LoveItaly

All of you should have heard my dear father when in 1978 my DH and I announced we were taking my teenage daugher to Italy. This was the time of the Red Brigades, former PM Morro had been kindnapped, etc.

Oh boy, sure wish we hadn't announced that trip, but had to because we were going to be gone 2 months. Think they may have noticed. LOL.

I have never ever taken a trip out of the country without "someone" telling me why I shouldn't.

Like I left for Italy August 1998 the day after the bombings in Africa. Oh sigh, I thought, here we go again. And yes the phone rang off the hook that evening.

The only time I felt a little "spooked" was just before Sept. 11th. Had returned to Amsterdam airport to make a change of planes. When I got off the plane and walked into the airport something was "wrong". Whole different atmosphere. It was really weird. But of course got home fine.

Than Sept. 11th. But always have thought of this time at the airport, believe something had triggered the change there.

Will always keep traveling, I will never stop as long as I am able.

And yes, we all have our own thoughts are what is the most important to us. For some it is the huge house (been there done that), the newest car (been there done that), the latest electronics (never overdid that), the best clothes (beeb there, done that) and on and on.

As I have gotten older and hopefully wiser I like many others are into simplify, simplify. It works for me.

Travel is something that brings me great joy. Think this is true for those of us on Fodor, or we would not be here.

I learned a long time ago to not relate fun stories with family and friends that don't travel (or think DisneyLand is their vacation of a lifetime).

I have related stories on Fodors that I had almost forgotten about, until a thread reminded me of an incident. It is fun to share with fellow travelers.
Sense of humor on Fodors is terrific too.

As far as the few with "PMS", oh well, I just look at them as the "Archie Bunker" of Fodors.

Happy weekend everyone!

tuscanlifeedit

Oh Dear Janeg: I never meant to imply that it isn't cool to be able to afford travel and lots of new and nice things. I think it would be very cool indeed.

However, it isn't my reality. I keep the '91 car on the road, and live in this nice little red brick house in the city, cook and eat in, get at least half my books from the library, etc, so that I can travel. Believe me, I would spend like a drunken sailor and travel, too, if I could.

Although a certain biblical saying tells us that loads of money may not help us achieve a comfortable eternity, I wouldn't turn down any cash that is offered. Got extra? Want to share? I'm your gal!;-)

And we also meet folks like us in two star hotels, but I was thinking about a recent dinner in Italy where we overheard conversations all around us, between very well dressed people, about their second homes. Three such conversations were going on at the same time!

I also want to add that we also pay off the credit cards every month. We probably wouldn't even be using credit cards if it weren't for the extra airline miles!

Do we ever splurge? Yes, on vacations, but rarely at home. Every now and then, we spring for a rental car or a nicer hotel. A part of a recent windfall went to the Poseidon hotel in Positano, and every singe dollar was worth it to us. Heavenly trip.

Next year, we are severely limited in our vacations. My husband's company took one week's vacation away from all employees for the year 2005, and our daughter is having a big wedding that we want to help with. I don't know how I'll make it through it all. We are having a 9 day trip to Italy in March, but that will probably be all for us. Boo hoo for 2005.

Merseyheart

I just remembered two great quotes, which can be applied to travel, or any luxury. "An extravagance is something your spirit thinks is a necessity." I can't remember who said that one, but this one is from the Koran: "If I had but two loaves of bread, I would sell one and buy hyacinth, for they would feel my soul." Appropriate, no?

LoveItaly

Very good sayings Mercyheart.

jdraper

Shrink - This is a very intriguing question and the replies are great. We are lucky enough to live comfortably but not extravagantly. We drive nice cars but continue to drive them for several years after they are paid off. This adds greatly to the travel budget. Instead of going out for a manicure I do my own nails and we don't eat out as often as we could. That all adds to the travel budget, where we eat out and build great memories. When all is said and done I don't want my children cleaning out our house after we pass away and ask themselves, "What was that all about?" I don't remember who said it but I remember reading a quote where someone said they didin't want to glide slowly into the grave but wanted to run in screaming and saying "Holy sh@t that was great!" That is why I scrimp on other things so that I can afford travel. My kids can someday say, "Holy sh@t that was great and they had fun!".

cigalechanta

shrink, you must know you are not alone. We are in retirement, have no children except for my pup with huge vet bills. Our house will go to Habitat, our bodies donated to help others. I bite my nails, so that saves on manicures, do all my own washing cleaning, etc, no paid help, ride a bike, husband leases a car, My way is no better or worse than anyone else's who does not have alot of money but wants to travel.

P_M

Mimi, I will adopt your idea for biting nails to save on manicure bills. But I don't think this will help me with pedicure bills, as I'm not so limber. Thanks for your money-saving advice.

On a serious note, I think you are very generous to leave your house to Habitat and bodies to help others. I wish there were more Mimis in the world.

surfingmomma

This is so interesting to me, to find other travelers, that cannot share their newest "adventure" with some family members. They just don't "get it"--and see it as bragging.
I love this site, as you all understand, and love the adventures of travel.

1tiredmama

I am one of those horrible people with the new cars (one is even an SUV!) and big screen TV, etc. My husband is a Starbucks addict. I don't live beyond my means though. Traveling has become less of a priority since I became a parent a couple years ago, but it is still important. I just try to have a balance. Having a comfy home life is a priority for awhile.

I don't have to scrimp and save for our trips because of the way I travel. I prefer small towns and villages to big cities. Coach class is fine with me and I have survived stays in two star hotels. I like to go to a few nice restaurants, but balance that with a few meals from a box in the back seat of the rental car (Nutella, biscuits, fruit, cheese). I really like to travel this way.