Have You Ever Travelled with an Almost Stranger?
Feb 20th, 2006, 08:47 AM
#41
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Tam, I do feel a bit sorry for you - an adult should not have to resort to such arrangments. Still, you live and learn so perhaps it will be a positve experience no matter how it turns out.
I would advise you not to take offense so quickly and resort to such dramatics to deflect your intial defensiveness. Enjoy your trip and give us a report after you get back.
I would advise you not to take offense so quickly and resort to such dramatics to deflect your intial defensiveness. Enjoy your trip and give us a report after you get back.
Feb 20th, 2006, 09:02 AM
#42
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I've found that traveling with someone you think you know can end up like traveling with a stranger (an unpleasant one). "Who IS this person? I thought I knew her/him. I've never seen THIS side of her/him. Why did I ever think I liked her/him?" Seems to me traveling with someone you (think you) know can be just as risky as with someone you don't know so well.
Feb 20th, 2006, 09:13 AM
#43
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Poohgirl--That's true, never thought of that. But yes!
Cato--The feeling sorry schtick has got to go. There's nothing to feel sorry about. Why do you feel bad that I'm going to Europe with a new friend? Not like I posted on a message board that I have no life or friends, begging for someome to travel with me. You see, I have a great life and friends. Only one thing, I have odd months off from work so it's hard to coordinate the same dates, same interests, same everything to plan a trip.
It really is that simple. As far as the defensive thing...I think if you re-read your own initial words, you'll see that it was a bit abrasive. In all honesty, I'm one forgiving gal...gotta let things roll, so with that...I'm sure I'll post something about my trip.
Cato--The feeling sorry schtick has got to go. There's nothing to feel sorry about. Why do you feel bad that I'm going to Europe with a new friend? Not like I posted on a message board that I have no life or friends, begging for someome to travel with me. You see, I have a great life and friends. Only one thing, I have odd months off from work so it's hard to coordinate the same dates, same interests, same everything to plan a trip.
It really is that simple. As far as the defensive thing...I think if you re-read your own initial words, you'll see that it was a bit abrasive. In all honesty, I'm one forgiving gal...gotta let things roll, so with that...I'm sure I'll post something about my trip.
Feb 20th, 2006, 09:37 AM
#44
What an entertaining thread Tamara. I hope your trip works out great. I find it amusing that everyone has to go thru the will they or won't they have sex routine. What a crack up. What is this, the 1950's?
I am fortunate to travel with my gay male friends often, that said, I know them well and we are very close kindred spirits obviously not sexual.
I worry not about those kind of things but more the normal stress and strain of any two people traveling together, whether you know each other well or not, you'll just have to work it out.
And not to be a pessimist, but in your situation, yes, I would have stashed a credit card or some cash so you could get your own room if need be, for whatever unforseen circumstances arise.
I am fortunate to travel with my gay male friends often, that said, I know them well and we are very close kindred spirits obviously not sexual.
I worry not about those kind of things but more the normal stress and strain of any two people traveling together, whether you know each other well or not, you'll just have to work it out.
And not to be a pessimist, but in your situation, yes, I would have stashed a credit card or some cash so you could get your own room if need be, for whatever unforseen circumstances arise.
Feb 20th, 2006, 09:38 AM
#45
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I have tried to stay off this thread but it's just useless.
I don't "feel sorry" for anyone who has the good fortune to travel. I certainly don't feel sorry for people who are more flexible, sociable and freewheeling than I am.
Have a great time, Tamara.
I don't "feel sorry" for anyone who has the good fortune to travel. I certainly don't feel sorry for people who are more flexible, sociable and freewheeling than I am.
Have a great time, Tamara.
Feb 20th, 2006, 10:08 AM
#47
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Suze, no worries. On the internet people will say all sorts of things. I have no stress over some fellow fodor's person giving me a hard time. It's been a cause of great laughter amongst friends here at home.
Feb 20th, 2006, 10:24 AM
#48
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You see - everybody is happy and having a great time. Let's all just simmer down and focus on the positive.
