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I (Mina) quit my job (eek!), so now I need help with Barcelona/Florence...OR, should I just fly by the seat of my pants?

I (Mina) quit my job (eek!), so now I need help with Barcelona/Florence...OR, should I just fly by the seat of my pants?

Old Oct 29th, 2002, 04:46 PM
  #21  
Kay
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Mina - how exciting!! I do envy you.

If it were me, I'd book somewhere for a week for when you arrive so you can catch your breath and settle into "Europe mode" and have some vague plans for after that but be a bit flexible.
A woman (aged 50) I worked with took off on her own to Europe for 2 months, a bit nervous about it all but RAVED about afterwards. She said it was easy to meet other people, because she was on her own people made the effort to speak to her. Also she picked up some really cheap standby airfare deals (like $3 London to Amsterdam). I think Ryan Air offer some particulaly cheap deals.
The Lonely Planet website has some great tips on the Thorn Tree for backpackers, their books are also excellent.
Hope your trip is brilliant and would love to hear all about it.
Kay
 
Old Oct 29th, 2002, 04:49 PM
  #22  
tcc
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Congrats on your decision Mina. And whatever you decide about the trip I'm sure you'll be happy with. I do like your idea (and others) about staying for two weeks in one place and then just taking off wherever your heart's content. I'm about your age and unemployed (one of those effected by a mass lay off) and decided this is a good time to take some temp work, save up and go to Paris for a month with my husband next year, so it's great to hear of your plans. Please let us know what you decide. I'm still researching apartments, etc.

Oh, and love your trip reports!
 
Old Oct 29th, 2002, 04:49 PM
  #23  
sarah
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Mina--if you decide to backpack--make sure you have flipflops for the yucky showers and your own pillowcase. I was fighting off infectious diseases at one point during my trip!! I don't think I will ever get tired of backpacking though--its very exciting and I like the unhinged sense of freedom I feel. hmmm--now you got me thinking about packing it in as well! That would be shocker as I just started my career last year. oops
 
Old Oct 29th, 2002, 05:38 PM
  #24  
Leslie
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Very gutsy move, Mina. Just a few things to consider -- have you set yourself up with a budget for the two month jaunt? It sounds like a blast, but you also need to be realistic. Unless you're living at home with your parents, you're still going to have a mortgage or rent obligation and the associated costs back home. On top of that, you might not land a job right away, so you need to set aside money for the time between you return home and the time you land a job.

After saying all of that, pick a destination that has the cheapest airfare to fly into. Then go anywhere and everywhere.

I am partial to central Europe, and you might consider that area because you're dollar will stretch further. But, many areas in Spain are inexpensive, unfortunately, Barcelona isn't one of them, unless you want to stay in hostales. So check out the Madridman board for all the help that you will need for Spain if you want to travel on a shoe string - but make sure that you check with Maribel, as she is truly the most knowledgeable person that I know when it comes to Spain.

Wherever you go and whatever you do, have a wonderful time and enjoy the experience. I do envy you. You have guts.
 
Old Oct 29th, 2002, 06:26 PM
  #25  
MaryC
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Add another envious person to the list!

I hope you have a fantastic time, Mina!

You may have changed your mind about the backpacking thing, but if you haven't, one of my best friends traveled 6 months in Europe (France, Greece, Turkey) plus Egypt & Japan for $5,000. Of course, that was about 10 years ago. But she did it singly and she stated that one of the best things about hostelling was meeting up with others who might be headed to your destination. And she had a blast!! She also is my inspiration for traveling to Europe.

I've been thinking about doing the Youth Hostel thing in Paris with my family. Some of them seem quite nice like the Young & Happy Youth Hostel in the 5th right off of rue Mouffetard (a major market street) and most run about $18-$23/night. Some have communal "cafe" areas with internet access.

If you're still interested, e-mail me and I can give you a list of Youth Hostels in Paris (if you don't already have one).

HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!! I am so very excited for you!!! : )
 
Old Oct 29th, 2002, 06:40 PM
  #26  
Deb
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Mina, I just finished taking six months off, 2 months of that was spent in Europe. I went MANY places because I prefer moving around. You don't say what kind of budget you are on but I would check out countries that are less expensive-Turkey was my favorite and also the least expensive. Greece was also reasonable but many places should be pretty cost effective in the winter months. I don't think you should make reservations ahead of time since it will be winter, just go wherever other travelers suggest and you are interested in seeing. Have a great time.
 
Old Oct 29th, 2002, 10:07 PM
  #27  
Mina
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Hi again...

I was about to hit the sack when I checked in. I'll address a couple of questions here, and will post the rest in the morning...

