Advice From Those in the Know: Part 2

(posted by Ange)

"Travelling is an indulgence. You're taking a period of time and saying 'this is a period of time that I am indulging in myself', which means while you are there you have to do the things you want to do". This says my dear friend Jason. I like it!

Jason in another transplanted Brit. Jason landed in Canada after being denied entry back to the U.S., where he was living. He was literally stranded in Canada with nothing but the clothes on his back. No car. No possessions. No job. He decided to tough out the situation and make Vancouver home. Now, I figure if Jason can land up in Canada, alone and with nothing, I will surely be able to survive any challenge that comes my way in Europe. I hope. Did I mention that Jason is much tougher and more resislient than I? Well, at least it's inspiration.

I talked to Jason a few weeks ago about travelling Europe. Of course half of what he said has since disappeared from my brain! Here is what I remember...

He seemed to think the car idea was a good one, since we were going for such a long time...he pointed out that if we were backpacking, it is harder to find lockers at the train stations these days due to all the post 9/11 terror (insert scary music) and so we would need to be prepared to carry our packs with us. He also suggested we get a car with a trunk to keep things hidden from sight. This seems like a pretty smart (not to mention obvious) suggestion. I can live with that.

He suggested signing up at Youth Hostelling to get better rates at hostels. I asked him what a hostel is really like and whether or not I was going to be able handle it (i.e. is it clean? are there bugs?). Jason knows me well and the look he gave me indicated I may not be thrilled with the accomodation a hostel typically provides. He then suggested that we should stay a night or two at the Cambie (a hostel downtown) to get an idea of what it is like. Stay at the Cambie? Ay yi yi. I'm not liking what I'm hearing here. I think it's a great idea, but then I'm also thinking maybe it should be left as a nice surprise upon my arrival in Europe! Also, when I'm in Europe I won't know that my nice, clean, bug-free apartment is just blocks away!

As for what to see...well, Jason was full of recommendations. On the list were Venice, Rome, Corsica, Tuscany, Paris and Ibiza. This last recommendation has been a destination "up for discussion" (read: Dave says it's too expensive. I really want to go.) so I was happy to have his support on this one.

Jason spoke mostly of Rome and Venice. Here is what I learned....

One cannot possibly go to Europe and not see Rome. As Jason says, it is "the world's biggest freestanding museum". Rome is an excellent walking city and many of the sights are just there...open to just walk through. Sounds exactly like what we're looking for - free transportation (our feet) and free stuff to see! Hopefully our car is parked outside of town and Dave is NOT trying to carry two packs on his back! Jason did suggest I read up on architecture and art history before I go so I know what I'm looking at. Dave again prefers to go with his "learn as I go" approach. I, on the other hand, am looking into courses! While I am appreciating the art and achitecture I have learned all about, Dave will be struggling to figure out what he is looking at! Don't worry, I'll share my knowledge with him.

Now Venice...apparently Venice is sinking (and I don't want to swim). Seriously, this fine city is built on a bed of pigskins atop a swamp. I kid you not. Who thought that a bed of pigskins would hold a city afloat?!! I would like to meet this man. Jason says Venice is a must see, but to expect it to be quite dark. Beautiful but oppressive. Sounds like a place for the depressed!

New words: Palatzo (sp?) means palace, but really is more of a grand house. I compared this description to houses in Shaunessy. Jason just laughed. I'm not sure what that means. Piazza is a square, usually with a fountain, cafe and a Baroque church at one end. (Note to self - look up Baroque church!)

All in all, Jason's comments jived with the ideas in my mind. Whew. Still, there is work to be done: research cost of car with trunk and learn about Roman architecture and art. Easy peesy.

Finally, I know these are damn long...I shall try to keep future posts a little shorter. Wouldn't want to lose my small but loyal readership! :)