then you may indulge during your trips abroad...without becoming too broad!!
There are things I don't eat at home...justing waiting for the splurge!!

My travel passions....

I love maps...all kinds of maps...I think I have 10 different ones for Paris. I look at them &amp; remember all the places on all the streets that I have visited.....they become diaries.

I love following the map to the next location &amp; discovering the little Inn at the end of the road....the first glimpse of our room....

Checking out the view from our room...I have a collection of photos of
views from our rooms.

Wine lists....how different they are in every country/city.....discovering that a glass of champagne is a bargain in Paris.

Collecting all the little cards &amp; writing in my journal....later going back for a memory stroll.

((*))

All of the above. What a wonderful thread.

I have this soft white heather long-sleeved T-shirt that I love to travel in. When I find myself reaching to wear it at home on a cool morning, I think 'oh, no, mustn't waste it.' When I need a special lift or I'm having a bad week, though, I teach in what I fondly call my Swiss travel shoes. Brings a bounce to my step and a boost to my mood.

And I'm forever purchasing dumb stuff like scotch tape or plastic straws when I travel, and I get such a rush whenever I use them here. Go figure. I need counseling. Hope my colleagues don't see this.
J.

My life consists of three phases: planning a trip, taking a trip, editing the photos and writing up the journal from the trip. I am always in one of those phases, I HAVE to start planning my next trip before I'm done printing the photos of the previous one or I go into withdrawal.

I always do carry-on only going over, but can rarely manage it on the way home.

I can't walk past a store selling luggage or the travel section in a bookstore. I feel like an alcoholic in front of a bar.

Every time I think of buying something that's not totally necessary I stop and ask myself if I woulnd't rather have an extra day (or part of a day) in Euorpe instead. I save almost all my discretionary spending for Europe.

I can walk 12 miles a day for three weeks straight on a a trip, but at home I'm lucky if I can go 3 miles twice a week.

Gelato and/or crepes are necessary on a daily basis if you want to walk 12 miles a day.

I would much rather stay in 2 star hotels and eat pizza every day for three weeks than stay in a 4 star hotel and eat at fancy restaurants for one week.

Bailey: My middle name starts with a &quot;G&quot; for Gayle. The &quot;L&quot; is for my last name. cls2paris: I, too, wear clothes twice without washing them!! As long as they don't smell and are not dirty, who cares? I totally relate to the walking 12 miles a day in Europe but taking the car 1/4 mile to the store at home. I really would be thin if I lived permanently in Europe.

I'm a map addict. Before going to a new place, I study maps incessantly so as to commit every route I might take to memory.

In Europe, I'll stay in a hotel with a bathroom down the hall if it saves me some money...but I wouldn't do it in America.

In Europe I try very hard not to &quot;look American.&quot; Most of the time, people think I'm German. Until, apparently, I smile my &quot;American&quot; smile (=with all my teeth showing is a giveaway, so explained an Italian cab driver).

I'm a sucker for stray cats and take pictures of them. Used to pet them until I picked up ringworm once.

I use my trips as an excuse to eat things I forbid myself at home. (Don't we all?) And then happily walk it off.

I like traveling alone best, because then I can do WHATEVER I WANT.

I can spend all day in a single museum.

The artwork I want to see most (and have missed twice b/c of renovations :-( ) is the Alexander Mosaic in the Museo Archeologico in Naples. I will cry in front of it. I know.

I leave extra-nice tips for cute, flirty European waiters. ;-)

I'm not a morning person...except in Europe.

I don't go a single day without fantasizing about a future trip at least once.

I forgot one--I actually save little things like train tickets, receipts, brochures, hotel soaps, etc. and keep them in a box--often these things conjure up memories better than any photograph.

I start planning my next trip to Europe about two weeks after I arrive home from my last trip.

I have an entire shelf in my library for travel books.

I have a page in my daytimer devoted to travel websites.

