Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: JB88 on June 11, 2005, 07:25:10 PM
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and write and make some art and explore.
what do i need to do?
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Have a passport?
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not yet, but i can get in in new orleans same day.
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Ok then, that would be step one. Since you seem unsure about a destination or and kind of specific itenerary, I'd visit a travel agent. They can help you with lodging, transportation to and once you reach wherever you're going, and give you some good literature on local laws and customs.
If you buy a phrasebook it will be of limited use as a communication aide, but the locals will likely feel sorry for you and speak to you in English when they see you with it.
Any ideas where you'll be going?
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First of all where in Europe do you wish to go?
I personally don't care for western europe, but i love the food, people, culture and architecuture of Central Europe.
This past March and April I took 6 weeks and traveled through Romania, Serbia and Hungary (family in Budapest)
The hell with a travel agency, wing it man! Is way more fun. Most the young ppl know english, so if ya get lost find a young person.
Study the country you plan to go on the net and by reading books.
Brasov Romania, 3 ppl eating $15
(http://www.487thvirtual.com/modules/gallery/albums/album02/Brasove.jpg)
Belgrade Serbia, 2 ppl eating $15
(http://www.487thvirtual.com/modules/gallery/albums/album02/Belgrade.jpg)
CAUTION, you might not want to return.
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ya, i think that i'll avoid the travel agents, though i suppose i view my european friends here as the next best thing.
where is the energy and the creativity at over there right now?
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I'm a little bias, but Budapest is known as the Paris of Central Europe the arts a very alive in Budapest. If you want 2000 years of history piled up in one place i would highly recommend Budapest.
*Travel from country to country via train (DO NOT ever take a cab from any train station), use the buses when traveling within the country.
*Know and understand the local currency.
*Never give your passport to anybody. (Some plain cloth'd guys might approach you claiming they're cops with badges and everything. DON'T DO IT)
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Buy a first class Eurail pass. The rail system is good and first class makes sure you always get a good seat.
I HIGHLY recommend it
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is there anywhere that i would be able to work to get money when i needed it?
(or do you guys have a posse on your borders too? lol)
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i am a pretty good artist with a degree in photography and video and half a masters in scultpure. i am an decent teacher as well...did assistanceships in grad school. enjoyed it thouroughly.
i have an opinion that i like to write with from time to time and i have a wide open brain seeking nourishment. i would like to complete a book before i am 40.
i am relatively intelligent and dont mind doing shotty jobs if it gets me from point a to point b, but i would prefer using my knowledge of art and/or technology be of use.
i need little more than a large room that i can make stuff in.
with a shower and a pub nearby.
a college wouldnt hurt.
i wonder if i could continue my studies there.
hmmmm.
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excellent.
thank you gsholz, much oblidged sir.
:)
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JB88, do you have any idea what country you want to go too?
and a pub close by isn't a problem in Europe;)
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Originally posted by _Ro_
JB88, do you have any idea what country you want to go too?
and a pub close by isn't a problem in Europe;)
no ro, i really dont.
i think that i just want to find a place for a bit that is far away from the us (i need a bit of perspective) where the people are relatively friendly and will welcome me in for a bit.
id like to find a creative center, a place where i can learn and exchange.
i had originally thought of south america, mostly because of its cultural differences, but i realize that i am going to have to learn how to travel first.
europe seems the right choice because of the amount of english that is spoken there. it would be nice to learn another language, but easier if my mistakes are translatable.
i just have a yen.
time to fly for a bit.
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I'm thinking about doing the same thing JB88....I'm retired from the military and i have been to Budapest 15 times......i love the country.
Look in to Budapest in your spare time, Prague and Vienna are close by way of train.
If i wanted to go some place cheap to live i would think about Romania. It is a very poor country but you can live cheap and the Romanian ppl are very friendly. Stay away from Bucharesti though, too many gypsies. Cluj, Brasov, Sibiu and Timisoara are very nice.
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88..
As an emergency job, you could contact your embassy or walk into bars and nightclubs. I know form experience that they will hire you for short periods if you know how to get beer into a glass without spraying the guests. If you can make a gin & tonic to boot you are hired fo life.
Whatever you do... skip all kinds of guides and guided tours. Do as you do now and ask people who have been in the areas you want to go too.
The train idea is not a bad one at all, but you have to love people.
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If you want somewhere familiar yet different, Ireland or Britain is the obvious choice. Perhaps not the main centres though if you want to be creative. Further out in place like Scotland and the West of Ireland. Naturally I'm going to sell Ireland. There is even an American college in Dublin. I've no idea what's it's like.
http://www.amcd.ie/
But if you want to avoid the big city. You might look at Galway
galway (http://www.nuigalway.ie/prospective_students/ushandbook05-06/index.html)
I've just moved here and it's a cool enough relaxed town with quite a few American students. You don't have to go to college of course and in theory you can't work without a permit. But that never stopped anyone particularly in casual jobs. I never heard of an American being deported for working illegally. There is a creative atmosphere, writing and art being particularly favourably looked on in this country. (Also talking and drinking:aok )
But if that doesn't suit as Ro says Eastern Europe is opening up all the time. There seems to be lots of Americans in Prague.
Spain is another country to be recommended. Sunshine and a very relaxed people tolerant of foreigners. Plus some magnificent countryside. Most people in Europe would love to retire to Spain.
Don't discount France either particulary away from Paris. But you really do need to speak a little French or a least pretend to. The French I notice are more likely to speak English to you if you at least try to address them in French.
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ahhh. thank you gentlemen...very useful.
please let me know if anything else crosses your minds.
always appreciated.
:)
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I bet there are som usergroups ou there for americans abroad or travellers.