Tam, you sound like a very confident person who will come out of okay no matter what life or the internet throws at you. Best of luck in the future.
Tam, you sound like a very confident person who will come out of okay no matter what life or the internet throws at you. Best of luck in the future.
Feb 20th, 2006, 11:09 AM
#49
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hell, in the 70's we did this all the time...
two people travalling alone would hook up for a portion of the overall journey. it was expedient particularly if you werer hitchhiking. it allowed for safety and split lodging costs.
i hitched from madrid to algeceris with a girl from california who was a lot of fun to be with. we split everything down the middle. we separated there. i found out later in casablanca that she'd had all of her stuff stolen. tried to find her, but couldn't.
then travelled with a guy from rhode island from casablanca down to marrakesh and out to fez where we met a couple of canadian nurses who were as crazy as we were, split up as couples and hitched across north africa meeting later in tunis.
now THAT was a wild trip in 1971. the nurse and i got a little beyond the platonic stage but we had to break it off temporarily since everyone had separate agendas. the guy was going on to bari and thence to greece, my plan was to go on to rome and the girls were headed to florence before rome.
the guy and i took the ferry from tunis to palermo and split up for good in reggio calabria: me heading north, him going east. i tried calling him when i returned to the states but we were never able to connect.
this story goes on (i meet up with my nurse later in rome...thank you amex drop mail) and have a great companion in an english kid i meet in amsterdam, but i think you get the general drift...
two people travalling alone would hook up for a portion of the overall journey. it was expedient particularly if you werer hitchhiking. it allowed for safety and split lodging costs.
i hitched from madrid to algeceris with a girl from california who was a lot of fun to be with. we split everything down the middle. we separated there. i found out later in casablanca that she'd had all of her stuff stolen. tried to find her, but couldn't.
then travelled with a guy from rhode island from casablanca down to marrakesh and out to fez where we met a couple of canadian nurses who were as crazy as we were, split up as couples and hitched across north africa meeting later in tunis.
now THAT was a wild trip in 1971. the nurse and i got a little beyond the platonic stage but we had to break it off temporarily since everyone had separate agendas. the guy was going on to bari and thence to greece, my plan was to go on to rome and the girls were headed to florence before rome.
the guy and i took the ferry from tunis to palermo and split up for good in reggio calabria: me heading north, him going east. i tried calling him when i returned to the states but we were never able to connect.
this story goes on (i meet up with my nurse later in rome...thank you amex drop mail) and have a great companion in an english kid i meet in amsterdam, but i think you get the general drift...
Feb 20th, 2006, 11:41 AM
#53
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willtravel...
it was way better and more upbeat than that. other than dating my present wife, it was the time of my life.
when i went i'd just been discharged from the army and fresh back from vietnam. i couldn't deal with hanging around answering the same unanswerable questions...so i left for another year. it was the best decision of my life.
it was way better and more upbeat than that. other than dating my present wife, it was the time of my life.
when i went i'd just been discharged from the army and fresh back from vietnam. i couldn't deal with hanging around answering the same unanswerable questions...so i left for another year. it was the best decision of my life.
Feb 20th, 2006, 07:33 PM
#55
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Cato-
Are you from another country? The phrasing and diction of your post makes it seem as though. In any case, I'm fiercely protective of my girls and so, I must say, who do you think you are---"feeling sorry for someone"? Just because you don't have the balls to take risks, doesn't mean you have to come down on other who do. She has to "live and learn"? Can you be any more conscending? Where do you get off? True, TE opened up this thread but she was asking ADVICE, not JUDGEMENT.
By the way, don't even try to tell me to "simmer down"--you opened a floodgate with your thoughtless and crass post.
Are you from another country? The phrasing and diction of your post makes it seem as though. In any case, I'm fiercely protective of my girls and so, I must say, who do you think you are---"feeling sorry for someone"? Just because you don't have the balls to take risks, doesn't mean you have to come down on other who do. She has to "live and learn"? Can you be any more conscending? Where do you get off? True, TE opened up this thread but she was asking ADVICE, not JUDGEMENT.
