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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Partlycloudy on October 17, 2013, at 7:15:33
It's not the people in the group, first off.
They were interesting to talk to, learn about, and very friendly to travel with.But. Eating group meals at pre-selected establishments, with no choice of menu, was frustrating. Returning every night to the same remote "Fawlty Towers" hotel to eat a fixed meal eat night was hardly the way I wanted to experience the south of Italy. The tour lecturer was, to be polite, dialing in what proved to be his last tour before retiring. He had no answers for any of the questions I asked him, including several times, "No," and "We just don't know that." Sour grapes on my end, but he really could not have cared less.
The biggest complaint on our end was the lack of free time. From 7:30AM to 10:00 PM, every moment was scheduled. I experienced panic attacks daily - something new, unpleasant, and exhausting. And humiliating, to be honest. I had my big breakdown on the flight from Paris to Atlanta. Just sobbed and sobbed for the longest hour. What a mistake on my part.
I have slept pretty much for a day and a half since returning home. I feel utterly unable to do what I love, travel.
:-(
Posted by Dinah on October 17, 2013, at 9:34:21
In reply to I don't think group travel is for me, posted by Partlycloudy on October 17, 2013, at 7:15:33
((( PC )))
You can still do what you want. Just a different way.
It's always important to me to have an escape route. It's hard enough for me on the plane, but not having a way to escape for long periods of time would do me in completely.
I've always avoided group travel, just as I avoided dorm living. Togetherness is fine, as long as there is ample alone time - and a clear way to get away from... Well, I don't know exactly. But having a way to get away is *very* important.
Posted by Phillipa on October 17, 2013, at 10:10:46
In reply to Re: I don't think group travel is for me » Partlycloudy, posted by Dinah on October 17, 2013, at 9:34:21
I've had to always travel solo. Well with husband and kids when little. It may sound selfish but it's my and my families travel time and I want to do what I want to do on my time table. And go where I want to go not someone else. Same with food. Also same with shopping always went alone got what I wanted and left. As for travel today. I could only travel by car. But that is me. Phillipa
Posted by Partlycloudy on October 17, 2013, at 11:16:05
In reply to Re: I don't think group travel is for me, posted by Phillipa on October 17, 2013, at 10:10:46
I have a hard time driving for long lengths of time. Get a little scared of other drivers.
But mostly, my husband and I like to travel together, there is so much in the world to learn. I feel like I really drag him down, though he says he is OK. Sometimes when I have insisted on taking a break he has said afterwards it was a very good thing to have done.
Perhaps what I think is a disability is really common sense flexing a muscle and saying, Oh NO! You don't!!
Posted by Poet on October 17, 2013, at 12:41:33
In reply to I don't think group travel is for me, posted by Partlycloudy on October 17, 2013, at 7:15:33
Hi PC,
I did a group bus tour of Spain, Portugal and Morocco. I will never do one again. My fellow travelers bugged me, going to museums that I had no interest in when one I had interest in wasn't an option.
At least to tour guide was a good one, I hung with her more than the fellow tourists.
Poet
Posted by Partlycloudy on October 17, 2013, at 15:01:37
In reply to Re: I don't think group travel is for me, posted by Poet on October 17, 2013, at 12:41:33
Have not found the economical, enjoyable solution. The driver we hired to take us up the Amalfi Coast was fantastic; and expensive. No way either of us would have survived such a thrilling, dangerous route. But our driver had been doing this for 10 years. Knew how to drive without killing us or harming others. He cost a small fortune.
We need to be rich, and then I can do this right...
Posted by alexandra_k on October 17, 2013, at 15:13:58
In reply to I don't think group travel is for me, posted by Partlycloudy on October 17, 2013, at 7:15:33
I would only like something like that if I was able to split off from the group. I think I'd like to do a tour... But more like a couple hours here and four hours there. More like... A museum tour. Then they leave you alone at the end.
I guess the tour thing takes some of the stress out of travel. But I guess it takes a lot away from the experience, too. It is a shame you didn't get to meet some of the locals and have the opportunity to discover the kind of food they like to eat.
Posted by Partlycloudy on October 17, 2013, at 16:24:29
In reply to Re: I don't think group travel is for me, posted by alexandra_k on October 17, 2013, at 15:13:58
Yes, every hotel meal had British components as a choice. One evening, a strawberry blanc mange showed up on my dessert plate. I had no idea they still existed.
I live, LIVE, for good and interesting food. I feel I did Italy a disservice with those hotel meals. Bleh. Living in Britain taught me how to cook inventively, because it was not the norm.
Just look up Scotch Eggs if you want to be grossed out.
Posted by sigismund on October 17, 2013, at 18:48:15
In reply to I don't think group travel is for me, posted by Partlycloudy on October 17, 2013, at 7:15:33
Stay away from groups!
I like to just go and rent a room or an apartment and poke around. I'm flat out having breakfast if anyone else is in the room, let alone some organised stuff.
What I did enjoy as turning everything into a language lesson. You fall down and fracture your neck? (I did) You can turn it into a language lesson. Find imaginative ways to talk about private schoolboy doctors in Spanish.
Posted by alexandra_k on October 17, 2013, at 21:01:56
In reply to Re: I don't think group travel is for me » alexandra_k, posted by Partlycloudy on October 17, 2013, at 16:24:29
our 'traditional food' in nz is british. scotch eggs: ew. curried eggs: also ew.
you didn't get to try pasta or pizza or espresso?
:-(
you will have to go back. and get a teeny tiny rental car and go driving all around...
Posted by Partlycloudy on October 18, 2013, at 4:35:48
In reply to Re: I don't think group travel is for me, posted by alexandra_k on October 17, 2013, at 21:01:56
We DID get pizza (on our own) pasta - glorious stuff! The alternatives on the hotel menu were usually chips and something that had been done to a sacrificial cow. And they insisted on veggies boiled until they surrendered.
Sig, I'd agree except for this harrowing stretch of the coastal highway. It was one and a half lanes wide, and accommodated tour buses in both directions plus motorcycles. My heart would not have taken it!
PC
Posted by Toph on October 18, 2013, at 11:31:42
In reply to I don't think group travel is for me, posted by Partlycloudy on October 17, 2013, at 7:15:33
PC, I took a ritsy barge trip on the Rhone River in southern France a couple years ago. Some of the off boat excursions were cheezy, but most were outstanding with excellent docents who showed us Arles, Les Beaux, Avignon and Le Pont du Gard. I enjoyed a French couple and an Argentinian couple the most. I didn't identify much with any of the wealthy Americans. An awkward moment occurred on deck when I challenged a guy who made disparaging and racist remarks about the president. Otherwise the food was very provincial and outstanding. We had every evening to go mingle with locals at cafes and bars by ourselves. And we could always bicycle to the next stop to get off the boat. I am used to visiting Europe unplanned, but I really enjoyed this experience. IM me if interested in photos.
Posted by Partlycloudy on October 18, 2013, at 12:31:55
In reply to Re: I don't think group travel is for me » Partlycloudy, posted by Toph on October 18, 2013, at 11:31:42
That sounds absolutely lovely. I know part of my blah-ness is returning to a home that is undergoing eternal renovation. I need an end to the chaos, but am not a cabinetmaker. Brought home more boxes to reclaim furniture from encroaching books.
I really feel like situational sh*t right now.
This is the end of the thread.
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