great blue heron, photographed 03/05/08 TAS copyright
I didn't do a gap year. I didn't take 30 days off during my career until a few months before I quit. My travel ideas came solely from the Town and Country magazine. I resorted at Cap Juluca on the BWI, island Anguilla, bicycled with Butterfield and Robinson on one of their first, over the top trips to Corsica and Costa Smeralda on Sardinia, wined and dined in most of Europes top cities. California was the farthest "east" I tripped. I wanted more: more time, more adventure, more remote, more culture, more locals, more learning and LESS of WORK. Note to self: I needed to travel with some sort of reins on my budget and less Town and Country magazine .
My first 30 day independent trip as an experiment
okay so I took a baby step, but you'll see it altered my future. . .
- The question: Could I be as happy in the surrounding of a 5 star luxury spa as a $40 night hotel? 2 weeks: pre-planned 2 weeks: in route planned 3 Countries: pre-planned, 2 Countries , surprises
- Accommodations: 5 star pre-booked to "on the fly" in my bathing suit on the Island of Capri - share a room, share towel, share a toothbrush eh!, nooooo! for $40.
- Transport: International Flight, pre-booked all 5 of us, yes this takes time, like 5 hours, when everyone is coming from a different country, EU flights, hovercraft, trains, car, arranged in route.
My Experiences:
Fun meter- Spontaneously talked to a couple next to us at an out door cafe. We end up at a party held by a member of Parliament and got some cut emeralds as gifts. (see story on Lord Tea Grower) What started out as a day trip to Capri in my swimwear, became a private speed boat tour around the island with some snorkeling, calamari galore and and overnight in a $40 hotel, split 3 ways. The room, okay for sleep, the bed was not one of those Marriot 7" quilted beds with feathers, down, and 6 pillows, but it did. Read and kept an inflight magazine article about actor Susan Sarandon's rendezvous in Rome. We directed the taxi driver to drop us off at the same hotel, Susan had fond memories conceiving her first born. It worked well, you know what I mean? Road trip from Rome and the Italian, French and Spanish Rivera. Converted all my unused foreign currency and gambled in Monte Carlo, 10 minutes and it's gone, Stayed in the same 1 star hostel as 5 years ago. It's strategically located next to La Rambla, towels got bigger. Segovia and Toledo worth the visits for knives, marzipan, Roman Aqueduct, Alcazar Castle, the Cathedral and pottery.
- Money $$ Debits: Didn't know about the Rental Car drop off fee at $1200, but on the happy meter, well worth making it to the September Music Festival in Barcelona Spain. Taking a taxi from Heathrow, ouch. Just because I have a GSM phone doesn't mean I should use it. Anauska Hempel's, former Blakes Hotel, South Kensington, London, in a bit of a room, where the bed hugs the wall. First $230 massage.
- Money Credits: Cheaper to travel in pairs, when staying at the 5 stars. Hey it's at a 50% discount! Concierge procured front row tickets, then made a mistake. . . oops! we got them for free. On an island known for its over the shoulder, cashmere sweater wearing men and jewelry bedecked women, sipping $20 cocktails, Capri was cheap for me $100.00 in 24 hours. Reservation for the 5 star got lost, on a holiday weekend? Roll the luggage down La Rambla to a outdoor cafe, drink a pitcher of Sangria and then wander around to find a 1 star just off the La Rambla, hey I've been here before. . . saved $1500 because of the mistake. Hearing the music and looking out the window of my well positioned,1 star hotel to see a medievel puppet parade. Even with the $230 price tag, thai yoga massage, that took 10 years off my looks is a $$ credit.
Bottomline: 30 day Europe can be done on the fly in September, as easy on the internet, as in person. Note to self, yes, I can be happy regardless of money spent.
Note to self: there is a time and a place for All stars.
take off, senses wide open . . . to be continued
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