Backpack tourists usually have the best knowledgebase, so if you can grab hold of one of those you are pretty much guaranteed some decent advice.
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Check out this site, maybe you find something. Have just browsed it myself.
http://www.thebackpacker.net/
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I think europe is the perfect place for you 88. You shopuld probly stay.
lazs
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Originally posted by GScholz3
Yeah, train is the way to go if you're not interested in renting/buying a car and driving. Avoid Eastern Europe if you're not streetwise; lots of scams and crime there. Getting better though.
Dont listen GScholz hes probably head of local gang.
Feel free to visit eastern, central europe, be ware of western europe. Criminal rate in western europe is pretty high, since all criminals in the east reached conclusion, that its more effective to rob ritch westerners :D
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Originally posted by lazs2
I think europe is the perfect place for you 88. You shopuld probly stay.
lazs
You are asuming that we would keep him.
j/k 88
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Originally posted by JB88
no ro, i really dont.
i think that i just want to find a place for a bit that is far away from the us (i need a bit of perspective) where the people are relatively friendly and will welcome me in for a bit.
id like to find a creative center, a place where i can learn and exchange.
Ummm then i would suggest to go east of germany.
How much time do you wanna spend in europe ?
(btw you are around 23+- right ?)
edit:
But seriously... i meet guy from Australia somewhere in Iran and he told me , that he travell from UK.
From his perspective was western europe same.... there is little bit diference between eastern and western europe and next diference he noted in Turkey.
Western europe were a little bit boring for him (im not saying do not visit it, but it might not be ultra big fun).
There are probably not that big diference between west europian towns and US towns. But compare country side might be realy funny :)
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Originally posted by lada
Ummm then i would suggest to go east of germany.
How much time do you wanna spend in europe ?
(btw you are around 23+- right ?)
edit:
But seriously... i meet guy from Australia somewhere in Iran and he told me , that he travell from UK.
From his perspective was western europe same.... there is little bit diference between eastern and western europe and next diference he noted in Turkey.
Western europe were a little bit boring for him (im not saying do not visit it, but it might not be ultra big fun).
There are probably not that big diference between west europian towns and US towns. But compare country side might be realy funny :)
east of germany or eastern germany? huge difference ;)
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East of....
UND ITS NOT THAT HAUGE DIFERANCE !!!!
:rofl
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Lada, if he didn't have fun in western europe... trust me, he didn't look in the right places :)
Daniel
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east of germany you have alot of countries.. if you keep going east you will end up in germany again :D
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Originally posted by CyranoAH
Lada, if he didn't have fun in western europe... trust me, he didn't look in the right places :)
Daniel
I didnt mean fun.... umm it wasnt proper expression.... Well but it might not be that diferent. umm
I know that there are a lot of places, whre you can have fun ( with eastern beautis ) :D
Nilsen.... Ja i Agree .. Just go East JB88... Nah Berlin :D
JB88 do you have some time table >?
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Go every where you can and when you will be out of money apply for welfare in England.
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Originally posted by straffo
Go every where you can and when you will be out of money apply for welfare in England.
umm better not or they will excomunicate him with all those czech gypsies :D
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if you travel in eastern europe, look for local people who rent room and board in their houses. Hotels can be 50-100$ per night, and in those places you get bed and food for 10$/day. Can't beat that.
In poland, i'd recommend Cracow. Find a place to stay on the outskirts.
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the best part is that in all those backward countries he will be able to smoke just about anywhere he wants.
lazs
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Originally posted by lazs2
backward countries
charming lazs
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1. If you are looking for "the spirit of Europe" Prague is the must.
2. If you are looking for really friendly people Greece is the must.
3. If you are looking for the best place in the world Crete is the must.
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Originally posted by fd ski
In poland, i'd recommend Cracow. Find a place to stay on the outskirts.
Yeep Cracow is kewl... and Crakov gals... are .. aawwwwwwww :D
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JB88 - be sure to visit Salzburg, Austria. Mozart's home, Sound of Music and all that.
Here's something that might interest you, just in front of the fortress in Salzburg. :D:D;):cool:
(http://www.zen33071.zen.co.uk/salzburgchess.jpg)
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:)
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shave your legs, speak with a high pitch voice. if you have a lisp that is considered a bonus! :D
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Storch, you should go to Walachia my friend you "look" the part.:D
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Originally posted by _Ro_
Storch, you should go to Walachia my friend you "look" the part.:D
:D
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Originally posted by JB88
and write and make some art and explore.
what do i need to do?
First, go see a shrink. Tell him you need shock therapy to cure a degenerative self destructive impulse to stare from a distance of 1/2 inch at hairy 70's muffs that smell like tuna and drawing flowers with long stems while contemplating the possibilties presented by tactile feedback from fondling latvian cow udders.
If that doesn't work, check the lost and found.. mebbe somebody found yer brains and donut in the hospital salad bar.
If yer still contemplating traveling to yerope consider having yer bung hole permanantly corked.
And if you still decide to go... don't come back.
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Originally posted by beet1e
JB88 - be sure to visit Salzburg, Austria. Mozart's home, Sound of Music and all that.
Here's something that might interest you, just in front of the fortress in Salzburg. :D:D;):cool:
(http://www.zen33071.zen.co.uk/salzburgchess.jpg)
Wow you guys are so behind the times, the Japanese have got those down to pocket size now.
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Hang put it best and...
when you show a picture of chess... God kills a whole littler of puppies.
lazs
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visit the great cathedrals and shrines. aweing. wonderful. life changing.
hap
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bring American made condoms, I hear European beetle skins are inferior;)
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Originally posted by JBA
bring American made condoms, I hear European beetle skins are inferior;)
No they're not. It's just that there's no mass market for guys who have been "clipped" at birth - unlike the US. :lol