The craziest date ever(salon.com)
salon.com
The craziest date ever
http://www.salon.com/2013/11/12/the_craziest_okcupid_date_ever/?new
38 comments
My wife and I travelled through Europe around the same time as you (most of 2007 and some of 2008). We managed to spend about $25000 for both of us for a year's travel. There's really a ton of ways to travel cheaply if you do your research.
One resource that was invaluable for us was HelpExchange (http://www.helpx.net). Basically the idea is that you exchange helping out someone (usually for about 4 hours a day) in exchange for room and board. On it's own, it's not the greatest deal in the universe, but you can find some really interesting places. During our stay, we did help exchange at:
- A farm in Sweden, where we helped out at the market, got to see some amazing countryside with super friendly people.
- A pub / hostel in a small village in Yorkshire, where our "job" was really just to chat with the locals and pull the occasional pint.
- An absolutely beautiful chateau in Normandy, with 4 other helpx people, including a chef who made the most amazing food ever.
- A camel farm in Austria, where we actually learned to be pretty good horseback riders in 4 weeks (due to dressage lessons every day after we took the camels for a walk)
One resource that was invaluable for us was HelpExchange (http://www.helpx.net). Basically the idea is that you exchange helping out someone (usually for about 4 hours a day) in exchange for room and board. On it's own, it's not the greatest deal in the universe, but you can find some really interesting places. During our stay, we did help exchange at:
- A farm in Sweden, where we helped out at the market, got to see some amazing countryside with super friendly people.
- A pub / hostel in a small village in Yorkshire, where our "job" was really just to chat with the locals and pull the occasional pint.
- An absolutely beautiful chateau in Normandy, with 4 other helpx people, including a chef who made the most amazing food ever.
- A camel farm in Austria, where we actually learned to be pretty good horseback riders in 4 weeks (due to dressage lessons every day after we took the camels for a walk)
There's also a lot of hospitality exchange groups that'll help you meet people and hopefully find a place to stay. Here's a list: http://wikitravel.org/en/Hospitality_exchange
I'll add a +1 for HelpX. I worked for an English couple in Normandy, and an Irish woman in New Ross, Ireland in the summer of 2009. It was a fantastic way to see a different side of the country you're traveling to, as well as a great experience.
My hosts in Normandy told us stories about people who travel through Europe just bouncing from HelpX spot to HelpX spot, all they need is money to travel between spots. If you pick your destinations right, you get a built in tour guide.
It's not the same kind of relaxing as laying on a beach somewhere, but if you find a good helpx, it's rewarding, and can be a lot of fun.
My hosts in Normandy told us stories about people who travel through Europe just bouncing from HelpX spot to HelpX spot, all they need is money to travel between spots. If you pick your destinations right, you get a built in tour guide.
It's not the same kind of relaxing as laying on a beach somewhere, but if you find a good helpx, it's rewarding, and can be a lot of fun.
I drove my Jeep from Alaska to Argentina in 2 years, and only spent $27k total.
http://wikioverland.org has the info on how to do that kind of vehicle-based travel.
http://wikioverland.org has the info on how to do that kind of vehicle-based travel.
The writing really is fantastic, the story compelling and unique, and the take-away completely expected. How could you not find yourself more focused, more present, more enrapt by the lands and peoples surrounding you, with nothing to distract you but the clothes on your back!
Modern marketing machines aside, I think the human condition really lends itself to exploring the world like this. There must be some base instinct which tends to support a high level of empathy and respect for the courageous and peaceful strangers who throw themselves into a foreign culture like this. Obviously some tribes don't invite strangers so easily, but often the people you think would be most hostile are the ones that welcome you the warmest.
One thing I'm mildly curious about, when asked, did they say they were Canadian? ;-)
Kudos to Clara and Jeff, and thanks for sharing your story with us.
EDIT: For those harping on them carrying an iPhone/iPad, let me just say this; feel free to comment about how your own similar experience was further enhanced by also unplugging. In the meantime, I'm impressed with anyone who can take such a large bet on the chivalry of strangers in a foreign land and come out so much better for it. Personally I think carrying an iPhone is orthogonal, because it's a useful planning and safety tool which does little to dampen the experience a trip like this can bring.
