About Andrew Phelps
Andrew Phelps is a WBUR reporter and the host of Hubbub, a new blog about Boston.
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My Eurotrip FAQ
This is my attempt at compiling the most frequently asked questions about my Europe trip, which starts in six days. These are actual questions I have been asked frequently!
When are you leaving? May 25. I leave LAX on a direct flight to London Heathrow.
How long will you be gone? 85 days, just short of three months.
When do you get back? I return August 17. This date could change, but it probably won’t.
Are you going alone? Yes.
Aren’t you going to be lonely? Yes.
But aren’t you worried about being lonely?! A little bit, but not really. Being alone will force me to meet new people (and there are plenty in Europe). Plus, I will be meeting up with friends and family members throughout the journey.
Are you planning everything or going completely spontaneous? A mixture of both. A good portion of my trip is planned; on the planned days, I still plan to be spontaneous.
Are you *so* excited? Yes. But sort of not really yet. It doesn’t quite feel real. It feels like I’m going to be getting on a plane to Sacramento, or something. In other words, it hasn’t sunk in yet.
Which countries will you visit? The United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Poland, Finland, Denmark, Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Greece, Morocco, Corsica, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Andorra, Austria, Croatia, and Belgium. I might be forgetting a few.
Where will you be staying? I’ll be backpacking and mostly hostel-hopping. I have hotel reservations in some places and connections all over the continent for homestays.
How are you getting around? Are you renting a car or what? I don’t plan to do any driving in Europe. I purchased a three-month Eurail pass to travel almost exclusively on trains. Plus buses, ferries, and planes, on occasion. And I might hop on a Vespa.
What are you bringing? Just a backpack, a daypack, some clothes, and other necessities. Oh, and my laptop and some camera gear. I’ll be blogging about this topic in a few days.
Will you be blogging your trip? You bet. Part of the reason for this trip is to explore new avenues in blogging. If you stay tuned, you are in for a treat.
Will you be taking pictures? Yes. I bought a lens especially for this trip. I’ll post them as often as possible.
Is the trip for school, for work? No, neither. But a few media organizations are talking to me about occassionally producing stories. I will not be studying.
Why are you going? For personal enrichment. I need new perspective, life enjoyment, an escape from this place. Travel is in my blood and I do it whenever I can.
Have you ever been to Europe? No.
Can we meet up? Absolutely.
How can people get a hold of you? I will have the same U.S. phone number and the same e-mail address. Nothing will change except that I’ll probably be harder to reach and slower to call back.
Will you be patronizing Starbucks while abroad? Yes. But probably not very much. Just because I’m traveling doesn’t mean I need to boycott American companies, for God’s sake.
How can you afford to go to Europe for three months? Why do you care about that?
Is Krystill coming? Nope.
I’m going to miss you! Why haven’t you called me? I
have been swamped with last-minute work before my trip. We could conceivably see each other before I leave, but it would be tough. Please don’t be hurt if I didn’t call you; it’s nothing personal. If we’re close friends, chances are I have called you. Check your voice mail.
Will you send me a postcard? Sure.
Why are you so amazing? I was born with a chromosomal mutation that makes me superior to other human beings. I can’t help it.
Huh? Sorry.
8 Comments on ‘My Eurotrip FAQ’
Respond
Corsica is not a country.
Sometimes I wonder about your sanity.
Anastasia,
You shouldnt worry about Andrew’s sanity, he is perfectly insane, right Andrew?
-alex
Andrew,
Best of luck on your trip. Thanks for posting the questions and their answers on your blog. I wondered at many of them, and found them all interesting.
One comment, though: it’s too bad you short-changed those who are curious about how you afford such a trip. You wonder why they care – why, so they can duplicate your good forutne, and go themselves! Don’t bogart that answer, homie!
Be safe, watch out for pickpockets, blog a LOT. Have a GREAT time!
Tom
Traveling solo and spontaneously is the only way to travel at all. Can’t wait to read your insights.
Alex,
I wouldn’t say “perfectly insane”… Andrew tends to have his sane moments… which are incredibly frightening, I might add. ;D
Anastasia,
YOu have got me there.
Calling him “insane” just gives him additional leeway for behavior.