Hi mattymatt, I think it’s normal to be nervous since your leaving solo but I’m sure that your gonna feel better when you get there. your gonna have so much fun! so when do you leave?

im going to london on april 12th and then leaving out of amsterdam on may 24.

im not planning on going with a set itinerary but im thinking london – dublin- paris – italy for like 10/12 days – prague – somewhere in germany – amsterdam

Don’t worry Matt, it’s perfectly normal.

You mean your coming to the UK and not visiting Scotland!!! The cheek, in my opinion Scotland and Wales have the most breath taking scenery, Edinburgh bars and pubs are rivalled only by Dublins, plus we are the friendliest people you’ll ever meet, and yes I know, Scottish people can’t spell, I blame it on tv….

honestly, i hadnt really thought about it. You can fly to edinburgh for as low as 13pounds from gatwick so this is something ill definately look into. thx for the idea

Matt,

I totally know what you mean. I bought mine a few months ago, and it totally seemed unreal to me. Now, the only pangs of anxiety I get are when I realize how many language/cultural barriers I’m going to be experiencing. It’s very exciting all at once though. I think that’s what will really make my trip so intriguing. In fact, I bought my backpack today. I went to a store to buy it, so I could get fitted properly. It was a bit pricey, but it will be my home for two months starting June 2nd.

Best of luck,
Cara

You think you’re nervous now, wait until April 11th…

When the trip is just about to start, I always have a feeling that I don’t want to go at all and I’d better stay home. But it is all cured with the journey start.

quote:
When the trip is just about to start, I always have a feeling that I don’t want to go at all and I’d better stay home. But it is all cured with the journey start.

I’m exactly the same!

quote:

quote:
When the trip is just about to start, I always have a feeling that I don’t want to go at all and I’d better stay home. But it is all cured with the journey start.

I’m exactly the same!

Alas, I’m not alone!!!!! And when it’s a long trip, the first week I am desperate to return home, but then the feeling is replaced by very cool things.

Hey Matty,

I will be in Amsterdam May 4-16. Will you be there around then?

hey everyone,

im really glad i posted this because once i booked the flight i felt better but then started feeling like Cara. Im going to be there alone, cant speak the language, and have no idea what to expect in terms of cultural barriers. This trip has been in the back of my mind for 2 years so I know i’ll be excited once the trip actually starts.

matt

rothie- im prob only gonna be there from may 20-24

Hey Matt and everyone!

When there’s something you’ve anticpipated for so long, of course its normal to feel anxiety and nervousness.

I’m about to become a full-time traveller, and will be travelling around Europe for an undetermined amount of time, and I’m so nervous! But I also know that I’ll do just fine, meet so many interesting people, and see so many amazing things!

Enjoy the nervousness! You’ve got our support.
Maybe we’ll meet in Holland, I’ll be there in April!

Greetings from Cancun, Mexico!
Duke

Almost everywhere you go in Europe you will find people who speak English. I’ve never stayed in a hotel where the desk clerks did not speak at least passable English. Many restaurants have menus in the local language, English, and 2 or 3 other languages. Carry a small translation dictionary with you, they have them like English-French, English-German, etc., they can be very useful.

People always tell me the French are rude – but we’ve only had very limited rudeness from the French – I’ve got a list of stories to tell about the ‘rude’ French but I’ll only relate one: We were in a small grocery store and the pin fell out that holds my watch to the watch band. I started to just put the watch in my pocket but the clerk came around the counter and got down on his hands and knees to find the pin!! It had rolled under a shelving unit but he found it, then proceeded to fix my watch band. This is the typical experience I’ve had with the ‘rude’ French.

Be upbeat, don’t get angry or loud if someone does not understand you, things are done differently in each country so watch what the locals do.

Gee, I started with a line and ended up with an essay, sorry.

Since your visiting Dublin, and evidently now Scotland(where ive been living the last 9 months) How come your not going to Belfast? Its the most underappreciated city in Europe, and believe me, its also one of the best. Its only 2 hrs from dublin on bus and even less on the train. Its also only 30 mins flight from Glasgow or Edinburgh!

well my trip is not very well planned at this point. maybe i should be further along??

but im actually thinking about spending my first 2 weeks exploring england, scotland and ireland which would prob include belfast. i know i may have to pass up a city or two later in my trip but im generally a slower moving person to begin with and im starting to think rushing all over europe would not be much fun. If I can stay in less cities but for longer I’d prefer that. Plus, europe isnt going anywhere and I can always go back and visit the places I miss this time.