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Three Thing Thursday: What I wish I’d known about travel

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Asia

Sure, you can still find a meal for $1 in plenty of places. But if you have anything approaching a normal appetite/metabolism, you will need at least six of those meals a day.

Europe

If you’re spending a significant amount of time in Europe, it’s almost inevitable that you will get on the wrong train at some point. Accept it and deal with it!

USA

Yes, having a car is more of a headache than a boon when you get into the big cities, but if you happen to be road tripping across the country, weekends are actually best for visiting most major hubs. You’ll find cheap weekend parking deals in places like Boston, Chicago and San Francisco, but  affordable weekday parking is nigh on nonexistent.


21 thoughts on “Three Thing Thursday: What I wish I’d known about travel

  • Reply Cash Cow Couple January 10, 2014 at 07:48

    $1 meals?! I’ve never been out of the USofA so I long to see other parts of the world. Someday soon, or so I keep promising myself…

  • Reply save. spend. splurge. January 10, 2014 at 08:47

    I’d agree with that. My appetite is above normal, so I was constantly hungry…

    As for Europe, at one point or another you will also be frustrated to hell that you can’t find the street you are looking for, even when driving…. because they don’t have signs in front of your face (they’re all on buildings, and you have to walk down each road to see the sign, or drive by it in an endless loop trying not to miss it THIS TIME)…

    • Reply eemusings January 10, 2014 at 09:21

      OMG YES. I’d forgotten about that! That was super unfun.

  • Reply Emily @ Urban Departures January 10, 2014 at 09:56

    So very true… I ate like hobbit when I was in Asia. I don’t know if it was the heat (made me hungrier), the costs (so cheap, why not eat more), or the portion sizes that resulted in frequent eating.

    In Europe: It’s so difficult to find places! Why are the streets not laid out perpendicularly (that’s the charm, I guess, until I’m lost) and why can I walk around in circles when I think I’m going a certain direction?? Also, every time I visit Europe, I’m surprised to find everything close between 2-5; I keep on forgetting about siesta.

  • Reply Kara January 10, 2014 at 10:20

    I’ve always windered what is it about Asian food that just doesn’t keep you feeling full. I could eat a giant plate of food and an hour later, be starving again.

    • Reply eemusings January 10, 2014 at 10:30

      I find Asian food keeps me perfectly full in NZ (esp if in includes rice/noodles), but the portions in SE Asia are absolutely minuscule, which is the main problem. (Also, it’s hot so you’re sweating a lot and burning things off).

  • Reply Emily January 10, 2014 at 11:15

    Haha, I can only relate to the latter two but so very true!

    Happy new year!

  • Reply Tonya@Budget and the Beach January 10, 2014 at 11:22

    When I went to Europe and was traveling alone, one of my biggest fears was getting on the wrong train, especially the overnight kind. Or getting off at the wrong stop. Luckily non of those things ever happened. I agree about the weekends and cities. Less traffic usually too unless there is some kind of big event.

  • Reply Leslie Beslie January 10, 2014 at 13:24

    Good call on parking being cheaper on weekends. If you have the time, instead of actually driving into a city I’d recommend parking at a suburb outside of the city proper, find cheap parking there, and take a commuter train into the city.

  • Reply Steph (@ 20 Years Hence) January 10, 2014 at 16:08

    I smiled while reading your Asia bullet point, only because I’ve actually found the exact opposite to be true! I generally only eat 2 meals a day (lunch & dinner) and find that I’m quite full for hours after I eat. In Vietnam, that means I get by on about $3US/day! I’ve lost a TON of weight since we started traveling in Asia, so I know my metabolism is ok, but I know I’m also eating far less than I ever did. I think it has to do with how pretty much everything is whole foods and those keep you feeling full longer.

    • Reply eemusings January 10, 2014 at 16:09

      Fascinating! You are the only person I’ve met who says that. You’re a special snowflake 🙂

  • Reply Liz January 10, 2014 at 16:54

    I lived in Chicago during college – parking was crazy expensive!

  • Reply Cassie January 10, 2014 at 22:54

    Lol, I had to laugh at the getting on the wrong train in Europe observation. I’ve totally done that!

  • Reply Becky Padmore January 11, 2014 at 09:26

    Ha ha brilliant so true, especially love the first one!

  • Reply Happy New Year + Polar Bear Swim January 12, 2014 at 04:02

    […] What I wish I’d known about travel – NZ […]

  • Reply Deia @ Nomad Wallet January 13, 2014 at 14:51

    On the bright side, I’ve heard that it’s better for you to eat smaller portions frequently than eat big portions infrequently. 😉 I find that I adapt to the Asian portions after a couple of weeks. And even before that, the smaller portion means there’s more space for dessert — always a good thing!

  • Reply Blogger Round-up - Fashion, Travel, Finance and Health January 14, 2014 at 00:00

    […] @ NZ Muse writes Three things I wish I’d known about travel – What I wish I’d known before travelling to Asia, Europe and the […]

  • Reply Financial Carnival for Young Adults - Fearless Dollar January 14, 2014 at 00:08

    […] @ NZ Muse writes Three things I wish I’d known about travel – What I wish I’d known before travelling to Asia, Europe and the […]

  • Reply Izy Berry January 14, 2014 at 17:26

    God, I really miss the $1 meals in Asia. Actually… I just miss Asia full stop!

  • Reply Daisy @ Prairie Eco Thrifter January 16, 2014 at 03:13

    I’m going to Asia for my honeymoon so that’s definitely interesting to hear. I have more than an normal appetite, which I guess means 8 meals a day? Haha. Interesting tidbits!

  • Reply Jules January 16, 2014 at 15:41

    After pricy NZ and Aus, I’m looking forward to those $1 meals in Vietnam (even if I will need a lot of them!)

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