I'm going on a solo trip in the Spring

**Goofle** · 10-31-2015, 05:35 PM

Come to my house. I'll Hoover just for you.

**Frownland** · 10-31-2015, 05:39 PM

I can do a solo harsh noise performance for you if you visit my region of the left coast.

**Scarlett O'Hara** · 10-31-2015, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grindy

Sounds cool.
Never done something like this though, I love comfort way too much.
Let me know if you find yourself in the south of Germany.

I'm planning a trip to Germany hopefully for next year!

DwnWthVwls · 10-31-2015, 10:54 PM

Damn Exo, I'm jealous. I wish I was in a position to backpack, being able to travel is one of the things that made me want to do environmental research. I look forward to the pictures.

Psy-Fi · 11-01-2015, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exo

So, I have decided that I needed a change in my life. A Big one. My lease ends April first and I'm not staying in this apartment. I decided I'm taking three months (or more) off and travelling. Here's the very raw and very beginning of my trip...

Going out to Colorado for a week to visit a friend who is joining the Navy.

Going to California to visit my best friend for a week or so.

Drive with said friend to Portland for a few days.

Fly from Portland to Iceland. Spend a few days there.

Fly to England.

Backpack Europe. I have no idea where I want to go yet.

I'm saving money for the next five months. I know I can get to ten grand but I'm going to save as much as possible.

Anybody ever do something like this before? Travel advice? Is ten grand enough? Where should I go. I'm very new with this and I want to do it right.

The last time I did something similar, it was 1996. I stayed at B&B's instead of hostels or campgrounds. My expenses were for lodging, rail/subway/bus tickets, food & drink, museums/attractions and entertainment. I got by on $50 to $60 dollars (US) a day (not including airfare) which would be the equivalent of $75 to $90 in 2015 dollars. Hostels & campgrounds would've saved me some money but I prefer a private room with (usually) a private shower/bath & toilet. You should be fine with 10 grand over 3 months (including airfare.)

ATM's are your best bet for convenience and to automatically get the best exchange rates for whatever amount you need to withdraw wherever you are. I'd recommend having a credit card or some other form of debit card as an emergency backup in case your primary card is lost or stolen. I once had my card eaten by a bank machine (on a Friday afternoon, no less) and had to use Western Union to have some money transferred to me because the card was irretrievable. I had some traveler's checks with me also, but their $ amount wasn't enough to cover the rest of my trip before returning home the following week and it would've taken 2 weeks at the time, to get a replacement card sent to me.

Make sure you bring some quality footwear. Improper/substandard footwear can make you miserable very quickly and slow you down or possibly keep you off your feet for a while and put a dent in your itinerary.

I saved a lot on meals by getting my food at supermarkets and outdoor farmer's markets most of the time.

Probably some more I can add here later, when I think of it and have time.

Mr. Charlie · 11-03-2015, 05:20 AM

My advice is to have fun. Sounds obvious, but it's surprising how many people get stressed travelling.

Rememeber that trains and flights get delayed, and buses are missed, and so you probably won't visit all the places you want to. With that in mind, enjoy the travelling as much as the destinations. Be prepared to change your plans because circumstance will change them whether you like it or not. Have fun.

Plankton · 11-03-2015, 08:16 AM

I left everything behind when I was 19. I took a bus from Chicago to L.A. and then I ended up in the Army going to Germany. It was the best decision I ever made though, and I'd love to be able to do it all again. Some really good advise from everyone so far.

Unknown Soldier · 11-03-2015, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Charlie

My advice is to have fun. Sounds obvious, but it's surprising how many people get stressed travelling.

Rememeber that trains and flights get delayed, and buses are missed, and so you probably won't visit all the places you want to. With that in mind, enjoy the travelling as much as the destinations. Be prepared to change your plans because circumstance will change them whether you like it or not. Have fun.

travelling is automatically stressful and in all the years I've travelled I've never known it to ever be relaxing. Airports are stressful, plane travel is not really designed for humans, coach travel is designed to make you sick and train travel is only relaxing if you facing the opposite direction to the one you're travelling, but then you miss all the the scenary.

