almostdone82

Hello all,

I've been lurking around here for a week or two (while I should be working, like right now), and I finally decided to ask my question...

I am a U.S. Marine and I get out this fall (finally, after five loooong years, I can't wait). I am currently on my third tour in Iraq (Sucks, but I sit behind a computer all day in a tent w/ A/C. I have it great compared to most others out here). I joined before 9/11, and I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I just wanted free college. A month ago my plan was get out and start said free college. Well, recently I decided F school, I wanna bum around europe for a bit! I've been putting a chunk of every paycheck in a saving's account for the last five years to put into some sort of investment. What is a better investment that a trip to europe (my parent's slightly disagree, but who cares?). Anyway, I'm babbling...on to my question...

All said and done after travel expenses I should have a budget of 8-9k(nice huh). My question is should I take a long trip with minimal partying or a short(er) trip with heavy partying or somewhere in-between? After five years in the Marines I have taken a likeing to drinking--heavily. Also this is kinda my present to myself for having gotten through five years without getting in trouble (or at least not getting caught).

Any input/help/advice would greatly appreciated! Thanks guys!

almostdone82

whoops...too much caffeine makes john crazy

whalley_range

You could compromise and stay around Eastern Europe longer than Western Europe. Prices are a lot cheaper so you could still have your fill of drink and stay for a while.

If you wanna stay in Western Europe than its legal to drink on the streets. So stock up on some cheap cans from Spar, find yourself a park/lake/canal and sit by it and drink away merrily.

worldwidemike

I vote longer trip with occaisonal partying...sounds like you need to wind down a bit...! Seriously, you can party to your heart's content when you get back home. However, the history, the scenery and culture of Europe won't be all around you for the taking when you get back home.

Good job on the socking some savings away. I had a buddy in the Air Force (I know...as ex-Army I teased him USAF wasn't really the military) who after 10 years of enlistment got out flat broke. Lived on base...single...no excuse. I think he blew it all eating out every meal and tossing tons of money away every weekend at Hooters...

worldwidemike

__________________
Check out my travel web page at:
Worldwidemike.com
"Life is not measured in the number of breaths we take, but by the places that take our breath away..."

almostdone82

Thanks for replying also!
I know what you mean,I have friends who have gotten out and are in that same boat(actually to think of it most of my friends). I had thought about traveling europe before but never thought about doing it alone until a week or two ago. Then looking at this website and talking to friends something just clicked in my head and now this trip is all I think about (even though it's a little less than a year away). Literally, when I go to bed I lay there and think about how much fun I'm going to have till I fall asleep.

lauren313

I think you should do something inbetween. Sure, go out and party yourself silly, but set aside plenty of time to enjoy places sober/not hungover! You'll really appreciate having a clear head sometimes!

And if, at the end of your trip, you have some money left over... bonus! You can spend it on a mad last week or so, or keept it back so you've got a little bit of money to get by on when you get home.

__________________

MeTurk

You could start in Eastern Europe get the partying out of your system with their lovely cheep drink then move west when you want to relax a bit.

I don't think your going to be able to avoid late nights and hangovers from the sounds of things so you might as well accept you'll go a bit mad when you get there and get it over with.

__________________
"It's nice to have a nun around. Gives the place a bit of glamour." Fr Ted
Couchsurfer (:_irritainment_

JeanB

Why not decide what to do when you get here. I know that a lot of people here like to plan everything to the last detail, but i personally prefer to decide spontaneously where to go and what to decide.

If you are travelling around europe outside of english school holidays, and you dont really care where you go and when, you can get one way flights from country to country for 20$ (yes you read that right) through Ryan air. So just tour the place and party or chill at your leisure. No need for a plan, just make sure its cheap so the trip lasts as long as possible. Who knows, you might find a place you like and end up livin and working there!

oh and whalley range is spot on. eastern europe is so cheap you could party and stay till you're 65! (maybe a slight exaggeration)

and if you need proof of the cheapness of some flights, then just ask.

__________________
Last night i had a dream about reality. It was such a relief to wake up. - Stanislaw Lec.

almostdone82

Thanks the suggestions everyone!

If I decide to go and just totally play it by ear till I run out of money, is there cheap last minute return flights from europe to be found?

JeanB

I'm no expert on cheap flights from europe to america, just cheap flights within Europe. However, as most tpunkers are from the states, im sure someone else can help you with that. I'll have a look on the net myself though, cause i wanna visit the states next summer

easy now dude, hope the time passes quickly for you

__________________
Last night i had a dream about reality. It was such a relief to wake up. - Stanislaw Lec.

MeTurk

Aer lingus are doing one way flights to NYC for €192 (excluding taxes). You might have to make sure your on the Irish version of their website to see them.

