Tempus Fugit
Jun 20th, 2008, 11:26 AM
#1
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Tempus Fugit
Author: basingstoke2
Date: 06/20/2008, 03:23 pm
Birthday musings with one coming up in a few weeks -
Back in my callow youth time seemed infinite and everything doable. Today, although luckily in decent health and still able to travel with a high energy level as is Mi Chica, it is clear being closer to 70 than to 60 that I have only so many trips left and will probably never to get to all of those places that I once took for granted I would see. These are not unusual feelings.
I am torn between revisiting those places that I love and the adventure of new discoveries. It is like finding out more about an old friend or looking for a new one knowing that by doing so you may be saying goodby to the old friend for good.
I am torn between the two and will most likely end up doing both with the knowledge doing one will take away from the sum of possibilities of doing the other.
Your thoughts?
Date: 06/20/2008, 03:23 pm
Birthday musings with one coming up in a few weeks -
Back in my callow youth time seemed infinite and everything doable. Today, although luckily in decent health and still able to travel with a high energy level as is Mi Chica, it is clear being closer to 70 than to 60 that I have only so many trips left and will probably never to get to all of those places that I once took for granted I would see. These are not unusual feelings.
I am torn between revisiting those places that I love and the adventure of new discoveries. It is like finding out more about an old friend or looking for a new one knowing that by doing so you may be saying goodby to the old friend for good.
I am torn between the two and will most likely end up doing both with the knowledge doing one will take away from the sum of possibilities of doing the other.
Your thoughts?
Jun 20th, 2008, 11:37 AM
#2
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Basingstoke:
My thoughts are exactly your thoughts...only diference, I'm one year away from the big 8-0...I even added a new country this year(Portugal)...to a total of 70+.
...all we can do is , as I've often written on these threads, "travel 'til we unravel"...
ain't gonna stop now!
stu T.
(Basingstoke, just keep on truckin'...for my February birthday, I followed a longtime ritual...got into the batting cage and whacked out 30 baseballs...what the hell!)
My thoughts are exactly your thoughts...only diference, I'm one year away from the big 8-0...I even added a new country this year(Portugal)...to a total of 70+.
...all we can do is , as I've often written on these threads, "travel 'til we unravel"...
ain't gonna stop now!
stu T.
(Basingstoke, just keep on truckin'...for my February birthday, I followed a longtime ritual...got into the batting cage and whacked out 30 baseballs...what the hell!)
Jun 20th, 2008, 12:18 PM
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Basingstoke, very well put. For us it is a case of a poor pension putting paid to our travels in a few years rather (hopefully) than poor health. We just won't be able to afford to travel, especially given the way oil prices are going. (will anybody but the lucky few?) We have accepted this. But we too are then left with the decisions of where to take those last few precious trips.
Jun 20th, 2008, 05:31 PM
#5
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hetismij - from your posts it appears that you live in Holland. if so, at least there are so many places nearby that people on this side of the ocean dream of visiting.
I have a cousin who although he can well afford to travel used to get his trips for free. He would put together special interest groups, for example attorneys, by advertising in their journals for a trip to, for example, India. For this trip he would arrange with Indian government officials connected with the law to meet with his group and would arrange other stops in India especially interesting to attorneys. He put together at least 10 trips like this over the years to all parts of the world for various professional groups and would alway get his and his wife's trip paid for. He said it took some work but was a great hobby and I am sure it was.
I have a cousin who although he can well afford to travel used to get his trips for free. He would put together special interest groups, for example attorneys, by advertising in their journals for a trip to, for example, India. For this trip he would arrange with Indian government officials connected with the law to meet with his group and would arrange other stops in India especially interesting to attorneys. He put together at least 10 trips like this over the years to all parts of the world for various professional groups and would alway get his and his wife's trip paid for. He said it took some work but was a great hobby and I am sure it was.
Jun 20th, 2008, 11:43 PM
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Basingstoke, I do indeed live in Holland but the places I dream of visiting are at least an ocean away. Just as many Americans don't visit there own backyard but visit Europe every year, so I don't go into Europe much, but love to go to the US and Africa.
Given what our pension will be even Europe will be a challenge I suspect. I find accommodation in Europe expensive even now, and add the cost of fuel and a trip within Europe can be as expensive as one to the US. Really.
I have been looking for a couple of short break trips within Europe but the prices are horrific. How all of you Americans can afford to visit Europe, with the dollar the way it is is beyond me.
Given what our pension will be even Europe will be a challenge I suspect. I find accommodation in Europe expensive even now, and add the cost of fuel and a trip within Europe can be as expensive as one to the US. Really.
I have been looking for a couple of short break trips within Europe but the prices are horrific. How all of you Americans can afford to visit Europe, with the dollar the way it is is beyond me.
Jun 21st, 2008, 05:53 AM
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Hi H,
<I find accommodation in Europe expensive even now, and add the cost of fuel and a trip within Europe can be as expensive as one to the US. Really.