Leslie, yes, I have thought about a budget and hopefully have planned accordingly. I don't live with my parents...they actually live with me! (They pretty much lost everything after the L.A. riots and no longer work). I have budgeted $6000 for two months, and am currently trying to figure out if it's doable. That figure wouldn't include airfare.

I have allotted money for my parents for rent, and other expenses so they won't go hungry while I am away. Plus there is a good chunk of money to support us for at least 4 months when I return. After that, it's skid row for me.

It's all money I had saved up for a rainy day (I spend very little on "stuff"). Actually, it's money I saved to buy me and my folks a house. But I can't afford anything in L.A, and for now, this is what I would like to do with the mula. Who knows what I'll regret later. =/

But I have put a lot of thought into this. I just finished my Ireland album and showed it to my mom tonight. She looked so happy. She just kept telling me to travel more, so I could show her more albums (she's never really traveled). Mothers are such selfless, amazing people.

I'll post more on some of everyone's other great comments tomorrow...I'm too tired tonight. But I did want people to know it's not a decision I made lightly, and without months of thought. I know 2 months isn't much time to travel, but who knows what life might bring me next that may prevent me from traveling? I want to be as knowledgeable about Europe as you all! ;-)

 
Old Oct 30th, 2002, 01:06 AM
  #28  
xxxx
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Mina,
You sound like a pretty great daughter yourself.
You deserve to have the best time!
 
Old Oct 30th, 2002, 07:53 AM
  #29  
xx
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top
 
Old Oct 30th, 2002, 08:00 AM
  #30  
Skippy
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Is flying by the seat of your pants less expensive in the off-season?
 
Old Oct 30th, 2002, 09:01 AM
  #31  
Mina
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xxxx: No, I'm not really a great daughter. I've just always been taught that if you don't take care of your parents, you might as well get on that boat docked at the river Styx, 'cause you're goin' straight to hell! ;-)

Well, I think I will give this backpacking thing a whirl (despite the dream I had last night where I was stuck in Germany not knowing one word of German and in a full panic). I will check out the Thorn Tree site, as suggested. I also hear Let's Go and Lonely Planet books are good, so I will look at those as well.

I just need to figure out if this will all fit in the budget...I have no idea how much a eurail pass for that long is, but I'll start looking into that too!

Mary, I'll take whatever you have...thank you! I haven't started researching for this type of trip at all, so whatever you can send me would be great. My e-mail address is valid, so if anyone has good information on places they liked, or hostelling, I would enormously appreciate it. The amount of research I need to do seems a bit daunting. I don't even know what kind of backpack to buy!

Kay, I saw some deals on Ryan air for prices that seemed bizarre...something like 3 or 4 euro. Might have to look into those while I'm there.

Sarah, thanks for the tip. Flip flops, I hear, are highly valuable commodities while backpacking.

tcc: I hope you have the very best time on your one month trip.

Thanks again everyone. I'll let you all know if this plan sticks!
 
Old Oct 30th, 2002, 09:26 AM
  #32  
Ann
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Have to say, Sarah's advice was the best of all.

I hope your budget works, cause I was thinking of $10,000 for two people for two months.

I'm curious--do people think you're really weird for doing this? That's pretty much the reaction I get. People think my husband and I are flaky because we can't decide what country to live in, and usually take a few months off to hang out whenever we move back and forth, but THEY are the ones stuck working at the same job for 20 years, with nothing more than 2 or 3 weeks off a year. But apparently, making yourself happy means you're flaky, according to some people. I think I'm incredible lucky that I have a choice of countries to live in, so I'd be stupid not to take advantage of this.

Anyhoo, hope you have a great time, and that no world diasters interfere with your plans.
 
Old Oct 30th, 2002, 09:29 AM
  #33  
Sarah
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Have a great trip, but if you really are your parents' sole source of support, you may want to get term life insurance to make sure that in the unlikely event that something happened to you, they would still have a means of support. I speak from having looked after my 90 year old mother for a couple of years.

I hope you will be able to go to some small out of the way places as well as the bigger towns. They can be very interesting and are almost always a lot less expensive. My brother and I travelled for three months after college. We bought an old car and camped our way across Europe- fun and cost little.

Have fun!
 
Old Oct 31st, 2002, 09:17 AM
  #34  
Mina
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Sarah: I'm not too worried if something happens to me...I have a younger brother who would step in if (god forbid) something did. It's just that for now, I am letting him follow his dreams, and he needs all the money has to do it.

