The_Lover

Hey guys Just wanted to check in.I left for Europe on May 23 and returned July 25th. The whole thing with 2 month rail pass, airfare, and all meals and hotels/hostels ran me about $5500. 1500 was for rail pass and air so I guess 4000 for the 2 months or 65-70$ a day. I started out in Rome for 3 days. On the second night a met a great kid from the states and he was travelling alone, like me. We headed north together. We went to siena, florence, venice, vienna, prague, Litomerice Czech, Dresden Germany, and amsterdam. He had to go back to the states after about 3 weeks of travelling with me. Then I returned to florence for what could be my future wife LOL. WHo knows. Easy to fall in love in florence. I left her again and went to milano, paris , biarritz, San Sebastian, and Barcelona. Then again I returned to her for a few days. Then I headed down to Calabria (the toe of italy's boot) to visit family. I was there when Italy won the world cup; which was amazing. Then I went back to florence again LOLL. I stayed a few days, then decided to change my plane ticket for one more week and bring my new found love back to Calabria with me and rented a house in San Sostene. It was a small village right on the coast. Beautiful place 270 Euros for 3 nights. Worth every penny. Then her and I headed to Rome where I left and came back to NY. Best trip I ever had. Since I stayed with her and family for a total of maybe 2 weeks I can say that my real total would be somewhere near 100$ a day. But whatever the cost was it was an amazing trip. I thank everyone on here who gave me advice. A funny note. The day before I left My ATM went dry LOL. so it was good timing I guess. I leave you guys with this quote which we should all live by : "Do not travel to escape life,but travel so that life does not escape you". I Love you all.

MelJ

Sounds like a trip that warrants a more detailed report! Glad it was wonderful for you!

The_Lover

I am seriously depressed right now. I mean the world is such an amazing place. I hate being back here. I just love you people so much on here because you have an appreciation or a passion or a love or whatever you want to call it for new places and new people. I believe the term is a Xenophile. I can tell you guys that I talk to my new love everyday for an hour. Not cheap calling Italy. I plan on going back in november or January. I don't know what else to tell you guys because there is so much. I met alot of wonderful people. Any questions or anything please feel free to ask. I know I must sound a little crazy but I am so happy traveling. I am considering picking up and moving to europe all together. Anybody have any info on finding work there? Later allll

Passepartout

"The day before I left My ATM went dry..."

Cause? Effect? No correlation?

nessundorma

I got a deal with my phone company (verizon) that cuts the cost of my international calls dramatically for a small monthly fee.

There is e-mail. Instant messaging. Letters by mail are quite romantic.

Check out the "ex-pat" boards and the Slow Travel website for info about moving to Italy.

I realize it's not on your mind but: How did you like San Sebastian?

LCBoniti

Travel is definitely an addiction and the withdrawal (i.e. coming back to everyday life) can be a bummer. Your complication of falling in love (if I am understanding you correctly) just adds to it. Sorry you are depressed.

I loved Florence, too, (and Rome) but really the entire Italy experience is just hard to describe. That's why it's comforting to read and share posts on this board. Other Fodorites understand our addiction!

Take care!
Linda

The_Lover

Yes my money was gone that is why it went dry LOL. San Sebastian was great actually. It rained both days but one day when it was clear in the afternoon the beach was nice. TONS of bars. They claim to have the most bars per square mile than anywhere in the world. Hard not to believe. But it was really nice. Also a real culture shock on how serious people are on being Basque not spanish. The language almost bears a resemblance to japanese which is the closest language they can link it to. Bizarre to think of that. Nessundorma let me know about that package if you could as I have verizon now. Thanks alot guys. And yes I am soooo In love.

metinmadrid

I met an Italian guy on a trip to Europe. Almost four years later, we are planning our wedding

My two cents:
1) Call Verizon and ask for an intl calling plan as a previous poster suggested. You pay a small monthly fee and it greatly reduces the cost of calls.
2) If you and your girlfriend both have computers, install Skype on both of them and you can talk for free. If you have webcams you can see each other while you talk, which is great.
3) Take it slow. Don't make any rash decisions about moving to Europe (if you'd be moving for her). If she's "the one" you'll figure it out in time.

Best of luck to you!

The_Lover

I just turned 22...the worst birthday of them all LOL. 21 was great but instead of being like oh this sucks im 4 years out of highschool and I better get into a career. I stopped and said I am so young still. I could go live in europe for a few years which id love and be with the one I love. I am strongly considering it. That is so nice for you. What part of italy is he from?? Byeeee

Nina66

Hi Lover ... First off, I have a very special place in my heart for you American-Calabrese men, but that's another thread

Great post. Keep us informed about your far away love and if and when you are finally in the same space. I loved it when you said that you "then again returned to her ....."