Modern marketing machines aside, I think the human condition really lends itself to exploring the world like this. There must be some base instinct which tends to support a high level of empathy and respect for the courageous and peaceful strangers who throw themselves into a foreign culture like this. Obviously some tribes don't invite strangers so easily, but often the people you think would be most hostile are the ones that welcome you the warmest.
One thing I'm mildly curious about, when asked, did they say they were Canadian? ;-)
Kudos to Clara and Jeff, and thanks for sharing your story with us.
EDIT: For those harping on them carrying an iPhone/iPad, let me just say this; feel free to comment about how your own similar experience was further enhanced by also unplugging. In the meantime, I'm impressed with anyone who can take such a large bet on the chivalry of strangers in a foreign land and come out so much better for it. Personally I think carrying an iPhone is orthogonal, because it's a useful planning and safety tool which does little to dampen the experience a trip like this can bring.
I found the writing middling, the story twee and arrogant and the take-away utterly predictable.
Of the two of us, I am clearly the better fit for HN.
Of the two of us, I am clearly the better fit for HN.
> "Of the two of us, I am clearly the better fit for HN."
Thanks for the laugh, nailed it.
Thanks for the laugh, nailed it.
LOL. Chalk it up to euphoria following an all-nighter spent coding.
Sometimes I check for trending posts with zero comments where I can post a glowing review, just to mix things up a bit. I'll admit I may have taken it too far :-)
Sometimes I check for trending posts with zero comments where I can post a glowing review, just to mix things up a bit. I'll admit I may have taken it too far :-)
great reply
"I think the human condition really lends itself to exploring the world like this."
The universality of the human condition is what made me get bored with travelling. I've never done a trip like this one, but I did once pack a suitcase and move to a country where I didn't know anyone and stayed for almost 2 years. Everyone everywhere is fundamentally the same. Human civilization has been slowly building momentum towards the singularity and the current vanguard is our modern first-world urban environments. I already live in one of the best ones and don't like leaving.
The universality of the human condition is what made me get bored with travelling. I've never done a trip like this one, but I did once pack a suitcase and move to a country where I didn't know anyone and stayed for almost 2 years. Everyone everywhere is fundamentally the same. Human civilization has been slowly building momentum towards the singularity and the current vanguard is our modern first-world urban environments. I already live in one of the best ones and don't like leaving.
So, you've now got enough experience to know what you value. The rest of us should not bother?
Traveling is not only about human condition, it's also about doing things you wouldn't have the opportunity to back home.
Traveling is not only about human condition, it's also about doing things you wouldn't have the opportunity to back home.
It took me 3 countries and 5 years to come to the same conclusion. Don't ruin the surprise for the backpackers though, they all think they're Indiana Jones.
You guys (parent & parent) should realize you don't have nearly enough information to support your conclusions. You need to travel a lot more to generalize like that. You come off as jaded know-it-alls who think romantic viewpoints and optimism are for children and idiots.
I started un-jaded then I came to the same conclusion as you two. I kept going though and I'm changing my mind again - the world is not all the same, and there is plenty of opportunity for adventure. Maybe I'll change my mind again, I don't know everything either, but I hope I don't.
I don't know exactly what you guys did or didn't do, but my advice would be to adjust your strategy for where you spend time, and push yourself to pay closer attention. Maybe learn another language if you haven't already so you can really dive in.
I started un-jaded then I came to the same conclusion as you two. I kept going though and I'm changing my mind again - the world is not all the same, and there is plenty of opportunity for adventure. Maybe I'll change my mind again, I don't know everything either, but I hope I don't.
I don't know exactly what you guys did or didn't do, but my advice would be to adjust your strategy for where you spend time, and push yourself to pay closer attention. Maybe learn another language if you haven't already so you can really dive in.
That comment probably came off much more negative than I intended it to, so I'll elaborate. I think the grass is basically the same shade of green everywhere, plus or minus some superficial pros and cons, and excepting a few places that really do have serious social and economic problems. I'm still mobile, and I love it, but I no longer believe that changing location will do anything more than provide 6 months or so of new and unusual experiences--which is a great thing, don't get me wrong! However, I think people tend to conflate the place with the experience of being on vacation there, which leaves you with a totally unrealistic impression of a location and its culture. Once you stick around long enough to get into a grind, you quickly realize that you can't escape the mundane. I think it's important to embrace that, enjoy your holidays, and don't spend your working days thinking that everything would be better if you could just get away. It's a recipe for permanent misery and leads to some seriously irrational decision making. I now believe that the best place in the world is wherever is most conducive to doing whatever it is you love doing without being a burden on someone else/society.