Ann: No, people don't think I'm weird. They probably would if I made this decision spur of the moment however. Most of my friends are married, and they all tell me to do these things now, while I don't have a hubby and kids to "strap" me down. (their word, not mine. )

I do think you are lucky...people have the rest of their lives to get stuck in jobs they don't love. Take advantage of every opportunity, because you certainly don't know when it will present itself to you again, if ever! Like I said, I always wanted to "backpack through Europe". I just find it funny that I'm going 12 years after I thought I would. And it's a good thing too...I have back problems, and in another few years, I don't think it would have been possible.

Speaking of backpacks, to give me incentive to follow through on this, I went out and bought one yesterday.
 
Old Oct 31st, 2002, 09:34 AM
  #35  
kate
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Another option you might consider (as part of your plans) is going to a language school (or two) in the places you're visiting. I just got back from 8 weeks post-job holiday, and spent 4 weeks in Grenoble and 2 weeks in Salamanca.

You might consider taking a language course for 2 weeks (some schools will take you for just one week), in or two places you decide to visit. I liked the courses because they forced me to get up in the morning (wasted less of the day but still had lots of free time in the afternoon for sightseeing, hanging out in cafes etc), I met interesting people from all over the world (who wanted to go out at night, so the school provided a ready-made social life if I wanted it), I could participate in the school's local orientation activities - and, of course, I learned something while I was at it. (And your future employer likely will be impressed by the fact that you spent a little of your time learning a new language.) Many of the schools also arrange for inexpensive accommodation (homestays with local families, shared flats with other students, residences, etc.) And the programs aren't as expensive as you'd think - for example, 120 pounds for a week of classes and 140 pounds for a week's half-board accommodation in some cities in Spain. Some schools organise intercambios - opportunities to practise your language skills with local students who want to practise English.

After spending a week or two studying a language in the city of your choice, you could move on or spend another few weeks practising your new skills on the locals.

If you want to browse for options, have a look at Cactus Language's website - they are a travel agent specialised in organising these kinds of courses. There are also lots of good suggestions for finding language schools in this forum.
 
Old Oct 31st, 2002, 09:50 AM
  #36  
Syrin
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Ann/Mina,

I've found people bizarrely supportive when I've chucked my job and life at home to wander around aimlessly. Americans are generally such a hard-working bunch, I don't really understand it.

For your budget, I think $6K is plenty, but it's a really personal thing. I've never spent more than $1500 per month travelling (not including airfare), but I sleep in hostels, campgrounds or private rooms and don't eat out at expensive places. I also hate driving generally, and using public transportation is much cheaper.

To add to your packing list--earplugs! Nearly as important as flip-flops for happy hostel stays...you never know when your roomies are going to come home late after too many pints of Guiness, and if you have not been out with them, it's really annoying.

Cheers, Syrin
 
Old Oct 31st, 2002, 10:57 AM
  #37  
sarah
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also if you are backpacking--lots of small plastic bags too so all your dirty clothes won't stink up the rest of your stuff. I know you have probally heard this thousands of times but pack as light as possible. One trip I had the backpack from hell that I swear was filled with rocks by some evil person before I left..last trip my pack was so small and I didn't even have to check it at the airport. It was heaven. Mind you--I was very sick of my clothes by the end of it but still very worth it. go for the eurorail--it is worth it.
 
Old Oct 31st, 2002, 11:19 AM
  #38  
Mina
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Thanks Sarah for the tips...I take it you backpack often? If so, can I email you (or you can email me if you don't want to post your real email address). I have some questions, but I don't want to clutter up the board with it, as this forum doesn't cater to backpackers. I discovered eurotrip.com through this board, and it was very help.

I appreciate your help!

Kate and Syrin, I will definitely look up your suggestions. Getting a taste of languages is tops on my list. Also, I am half deaf, so it will be a blessing. I sleep on my "good" ear and has the same effect as earplugs!
 
Old Oct 31st, 2002, 06:48 PM
  #39  
Deb
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Mina, I spent between $6,000 and $7000 for 2 months but used FF miles to and from the US. I always stayed in hotels but some were inexpensive ($25 in turkey) and in russia, rome, venice etc I was spending around $120 so it probably all evened out to around $70 per night for hotels. I used the train in western europe but took alot flights when I got in Greece, Turkey and Russia. I think your budget is right on and you won't have to sleep in hostels to do it.
 
Old Oct 31st, 2002, 08:01 PM
  #40  
Kay
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Mina,
hope you don't mind me asking, but doesn't the US government offer any support for people who don't or can't work? What would happen if your parents didn't have any family to support them? Here in Australia if you don't work or can't work there is social security (means tested so if you have too much money you don't get it). This is government funded - i.e. by taxpayers, i.e. me!
Kay
 

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