Rate your performance as a tourist on your last trip
Nov 23rd, 2004, 08:31 PM
#24
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Yeah, cmt, I thought those things too, that a vacation is not a competition, reflected in the best trip report. Still, as I said, a lot of the success of a trip has to be how much one puts into it. I just didn't think I gave this trip my best.
Or maybe the blame really lies with my sister, she withe the knee-replacement less than a year old, who can walk me into the ground. Do I have permission to blame her?
Or maybe the blame really lies with my sister, she withe the knee-replacement less than a year old, who can walk me into the ground. Do I have permission to blame her?
Nov 23rd, 2004, 08:41 PM
#25
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Mary_Fran, just read the last part of CMT post, and know he will post more but in the meantime I would like to give you my thoughts that have been flitting through my mind since I wrote the teasing post about "oh, elephants, divans etc.". I had a friend (no longer with us) who use to make comments like this, so yours made me smile.
Anyway, CMT talked about writing a travel journal or not.
I never have except for the trip I took to Italy about 8 months after I lost my DH. And that was more like a personal diary, which I still have.
Having been in the insurance business for 30 years and writing, writing, documenting everything, day in and day out; well on a vacation no thank you!
I feel bad sometimes when I read threads asking about this hotels, small villages, restaurants etc.
If I were there I could take them to exactly where I had been. But to write out the name of the street (with some exceptions of course), the name of the restaurant - maybe, maybe not. But could walk to it for sure.
So many many places, the outdoor cafe in Raggello with the most fantastic pizzaa, the dress store in Compobossa,
the fish restaurant on the beach in Pescara. Names - I don't remember. Because I didn't write a journal. Maybe if Fodor's (and the internet) had been around for years perhaps I would have. But than again, I don't want to go on a trip and do a report like it is homework. If a person is a fantastic writer, and for sure many posters on Fodors are, it can be a joy to do this. And of course a joy to read.
But another poster enjoyed sketching. I used to do that, and will again in the future. And of course the photographers that take such wonderful photos (and I have taken a few myself).
And every trip IMHO opinion is different. Some are 100% perfect, or as perfect as one can get. And another is as they say in Italy mezza mezza (OK yes, OK no). And a few can be absolutely horrible.
IMHO you had a vacation that was not the best. But not horrible. And as others have said you are evaluating this trip. That is good. It will be a help for you for your next trip. How to make it better. What to change.
And dear one, isn't that what life is about? To try to keep improving. To learn by whatever mistakes we have made.
I imagine your next journey will be filled with joy. And in the meantime good for you for thinking about how to do this. And imagine in doing so your day to day life at home will get better to.
Anyway, CMT talked about writing a travel journal or not.
I never have except for the trip I took to Italy about 8 months after I lost my DH. And that was more like a personal diary, which I still have.
Having been in the insurance business for 30 years and writing, writing, documenting everything, day in and day out; well on a vacation no thank you!
I feel bad sometimes when I read threads asking about this hotels, small villages, restaurants etc.
If I were there I could take them to exactly where I had been. But to write out the name of the street (with some exceptions of course), the name of the restaurant - maybe, maybe not. But could walk to it for sure.
So many many places, the outdoor cafe in Raggello with the most fantastic pizzaa, the dress store in Compobossa,
the fish restaurant on the beach in Pescara. Names - I don't remember. Because I didn't write a journal. Maybe if Fodor's (and the internet) had been around for years perhaps I would have. But than again, I don't want to go on a trip and do a report like it is homework. If a person is a fantastic writer, and for sure many posters on Fodors are, it can be a joy to do this. And of course a joy to read.
But another poster enjoyed sketching. I used to do that, and will again in the future. And of course the photographers that take such wonderful photos (and I have taken a few myself).
And every trip IMHO opinion is different. Some are 100% perfect, or as perfect as one can get. And another is as they say in Italy mezza mezza (OK yes, OK no). And a few can be absolutely horrible.
IMHO you had a vacation that was not the best. But not horrible. And as others have said you are evaluating this trip. That is good. It will be a help for you for your next trip. How to make it better. What to change.
And dear one, isn't that what life is about? To try to keep improving. To learn by whatever mistakes we have made.
I imagine your next journey will be filled with joy. And in the meantime good for you for thinking about how to do this. And imagine in doing so your day to day life at home will get better to.
Nov 23rd, 2004, 08:53 PM
#27
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Neil_Oz,
Do you not love watching television when your are traveling, especially in a foreign country? I find it an incredible insight into the culture and attitudes of the people. Besides, what other excuse do you find to slamming down 3 cups of coffee, with no business to conduct?
Do you not love watching television when your are traveling, especially in a foreign country? I find it an incredible insight into the culture and attitudes of the people. Besides, what other excuse do you find to slamming down 3 cups of coffee, with no business to conduct?
Nov 23rd, 2004, 09:04 PM
#28
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Mary Fran, thank you for those kind words. I'm very flattered, and happy to be your friend, but if we ever travel together you should know that I cannot bear television in the morning in any language. I'm with Neil on this one. 
Nov 23rd, 2004, 09:16 PM
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Mary Fran, thank you for those kind words. I'm very flattered to be your friend, but if we ever travel together you should know that I cannot bear television in the morning in any language. I'm with Neil on this one.
Nov 23rd, 2004, 09:30 PM
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margo, morning without coffee would drive me to madness (not to even begin to say how cranky I would be) and for sure everyone around me would be a raving maniac if they had to be with me if I did not have my morning coffee.
Tea is the drink for you in the morning I take it?
Tea is the drink for you in the morning I take it?
Nov 23rd, 2004, 09:37 PM
#33
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Having confessed so publicly to being a less than adequate tourist, I wish you all a good night, feeling a mystical sense of catharsis at having bared my soul. Until tomorrow, perhaps....