This is why I will not travel with friends who just want to party-vacation in whatever country they visit. Bars, clubs, and people are bars, clubs, and people no matter where you go. Not a world traveler by any means, but it didn't take me long to realize this.
What keeps it fresh is the unique aspects of the country/state... language, culture/history, sightseeing, etc. I spent time in Japan recently and was far more influenced by experiencing the rural way of life than Tokyo. I like to take the best parts of a country and integrate those habits/attitudes into my own life.
Traveling around also makes you realize how (generally) blessed we are in the US, at least compared to all the complaining people do.
What keeps it fresh is the unique aspects of the country/state... language, culture/history, sightseeing, etc. I spent time in Japan recently and was far more influenced by experiencing the rural way of life than Tokyo. I like to take the best parts of a country and integrate those habits/attitudes into my own life.
Traveling around also makes you realize how (generally) blessed we are in the US, at least compared to all the complaining people do.
"Wherever you go, there you are."
I thought this nothing more than a trite saying, for the longest time. But over time I've come to realize how universal and potently applicable this maxim really is.
I thought this nothing more than a trite saying, for the longest time. But over time I've come to realize how universal and potently applicable this maxim really is.
As someone who loves the idea of wandering, but is always apprehensive of truly letting go, I enjoyed the concept of this article. The writing left something to be desired because the author missed the point that we the readers were looking for: did she fall in love with this stranger she met on okcupid? Did traveling without agenda with someone you barely know bring them closer together or further apart? Where is the HUMAN aspect to the story.
More related to the topic: Are there flex-passes still sold for flights, trains, etc (like eurail passes)? Or do security issues prevent basically open ended stand-by flying?
More related to the topic: Are there flex-passes still sold for flights, trains, etc (like eurail passes)? Or do security issues prevent basically open ended stand-by flying?
"Our romantic relationship intact, Jeff and I boarded the Heathrow return flight as closer friends than ever (despite the questionable state of our undergarments)."
yeah, but that gives us really very little to go off of, seeing as this was her "first date" right?
months later or weeks later, where are they?
months later or weeks later, where are they?
You generally can buy flexible flights. It's a key thing to look for in mileage rewards programs, as it can let you use rewards miles more efficiently.
There's no story in this article. It is just a chronology of events designed to show off their hipster muscles.
I wonder if in 30 years people will be showing off their photo albums to which their kids will wonder why aside from the images not being 3d. That the photos have had detail purposely brushed out by means of superficial Instagram filters.
That's not what instagram does. Instagram replaces noise and poor color with an artsy layer. The missing detail was never there (or if it was, t was ugly detail like harsh shadows and pimples)
Shots with good cameras and lighting and faces don't get instagrammed.
Shots with good cameras and lighting and faces don't get instagrammed.
You're right. I did find it interesting to contemplate though, and has encouraged me to reconsider my requirements next time I travel, or just in life.
There's got to be some phrase that describes this. "Travel porn" is the closest I can get to. Wandering through random locales with some meager idea of a lesson learned or an "experience" that might in some way transmogrify your grip on reality. In the end you just end up meeting a lot of strangers and seeing a lot of different places, which doesn't teach you anything other than how to wash your clothes in a sink or how to order a beer when you don't know the language.
Josie Long does a good send-up of this in her standup show "Trying Is Good", http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2Vwy9TL3pY#t=14m25s // http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtBsI4JAViQ
"In this last year, I've got to do more traveling than I ever thought I'd be able to. It's been wonderful. What it has done is it has blown my tiny, (?) mind. I really want to talk about it. But I'm just a bit worried because I am aware that when people go traveling, they can come back with this sort of attitude on them. You know, like, 'Yeah, I've just been traveling … yeah, traveling, no, it's like a holiday, it's just I'm more sensitive than you. Yeah, no, just traveling, mate. Just the people, you know, soooo different! Just, pace of life mainly. Just, poverty, you know. Just the street food, temples, yeah, temples. Just so, just so, really made me realize how intelligent I am.' I thought, I probably am a little bit like that, I don't want to be."
