Where should I travel before I become a slave?
Hey monkeys,
I will be starting in IB FT this summer and I have about three weeks of freedom at the end of June where I will have no responsibilities and would love to travel / live somewhere cool. I went to college in the US and would like to venture abroad. With all things considered, where would you go if you were in my shoes? Of course some places are tricky with Covid but may improve by June. Any experiences or opinions you have are welcome - thanks!
Argentina. I don’t even know why, I just want to go there.
Argentina is fun. I’ve been to Buenos Aires and Mar del Plata. Great wines and great steaks. My favorite cut of steak there is Bife del Chorizo.
I met this chick in the club in Buenos Aires and we went to Uraguay together to Punta del Este for New Years. It’s a fun area.
I like the Argentinian culture in general. I was able to change my Spanish accent to local dialect (mainly ‘ll’ as in pollo is a j sound instead of ‘y’). I love the sound of the Argentinian accent - it’s clear their descendants came from Italy. Also if someone invites you to watch soccer with them or have maté, take up their offer - it’s great.
So... are you gonna write a book about your life or what?
If I recall correctly, they use vos instead of tú there right?
Yeah, but tú is still understood. If you say ‘pollo’ with a y sound at a restaurant they won’t understand you.
https://www.thoughtco.com/how-is-vos-used-in-argentina-3079378
How did you learn to be fluent in Spanish? Did you know it since high school or did you learn it gradually by going to these countries? Any tips?
I was bad at Spanish in high school and didn't get very far in the classes and had no AP Spanish or anything like that. I started college at the 101 level in Spanish and signed up for a B.S in Business at the time. Then, I thought since I was already taking a few Spanish classes, maybe I should just sign up for a Spanish minor, which was just a few more classes. Then, when I was a Sophomore, I realized the minor wouldn't really lead to near fluency. I was interested in acquiring a higher level of Spanish and thought about studying abroad.
So second semester Sophomore year, I signed up for this UVA program in Valencia:
https://valencia.virginia.edu/programs/language-and-culture
I was set to take 15 credit hours in the spring and then 6 credit hours in the summer. I went out a lot and learned a ton of Spanish in the bars at Canovas in Valencia trying to pick up chicks and stuff. Also, I went with two Spainards on a surf trip to France for a week and my Spanish was better than their English, so I had a deep immersion this week. Overall living in Spain for 6 months increased my Spanish to near fluency. After coming back, all my Spanish classes were easy in college and I got all As for Junior and Senior year. I ended up getting a B.S. in Business Administration and a B.A. in Spanish with a Minor in East Asian Studies (I studied abroad again the next year in China to study Mandarin).
Then on winter break Senior year I traveled to South America to sharpen my Spanish over 3 weeks. I thought I would have some bilingual interviews in the Spring, but ended up accepting a position that didn't really use my Spanish skills at all in management consulting. I'd definitely recommend the UVA program in Valencia - it was really one of the best experiences I've had in life. Lots of good times. I formed a great network with a lot of UVA people as well.
What have you not done in your life?
Also do you work anymore or are you somehow rich AF?
Paris
To northern Norway, see the Polar Lights and one of the only pure night skies in Europe
End it in France to get that Royale with cheese
Or a croque monsieur ham and cheese sandwich. Love that shit. Really liked a place near NYU called La Maison du Croque Monsieur and their Swiss gruyère ham sandwich but they are permanently closed now :(
Slavery is defined to be involuntary. You chose this.
Username checks out
It's intentional with a bit of satire thrown in
Everyone is a slave until they’re financially independent. But a few years of slavery can win you your freedom if you’re diligent and save.
.
Being financially independent means penny pinching during your best years. Fuck that.
I would recommend Spain, Italy, and Greece.
Spain: Alicante, Valencia, Barcelona
Italy: Cinque Terre, Pisa, Rome, Florence Venice
Greece: When I went there I went 4 wheeling around Corfu, then to Corinth and Athens, but there are a lot of cool islands you can go to here. I stayed at an adventure hostel in Corfu:
https://thepinkpalace.com
I also rode my mountain bike from Valencia to Alicante in Spain. That whole coast is nice there and there is another town called Calpe that is a good hike with a view.
Good times - cheers
Honest question: how many countries do you think you've been to?
23
Travel Summary:
North America
1. USA
2. Mexico
3. Canada
4. Jamaica
5. Bahamas
6. Panama (lived here for 3 years)
South America
7. Argentina
8. Uruguay
9. Brazil
Africa
10. Egypt
11. South Africa
Europe
12. Spain (lived here for 6 months)
13. Italy
14. Greece
15. England
16. Ireland
17. Norway
18. Sweden
19. Germany
20. France
Asia / Australia
21. China (lived here for 3.5 months)
22. Indonesia
23. Australia (I'm half Australian)
Thanks guys, would you recommend traveling with a buddy or going alone? I am a social and outgoing guy but the thought of going alone is a little intimidating... maybe that's a good thing?
Italy is an awesome time.
Yeah Italy is fun. I can’t express enough how good authentic Italian food is over there. Literally a collection of some of the best meals I’ve had in my life. And the Gelato.... so much Gelato mmmm.... and all the coffee shops - so many good shots of espresso and cappuccinos.
I hear you bro. Despite the dangerous amounts of espresso/prosecco/red wine, I can remember every meal. I only did Rome + Florence + Venice, I really want to make it to the south next time.
