When I was sixteen years old, my Latin teacher organized a summer trip to Europe. I really, really wanted to go. I suppose I didn’t think too much about the fact that we were pretty poor. Divorced, underemployed mom and four teenage kids? Yep, poor.
I’m still grateful that my mom took out a small loan from the bank to send me. For two weeks in June, I’d tour seventy-five European countries and principalities.
That trip was a turning point in my life. Here’s what I learned:
A suitcase on wheels is the greatest invention of the last century.
I used my mother’s set of American Tourister luggage she used on an around-the-world trip in the 60’s. It was very good-quality luggage (she still uses it!), but it was the classic rectangle-on-a-handle suitcase. I’d overpacked, so by the end of the trip my right arm was a full three inches longer than my left. This makes it difficult to buy sweaters.
When in Rome, dress like a Roman.
My trip was almost postponed due to terrorist activities. Our group had been instructed not to look too “American”. I learned it is so much more comfortable to travel in a casual skirt than in jeans. When I did wear my Levi’s 501s, I did notice more attention. I still use this approach when I travel. A few years ago in England, a tourist from Kansas approached me for directions. Like I know where to find Platform 9 and 3/4.
America is the land of the free…toilets.
That lady in the restroom? You pay her, or you don’t go. Always have small change, because you have to have a penny to spend a penny.
Be an adventurous eater.
Our breakfasts were at our hotel, and dinners were arranged for us, but lunches were on our own. I only remember going to a European McDonald’s once in Brussels. The rest of the time my small group tried small local cafes. I’m not sure of everything I ate, but it was all good. Whatever cuisses de grenouilles were, they tasted like chicken.
Experiences are the best souvenirs.
And also wooden shoes, because you are totally going to wear those a bunch. Still, climbing to the top of some tower in Pisa is a pretty cool memory, too.
Travel in a group.
We were under the strictest orders to use the double buddy system—at least four girls together. Still, sometimes that just didn’t work out. Once I lingered a bit behind the group in an open-air market in Paris. I thought I was haggling over a small handbag, but by the end I was yanking my hand free from a vendor named François and declining his charming offer to “do the love.”
Even with a power converter, your electronics might not work.
I learned this the hard way with a curling iron. The converter just makes the plug fit. You need a transformer to adapt to the different voltage. Eventually, my bangs did grow back.
Understand local politics, but don’t talk local politics.
Educate yourself enough to know that you shouldn’t wear orange on the third Tuesday in Genovia. Also, no one cares about your opinion on Genovia. (I’m totally pro-Genovia.)
Learn a few key phrases in the language.
Start out with the local greetings before asking if someone speaks English. They probably speak English better than you, but it’s insulting to assume. Also, some level of local literacy keeps you from eating cuisses de grenouilles against your will.
Make room in your suitcase.
Travel light to begin with and leave things behind as you go. Better to throw all your panties away on the last day of your trip than to lack room for your new collection of ironic Russian nesting dolls. Please note that this does not count as a tip for housekeeping.
Although our tour practically went through West Germany and Portugal on the same day, I had a wonderful experience in Europe. For a young girl from Tennessee who’d only been in an elevator twice, it was a transformative experience. I’ll always have my memories, and a small handbag from Paris. Thanks, François!
- This post is part of a
- blog hop on Transformative Travel. Click the links below to read other posts on the topic by much better writers.
I’m still stuck back at the beginning of this post: there are 75 countries and principalities in Europe? How did I not know this? (and I agree with all your tips…)
Sorry–poor hyperbole on my part. Though I think we drove through Lichtenstein three or four times.
A funny and great post… still curious about that whole “do the love” thing!
Me too, though I’m glad I said “non!”
Hey, I loved my wooden shoes and found many places to wear them, such as to the European pay toilets. Aren’t moms wonderful when they support their children’s dreams?
My big American feet don’t fit well into small European clogs. It’s all the corn we eat.
Ribbet, ribbet, ribbet. Bon appetit!
Poor Kermit! He was delicious.
I especially love #3. When my daughter was in high school I took her Girl Scout troop to Italy. We had a long conversation about having to pay the bathroom attendants. Truly a foreign concept.
Land of the free (toilets).