"In this last year, I've got to do more traveling than I ever thought I'd be able to. It's been wonderful. What it has done is it has blown my tiny, (?) mind. I really want to talk about it. But I'm just a bit worried because I am aware that when people go traveling, they can come back with this sort of attitude on them. You know, like, 'Yeah, I've just been traveling … yeah, traveling, no, it's like a holiday, it's just I'm more sensitive than you. Yeah, no, just traveling, mate. Just the people, you know, soooo different! Just, pace of life mainly. Just, poverty, you know. Just the street food, temples, yeah, temples. Just so, just so, really made me realize how intelligent I am.' I thought, I probably am a little bit like that, I don't want to be."
> doesn't teach you anything other...
You're not even trying. Why even get out of bed in the morning?
You're not even trying. Why even get out of bed in the morning?
I can almost hear the indie music and fixie bike bell ring.
yes - my immediate reaction after the first line was - HIPSTERS!
It's a nice idea, but this strikes me as a bit of a puff piece for OkCupid. The fact the name of the site is used and not 'an online dating site' makes me question it.
I am somewhat biased though as I am a bitter + twisted undateable who's had bad experiences with online dating. If these people got something positive out of the experience, then awesome :)
I am somewhat biased though as I am a bitter + twisted undateable who's had bad experiences with online dating. If these people got something positive out of the experience, then awesome :)
Even the photos with their old/fuzzy/faded effect reminds me of the style used by TV adverts for online dating.
What I want to know was who was taking the photos?
Oh, I thought that was just an Instagram filter.
... and fashion, and lifestyle, and engagement photos, and wedding photos...
It's just an old-timey filter that's hot right now, I don't think it's really particularly associated with online dating.
It's just an old-timey filter that's hot right now, I don't think it's really particularly associated with online dating.
Other than the title and the beginning, I barely even noticed OkCupid in the story (maybe it was there, but it was not the part that interested me so I ignored it?)
I hitchhiked from Leh to Manali in northern India with a couple of guys I met while travelling. It was an incredibly liberating, unforgettable experience. The hitchhiking experience gave you a completely different experience of travel: on the way from Manali to Leh I sat clutching my head with altitude sickness as a minibus sped through the Himalayas at breakneck speed, making the journey in 12 hours or so. Whereas on the return trip, I think it took us around a week: we saw so much more of the places along the way, had views across incredible Himalayan plains from standing up in the back of pick up trucks or overlooking chasms from the cab of a lorry while the driver dragged on his cigarette. We stopped off more and talked to more people, explored more, and even did a spot of walking like the authors in the article -- sometimes this is your only option: no vehicles for 3 hours? Start walking!
We had backpacks though... not as hardcore ;)
We had backpacks though... not as hardcore ;)
During my Alaska->Argentina drive I managed a hostel in the Andes in Ecuador for 5 months.
I met all kinds of travelers, including a young lady that had been on the road for six months, with nothing.
Her passport was in her front pocket, and a credit card and ~$20 in the other. Nothing else.
Her clothes were falling off and covered in duct tape and she couldn't remember the last time she showered. It was repulsive.
I met all kinds of travelers, including a young lady that had been on the road for six months, with nothing.
Her passport was in her front pocket, and a credit card and ~$20 in the other. Nothing else.
Her clothes were falling off and covered in duct tape and she couldn't remember the last time she showered. It was repulsive.
Sounds like you are complaining about a person who didn't shower. Gross sure, but the natural human condition.
The fact she no carried no luggage doesn't seem to be the problem.
The fact she no carried no luggage doesn't seem to be the problem.
With no luggage, you only have one pair of underwear. Showering only helps so much.
That's why you travel in exofficio (or similar) underwear.
It helps a lot, and she discussed how to wash your clothes, at night before going to bed.
The no change of clothes angle seems to be overshadowing what I think really made their experience - that of no itinerary. That said, I think people mostly over-pack for holidays/travel. I once had all my luggage stolen at the start of a holiday when camping in France. I ended up buying a jumper and a change of underwear and the rest of the holiday went swimingly :)
I thought this was a pretty cool story but was a bit bummed that the author didn't disclose the total cost of their trip. It would have been interesting to know how much they spent.
I once travelled through about 8 countries in Asia over two months. I was recently looking at the backpack I had used for that trip and remembered that it was literally half filled with lonely planet/history/language books that must have weighed about 20 lbs. That is hard to imagine these days.