The Patagonia, Argentina in general
Also, if you’re in Europe and want to surf, Hossegor France is one of the best surf breaks I’ve ever been to. I visited there for a week and it was just perfect waves and conditions. Highly recommended.
https://www.surfer.com/features/worlds-best-waves-hossegor/
Budapest and visit all of the ruin bars
I think Greece will be open to vaccinated Americans (islands and mountains are much better than Athens), so is Iceland, Croatia, hopefully rest of EU by then. Europe is lovely.
Latin America is open, Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia are great.
never been to Middle East, but Dubai, Turkey, Egypt, Israel are open to Americans rn
Asia will continue to be closed but Taiwan, Japan, mainland China are awesome places to visit.
within the US, Hawaii, Puerto Rico are great, highly recommend visiting the southwest and Arizona and New Mexico if you have not been before.
Thanks guys, would you recommend traveling with a buddy or going alone? I am a social and outgoing guy but the thought of going alone is a little intimidating... maybe that's a good thing?
Either one really. In the US or Europe, it’s generally very safe and your biggest concern is just figuring out transportation. In Latin America you do need to be conscious and aware of safety but just use common sense (don’t be out in some areas after night, avoid the hood, don’t get in unlicensed taxis, dress like a local and not an obvious American tourist, buy a travel wallet that goes in your pants for cash and passport with second wallet with less cash externally - good advice for European pickpockets too) and you should be good going solo as well. If you have a buddy who speaks good Spanish that would be a big plus as well. Or you could get a local guide which is not expensive in cheaper countries. For a less experienced traveler, I would recommend Europe just because it’s safer and public transportation is good but would obviously need to make sure the countries you want to visit are open to Americans by then.
Definitely good advice. I threw a white polo shirt in the bottom of my bag and let it accumulate dirt before going to Egypt. I grew out my beard a bit and looked like a dirty Egyptian when I got to the country. I would say Africa is a bit more sketchy than Europe. South Africa is very dangerous inland at night.
In general, countries in western Europe are very safe and the taxis are pretty honest. In Egypt, the taxi guy might rip you off.
As far as credit cards, its best to keep one on you and have a backup in your luggage. I got my bag stolen on the beach in Rio that had my credit and debit card and a camera in it. Sucks, but I had a backup card at the hotel. Try not to keep your passport on you if you don't need it. Keep that locked up as well. If you go to hostels, always lock your valuables in the locker.
I've done both. You can always take a two week vacation and spend half with a friend and then carry on alone for the second half. This is what I usually ended up doing in college since not many friends are willing to shell out for a two week vacation, and I didn't want to take a long flight and only stay a week.
If I had to choose one country in Latin America, it would be Costa Rica - relatively safe, incredible nature and biodiversity, great people. Maybe a few days in the beach, visit the mountains, rainforest, a day or two in San Jose as well. Or maybe Puerto Rico.
Europe would probably be Greece just because I know for certain it will be open to Americans. Maybe a day or two in Athens, see the Parthenon and national museum and temple of Poseidon by ocean, and go to mountains (beautiful little town by Mt Parnassus called Arachova that I’d recommend), Meteora, and spend a few days on islands - Corfu, Santorini, Hydra, or do research on what islands appeal to you there. Transportation is a bit of an issue in Greece because public transport isn’t that great and it’s very mountainous and highways aren’t great so do some research on that as well.
Do it and make friends there!
If you haven't traveled much, I would recommend doing like a London-Paris trip or something like that. Also, the biggest mistake you can make is trying to see too many places at once. Spend at least a few days in major cities. I'm not saying you have to spend two weeks in each city and "live like a local" (which is dumb), but don't waste too much time on your vacation traveling between cities etc. Paris and London are probably 5 day cities. This means that in 5 days you can see many of the major tourist destinations and get a little sense of the city layout. Rome, Amsterdam, Venice, and other great cities fall into this category. A city like Antwerp is more of a two-three day city. Bruges is a one or two day visit.
Bruges is a zero day visit city shits boring af
Moms love Bruges as it give them the opportunity to say "quaint."
Venezuela
I unironically want to go there but would need to take so many precautions for safety
Heard its beautiful, but the thoughts of getting mugged/shot on the street on broad daylight could be scary
Barcelona, Paris or Norway
I would recommend either the Balearics, or if you want a little more fun, Afghanistan
have you actually been there? Seems pretty dangerous
yeah man, went with my afghani opium dealer to secure a shipment
Afghanistan
Sounds lovely. Heard lots of great places to check out there
Yemen or Somalia seem nice
Doing a trip to Europe next year. It will last two or three weeks. Where should I go?
Lunik IX in Slovakia
Is it safe
I kno ur a jokester but please give me a serious recommendation
Talum
I don't understand why everyone is mentioning Europe or Asia. For Americans (given that OP said he went to college in the US and said college not university), Europe is closed for the most part. There's some chance that it will open up to vaccinated Americans, but everything is going really slowly. Same thing with Argentina.
I went to Colombia a couple weeks ago. I would highly recommend. My Spanish is terrible but I knew enough to ask for directions and order food so it worked out. Enough people were in hostels that it was fun. I did Bogota, Medellin, Cartagena, and a few small cities. People talk about how dangerous it is, and I agree, but it's definitely exaggerated. Don't take your phone out in public, if you're out at night be in a group, and only go to touristy/upscale/safe areas and you'll be fine. I went solo and met people at hostels and had a great time. I also went to Panama but would not recommend as much. Other places that are open are Brazil (but each province has heavy restrictions), Mexico, Turkey, and a few other places. Again, maybe by June things will change, but in terms of what's a guarantee, these places are open.
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