I’m off – Spain, Basque Country, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia – for 70 days. A piece of notebook paper in my pocket is my reassuring companion for the last days before departure. Jotting down things I need to do and things to pack as they come to me brings peace of mind as, with two months of work, there’s lots to organize and lots to forget.
Still, once at the airport and at the gate, things I overlooked pop into my world, reminding me that I always feel a little awkward at the start of my big annual trip. Reaching into my day bag, I found a paperback I didn’t intend to bring — when I landed at Heathrow, it landed in the recycle bin. I didn’t bring my normal $200 cash reserve. With just a few bucks in my wallet, I’m relying entirely on my two ATM cards with no ready cash safety net. I’m sure it’ll be okay…but I’ve never left home without a cash reserve. I neglected to tell my bank I’d be out of the country and to expect withdrawals from Europe. And I forgot to change my voicemail at work. I like it to be my gleeful voice explaining I’m gone for a long time. This time it’ll have to be another voice. Reading through my Spain guidebook, I came upon our excellent suggested reading and movie list. A few less Jon Stewarts or Officeepisodes and a little movie watching tailored to my upcoming travels would have given me better insight into Spain. It just didn’t occur to me until now. And I neglected to call my first hotel to reconfirm…and to remind them that I’ll be getting in at nearly midnight.
With three hours of downtime at the Madrid airport, I got my euros (used a freestanding ATM machine not clearly associated with a bank — which I try to avoid), and got my cell phone geared up with a European SIM card (I brought two phones — my basic American phone wouldn’t take the card, but my old Nokia works great; €15 and I’m in business with about 20 minutes of call time and piles of text messages).
After a €28 taxi ride from the airport, I’m set in my Granada hotel — midnight, streets polished by strolling Spaniards. I feel like a groggy bear coming out of hibernation. But I think within a day or so, I’ll be settled into the rhythm of research and pounding the pavement to the melody of Spain.
I’m so glad you’re off and traveling now. You have quite the gift for relating your travel experiences through the written word, and I enjoy learning about the places and people you visit through your blog. Even imparting travel skills through sharing stories of your own mistakes is a great teaching method. Have a fantastic time (as I’m sure you will), and I’ll look forward to reading all your upcoming blogs as I get ready for some European adventures of my own this summer.
Have a great time in Andalucia, Rick. And thanks for reminding the rest of us about the persistence of preparation…
Hurray!! You’re on the road again! I am pleased to hear that I am not the only one forgetting routines.
Now this is exciting; the beginning of a new trip! From reading your blog I sense my own adrenalin beginning to pump as I feel your energy from stepping off into a new adventure. Tomorrow will bring back the familiar sights and sounds of Granada, but the sure knowledge you will meet new people and find new treasures. Thanks for sharing your humanity; how many times I have found myself sitting on a plane only to remember the things left behind are countless. Knowing that even the professionals find themselves in similar situations is reassuring. I hope it never stops being new for you and that you continue to share the seemingly insignificant moments when heartstrings are plucked by the beauty of everyday life.
Spring wouldn’t be Spring if you didn’t hit the road. I have gotten so use to it, it is exciting. I feel the same this year, we are leaving for Costa Rica in three weeks and I feel so behind and not very organized. Trying to find some clothes for the Tropics and nothing is out there yet. Thinking should we have some Costa Rican money handy, but then everyone says they take US dollars anyway. Once you get there it all falls into place. But I think it is time to write the “To Do” List.
So glad to your travel voice from afar. I keep thinking about starting my to do list for my trip later this year. I have 70 euros from my last trip so I’m ready to go.
Rick, I loved your post and it made me laugh because you are so human! One would think that you have it all together after doing this for so many years but you are just like we are. I also appreciate your comment about your old trusty Nokia phone – Nokia (Finnish) is the best! I love mine. I have tried others but it is just more logical and user friendly. I have still almost 2 months to wait for my trip to Finland (and visiting other countries also) but I can not wait now that you started your yearly routine. Have a great time!