To put that in perspective: I just backpacked a year abroad on a 14 country tour through Africa, India and Southeast Asia with my (now) fiancee. On our first day in Rwanda a guy gave us the entire 2007 Lonely Planet series (like 90 countries) in PDF format that we put on our Kindle. They were 5 years old and using a Kindle for large PDFs is an awful experience, but it saved us about 100 pounds of weight.
Hence she had the ipad mini, just 308 grams (0.68 pounds)!!
1) It's a "date" and on every picture they're like 4 meters apart from each others. Hmmkey.
2) Looks too much like an okcupid & instagram linkbait than real stuff.
2) Looks too much like an okcupid & instagram linkbait than real stuff.
I was thinking exactly the same, the photos with the forced distance between them looks really weird.
I think its a theme, and they just met.
Minimalist travel apparently includes an iPhone and an iPad mini these days. So much for getting away from it all!
Agree. I noted this as well. The optimistic way to look at this, however, is it obviates the need for maps, plane tickets, guidebooks, a compass and a couple other items that you would surely bring, otherwise. The real faf is the power source (being tied to towns), absent a mobile solar panel (which adds weight, volume, and clutter).
An iPhone or iPad is a total minimalist thing. It replaces a camera, a music player, books, a mirror, a flashlight, a phrase book, travel guides. And that doesn't even touch on the communication benefits of having Skype in your pocket.
If you took a camera, a music player, books, a flashlight, a phrase book and travel guides with you then you would not be being minimalist. Replacing them with one tool is physically more minimalist, but in terms of distractions or intellectual 'stuff' about the same.
If Skype didn't crash on iOS and destroy the battery, it'd be great! As it stands, I would prefer not to have it if travelling around the world :-)
Having said that, I have used it on Android whilst by a Cornish harbour to ring home, so I get your point!
Having said that, I have used it on Android whilst by a Cornish harbour to ring home, so I get your point!
The credit card did it for me. I think there's a difference between minimalist and just not packing things because you have the money to just buy whatever you need later. Not to mention the ability to return home to your job as a professor.
Actually, if you have a smartphone with no plan (quite reasonable if you're travelling a lot), then you still get your map (Osmand), compass, flashlight, books, etc, and at the same time "get away from it all" from a communications standpoint.
Not everyone uses their device as a work tether.
I could certainly use a map/camera/note taking device on any trip, no matter how minimalist. As she wrote, the point of the trip was not to suffer.
I could certainly use a map/camera/note taking device on any trip, no matter how minimalist. As she wrote, the point of the trip was not to suffer.
It doesn't sound like they were trying to get away from it all, but instead was an unburdening from the physical hindrances that weight down travel. A smartphone/tablet helps in such a pursuit, replacing maps and cameras and phones and books and itineraries, etc. It also enables them modern agility because they can find a place to eat/stay/wash/etc with ease virtually anywhere -- this used to be a major problem of travel, and was the reasons we made fixed plans in advance.
It sounds fantastic to me. I despise travel generally for all of the stuff that goes along with it (fixed plans, fixed times, loads of luggage), so this sounds simply brilliant to me.
And for all of the talk about clothes, note that clothes are something you can buy with ease and little expense anywhere, if the situation demanded.
It sounds fantastic to me. I despise travel generally for all of the stuff that goes along with it (fixed plans, fixed times, loads of luggage), so this sounds simply brilliant to me.
And for all of the talk about clothes, note that clothes are something you can buy with ease and little expense anywhere, if the situation demanded.
I don't remember original saying but it was something like - "You have as much freedom, as far you can go with weekender bag".
This guys are absolutely free, love it.
There's something weird there that sounds like a very fun way of travel but those pictures seem very cold.
With that body length distance between each other in every picture they don't seem friends at all more like people who happen to be traveling together. What's up with that?
With that body length distance between each other in every picture they don't seem friends at all more like people who happen to be traveling together. What's up with that?
If they end up hating each other, they can crop the other person out.
I thought it was cool. Instead of doing the boring arms around shoulders that everyone else does, they made a deliberate decision to take these posed, stoic shots, using the same formation in every one. Much more interesting than the "warm" shots you see in typical facebook posts that are instantly forgettable.
It's human nature to want physical closeness why would you mask that?
To me it looks like their awkwardly standing there like look where we are.
