My 100th post!

TARTANSPECIAL · Post by **TARTANSPECIAL** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 12:43 pm

I accept your apology and in celebration, i shall go out and get pished :twisted:

Generic Jug · Post by **Generic Jug** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 12:47 pm

I agree with you completely. If I ever go to a foreign country, I want to get a feel for what the country is really like, not all those landmarks that have been sterilized for tourists. Even when I went to New York twice, I never did see the Statue of Liberty. I saw the Empire State building from our apartment window. Instead, I walked around Manhattan, figured out the subway system, ate breakfast at tiny little diners, and...well, the drinking wasn't what I'd hoped for, but that was because of the company I was with. We certainly got blitzed in the apartment, though. Did you know liquor stores in NY carry NOTHING but liquor? There was one mere feet away from the complex. It was like walking into heaven.

I digress. Point is, someday I'd like to see those things (and I regret never getting to Central Park), but when I'm on limited time, I want to walk away from the place really knowing it, feeling it in me, not being able to say, "Look, I went here! I have pictures!"

I don't think I would have fallen in love with New York if I'd spent all my time scurrying around from one tourist attraction to the next.

LuckyStrikes · Post by **LuckyStrikes** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 2:24 pm

I love Paris. I've been other places. But dammit, the food department at Bon Marche!!!!! And the shoes...oh, but the wonderful selection of shoes! I am past the tourist attractions in Paris. Stay on the left bank if you go. Best museum is hands down the D'orsay. Make sure you visit Sainte Chapelle around noon, Versaille is worth the train trip, rent a bike. But oh the shoe selection!!!! Make ya wanna holla. Europe during the 90's was a consumers dream. Great exchange rate. Now...sorta shaky. I love Paris!!!

Frankennietzsche · Post by **Frankennietzsche** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 2:58 pm

Coming in late on this conversation and its many tangents I have this to say: A) there was a small Browning film fest of sorts, here in Louisville not too long ago. (Unfortunately, I was unable to attend.)

B) While not that well travelled, I have been to Europe and tried to experience the local flavor. And I believe to some extent I did. I've been greased in Germersheim, hammered in Heidelburg, masted in Munich, sloshed in Salzburg, drunk in Dublin, crikeyed in Cork, and drunk in some other bars, pubs, and bierhalls in cities I can't remember right now. Go abroad while you can. Before you have too much responsibility. I did take pictures and keep a journal. The smell of peet burning in the rain in the Irish countryside or the food in a turkish Donnerkebab. The Austrian communist party headquarters across the street from a porn shop. AAAh the memories.

Generic Jug · Post by **Generic Jug** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 3:02 pm

How did you people have the money to do all this??? I had to work my ass off to afford a trip to Colorado this past winter. And I was staying at a Buddhist Center for fuck's sake.

Frankennietzsche · Post by **Frankennietzsche** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 3:07 pm

It's about ten times cheaper living here than it is in socal. Plus, the only thing that I am good and responsible with is saving money. Plus, having a little undeclared cash income is nice too.

LuckyStrikes · Post by **LuckyStrikes** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 3:31 pm

I took advantage of student exchange programs while I was in college. I studied in Florence, Italy and Paris. After that, it's all about priorities. Visiting New York city for a weekend costs more for me, than going to Paris for 5 days.

Generic Jug · Post by **Generic Jug** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 4:18 pm

I looked at the semester abroad stuff, but that was all too expensive. I'd be way interested to know how going to Paris is cheaper than going to New York - although when I went there, I stayed with a friend. Otherwise it would have been impossible. I've always wanted to drink wine and smoke and write in a Paris cafe, but I've had several people tell me it's not what it's cracked up to be.

Palinka (RIP) · Post by **Palinka (RIP)** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 5:21 pm

Generic Jug wrote:...I've always wanted to drink wine and smoke and write in a Paris cafe, but I've had several people tell me it's not what it's cracked up to be.

Paris is Paris. The city changes but not by much. The downtown area is, admittedly, swamped by tourists.
However, there is something about Lutetia that sets it apart.
It is bloody expensive, 'though.

Ach, we'll always have Paris...

Jimmy&Guinney · Post by **Jimmy&Guinney** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 5:23 pm

My favorite place to drink in Paris is, tranlated to English, The Academy of Beer. It's full of high alcohol Belgium beers and great atmosphere. God I have a travel bug....

LuckyStrikes · Post by **LuckyStrikes** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 5:34 pm

Generic Jug wrote:I looked at the semester abroad stuff, but that was all too expensive. I'd be way interested to know how going to Paris is cheaper than going to New York - although when I went there, I stayed with a friend. Otherwise it would have been impossible. I've always wanted to drink wine and smoke and write in a Paris cafe, but I've had several people tell me it's not what it's cracked up to be.

I go to Paris every year. I went in June. $1200 combined airfare and hotel for 5 nights. Mind you, I've been staying at the same hotel for 12 years, so they throw me a couple of nuts. New York. All my friends in NY live in apartments the size of a Crown Royal box, so I do not impose. I like to stay in midtown. I spent two nights at the Paramount last month, with taxes, a wee bit over $600. Not including airfare. Do the math. New York is very expensive. Until two years ago, Europe was very cheap. Still not on New York's scale, even today, but higher. England? Low airfare, but expect to make up for it in hotel rates.

Palinka (RIP) · Post by **Palinka (RIP)** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 6:24 pm

LuckyStrikes wrote:...England? Low airfare, but expect to make up for it in hotel rates.

So go to Scotland. Much nicer. Not so expensive. Not England (which is nice). And TARTANSPECIAL will show you around.
Come to that, if you do go, I'll even make the trip home myself.

LuckyStrikes · Post by **LuckyStrikes** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 7:26 pm

Palinka wrote:
LuckyStrikes wrote:...England? Low airfare, but expect to make up for it in hotel rates.
So go to Scotland. Much nicer. Not so expensive. Not England (which is nice). And TARTANSPECIAL will show you around.
Come to that, if you do go, I'll even make the trip home myself.

I'll start planning that trip. But I want absinthe. Lots and lots of it!!! And Tartan's pasta too!

Palinka (RIP) · Post by **Palinka (RIP)** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 7:59 pm

LuckyStrikes wrote:I'll start planning that trip. But I want absinthe. Lots and lots of it!!! And Tartan's pasta too!

Absinthe is available in Scotland but it is bastard expensive. So, either TARTANSPECIAL and you fly here, or I meet you in Glasgow with a bag full of absinthe...

Angep · Post by **Angep** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 8:11 pm

I am destined to a life of lameness, as I don't fly. I did it a two times, but It's so damm stressful, that I won't do it again.