You didn’t mention it, so I assume the Madrid airport mess has been cleaned up? Haven’t been through there for about 4 or 5 years, but the thought of that mess of an airport still makes me route through elsewhere.
Hey Rick, I am so excited to hear you are visiting Spain. I haven’t been there in about 7 years. I have family there and we are hoping to visit this June. It must be great to be a citizen of the world :)
Rick if you visit Segovia please do not mention eating the cochinillo, lest we be flooded with PETA people again. They did get to live 21 days after all.
Rick I too flew into europe last week, my mind filled with the same wonder, excitment, and impending unknows (not unknown unknowns-sorry, the axis of evil made me do it) feeling nearly as if 20 years, had not passed since my first europe touchdown. Well if I can ignore my extra weight now, slower walking gait, with pains…enough already. This trip spain is in sight via your, looked forward too, new two city barcelona-madrid tour tied together by high speed rail. Never stop selling, even etbd, does characterize this invenerant, semi-slowed down, sales type. No I do not get commission…however? Am just another unpaid fan, rick. Will spend a few free days exploring gallicia before returning to france, germany and home. And no, I’m not saying where I am now, on pre-easter week, but it is a personally found “larry from springfield” back door.
Um…jealous! What an insanely interesting schedule you have ahead of you. I am off myself to Canada (Toronto & Montreal) then Poland, France and Czech Republic for the month of June. Hope your travels go well! Andy TheBrooklynNomad.com
I would kill to be in Spain right now (Especially the Basque Country and the White Hill Towns)! I got back less than a year ago after having lived there for a year. In Granada, there is a great little wine bar to try out that you don’t have in your book. Ajo Blanco on Calle Palacios (tucked in a corner across from a church a couple blocks off C/ Molinos) is a wonderful little wine bar. Nico, the owner is a great guy (Speaks no English) but is all about wine and fabulous little tapas.
Finally!!
Talk about a friendly Customs man in Spain!!! ===== In Algeciras I pointed out a broken water pipe I could see through a window in a closed Government office, to a man in uniform. He thanked me and ran for help. As a complete surprise, he was the Customs official in charge of the customs station when we returned to Spain from Tangiers a few days later. He remembered us, smiled, saluted, shook our hands, thanked us, didn’t even look at our passports and packages, and personally escorted us past the long, complicated customs inspection station. (Algeciras, to Morocco, back to Algeciras, Spain)
Hello, I have just finished a netflix marathon over and over again of your travels to Italy. As glass blowers, my husband and I would love to travel to Europe and never have. You are our inspiration. Our youngest is off to college and travel is first on my agenda. We have you to thank for helping us meet our goals. We hope to also see Spain and Barcelona seems most appealing with Gaudi’s extaordinary influence. I will think of you on your trip and appreciate all that you have done with your abilities to educate travelers.
Rick, welcome to the 21st century. You may update your VM message at your office from anywhere in the world if you have the access security code.
It sounds like you need a pre-travel checklist!
Rick, excited to see you back in Europe! Look forward to travel updates and stories. You will be my eyes and ears to European travel this spring and summer!
Curious about your “European sim card” as I’ve got 4 euro countries this spring…usually only in one. BTW…bet you’ll missing your wife…”more than ever.” Ciao
I can’t believe this is your first time traveling with just ATM cards, I don’t think I’ve done anything other than ATM cards in over 10 years, that is the only way to travel for me.
My wife and I just got back three weeks ago from Belgium and Holland. I know the feeling of getting to the airport and thinking of the things that you did not do.Glad that happens to Rick. We may be burned in the future but we never travel with “back up” cash. We bring whatever we had left from the last trip. This time that was nearly 120 euro. Have fun Rick.
So bringing whatever you had left from the last trip is not “back up” cash? What is it then? Up front cash?
