How much planning is too much? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

Coffee Eyes · 07-05-2005, 03:47 PM

So I'm off to San Diego and I've got all the activities planned. I'm just wondering, do I need to know which bus will take me where BEFORE I get to San Diego? Or can I just wander into my hostel looking lost and pitiful and ask the employees to tell me which bus lines to take? The hostel's in a central downtown location, and I already know all the places can be gotten to through public transportation, but do I have to know by which exact bus line?

And what do you guys do for food? Do you look for recommendations before you go or just ask around when you get there?

Apologies if this sounds slightly neurotic. This is my affectionately named "Training Wheels" trip in which I need to prove to my father I can do everything smoothly (he'll be with me and looking over my shoulder the whole trip).

**omisan** · 07-05-2005, 04:03 PM

You'll wind up asking at the hostel, but personally, I always study up on the public transport before I go anywhere. It's just that much easier when you get there to have a general idea of things, and that way when you do end up asking for directions or tips, you'll "get it" much more quickly.

Food? Well, that depends how you want to approach this. San Diego has LOTS of good places to eat (I'm sure you can get suggestions from people here who've been there - as you should for your "real" trip, wherever you end up going). But one thing you want to show is self-sufficiency. So I say you ask around about some place cheap AND decent to show your dad you can work on a budget. Furthermore, you'll want to cook a meal int he hostel kitchen to further show you can fend for yourself... besides, this is what you'll be doing when you're saving all your travel $$$ for cool knick-knacks and museums or whatnot... right?

Coffee Eyes · 07-06-2005, 08:39 PM

I think I'll do the half-half thing; brief overview now but just ask when I get there. Heh, I'm a huge planning freak, so I like the idea of getting a basic idea first.

Does cheap and decent in SD = taco stand/fast food? With all the fun attractions and such I'm already up to $60/day , so I probably will have to do cheap and decent.

I hadn't thought about cooking in the hostel. Do they already have pans/pots there? It sounds like it would be a fun adventure of its own. Thanks for the advice, Omisan!

**omisan** · 07-07-2005, 12:34 AM

Well, check to see if the hostel has a kitchen - almost all of them do, and that means they include the pots and pans. There are usually community items like oil, salt, condiments, etc. as well. And if you want to be SUPER-cheap, you can cook up whatever's left on the shelf by people who've moved on. I've left many a bag of pasta to be eaten by travellers who really know how to budget.

As far as taco stands go, you really can't beat the ones in SoCal, but beyond that, there are plenty of other options like sandwich shops, cafes, and even cheap sushi (providing you trust 'em..)

**SuDz** · 07-07-2005, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by omisan@Jul 7 2005, 02:33 AM
I've left many a bag of pasta to be eaten by travellers who really know how to budget.

Coffe Eyes, just make sure that these people have really moved on totally. That way there is no problems over it and your dad doesn't see any type of hostility going on.

SuDZ