I detest posed pictures I like them to look as natural as possible.
Best way to get that is to catch people when they don't notice their getting their picture taken.
To me it looks like their awkwardly standing there like look where we are.
I detest posed pictures I like them to look as natural as possible.
Best way to get that is to catch people when they don't notice their getting their picture taken.
I always just make blurry photos this way :/
That's because average digital cameras suck at taking quick photos this way.
The best ones i made were all made by an old film point and shoot. Digital is still inferior in some regards.
The best ones i made were all made by an old film point and shoot. Digital is still inferior in some regards.
I would think this has more to do with the quality of the camera and its output. If I find a crappy film point and shoot that doesn't allow me to claim all film cameras suck.
What if you found that all phone cameras and regular Digital Point and shoot cameras you owned do not match you old film camera in speed.
The only thing that comes close are the Professional DSLR's.
Would that qualify?
The only thing that comes close are the Professional DSLR's.
Would that qualify?
If I found that every one of the digital cameras I've purchased suck at taking the kinds of pictures I want then I would assume I suck at picking cameras. I would not assume that all digital cameras suck at taking pictures.
One of the biggest factors involved is going to be the quality of the lens. If the lens sucks then chances are you'll get bad pictures. A good film camera with horrible lenses will most likely get you bad photos.
Then, as you say, there's shutter speed to consider. Shutter speed will affect the resulting image based on the environment and situation where you are taking the picture. Most cameras meet the needs of most people, a cheap digital camera will not meet the needs of those who require high shutter speeds. Nor would a film camera. My question is, who cares? If it doesn't meet your needs then get a camera that does. For instance, get one that lets you adjust the f-stop.
Remember cheap, crappy film? That's the equivalent of a crappy digital camera. A cheap image sensor in a digital camera is roughly the equivalent of not only cheap film but a bad development of the film.
In other words, you get what you pay for.
One of the biggest factors involved is going to be the quality of the lens. If the lens sucks then chances are you'll get bad pictures. A good film camera with horrible lenses will most likely get you bad photos.
Then, as you say, there's shutter speed to consider. Shutter speed will affect the resulting image based on the environment and situation where you are taking the picture. Most cameras meet the needs of most people, a cheap digital camera will not meet the needs of those who require high shutter speeds. Nor would a film camera. My question is, who cares? If it doesn't meet your needs then get a camera that does. For instance, get one that lets you adjust the f-stop.
Remember cheap, crappy film? That's the equivalent of a crappy digital camera. A cheap image sensor in a digital camera is roughly the equivalent of not only cheap film but a bad development of the film.
In other words, you get what you pay for.
Technique is a factor as well. Hold your arms against your body and hold very still when you push the button, and then if possible also brace yourself against something solid, or better yet, brace the camera against something solid. In other words, keep the camera as still as possible when taking a picture, especially in low-light situations and/or use the flash. (In automatic mode) the cameras adjust their exposure times according to the amount of light.
I think it's an aesthetic choice - seeing as she's a writer, she probably thought about the whole series of pictures before departing.
They probably have lots of other pictures taken spontaneously.
They probably have lots of other pictures taken spontaneously.
If there's an aspect I don't like about myself is that I hate traveling. The whole topic of travel bores me a lot. And really alienates myself from "interesting" conversations.
Just the thought of sleeping somewhere that isn't my place, then carry all things and walking, and having that fear of getting lost all the time is not something I find enjoyable, and lets not forget airports.
I enjoy going out (and I do it a lot) and meeting strangers and I pretty much live in a tourist trap. So it isn't that I'm antisocial.
Just the thought of sleeping somewhere that isn't my place, then carry all things and walking, and having that fear of getting lost all the time is not something I find enjoyable, and lets not forget airports.
I enjoy going out (and I do it a lot) and meeting strangers and I pretty much live in a tourist trap. So it isn't that I'm antisocial.
Its reassuring to see that at least one other person has the same viewpoint as me, when I seem to be surrounded by people who 'love' traveling
I feel you, all my friends "love" traveling too, more like "love talking about traveling" tho.
