I would never want to deter someone from the right way to do something. This is why I'm writing this. The hackettman guide to traveling through Europe:
• if you pan to go to large cities and not do small traveling in between these cities in a period less than a whole month then throw the whole backpacking idea out the window. Most large cities have a large population that speaks English. Also every city has pretty much every amenity you can get here in the USA.
• having said that don't bring a giant backpack unless you plan to really hustle that thing to small cities between the big ones and plan to be a vagrant at least a few times. Otherwise you will not need the whole pack and can get away with something that rolls.
• liquid soap. Just bring enough liquid soap for two showers a day ( This I didn't do, I would have taken more showers if I had brought liquid soap)
• the euro rail pass is slightly worth it. Its a discount or rather a prepay for rail tickets. If you look up prices and plan accordingly then you don't need the euro rail shit.
• London is beautiful and england in general is a gorgeous country. But unless you fly there direct don't try to get there from anywhere in Europe. Its entirely too difficult and expensive. I could have flown from Paris to Amsterdam if I hadn't decided to go through London first. By bus and rail first and then bus to ferry after. Great experience but really not worth the money.
• Cinco de mayo in the USA is the Spanish 420 in Madrid at least. Don't know if its every year but when I was there jeez was it lovely.
• Museo de Jambon in Madrid. Friggin delicious and cheap.
• Most hostels strictly adhere to a quiet after dark policy. My drunk ass found that out.
•Don't be afraid of hostels
• An android tablet will get you through most anything. Netflix is not really international, bring movies digitally.
• While in Amsterdam definitely ask the koffee shop people about their product. Most are very helpful.
• weed is not legal in all of holland, its tolerated to a high degree. Smoke where ever just not like an asshole.
• shrooms totally tolerated as well. Don't let anyone tell you different.
•Eat everything. The junk food is still better for you there than it is here.
• Don't fear going alone. Sure its foreign and new. But as long as you're social and keep your wits about you well you should have a great trip. I went with someone, I wish I hadn't. Sure compromise put me on a different route which led me to a city I loved more than I thought but still I invited the person out of concern for myself, by the end of the trip we were barely traveling together. Any person can deal well in these places, unless you go to a known warzone you should be fine.
•Walking fucking shoes. Wrecked a pair of shoes that I wore the whole trip. They were not up to par for my need to wander.
•Wander, by all means wander.
• I would never tell anyone to do something illegal. But I got my swiss army knife through several checked bags through customs and my traveling companion got a leatherman through. Protect yourself and be prepared.
If anyone has questions leave them in the comments. I will be going back one day. For the food and site and ganja. Be well.
• if you pan to go to large cities and not do small traveling in between these cities in a period less than a whole month then throw the whole backpacking idea out the window. Most large cities have a large population that speaks English. Also every city has pretty much every amenity you can get here in the USA.
• having said that don't bring a giant backpack unless you plan to really hustle that thing to small cities between the big ones and plan to be a vagrant at least a few times. Otherwise you will not need the whole pack and can get away with something that rolls.
• liquid soap. Just bring enough liquid soap for two showers a day ( This I didn't do, I would have taken more showers if I had brought liquid soap)
• the euro rail pass is slightly worth it. Its a discount or rather a prepay for rail tickets. If you look up prices and plan accordingly then you don't need the euro rail shit.
• London is beautiful and england in general is a gorgeous country. But unless you fly there direct don't try to get there from anywhere in Europe. Its entirely too difficult and expensive. I could have flown from Paris to Amsterdam if I hadn't decided to go through London first. By bus and rail first and then bus to ferry after. Great experience but really not worth the money.
• Cinco de mayo in the USA is the Spanish 420 in Madrid at least. Don't know if its every year but when I was there jeez was it lovely.
• Museo de Jambon in Madrid. Friggin delicious and cheap.
• Most hostels strictly adhere to a quiet after dark policy. My drunk ass found that out.
•Don't be afraid of hostels
• An android tablet will get you through most anything. Netflix is not really international, bring movies digitally.
• While in Amsterdam definitely ask the koffee shop people about their product. Most are very helpful.
• weed is not legal in all of holland, its tolerated to a high degree. Smoke where ever just not like an asshole.
• shrooms totally tolerated as well. Don't let anyone tell you different.
•Eat everything. The junk food is still better for you there than it is here.
• Don't fear going alone. Sure its foreign and new. But as long as you're social and keep your wits about you well you should have a great trip. I went with someone, I wish I hadn't. Sure compromise put me on a different route which led me to a city I loved more than I thought but still I invited the person out of concern for myself, by the end of the trip we were barely traveling together. Any person can deal well in these places, unless you go to a known warzone you should be fine.
•Walking fucking shoes. Wrecked a pair of shoes that I wore the whole trip. They were not up to par for my need to wander.
•Wander, by all means wander.
• I would never tell anyone to do something illegal. But I got my swiss army knife through several checked bags through customs and my traveling companion got a leatherman through. Protect yourself and be prepared.
If anyone has questions leave them in the comments. I will be going back one day. For the food and site and ganja. Be well.
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