Pullman, the final frontier...

Dip your toes in the water
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Our all-nighter has left us drained of creativitiness blogiscinus.  We made our flight to Houston with just enough time to snack on the deliciousness that is Gatwick Airport.  Our flight was spent dozing, eating, reading, listening to music, and watching Michael Moore’s new documentary, Sicko – a must see that strengthened our resolve to relocate to Europe permanently.  On our next flight, we’ll watch The Red Violin, and we're expecting to be home Saturday evening, Sunday morning at the latest.  So you can all call us then!

Smell the ocean
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To commemorate our 6 weeks spent gloriously in Europe, we’ve compiled a list of travel tips for your personal enrichment:

1. Travel to Europe.

We picked up a phrase in France that describes the sad state of those who are not fortunate or passionate enough to have become world travelers; ils n’avent jamais vu la mer – they’ve never seen the ocean.  Don’t be one of those people.  There are always more beautiful places and smiling faces to see.

2. Travel light.

Eat delicious ethnic food
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We cannot overemphasize the benefits of only having one reasonably sized bag in addition to your purse or small backpack.  We each carried everything we needed (and them some) in backpacks that we could carry on our backs all day, fit into a station locker, fit in the boot of a toy-sized European car, and still have room for a sleeping bag and souvenirs.  Every time we received compliments or surprised reactions (often gender-related), we felt proud and like we surpassed the stereotypical American.  Whatever you need, you can get in Europe with 1 exception: Duct tape.  You may pay a little more or have to search harder for other items, but they’re there if you need them, and if you don’t, you’re better off not carrying them.  Only buy souvenirs that you will actually use, and send them home cheaply if you can.  Photos and memories are the best souvenirs.  And tans.

Use the internet whenever you can - especially if it's free or stolen
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In addition to luggage, don’t bring American baggage – leave your loudness and personal space bubble at home.  Adapt to your host country’s culture – even if you don’t think it makes sense.  Be gracious, polite, and appreciative.

3. Travel accessibly.

Try to stay off the beaten path - avoid isolating yourself in tourist traps and hotels.  Try camping, it is an economical and fun alternative to traditional lodging.  Plus, in Europe, all that’s legal is car camping.  Wander around in neighborhoods you like and look for places where locals hang out – then do as the locals do.

Public transportation is good for the earth and for your pocketbook
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Meeting other people, even other tourists, can be one of the highlights of your trip – it was for ours.  We met American tourists, Dutch vacationers, Corsican natives, Italian newlyweds, international students, and airport personnel.  Along with being able to have fun with your new friends, these can be valuable connections for future travels.  Some of our best experiences were with generous friends who let us stay with them; thereby letting us forego the agony of searching for lodging (and paying for it, which might mean no traveling at all).

Snorkel! There's a whole other world under there!
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4. Travel even when you can’t afford it.

If not now, then when?  If you waste your time saving up for the perfect vacation, chances are, it won’t meet your expectations.  Spending the money to travel now will provide you later with years of happy memories, during which you can save your pennies and be all responsible-like.  Make a travel jar, forgo the daily latte, keep the car in the garage when you can – just think about how much better your money could be spent.  We will forgo pizza and ice cream here in the states for gelato and worthwhile pizza in Italy.

Don't just look around, look up!
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You don’t have to vacation to travel. Study abroad, work abroad, volunteer, go to a boy scout jamboree – just find the opportunity to experience other places, cultures, people, and ways of living.  Many of the difference aren’t immediately visible, so take the time to find them – find out what you’re missing.

5.  Invigorate all your senses.

Listen to live music, go to an opera, give some change to street performers (if you deem their efforts worthy), sit on a park bench and listen to children play, or sit in a café and eavesdrop on conversations in languages you don’t understand.

all nighter
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Eat.  Eat everything.  Ask an unbiased local where the best food is.  Take advantage of Europe’s colonial past and sample the cuisines of prior conquered nations.  You’ll understand why Europe tried to make them their own.  Lebanese, Indian, Chinese, North African, regional delicacies of France and Italy – these are just a few of the cuisines we sampled (inquire about specific restaurant recommendations).  Drink the strange tea and try the cold cuts you’re offered with gestures alone.  Try weird flavors of gelato like lavender, cassis, or chestnut.

Carry your life on your back - you'll be proud of how little you need
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Watch.  People watch, bird watch, go to exhibits, plays, street performances, enjoy the views, and look past the tourist sites.  Anyone can go to the Louvre, but how many people are willing to openly mock the exhibits in photos?  Watch the sunrise, the sunset, the stars, the fireworks, the boats in the harbor, the funny cars on the street.  Notice the signs whose messages have been lost in translation.  Catch the stare-down between the local cat and the tourist’s dog.  Ogle the attractive and well-dressed Europeans.  If you notice a line, figure out why people are standing in it.

Feed the birds.  If you find the right crackers, they’ll eat right out of your hand.  And if you’re lucky, you’ll get a pigeon like Laena!  Feel the fabrics, touch the rocky beaches, dip your toes in the water and pick up the urchins.  Let the sun warm your naughty parts.  Try to poke the fish, climb the rocks and jump in the water.  If at all possible, do all of this while holding your partner’s hand.

Smell the wind in the south of France.  Just stay away from the areas where the bums frequent.  Follow delicious smells to even more delicious food.  Sniff your wine before you sniff it.  Just walk into a leather store in Italy.  Or any café.  We tried a restaurant after smelling garlic and deliciousness wafting from it’s interior – we’ve now eaten there 3 or 4 times.  Smell all the savons de Marseilles.  Smell the ocean.

6.  Plan ahead but plan with flexibility.

Watch travel shows and read travel magazines.  They will give you essential insight beyond the guidebooks.  Utilize dirt cheap airlines like easyjet and ryanair.  Take public transportation (but not in London).  Allot time to do nothing (especially in Corsica).  Use the internet for everything possible but don’t count on having internet access everywhere.  Get used to not being able to contact people when you want to.  Carry your own toilet paper – trust us on this one.  Make reservations, especially if they don’t require payment up front.  Bring a great phrasebook.  Better still, learn some language other than English.  You WILL need it to have the best experience.

7.  Ask us questions.

We like talking about our trip and would love to dispense useful advise, anecdotes, and recommendations.  We’re going to go get food now.