MetaChat - I'm planning my vacation

MetaChat is an informal place for MeFites to touch base and post, discuss and chatter about topics that may not belong on MetaFilter. Questions? Check the FAQ. Please note: This is important.

17 January 2007

I'm planning my vacation I just thought I would update you guys on my plans for my upcoming European vacation, since it's the main thing on my mind these days, aside from photography.→[More:] My stops include Berlin, St. Petersburg, Helsinki, Estonia (Tallinn and rural/natural park areas), Latvia (Riga and rural/natural park/outlying towns). Conveyances include planes, trains, ferries, buses, and rental cars. Total trip time: 3 weeks in late May/early June. I've never traveled abroad before, and an acquaintance of mine inspired me to be daring and go a bit off the beaten path. The big cities are very internet-savvy, lots of WiFi, many people speak English. There's lots of stuff to do, museums, lots of classical music performances, and the things I like to photograph the most: architecture (Riga especially has some great examples of Art Nouveau architecture) and natural beauty. I'm doing the planning myself, mostly using the internet and email (I don't know how people did this before email; I guess they used travel agents). I'm totally excited about it. I've never traveled much before because I've been short-sighted about money and never made it a priority. I think that I really want to rearrange my priorities in life so I can travel more often.

post by: matildaben at: 15:09 | 19 comments

(Riga especially has some great examples of Art Nouveau architecture)

Oh man, I'm so jealous!

posted by Specklet 17 January | 15:19

That sounds fantastic, matildaben!

As someone who used to travel extensively, usually alone, I'm gonna predict you will have a blast. And I can't wait to see your photos.

posted by gaspode 17 January | 15:22

Flickr pools have been inspiring me a lot.

posted by matildaben 17 January | 15:24

think that I really want to rearrange my priorities in life so I can travel more often.

Absolutely. The older I get, the more valuable I realize my travel experiences have been. As an investment in self, they have paid off far better than many other forms of entertainment or personal development. If the trade-off is having a modest home and wardrobe, then it's well worth it for the wealth of experience and inspiration that can be drawn from travel.

posted by Miko 17 January | 16:51

Thanks, Miko. I never traveled outside of the U.S. when I was young. If I don't do it now, that I'm Officially Middle Aged, I may regret it if I keep putting it off until I'm old, especially if I don't make it to being old.

posted by matildaben 17 January | 16:58

Matildaben! It's been awhile since I've seen you around these parts. Good to see you!

I am so freakin' jealous of your itinerary. St. Petersburg is probably my #1 must see.

posted by jrossi4r 17 January | 17:15

Beats going to Hell in a Handbasket by a long shot. Have fun!

posted by Lipstick Thespian 17 January | 17:48

think that I really want to rearrange my priorities in life so I can travel more often.

Eh. That's what the travel channel is for. that way I can see the world without leaving the couch.

posted by jonmc 17 January | 17:51

An old school friend lives 5 min from the ocean on the Kona Coast. He's been bugging me to get my ass over there and early this summer, that is what I am going to do.

His lifestyle features driving down to the ocean in the morning with coffee, surfing, if its breaking anywhere, and teaching JC English in the afternoon and evening. . .

We surfed a lot in college. . he kept doing it and I gave it up (moved inland) but he's pretty much assuming I will go in the water with him. . .hence, swimming laps 3x a week at 530am to try to avoid dying when over there.

posted by danf 17 January | 18:31

Sounds AWESOME, mats! I can't wait to see the pics you're going to bring back!

posted by BoringPostcards 17 January | 18:44

Most of my overseas trips have been courtesy of work, so I'm jealous, mats. Take lots of pictures (not that anyone has to tell you that)!

posted by tommasz 17 January | 18:50

Basically I think all I'm going to be doing every day is taking pictures. And going to an Internet cafe and burning my pictures onto a CD and mailing them to myself. This is why photographers travel alone. Or with another photographer. Maybe someday Croctommy and I can combine his dream Scottish Highlands distillery tour with my dream Scottish Highlands photography tour and make us both happy.

posted by matildaben 17 January | 19:12

P.S. to jonmc: Living my life from the couch is turning into a slow death. That's precisely the life I don't want to live anymore. And I'm certainly not going to let your bad attitude have any effect on me.

posted by matildaben 17 January | 19:15

Wow, what a trip for your first trip abroad! I am green with envy! :)

posted by LoriFLA 17 January | 19:19

And I'm certainly not going to let your bad attitude have any effect on me.

I was kidding. I'm actually envious since I can't travel anywhere not served by the MTA.

posted by jonmc 17 January | 20:43

If you stop off in the Ukraine you can meet the world's tallest man.

posted by Pips 17 January | 20:49

Sounds wonderful, mats. I know you'll have a great time. Good for you!

posted by elizard 17 January | 20:58

matildaben, this is my dream itinerary. They say Riga is one of the most beautiful European cities. Not to say anything about St Petesbourg. Why don't they have conferences in places like that, I do not know (that is the only travelling I do too, tommasz, nowadays). Very envious.

posted by carmina 17 January | 22:31

Oh, lucky bean. Colour me green. The only non-North America travel I have to look back on is my 11 day trip to the UK 10 years ago.

PS: I'm glad you checked in with the bunnies. I've missed seeing you around these here parts.

posted by deborah 17 January | 22:32

← A question for the people in states who don't normally get much snow || Hearing Test! →

HOME || REGISTER || LOGIN