What a cool GSA trip! I took my troop to Savannah last year for the 100th anniversary. So hot, but so fun.
I’d like to see you in those wooden shoes, Anne. 🙂
I would rock those wooden shoes.
Delightful. Love the tagline of being in an elevator twice. Yes, I’ll pack less and I do think that rolling luggage is the best thing next to an iPhone. Hmmm, maybe better.
I love my rolly suitcase. It has better wheels that the roller skates I used as a child.
You know what, this is a great list! I will share this on my blog someday soon. Well done!
b+
Thanks, B–I appreciate it!
It is awesome that opportunity was there for you, and brava on your mom for making sure it happened.
Europeans travel a lot, and vacation a lot. Americans tend to buy stuff and hole up in their McMansions with their stuff. IMO, we’d all be a lot better off if we all traveled more and hoarded less.
I live in a state as big as France. I think about that sometimes as I cross four or five states without much thought.
Great tips and when I get to Europe – whenever that is – I plan to use them all. And I love that you’d only been in an elevator twice. I don’t feel so bad about my very limited traveling. 🙂
Don’t’ feel too bad–I’ve never been to Mexico or Canada. I think that every American should go to Mexico and Canada.
I completely agree with Bev’s comment above. So much can be learned from visiting unfamiliar places. Your mom did good by sacrificing to give you this experience. Yay mom!
My mom remains one cool person.
Hilarious — and true! “The converter just makes the plug fit” is something I, too, learned the hard way in Ireland, where all my photos feature wild hair that would have been straightened if I hadn’t fried my flat iron. You, my friend, would be a great traveling companion!! xo
I only know what I learned from complete failure and Rick Steve’s guidebooks.
Lovely, Anne, and I can imagine how amazing the trip was for you. What an incredible thing your mom did to make sure you could go on the trip. Fantastic experience.
It really changed my life. It started my love of art museums.
Oh where were you when we travelled to Ireland. I blew out my damn cell phone and curling irons because I was missing a transformer. I had a dead cat on my head and no phone to call a hairdresser. xo
Curly girl problems! Straight hair isn’t totally wash-and-go, but I see from my curly-haired daughters how lucky I am.
Great list! I always try to leave a little room in my suitcase for a special memento (or two).
A little something is a necessity. When I went to Utah, I left behind a pair of shoes to make room in my suitcase for something else.
I totally have gotten my money’s worth on my wooden shoes Having that cast for everyone to sign after I broke my ankle wearing them was totally worth it. And I heard Francois is going to be at BlogHer, so you are going to get another chance!
I hope it’s not the same Frenchman!
These recommendations were exactly what I learned when I went at 15 with a church group. All very practical, wise advice. Loved the post! Virginia- FirstClassWoman
Thanks, Virginia! I’d love to go on a mission-type trip, especially to Haiti.
Seventy-five countries (and principalities) in two weeks?! How…?
Your writing always brings a smile to my face. You’d be fun to travel with!
And how awesome of your mom to recognize the importance of this trip for you.
Great (as usual) post!
It only seemed like 75.
I think I am fun to travel with, unless you are one of my children.
How fortunate you were to have that experience! Love your tips. 🙂
Thanks, Donne. I still have such fond memories of my time there. I think we saw every beautiful place in western Europe.
I am just getting around to reading these posts. Anne – that was awesome! Fun, droll, witty. How neat that your mom sacrificed for you so that you could have this marvelous experience.
Really good. (I think this is the first time I’ve been on your blog.)
Being called droll is the highlight of me week–seriously.
I do hope my mom reads this and knows how grateful I still am. (She reads here and gives me critiques sometimes.)
I wrote about my teenage whirlwind tour through Europe, too. Now I feel mine was pretty leisurely compared to yours! YIKES!
It is somewhat hyperbolic, but the days were packed full!
I love that it was your Latin teacher! Such good tips!
Mrs. Goss, my Latin teacher, was one of my most fun teachers in high school. Also, she’d lived in Rome when she was studying Latin and knew the area really well.
You kill me with the little dry one-liners. So so funny.
Printing this comment off and pinning it up by my desk for days when I need cheering up. Wendi Aarons said I’m funny!