Car travel in other countries is always a challenge, with bad drivers and not knowing where you're going, best advice is to stay at home or enjoy the stress levels that vacationing brings.

**Exo** · 11-03-2015, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob.

Where in California?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland

x2

Santa Rosa. My best friend from home moved there two years ago to grow weed. I'll be spending a week there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goofle

Come to my house. I'll Hoover just for you.

Definitely. I should be spending a day or two in London.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DwnWthVwls

Damn Exo, I'm jealous. I wish I was in a position to backpack, being able to travel is one of the things that made me want to do environmental research. I look forward to the pictures.

There will be so many pictures. So many.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psy-Fi

The last time I did something similar, it was 1996. I stayed at B&B's instead of hostels or campgrounds. My expenses were for lodging, rail/subway/bus tickets, food & drink, museums/attractions and entertainment. I got by on $50 to $60 dollars (US) a day (not including airfare) which would be the equivalent of $75 to $90 in 2015 dollars. Hostels & campgrounds would've saved me some money but I prefer a private room with (usually) a private shower/bath & toilet. You should be fine with 10 grand over 3 months (including airfare.)

ATM's are your best bet for convenience and to automatically get the best exchange rates for whatever amount you need to withdraw wherever you are. I'd recommend having a credit card or some other form of debit card as an emergency backup in case your primary card is lost or stolen. I once had my card eaten by a bank machine (on a Friday afternoon, no less) and had to use Western Union to have some money transferred to me because the card was irretrievable. I had some traveler's checks with me also, but their $ amount wasn't enough to cover the rest of my trip before returning home the following week and it would've taken 2 weeks at the time, to get a replacement card sent to me.

Make sure you bring some quality footwear. Improper/substandard footwear can make you miserable very quickly and slow you down or possibly keep you off your feet for a while and put a dent in your itinerary.

I saved a lot on meals by getting my food at supermarkets and outdoor farmer's markets most of the time.

Probably some more I can add here later, when I think of it and have time.

Thanks for the extensive advice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Charlie

My advice is to have fun. Sounds obvious, but it's surprising how many people get stressed travelling.

Rememeber that trains and flights get delayed, and buses are missed, and so you probably won't visit all the places you want to. With that in mind, enjoy the travelling as much as the destinations. Be prepared to change your plans because circumstance will change them whether you like it or not. Have fun.

After London my plans are totally on the fly. I designed it like this so I don't get stressed.

sidewinder · 11-03-2015, 01:46 PM

Sounds awesome! Wish I could do this, solo or not. Would be nice to take more than a few weeks off work at a time. Stupid mortgage and other responsibilities.

10-31-2015, 05:39 PM	#12 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,541	I can do a solo harsh noise performance for you if you visit my region of the left coast. __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x

11-03-2015, 08:16 AM	#17 (permalink)
Plankton Just Keep Swimming... Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: See signature... Posts: 7,765	I left everything behind when I was 19. I took a bus from Chicago to L.A. and then I ended up in the Army going to Germany. It was the best decision I ever made though, and I'd love to be able to do it all again. Some really good advise from everyone so far. __________________ See location...

11-03-2015, 01:46 PM	#20 (permalink)
sidewinder Engorged Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 5,536	Sounds awesome! Wish I could do this, solo or not. Would be nice to take more than a few weeks off work at a time. Stupid mortgage and other responsibilities. __________________ last.fm \| my collection on RYM \| vinyl instagram @allthatyouseeandhear I'd love to see your signature/links too, but the huge and obnoxious ones have caused me to block all signatures.

11-03-2015, 05:20 AM	#16 (permalink)
Mr. Charlie Shoo Thoughts Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: These Mountains Posts: 2,308	My advice is to have fun. Sounds obvious, but it's surprising how many people get stressed travelling. Rememeber that trains and flights get delayed, and buses are missed, and so you probably won't visit all the places you want to. With that in mind, enjoy the travelling as much as the destinations. Be prepared to change your plans because circumstance will change them whether you like it or not. Have fun.