Nov 23rd, 2004, 10:46 PM
#34
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Actually I was thinking along the same lines lately. I sort of think my trip to Italy is like a final exam, and I want to get an A+. So I'm cramming encyclopedic volumes, trying to remember everything and worrying about what I'm forgetting. However, trips are more like doctoral comp exams, because there is no way to be prepared for everything! The idea of this being a vacation hardly enters into it.
I think your point about physical conditioning is a good one. However, I don't think there's a need to focus on a specific weight. I think a more reasonable goal for a prospective tourist is to be able to walk about six miles at home up and down hills without feeling any need to rest. And then after a rest, go another six miles. Being able to walk up 100 stairs at a good pace is another good test. And of course being able to heave up your suitcase, preferably one-handed, into the train/plane overhead bin. But many travelers with physical limitations manage fine, so I think the important thing is that if you can't live up to that physical level, admit it and do something else that works and saves one's feet (like taxis).
I think your point about physical conditioning is a good one. However, I don't think there's a need to focus on a specific weight. I think a more reasonable goal for a prospective tourist is to be able to walk about six miles at home up and down hills without feeling any need to rest. And then after a rest, go another six miles. Being able to walk up 100 stairs at a good pace is another good test. And of course being able to heave up your suitcase, preferably one-handed, into the train/plane overhead bin. But many travelers with physical limitations manage fine, so I think the important thing is that if you can't live up to that physical level, admit it and do something else that works and saves one's feet (like taxis).
Nov 23rd, 2004, 11:05 PM
#36
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Mary Fran, I'd allow lunch in there! 
This is just my goal, and it works for the type of trip I like to take. And usually I don't do that much - but I just want to be able to do that. My son is a much more intensive walker than me.
This is just my goal, and it works for the type of trip I like to take. And usually I don't do that much - but I just want to be able to do that. My son is a much more intensive walker than me.
Nov 23rd, 2004, 11:06 PM
#37
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Six miles? That's almost to Idaho. How many of the people visiting this post tonight would walk six miles, take a rest, and walk six more miles? What about those greate sidewalk cafes? What about that great Rioja wine in Spain?
If that's what it takes to be a happy traveler, I'll throw down my anacrostic book and come out with my hands up.
If that's what it takes to be a happy traveler, I'll throw down my anacrostic book and come out with my hands up.
Nov 23rd, 2004, 11:16 PM
#38
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I could do it, but I wouldn't be very happy about it.
When I was a lot younger I used to drive myself much harder as a tourist. Now I find I don't care as much if I see every sight, museum, or building. I enjoy just being in another country and soaking up the ambience. I enjoy the random conversations that sometimes occur at cafes. I like to watch people and stroll around town. I like to get lost on back roads.
I usually figure out which are the top attractions I really want to see, and for the rest I try to stay open to what life brings me.
Having said that, however, there is no doubt that being physically fit will make for a more enjoyable trip. I don't like to feel that there is anything I cannot do because of physical limitations.
When I was a lot younger I used to drive myself much harder as a tourist. Now I find I don't care as much if I see every sight, museum, or building. I enjoy just being in another country and soaking up the ambience. I enjoy the random conversations that sometimes occur at cafes. I like to watch people and stroll around town. I like to get lost on back roads.
I usually figure out which are the top attractions I really want to see, and for the rest I try to stay open to what life brings me.
Having said that, however, there is no doubt that being physically fit will make for a more enjoyable trip. I don't like to feel that there is anything I cannot do because of physical limitations.
Nov 23rd, 2004, 11:20 PM
#39
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Six miles, lunch you say and than six miles more. Crimeny, I will tomorrow put my luggage for sale on E-Bay. I will give my frequent flyer miles away to my kids. Especially if I have to throw my carryon to the overhead bin with one hand.
How about getting my carryon into the overhead with two hands doesn't work, so like I always smile at some fellow and say "excuse me, could you --- ".
How about the reason I know so many darling outside cafe's in Italy because I am always collapsing in one and ordering "espresso or vino or compari or anything" like in anything to have an excuse to sit, sit, sit.
The great thing about Italy is that once you flop into a seat at a cafe they will not or cannot bring you the check and kick you out of the place until you ask for the check. This really really works for me.
Let all those budget minded tourist line up at the bar and stand there and sip on their drink along with the "going to work Italians" because it does not cost as much as sitting at a table. Let's get real. Once you get a table, oh my goodness you can sit there forever so to speak. Worth every Euro, you bet!
Now back to the six miles here and six miles there. In your dreams.
Happy travels everyone.
How about getting my carryon into the overhead with two hands doesn't work, so like I always smile at some fellow and say "excuse me, could you --- ".
How about the reason I know so many darling outside cafe's in Italy because I am always collapsing in one and ordering "espresso or vino or compari or anything" like in anything to have an excuse to sit, sit, sit.
The great thing about Italy is that once you flop into a seat at a cafe they will not or cannot bring you the check and kick you out of the place until you ask for the check. This really really works for me.
Let all those budget minded tourist line up at the bar and stand there and sip on their drink along with the "going to work Italians" because it does not cost as much as sitting at a table. Let's get real. Once you get a table, oh my goodness you can sit there forever so to speak. Worth every Euro, you bet!
Now back to the six miles here and six miles there. In your dreams.
Happy travels everyone.
Nov 23rd, 2004, 11:25 PM
#40
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Don't say anything more scintilating, becausde I'm going to bed. I mean it, dammit. I'm history. Gone. Say what you will. I'm gone to bed. Marilyn, you're west coast. What the he_ _ are you doing up at this hour?