__________________
"It's nice to have a nun around. Gives the place a bit of glamour." Fr Ted
Couchsurfer (:_irritainment_

almostdone82

Yeah as of right nowAer lingus is looking like my best bet too and from. I looked and they have good deals out of Chicago, which is fairly close to home. Good stuff.

farfaraway

If I had that much money saved up I would go for at least 3 months. If you camp and/or couchsurf (www.couchsurfing.com) you should still have plenty of money to party. And have you considered an open jaw ticket?
congrats on getting out!

MeTurk

Couchsurfers is dead for the moment it crashed and their working on version 2 but I'd say it could be a few weeks before it's back on line.

__________________
"It's nice to have a nun around. Gives the place a bit of glamour." Fr Ted
Couchsurfer (:_irritainment_

almostdone82

I plan on going over for at least 2 months. That's sooo far away I just really don't know yet. The biggest problem is going to be keeping my hand off that money until then! Right now in Iraq I have nothing to spend my money on, so it's not tough. But when I get back boy will it be tempting. I'm excited enough already (and the more I learn the more excited I get) that hoepfully that will be deterant to dipping into the funds.

almostdone82

Oh yeah forgot, THANKS! I've had some very life changing experiences that I wouldn't trade for the world, but I am so ready to be done with this. I met some friends that I'm sure will be lifelong, but this life is NOT for me.

Echeverry

OMG, this is my type of person I love to help! In the army and willing to party in unknown lands! Well dude it's time for you to get in touch with all your penpals, I'm guessing you are under the 25. . . Right? eitherway it depends which type of parties you want to be in. . . Junkie fests (mad cheap) raves also cheap, undies clubs also cheap, Mainstream clubs are a bit on the reg scale, but dude as Mike said it's not only about getting wasted and having a blast in the long run if you are not Cherry it really just becomes a slight memory instead you can soak up so much culture, I'm an art & fashion junkie so I go by that, even thou I've studied Culinary Arts I have to say I'm not very happy with eating something I have not done or I have not seen how they have done it, but for other people cusine, the gastronomy of each sector and place might be something that might rock your world! so just think what you want to do and if you want to stay there more time just be smart and save larger chunks of money than before, trust me a month of staying L/D will be most rewarded in the long run. Oh BTW WTF is up with that avatar don't you know it's all about the Mets! :greenguy:

__________________
Tell me where you're @ and I shall tell you where 2 dance Emmanuel. E. Echeverry/DJ_VeeeNoM.

almostdone82

Junkie fests? Huh, no idea. Anyway are raves pretty easy to find? I've lived in Cali for the last four years (when I wasn't deployed) and if you want to go to a cool rave you really have know someone involved in the "scene". And I doubt I'll be partying ALL the time. If I wanted to party and only party I would just go down to Cancun. Not to sound cliche, but I really want to experience the entire culture and fortunately for me that include the party scene. That might be a load of bull crap too...just my excuse yo party maybe?

Echeverry

Yeah I hear yah, My Aunt lives in San Francisco so I get to hit Mexico with her every once in awhile, yeah but the scene is totally diff, if you want I could help you out with some nice spot and people that are really part of the scene itself, I'm not much of the ravin' type of person but I have more than a few friends that actually organize them around.

__________________
Tell me where you're @ and I shall tell you where 2 dance Emmanuel. E. Echeverry/DJ_VeeeNoM.

xanthuos

Well...I'd recommend doing as MeTurk said and starting in Eastern Europe for the partying. Sure, it's cliche, but there is cheap drink and plenty of beautiful women about. Just don't end up married. Then move on to Western Europe once you've partied hard (and seen the sights of Eastern Europe...besides the women of course). Western Europe can be considerably more expensive, and more expensive than most places in the US, so it'd gonna hurt the pocketbook a lot more if you try to party too hard there.

Just take it all in stride and try to strike a good balance between what the ignorant young drunken kids do and what the "aged" WorldWideMikes do (who couldn't FINISH his beer because he had too much PIZZA. TOO MUCH PIZZA! HAHAHAH )

On a side note, thanks for your service.
My brother finished his 5 years in 2005 and one of my closest buddies just enlisted this year.


This is the first thing you've said that was coherent to me, AND I can agree wholeheartedly!

__________________
Regards,
Matthew