Contrary to Rick Steves’ advice, U.S automatic teller machine cards (ATM) do not always work in Spain and Portugal even in big cities so do take a few hundred dollars in reserve cash- preferably in Euro’s which your local bank will provide. Travelers from the San Francisco and Pacific Northwest regions as well as Denver had the most problems with ATM’s during my 2008 May trip – even with pre-notification to their home banks. (One witty traveler swore a hand reached out of the ATM machine he tried to use in Madrid in a blatant attempt to grab his wallet :-) Fortunately, our lead guide, Helen Inman, was not only professional and charming but highly resourceful so our buddies were not significantly inconvenienced and she even saved me a few bucks. Bill Kester, Pendleton, South Carolina
Spain to Bosnia… Do you have an platform for your video footage on the web yet? TripTelevision makes it easy. http://www.triptelevision.com
Basque Country IS PART OF SPAIN!!!! Not a different country. Thank you!
Who said it wasn’t?
Rick, happy travels. Ive always wanted to go on one of your tours or at least come to your offices. I’m so jealous (sigh). My husband is going to be going to Amsterdam next month while I shall be here in Seattle! Maybe next time I can come with him. I read your blog about your troubles with PETA and just wanted you to know that they are in the news again for asking the band The Pet Shop Boys to change their name to The Rescue Shelter Boys! Seriously?! Really?! Happy travels Rick and I enjoy watching all of your shows and reading your blogs. blessings
Quite a few Basque people feel they are not part of Spain. There are three regions in Spain that are considered Basque territory and in fact, are a sort of autonomous region. They are working on their own homeland. Freedom. We hear about ETA “terrorists” all the time. Of course they just consider themselves freedom fighters. In fact ETA are initials for the phrase: Basque Homeland and Freedom. I can never understand the resistance there is to people seeking equal rights. Palestine is another example….black American’s…American’s….Ghandi’s people…etc.
Good to talk spain as this traveler begins only his 2nd such region foray. Thanks bill, for the heads up on atm money, as helen inman is also our group guide, am sure all is well. Always glad to save dollars too, so looking forward even more to this next trip. Larry from springfield.
I have a discarded Nokia phone. So, in one place, Rick says don’t take your cell phone with you, buy one in Europe along with the SIMS card. Then here, I guess he does have his own phone with him, so that Nokia is a stateside purchase phone that one should bring along, right? I’m just trying to understand since ’79 was my only European venture and I’m trying to get in tune w. modern travel needs.
@Jeani: You need to be careful with your phone going to Europe (or elsewhere overseas.) Not all Nokias are GSM, and many older American GSM phones are not compatable with the European system as they can run on different frequencies. You want to make sur
Hi Rick, I just wanted to let you know that my boyfriend John and I enjoyed meeting you in Granada overlooking the Alhambra. It was a great way to start our journey in Spain and Morocco. We just arrived home last evening and had a wonderful trip. I hope the remaining time on your 70 day trip will be rewarding for you. Shannon Washington, DC
Hello Rick, Yes, I would still like you to post fax numbers of hotels. Why? Sometimes I am e-mailing a hotel and my computer goes down (this has happened twice already). It can be easier to send a fax. Thanks.
Hi Rick, Thank you so much for the details in the guide books and for the fabulous audio guides. We just returned from 5 weeks in Italy and will treasure the sites/sounds and personal connections made. Although not catholic, we enjoyed the Easter rituals. In early April, rumors of your eminent arrival flew around Sorrento. One of our favorite meals was in Panzano with the entertaining, butcher, Darrio ! Hope you are preparing more audio guides. Thanks
Just got back from eastern Europe. Had a great time!
I’m on your site for the first time. As far as I can judge it promises to be nice. I’m fond of travelling. I often download videos at the torrents files search engine http://www.picktorrent.com where a man travels like you. Now I’m going to look for your videos! While reading this article it occurred to me that it happens to everybody when he does smth very often and knows that he is good at it. But sometimes such careless deeds can lead to unpleasant time. So it’s better not to loose your alertness and do everything as if you do it for the first time or at least very seldom.