RawSko's Rites Of Passage - in Europe

[RawSko]

I'm leaving here after I graduate highschool in June. My friend Jamie McTeague is coming with me. We've been planning this trip for four years now, and it's finally coming down to the wire. We'll be flying into Europe at some point in early summer (as soon as I can manage. ie: the day after graduation). I don't actually know the country we'll be landing in yet, but I don't think it matters much, since we're buying the Global Eurail pass, allowing us unlimited use of the trains in most of the European countries. We will be backpacking around for all of the summer, taking brakes for a couple highlights here and there. Worlds is obviously a target that will not be missed, and I really want to live in a nudist colony somewhere in Europe for a week or two. I was thinking about the coast of France. Anyone know anything about that? Anyway, we're hoping to get all over and see lots of stuff and go to lots of tournies, ANY crash space that anyone could provide would be GREATLY appreciated. Even if it's just some floor-space for a night. We are NOT picky. Also, any suggestions for things to do, places to go, people to meet are very much appreciated as well. I will be bringing my violin and hopefully a diatonic button accordion, planning on doing alot of street performing.

Jamie goes home after the summer to finish highschool. I will go home after Worlds 09, assuming that it's in Europe again. Therefore, I will need to work over the non-summer months. I hope to get a job with a circus, dealing with exotic animals, being an assitant for somebody's act, or idealy being a performer myself. However, if this falls through, I am prepared to work a low paying job. I haven't chosen a country to stay in for if I can't work in the circus. Suggestions are appreiciated. I'm hoping for a place with a good shred scene, good attitude toward immigrants (although, technically I'm not), and prefferably a place where I can get by knowing french and english.

I think that's all for now. I'd really appreciate your input. Thanks alot!

Edit: thanks Ken

[Wasabi]

Concerning a trip around Europe, and making a trip to Worlds 2008 in Prague, I think me and Andrew Kownirk-Dunford (Eskimo Joe) discussed some plans to do some sightseeing sometime in the summer months before Worlds begins. Maybe we can organize a group together for this shindig! I know I talked to a friend of mine at college that has traveled around Europe frequently, and she's interested in visiting Prague!

Anyway, I think a group trip with footbaggers would be seriously cool.

[Nathan]

word is worlds 09 is in the us, but i forget where..

your trip sounds like it will be exciting though.

[C-Fan]

I like big butts and I cannot lie.

[max]

Some sound advice: avoid trains in Italy and nudist colonies in Greece if you can.

[footjam_heger]

as I said, you got a place in Switzerland. I recommend trains as locomotion/medium for transportation.

http://www.interrailnet.com/?gclid=CIeS ... QgodHCMQXA
http://www.raileurope.com/us/index.htm

if you need help don't hesitate to contact me.

[RawSko]

that sounds very cool, Waylon! We should discuss this further once some plans get firmed up.

thanks, max.

I talked to my dad before chrsitmas and he said that I shouldn't bother with Visas and that I should just work for small buisinesses and get paid under the table. That sounds cool and badass, but my cousin who just got back from a very similar trip (which inspired my own) strongly advocates the aquisition of Visas. Any ideas?

[Chase]

I'm not sure if you know this yet, but with the Eurail pass you still have to pay a reservation for the train, even if you are just about to get on, Sometimes they can be around $60. Instead of getting the full out eurail, check into getting one with a certain number of days over a few month span. Sometimes it's cheaper to fly. check out Easy Jet and Ryan Air. if you book your flight like a month in advance you can get em for like $40.

Make Prague your base of operations for this trip, it's the cheapest, coolest, most awesome place, and all the people are just amazing. Find a hostel with a bar, meet some people at the bar and travel around with them, they probably already know the area fairly well.

I backpacked europe for about 2 months, I got the unlimited eurail pass, it was a very useful tool (accept in eastern europe, doesn't really work for some of the newer EU countries) The reason I suggest you get one with a certain number of days is with the unlimited one I got the feeling that I had to use it, and subsequently rushed myself through the beginning of my journey. Trains and Buses are so cheap in Czech that you don't even need it there anyway.


just so I"m clear on this though... PRAGUE PRAGUE PRAHA PRAHA PRAGUE

plan on spending more time there than you thought...


Edit: oh yeah, lots of hostels and such will hire you without a visa...