I have been looking for a couple of short break trips within Europe but the prices are horrific. <
I find exactly the opposite here.
Even with the E at $1.55, it is still cheaper for me to visit Paris, Florence or Munich than it is NYC or San Francisco, from Atlanta.
It is much cheaper than going to Disneyworld.
<I find accommodation in Europe expensive even now, and add the cost of fuel and a trip within Europe can be as expensive as one to the US. Really.
I have been looking for a couple of short break trips within Europe but the prices are horrific. <
I find exactly the opposite here.
Even with the E at $1.55, it is still cheaper for me to visit Paris, Florence or Munich than it is NYC or San Francisco, from Atlanta.
It is much cheaper than going to Disneyworld.
Jun 21st, 2008, 08:04 AM
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>>>Even with the E at $1.55, it is still cheaper for me to visit Paris, Florence or Munich than it is NYC or San Francisco, from Atlanta.<<<<
Right, Ira...but how about a gourmet weekend in nearby Thomaston, or Anniston, Alabama or Big Stone Gap, Virginia.
Of course, if it's more excitement you and LadyWife are after, try Knockemstiff, Ohio....don't believe me? look it up....about 15 miles southwest of Chillicothe, off U.S.50. It's only tavern serves the coldest beer and white bread tuna sandwiches, to die for. Literally.
Europe? Who needs it? For the most part, no one speaks English there.
Right, Ira...but how about a gourmet weekend in nearby Thomaston, or Anniston, Alabama or Big Stone Gap, Virginia.
Of course, if it's more excitement you and LadyWife are after, try Knockemstiff, Ohio....don't believe me? look it up....about 15 miles southwest of Chillicothe, off U.S.50. It's only tavern serves the coldest beer and white bread tuna sandwiches, to die for. Literally.
Europe? Who needs it? For the most part, no one speaks English there.
Jun 21st, 2008, 08:43 AM
#10
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<I find accommodation in Europe expensive even now>
Given that "expensive" is a relative term, we just spent 5 nights in Paris at 64 Euro/night in a studio apartment near the Rue Montorgueil market, 2 nights in Brugge at 65 Euro at a delightful B&B that included a very fine breakfast and another 2 nights in Antwerp at 60 Euro/night including a good breakfast at another B&B that although having older furnishings, was filled with museum quality antiques and artwork that made for a most interesting stay. None of these were the Ritz but all were great finds and we certainly did not feel deprived of anything.
Ira is right about Paris being a relatively inexpensive place to stay. Between the low cost of the apartment and proximity of a very fine shopping street we did not spend much at all, certainly not much compared to a city like New York where just the daily cost of an average hotel room would exceed our entire day's expense in Paris where we had fine meals, never more than 14 Euro and usually considerably less.
Given that "expensive" is a relative term, we just spent 5 nights in Paris at 64 Euro/night in a studio apartment near the Rue Montorgueil market, 2 nights in Brugge at 65 Euro at a delightful B&B that included a very fine breakfast and another 2 nights in Antwerp at 60 Euro/night including a good breakfast at another B&B that although having older furnishings, was filled with museum quality antiques and artwork that made for a most interesting stay. None of these were the Ritz but all were great finds and we certainly did not feel deprived of anything.
Ira is right about Paris being a relatively inexpensive place to stay. Between the low cost of the apartment and proximity of a very fine shopping street we did not spend much at all, certainly not much compared to a city like New York where just the daily cost of an average hotel room would exceed our entire day's expense in Paris where we had fine meals, never more than 14 Euro and usually considerably less.
Jun 21st, 2008, 09:57 AM
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These are bittersweet posts - an interesting perspective that hopefully we will all get to eventually.
I've already worked out (hopefully 40+ years in advance) that it's highly unlikely I'll get to all the places I am interested in now, never mind the new places I keep hearing about, not to mention the "old" places I want to revisit.
I've already worked out (hopefully 40+ years in advance) that it's highly unlikely I'll get to all the places I am interested in now, never mind the new places I keep hearing about, not to mention the "old" places I want to revisit.
Jun 21st, 2008, 09:27 PM
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I admire your adventurous spirit at your age. Many who are still in their late 40's already are set in where to visit. Going to foreign countries something even slightly different from their comfort zone? No way.
Having gone through a health scare not knowing for several years if I could travel again, I look at trips differently from those who think they is always another chance.
When I am torn between choices, I ask a simple question; if I find out today that my travel days are over, what should the last trip be?
My acquaintances assume that "this can be my last trip" thinking leads to doing too much and to rushed trip.s Perhaps it can, if you let it, that is.
Having gone through a health scare not knowing for several years if I could travel again, I look at trips differently from those who think they is always another chance.
When I am torn between choices, I ask a simple question; if I find out today that my travel days are over, what should the last trip be?
My acquaintances assume that "this can be my last trip" thinking leads to doing too much and to rushed trip.s Perhaps it can, if you let it, that is.