FYI, for really really cheap calls, check out 101-6868.com, 9¢ a minute to Italy plus a few cents tax, appears right on your monthly phone bill. Should be about $6.00 per hour. I've been using it for a few years, mainly to Germany and France, but my calls are rarely over 10 minutes each. I no longer cringe when my phone bill arrives.

Another one used by many Fodorites is 1010987, I don't know their website, but it should be easy to find. They charge a flat fee of 53¢ and then 4¢ a minute. With tax, that comes out to about $3.50 per hour.

Good luck with your new love. With your spirit, and love of life, she is getting a real prince.

Nina

CheBird

Lover, I was just about to ask how old you are. I lived in Spain for a few months when I was 20 years old. I met the most amazing guy while I was there. Totally fell head over heels, in that way that 20-year olds do! He is Madrileno. We dated the whole time I was there. He became an investment banker for Goldman Sachs and moved to the U.S. for a while after I got back from Spain. We saw each other whenever possible throughout our 20's. We traveled to other countries together. We were never exclusive, but I tell you, I had the time of my life with him. Stay in touch with your new 'girlfriend'. Don't let the distance discourage you -you're so young, you'll have plenty of opportunities to get together with her. Your story is right up my alley. Good luck!

Nina66

22, single, in love, and a change to live in Firenze - or any place else that you desire .... GO FOR IT. You only go around once, at least as far as I know.

Would you be able to work and support yourself in Firenze? If not, you'd better fill up that ATM - PDQ.

If things change, you can always come home, we'll welcome you back with open arms.

Nina

The_Lover

aww Thanks nina that was really nice of you to say that. I miss her so much. when I met her I spent 48 hours with her in 4 days. The thing is she does not have a house phone. I believe I may have this verizon plan for like 5$ a month. It is 10 cents to a min flat to italy but 21 cents a min wireless charge so its 31 cents a min. I am killing myself with bills. I wonder if these 1010 deals also are just for fixed or landlines.

nessundorma

Hmmm, I'm not a phone maven but I'm sure someone here can help you out. If nobody turns up in this thread, start a new one asking how to get cheap phone rates to Italy.

Ever thought about doing some more school? You might be able to swing a visa that way, with some ability to work. I don't know. You'll have to do some digging.

Buona fortuna!

nessundorma

PS: My favorite sign of how serious they are about the Basque language in San Sebastian was the tourist train with "Txu-Txu" painted on its nose.

The_Lover

grazie mile. I might be gettin italian citizenship soon and be a dual national, which would fix all my problems. Here is something to add to this. My love is Albanian and been studying in Florence for 5 years. She has 2 years of school left. It sucks because since she is Albanian she can not come here without a visa which is difficult for her to obtain. But I really would much rather go there. Also have any of you guy had any experience Teaching english or tutoring abroad. I checked out this site www.globaltesol.com . what it pretty much says is that anyone with a highschool diploma and a certification is guaranteed placement in over 85 countries. Some of the deals are pretty sweet like paid accomadation and 20 hours a week teachin for like 2000 a month. Who knows, I am full of ideas.

lizzie1973

It's a beautiful thing to meet someone abroad and have feelings....I've never been sure if it's the romance of a different culture and different scenery or what...

I met someone from Denmark this summer and enjoyed every minute of it. When I left to return home, it was with a heavy heart...For me, reality set in a month after I was home and I realized it just wasn't going to work. Swooning over text messages and emails was not for me. Relationships are complicated enough without the distance. But that's just me. I love hearing stories of how long-distance relationships work, but for me, they never have. I've done it 3 times, too! You'd think I'd learn! ;-)

My advice? Time will tell if your feelings are real... Don't make any decisions to move or change your life until time has passed (at least a few months). If your feelings are still strong and feel real after time has passed--then go for it!! No matter what happens, you'll always have the great memory!

Good luck!

Nina66

Me again. You are welcome. I use the 1010 numbers on a landline. I think that the rate doubles for calling cell phones.

I don't know what you mean by "fixed or landlines". Are you calling her on her cell? Wow that's over $600 a month - that must really be love.

If you can't get answers on 101-6868.com you can call them at 1-888-660-5377.

How much would it be per month to install a phone in her house- it could save you about $400 a month in calls (using one of the 1010 numbers - providing she doesn't abuse it - not that SHE would! Maybe it would be the cheapest way to stay in daily phone contact - from your end.

Instead of a ring ... give her a telephone, the gift that keeps ringing .... (sorry the Henny Youngman deep inside of me just couldn't resist).

Are you still in touch with your travel buddy? Maybe he could be the best man?

With those phone costs, your ATM must have dried up and flown away.

Nina

BabsB

As previously mentioned, check out Skype on the internet. My son in LA, talks to his girlfriend in Aachen, Germnay every day. And it's free. You can't beat free!

kleeblatt

I did a four-week CELTA course at the International House in London. With this certificate, you can teach adults almost anywhere in the world. I highly recommend it! And the school too!