By the way, don't even try to tell me to "simmer down"--you opened a floodgate with your thoughtless and crass post.
Feb 20th, 2006, 07:48 PM
#56
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Hi Tamara. I travelled with Art Hussey for 3 weeks in 2001. We went to Germany, Poland, Romania and Hungary. One of the best trips I ever. I had met Art only once before we traveled together. He came up to San Francisco for a GTG and we both felt we would be able to travel together without killing each other! As with you, there was no romantic interest, but it was amazing that both of us enjoyed the same sights and liked traveling at the same pace (I believe this is a very important part of enjoying traveling with another person). Art & I planned a basic itinerary with a couple of changes once we were on our way but both of us were the adventurous type so it really made the trip more interesting. I wish you well and hope you have a great time.
Feb 20th, 2006, 07:54 PM
#57
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<i>Trust me, there will be NOTHING sexual going on. This guy probabally wouldn't have the balls to make a pass at me first off. Second, I don't understand why so many people find it hard to believe that a man and a woman can have a completely platonic friendship. It CAN and DOES happen.</i>
LOL, yes, Tamara, I am sure it does happen but I don't think it happens as often as you would like to think.
This guy who you don't think "has the balls" is your friend? hmmm.
Well, stranger things have been known to happen, but don't be surprised if he makes a pass at your sooner or later..
Sorry, you gentlemen out there, for lumping you all into a big group, but....guys do try, they always have hope and they will try..and they don't have to feel "romantic" about you either..lol
From the stories I have heard from lady friends about traveling with people they don't know well, even two women have a hard time getting along on trips, guys and girls, well, there are more possibilities for problems.
But I hope you don't have any problems and you come back and tell us all about it.
LOL, yes, Tamara, I am sure it does happen but I don't think it happens as often as you would like to think.
This guy who you don't think "has the balls" is your friend? hmmm.
Well, stranger things have been known to happen, but don't be surprised if he makes a pass at your sooner or later..
Sorry, you gentlemen out there, for lumping you all into a big group, but....guys do try, they always have hope and they will try..and they don't have to feel "romantic" about you either..lol
From the stories I have heard from lady friends about traveling with people they don't know well, even two women have a hard time getting along on trips, guys and girls, well, there are more possibilities for problems.
But I hope you don't have any problems and you come back and tell us all about it.
Feb 20th, 2006, 08:02 PM
#58
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I just read this through again and saw LindaL's remarks about traveling with Art Hussey.
Art was a gentleman and a delight and I am sure anyone would have been safe and comfortable traveling with him. Lucky you, Linda, to have that memory.
I miss Art
Art was a gentleman and a delight and I am sure anyone would have been safe and comfortable traveling with him. Lucky you, Linda, to have that memory.
I miss Art
Feb 20th, 2006, 08:24 PM
#59
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Linda, thanks, your comment is of the most value so far. You know EXACTLY what I'm talking about then 
YAY. I didn't and don't know art, but kudos to you both. I'll be sure to report back while there or once back. How do trip reports work anyway? just title the new post as a trip report?
YAY. I didn't and don't know art, but kudos to you both. I'll be sure to report back while there or once back. How do trip reports work anyway? just title the new post as a trip report?
Feb 20th, 2006, 08:46 PM
#60
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Hi Tamara, yes for a trip report just start a new thread and in the title of the thread write something to indicate what it is about such as "Trip report of my time in Europe with an Almost Stranger". That will get everyones attention it appears, LOL.
BTW Tamara, have you read the trip report on Fodors that was written by Barb regarding her trip to Italy with a group of her women friends. It will have you in stiches..hope someone will pull it up..I will see if I can find it. Best wishes to you.
BTW Tamara, have you read the trip report on Fodors that was written by Barb regarding her trip to Italy with a group of her women friends. It will have you in stiches..hope someone will pull it up..I will see if I can find it. Best wishes to you.