I practice Spanish at least 1/2 hour a day (sometimes more) even though everyone in Spain laughs when I speak (but it breaks the ice and they do appreciate my attempt).

I go through my photo albums on Europe whenever I get too down and it starts raining too much here (Seattle).

I intentionally buy products from Italy, Spain and France.

I miss my dog so much when I'm away, I've learned to say &quot;Can I pet your dog&quot; in Spanish, Italian, and French (in France once the young man I asked informed me--in English--that I could pet him too!)

I listen to music in Italian, Spanish, &amp; French almost every day.

I wear the pink tennis I bought in Italy with confidence and laugh when I see them in the recent release shoes at Nordstrom.

I read books set in Europe, some even twice (The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruis Zafon is my current favorite.)

I rent DVDs set in Europe (Bad Education is my current favorite).

While I have friends that collect diamonds, I'm much happier spending whatever money I can on my past and next trip to Europe.

Yikes! No wonder I hang out here: you guys are a lot like me.

I usually start to plan where I want to go &quot;next time&quot; while still away from home &quot;this time.&quot;

One of my hobbies is searching for the perfect-under-9-pounds-and-expandable rolling carry-on. Oh, and it has to cost less that a hundred bucks. I would go to 76. Haven't found it yet. :&gt;

I have shelves and shelves of travel books and drawers of maps. I often find doubles of maps when I go to pull the maps out for planning. I get this from my mom. Years ago, we were sitting together planning a trip to Italy, with maps spread all around us. My dad, a WWII veteran who served in Italy, entered the room and said, &quot;Your mother has more maps of Italy than General Mark Clark had before the invasion.&quot; He was probably right.

I don't want jewelry; I don't want clothes; I don't want furniture or a new car. I want a trip. Always.

I too save my travel clothes for travel. I might want to wear it now, but it works so well in Europe, that I will save it. And save it.

I'm a travel snob. I think people who go to Las Vegas and Florida and similar places aren't nearly as smart as I think I am.

Shoes: save them, too. These are too perfect for walking in Europe to wear out just hanging around here.

I come home from France or Italy with a suitcase full of food. Salt, pepper, oils, vinegars, spices, pastas, mustards, and tuna in olive oil. Lots of tuna in olive oil.

I save my best hotel soaps, from the occasional stay in a fancy hotel, for the guest bath and special occasions. Right now, the guest bath has a round soap from Hotel Park Villa Grazioli. I didn't think the hotel was worth the money (not my dime) but love that soap.

I have to put all the bars of soap I bring home in a different bag from the one that holds all the food.

This is unbelievable -- so many of these comments reflect my own thoughts and behavior.

Isabel, your comment: &quot;Every time I think of buying something that's not totally necessary I stop and ask myself if I wouldn't rather have an extra day (or part of a day) in Euorpe instead. I save almost all my discretionary spending for Europe.&quot; Yes, that is exactly me. A co-worker is always commenting on my trips saying she could never afford to go to Europe. I point out the $5 cup of Starbuck's she has every morning, and I tell her to put that $5 away (among her many other extravagances) and she, too, could do as I do. It will never happen. We all have our priorities, and mine is clearly for travel.

Carry-on luggage, at least for the flight over, is a necessity.

Early to bed, early to rise, to get in a full day is not my normal routine at home, but fits the bill when away.

I have a large Rubbermaid tub filled with maps and on a rainy day I love to study them.

I get obsessive about learning the public transportation systems (metro and buses) wherever I go. My friends now insist on taxis. Yes, it's easier, but not in my nature.

Ah, daily gelato. An indulgence for travel. At home, I have ice cream only three or four times a year.

My only shopping sprees for clothing are shortly before trips.

I must keep a journal and get it online here and on my website immediately upon arriving home. Laundry can wait.

Photography is my main interest while traveling and it takes all my spare time upon arriving home for a couple of weeks to get them all as they should be.

Small talk is not in my comfort zone unless the conversation centers around travel.

Gotta love those kitchen magnets.