This is not only my first trip in Europe, but it is pretty much the first time I have traveled around by myself (or without my parents). So, as my first trip, I am bound to make a few mistakes…or many mistakes. I started to write them down so I would learn from them.
First, I am very ashamed to admit this…I don’t want my parents to think they raised a silly, ignorant child but…it is my blog and I need to be honest. I didn’t bring a pair of sneakers. Okay, I know, I know. But I swear my black flats are so comfortable, I can walk in them everywhere! Not to mention they were practical because they matched with everything! Lies, my flats were already dying from walking around in Italy so much—American shoes (non-sneakers) are actually not made for walking as I am learning in Italy since about half of my shoes have died. I was in denial about the frail condition of my flats but once I got to London the truth came out. The soles of my flats were practically worn all the way down and there was a hole in the side of my shoe that I could stick a finger through. Absolutely no support. I had to throw them out on Day 2 in London and bought a replacement pair of black flats at Clarks.
Second, it is not smart to wear new shoes when traveling and walking a lot. My new black flats were cute and somewhat comfortable, and had a large sole with a lot of support. However, by Day 2 of wearing them (Day 4 in London) multiple blisters had accumulated on my feet around my toes and on the heel of my foot. I couldn’t walk without pain even if I covered them with band-aid. So what do I do? Buy another pair of shoes! At the airport in London, I went to Claire’s—yes, I went to Claire’s where I haven’t been since Middle School and actually bought something! I bought fake black uggs for fifteen pounds. Now, my felt like they were sitting in clouds of comfort. And they were warm too and went with everything! Too bad they were also cheap, not supportive, and not water resistant. Silly Sarah, this could easily be corrected if I would have just brought my sneakers! My reasoning of course for not bringing my sneakers was because it wouldn’t fit into my pack. I didn’t want to check any baggage (extra twenty euro) so I fit everything in my high school backpack. This is how I know I am related to Aunt Susan, I managed to fit in about four dresses—but I couldn’t fit in my lovely, practical, comfortable, perfect sneakers.
Third, well I meant to pack my Rick Steves’ Backpacking Across Europe but I either forgot or decided to just take Eragon because Rick Steves’ wouldn’t fit. The point of that was that I wish I would have researched the places I went more. When Sonia and I arrived in Italy, it was great! But also like, so what do we do now? We went to Big Ben, Parliamentary House, and Westminster Abbey—but then we had no idea what else to do. Thank god for cheap tourist booklets or we wouldn’t have known what to do! My excuse for this was that our trip was right after mid-terms (literally it was about 18 hours after my last mid-term), so I thought researching the trip would just be a way for me to procrastinate my studies. Silly Sarah again, you should always research so you can enjoy the place more (paraphrasing Rick Steves here). Fortunately, I learn quickly and bought a few travel guides while in England to read while traveling on planes and buses.
Fourth, go somewhere you know you can enjoy/relax. You can usually do this anywhere, but with my case in Barcelona—not so much.
Fifth, pick your travel companion(s) carefully and communicate.
Good Things I did (I like balance):
First, bring a good book. I was reading the third installment (which was supposed to be the final installment—don’t get me started I am so upset and irritated) of Eragon: an epic fantasy tale about the struggle between an oppressive, power-hungry tyrant King Gallbatorix and the rebel forces of the Varden made up of humans, elves, dwarves, urgals, and Saphira (Eragon’s dragon). Basically, epic fantasy novel similar to Lord of the Rings. Eragon was a wonderful outlet when I was tired in my room or when I wanted the plane/bus/train to go faster.
Second, bring an ipod. Oh how I love my little green ipod shuffle. He was great when I wanted to drown out that loud person talking on his cell phone or a wonderful soundtrack while reading Eragon.
Third, I realized I am very capable of solving my own problems. Granted, the whole not bringing my tennis shoes (or trainers as the Brits call them) was pretty stupid but I didn’t just sit around and complain about it—I did something (maybe not the smartest thing) but a quick and relatively cheap solution. If I didn’t know where I was going, I would ask or find a map and figure it out myself. I am not just a problem-solver, but I am also very good at fulfilling my own needs. If I wanted to relax for a while, I would. If I wanted a chocolate crepe, I would ask a local or the hotel/hostel for a suggestion and then go get a chocolate crepe. These things may seem obvious too my readers—but then you obviously don’t know people from my study abroad program.
Fourth, WEAR A MONEY BELT!! Hooray, I finally swallowed my pride and embraced my money belt. Let me tell you the history of my relationship with a money belt. When I went to Turkey my senior year of high school (my first trip out of North America), our teachers highly encouraged the students to wear money belts to protect their money and documents. I refused to because they were nerdy. I heard lots of horror stories about getting robbed in Europe. So, on my last trip to the Tacoma Mall while I was buying a small inflatable pillow for traveling, the money belt section caught my eye. Then I saw a beautiful, silk, and most importantly RICK STEVES money belt. It felt so nice and looked so practical—and I could just hear Rick Steves voice and the voice of my high school teachers who I went to Turkey with telling me to buy it. Well, my money belt did not leave my neck after we left Dublin. I was constantly vigilant to the risk of getting robbed. You may have noticed why there was a bulge in the front of my stomach in many of my pictures in Dublin and Paris? Well, that is not unusual weight put on from Italy (that is spread pretty evenly, haha) that my money belt! And guess what, I didn’t get robbed once! Yay, me!
Fifth, experience the local culture and cuisine. I did a good job of not going to places with all Americans and where people from that city actually hung out (exception: halloween). Of course, it was also not hard for me to
By the way, if you haven’t noticed, I tend to regard Rick Steves as my travel prophet.
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