I always think: "Do you know the implications of traveling? Not sleeping on your own bed? Bugs? Most people get sick for trying odd foods? (which is something I'm always down)"
I always think: "Do you know the implications of traveling? Not sleeping on your own bed? Bugs? Most people get sick for trying odd foods? (which is something I'm always down)"
I too used to think traveling sounded more stressful than it's worth, but going overseas with friends who are veteran globetrotters helped me see the experience through their eyes, and I eventually got infected with the travel bug. Somewhere along the way I figured out how to embrace the discomfort. yrmv of course; there's nothing wrong staying home.
Consider making a goal you'd like to accomplish, instead of "travel." For example, "I'd like to climb Mt. $X, dive the Great Barrier Reef, or see a Broadway show in NYC."
I love how an iPhone was deemed more essential than a change of clothes.
Once you actually travel like this a lot you come to realize that changing clothes is basically optional. And as far as value per kilogram goes, smartphones are pretty much impossible to beat (well, maybe certain categories of medicine if you have some kind of condition, but otherwise I can't think of anything)
Well, it gives them unlimited access to information, which helps a lot when arriving in a new city. The lack of a change of clothes is a bit gimmicky and relies presumably in being able to find a washer and drier pretty much anywhere.
You can find a washer and drier pretty much everywhere. Most hostels have facilities for washing clothes, and hotels usually provide this as a service. And then there are laundromats of course.
The only problem is what to wear while washing stuff, and of course the fact that you need to handle this quite often if you only travel with one set. This is why I always travel with one or two changes in my backpack.
The only problem is what to wear while washing stuff, and of course the fact that you need to handle this quite often if you only travel with one set. This is why I always travel with one or two changes in my backpack.
> Once you actually travel like this a lot you come to realize that changing clothes is basically optional.
some people sharing transport with you may disagree.
some people sharing transport with you may disagree.
Looks like you meant to reply to a different post. In any case, in the OP, it is described that their clothes are regularly cleaned.
I would absolutely do the same. Get one of the apps that downloads WikiVoyage and you have a detailed guidebook for all of Europe (including phrasebooks for every language) that doubles as a camera and flashlight and fits in your pocket.
All it needs is the word Don't Panic written on it in large, friendly letters.
And do not forget towel!
From personal experience, you'll rather want one of those: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareo , which is essentially a big thin cotton square.
It fullfills all the functions advertised for the towel, but is far better at the critical ones (for earth-confined travel), such as doubling as clothes and a scarf, and it's far better as a rope than a normal towel.
It fullfills all the functions advertised for the towel, but is far better at the critical ones (for earth-confined travel), such as doubling as clothes and a scarf, and it's far better as a rope than a normal towel.
As someone that started traveling when good smartphones were in their infancy and I didn't have one. Just trying to pick which bus to take or how to find an information kiosk, you'll spend all day trying to figure either one of those things out.
If you think about it - it kind of is. I would rather have some means to call for help if I need it than clean clothes.
I had a girl fly from London to Spain for our second date, the day after our first, whilst I was on holiday with my at-the-time-ex-girlfriend.
Crazy stuff can happen!
Crazy stuff can happen!
Heh ... I've flown for dates at least 3-4 times. Seemed romantic at that time. None of them worked out and I blew a lot of cash. But it makes for some interesting memories :)
You should never fly for dates it never works out you come off too needy.
Now if you're flying to visit a place and just squeeze a date in that's different. The goal shouldn't be the date it should be visiting the city.
Maybe you can make her show you around (if she's a local) that way you get something out of it even if it doesn't work out.
Now if you're flying to visit a place and just squeeze a date in that's different. The goal shouldn't be the date it should be visiting the city.
Maybe you can make her show you around (if she's a local) that way you get something out of it even if it doesn't work out.
What if the person you are dating works for the airlines and can fly you in for free?
Would you fly in every random person you date? You don't even know you like her?
They would have to be way past the dating stage before I would consider flying them in even if it's free.
Women are known to go on dates with guys they don't like just because hey they get a free meal. So the best way to find out if she actually is interested in you and not the perks is by not giving them out in the beginning.
If they're a girlfriend or just a friend with benefits that's different.
They would have to be way past the dating stage before I would consider flying them in even if it's free.
Women are known to go on dates with guys they don't like just because hey they get a free meal. So the best way to find out if she actually is interested in you and not the perks is by not giving them out in the beginning.
If they're a girlfriend or just a friend with benefits that's different.
How is a flight to you for a date a perk? Sounds like a chore to me.
Some people like to travel to new places.
I would enjoy it.
