World Travelers

I remember travelling to Bergen by train and in the late/early hours it was still twilight ( this was in a July ).

Last Sunday I was a informant at an alternative travel event in which 244 travellers inform travellers. We each had a table, a few chairs and waited for people that were interested. I was informant for Iceland and a little for Spain (East, Madrid, Barcelona and Andalucía). I talked continuously from 11AM to 5PM and answered the oddest questions (Worried parents asked "how is Iceland for pregnant woman" for their daughter ). Most people that came to me were interested in the route we did, and I brought books and maps to explain what me and my friends did. It was really cool. I explained that 2 weeks would a be a bit short, and that September was ideal because nothing has to be booked in advance (except car obviously).

I sat next to a very cool young family that talked about their 3 month trip through Europe with their 4 kids (3 to 6 years old). Lots of families talked about travelling with kids, and it seems the idea that kids stop all travel, is something that's in the head. It's just very different, but still possible.

Anyway, it was a lot of fun to do, and to meet new people and get new ideas. I asked around for a good hiking holiday for n00bs like me, and two told me Corsica would be a good idea. There are a few treks on the island of several days, and there's also the apparently famous GR20. But it's a very hard one, so it's more for the experienced. Anyhow, I convinced my friends to go to Corsica, and to a Mare a Mare hike of 6 days. Then another week of chill and cosy towns. Scotland was a favourite option too, but we were not eager to walk in the rain yet... Sorry Alan! Another time I'm sure.

Anyone been to Corsica?

Yeah, I must say that I don't go into the discussion anymore when something like that comes up. I often tell about the travel event from Sunday, I invite them every year, but they seem to ignore the fact that it's really possible. Kids seem to shut down life of so many. Even marriage actually, and with some friends getting married and buying/renting a house, I see them less and less. I couldn't live without my friends, but then, I don't have a girlfriend either!

EDIT: About the event, I was in the 'section' Europe and I was one of the youngest, which was a pity, to meet new people. It seems the younger people that were there yesterday, were mainly in the Asia and Africa section and have seen half the world and the most exotic countries. Pakistan was even on the list! A visitor, around 20, said he left for a RTW next week! It makes you feel a n00b event though I think I've done my fair share as well!

Unless they're babies (which just can't be helped), AGAIN it's the PARENTS.
CONTROL YOUR KIDS!!!!
It's neither very hard, nor a crime, notwithstanding what American daytime television is trying to impress upon you.



It's going to be interesting how this develops in coming years: the late twentieth century has been VERY good in opening up the world for young people who have taken massive advantage of that. Now that we are spiraling into an ever worsening circle of crises, it's likely future generations will not be nearly as lucky or free as we were.

I wonder whether we are spoiled and incredibly lucky, or whether future generations are deprived?
Perhaps a bit of both.

(That said, I find "holidaying" in regions like Ethiopia or Pakistan quite cynical).

Four more sleeps and we'll be off to Vietnam for 3 weeks.
Bit scary but I look forward to making a good video of the whole thing.

I hope we'll get to see some of your filming?

TOP 5 BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN THE WORLD


I think I'll wait till I've seen the rest of the world before making a sweeping statement like that, Still, I could personally put a valid argument for the top 2 places

p.s. Some nice Vangelis to go with it

Thanks Bregt.

And I hope to put some of the video up on YouTube Tim.

Perhaps you should create a new thread, will put in the spotlight. Not every member reads this page.

A stroll down the Via Appia (in the footsteps of Paul the Apostle, or Julius Caesar) and a visit to the Trevi Fountain to imagine Anita Ekberg should make a film lovers' heart beat a little faster.

And I should of course not have to mention the Sixtine Chapel ceiling. But like the Trevi, it will be flooded with tourists. (Formally speaking though that's Vatican City and not Rome, but I'm sure you'll forgive me )

Oh, and unless you're dead set on it, avoid the Colosseum.
It's a horribly expensive, run-down, broken down heap of rubble, in terrible state of disrepair.

If you ever want to see a proper Roman circus, go visit El Jem in Tunisia.
Almost as big as the one in Rome, it is in FAR better shape, and even better: you have free access to EVERYTHING.
Plus, almost never any tourists.
You can actually sit on the seats, all alone, and watch the sun go down over the majestic arena.
Absolute magic.

Here it is Thor, the last one: St. Iganzio di Loyola Church
http://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/rome-a-m … sions.html

We also did some of the other things mentioned in the article. Fun to do!

I'll second that, it's flipping mental.

One of my enduring memories of Rome ( besides washing my sweaty feet in the Trevi fountain....how did I get away with that? ) was seeing Benito Mussolini's mansion, a real bad state it was with every window smashed and completely daubed in grafitti....I wonder if it's still there?

p.s. I loved Rome, have a great time!

Pics from Rome here:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= … amp;type=1

I guess I don't really need any more reporting than that. The trip is pretty self-explanatory.

Yes, we visited all the tourists destinations, but that's because I wanted to see them once and for all. So the next time, I'll be stearing clear of them. It's easy to say "oh, the Colloseum is such a pile or rubble...avoid it!" once you've been there.

Some pics of the 50km GR 126 section we did last weekend.

And now I count down for Iceland in two weeks!