Would any ladies here like to fly me in? :P
I would enjoy it.
Would any ladies here like to fly me in? :P
"Make her" show you around? And why does the person flying have to be a guy?
Because men are usually the pursuers in our culture. You can apply it however you like though i could care less.
Besides that, what difference does it make what gender is used in such a sentence? If one doesn't like "her" in that context then mentally switch to "him" while reading it. Why is it necessary to insist that the structure of a perfectly fine sentence be changed to suit someone's gender sensitivity?
From the photos it almost appears that this date was brought to you by the films of Wes Anderson.
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I really think they should have taken a towel with them.
"Loves to travel" has to be one of the most cliché banalities that people put on their profiles. I guess kudos to these guys for actually living out their interest.
Is anyone else curious how much money this cost them, outside of the plane tickets?
I imagine food would get pretty expensive with this strategy. I think the travel expenses (bus, train, etc) would be less than expected because of the hitchhiking though.
I imagine food would get pretty expensive with this strategy. I think the travel expenses (bus, train, etc) would be less than expected because of the hitchhiking though.
Hipster hate aside, that was fun to read. You have to admit, you were amused...
The travel idea is fascinating to me. Lately I have been really interested in taking a month off work and hitting the Andean countries in South America. Start in Colombia, hit Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Chile, and Argentina. Brazil and Uruguay if there is time. Adding this to it would give me much more flexibility and encourage me to be spontaneous. I probably wouldn't go as far as they do with no stuff though. I'd bring clothes and my MacBook Air at least.
Reminded me of this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHO391xTO-s
If I was going to write an article after visiting 8 countries in Eastern Europe I hope I'd be able to find a better subject than myself.
I don't believe the story, for the simple reason that they should stink a lot after some time in the same clothes.
Despite the photos, maybe they are Korean:
http://shotgunkorea.wordpress.com/tag/korean-lack-of-body-od...
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Nails every OkCupid cliche.
Not HN material though.
Not HN material though.
I don't know about that, I think anything conversation-starting and interesting belongs on HN. They did 'hack' the traditional method of traveling by ditching all their 'things' and not having any reservations or plans. Plus, there's a hell of a lot more comments on this post than I see on some 'new js library that does X!'
I thought the same at first. An OkCupid date isn't something I would expect to find here. The travel plan of buying a flight to one country and a flight back from another with no plans between, however, was fascinating and the type of thing I do enjoy finding on HN.
The travel plan of buying a flight to one country and a flight back from another with no plans between, however, was fascinating
Actually, if you're in the backpacking mindset, that is completely standard. Unfortunately that mindset is much less common in the US than in other Western countries.
Actually, if you're in the backpacking mindset, that is completely standard. Unfortunately that mindset is much less common in the US than in other Western countries.
I've known people who bought one way flights and came back when they wanted to. But making it a journey from one place to another seems really interesting.
Did they carry a pdf copy of the lonely planet(s) on their ipad mini? How about the hitchhiker's guide, by D. Adams? Just for the mise en abyme, I'm sure there was no time to read...
Well, don't they say that the litmus test for romantic relationships is travel? Man, they learned how to swim in the deep end.
Dude should've brought a condom.
I remember driving a BMW from the 7 series into the sunset heading to the atlantic ocean in france. I have the credit card of the car owner next to me (for the toll stations) as he is sleeping and we are listening to his favorite french chansons. He was a banker not much older than me. This connected feeling and trust is priceless and I'm really flabbergasted every time it works. There is a longing in the people you meet on your way and a longing in yourself. Nothing beats someone who stops and offers you ride after you were stuck for 6 hours in a godless place surrounded by refuges who are trying to enter great Britain in the back of trucks that cross the border. And you suddenly realize how important that passport in your pocket is. And how lucky and privileged you are and what desperation does to people. I don't know. It changed my perspective on a lot of things.
If you are careful with your money and avoid tourist areas and research cheap spots before going to big cities (more expensive if you don't know where to live on the cheap) you can travel for 4 weeks for 500 to 1000€ in western europe using only a tent and a small backpack. In eastern europe it is probably cheaper. We also went to restaurants quite often - so we were quite wasteful.
But if I would do it next year again I'd also take a smartphone with me. There is the great hitchwiki.org and Couchsurfing and other internet services would help me save money and time. This was in 2007.