so I had this whole trip envisioned - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**simply_angelic** · 03-27-2005, 10:44 AM

the relatives happened. They had to be helpful & offer me stuff. now I don't know what to do......My mom told my uncle who lives in Germany about my trip (which you can learn more about and give advice about here)
and he became very enthusiastic. He mentioned that he has a ton of connections all accross europe about where I could stay & that they would "guide me to any of the sights". Which is a very generous offer. I mean it would save me a lot of money on where I'm staying.....The only thing is, it might also take away from the experiences. I've never backpacked before, and part of what I want to get out of this trip is the partying & meeting new ppl @ hostels. ..things that I probably wont be able to do if I am escorted by a bunch of old ....I mean older yeah thats it.....ppl. This is also my first trip away from home by myself for a long period of time as well, so it's sort of a freedom/indepence issue as well. I don't know if I want to be tied down by them either....I don't know what to do. What do you guys recomend?

Ryder · 03-27-2005, 10:48 AM

I think that you could/should stay with him in Germany for a couple of night, but then stay in hostels for the rest of the time. I guess you'd be seeing the culture a little better by staying with people that actually live there, however, you'd definetly have more fun in hostels.

It sound sto me like you'd rather be staying in hostels.

But, maybe with all the money you'd be saving by staying with his friends you could do another trip! haha

**simply_angelic** · 03-27-2005, 10:51 AM

Haha Ryder, all of your points are basically everything I'm battling with.....u sound almost as indecisive as me.........

Thanks for the advice though!

**TimmyJames1976** · 03-27-2005, 11:08 AM

it's not bad having a home base. you could always venture out on your own, but start @ your uncles. just be up front and they will probably understand.

**blinkchick2134** · 03-27-2005, 12:52 PM

Well living with the locals does have it's benefits...I loved when I lived with a German family, it's so interesting to talk to them and see the cultural differences. I say take him up on the offer.

I doubt he has connections in all the places you are going and even then only stay with his friends for half the time you are in the city - which gives you time to find a cheap hostel to stay out for the next day or so.

At the least ask him for some connections in the more popular cities, because I'm pretty sure finding a room would be harder...Pamplona, for example, unless you wanna sleep in the park. Maybe his friend has a patio overlooking the race route?

I don't know, I'm rambling.

**TheJake** · 03-27-2005, 09:31 PM

after cruising around south america for a couple of months it was pure bliss to stay with my friends family and not have to think about food or lodging or transportation.

**bluepea** · 03-27-2005, 10:15 PM

I agree with everyone. Definitely take them up on the offer - doesn't mean you have to do it all the time, but knowing you have people to stay with may come in handy.

**omisan** · 03-28-2005, 02:12 AM

I agree with the staying-with-the-relatives-for-a-bit thing. When I go to London, even though I have several places I could stay, I still spend most of my nights at the hostel - it's just more fun & independent.

But whether it's out of familial obligation or some degree of not-turning-down-hospitality, I try to spend a day or two with my relatives there. You only get to see your faraway relatives every so often, but you have a lifetime of nights to party away.

**butterj** · 03-28-2005, 10:22 AM

you know what i would do, extend your trip as you will have enough money to stay longer if you stay with people some of the time

LittleMiss1565 · 04-27-2005, 08:54 PM

A wee little story for you:

Stayed with an aunt in Torino. Got there. Gorgeous place. Blue Italian marble floors. Bath towels the size of bed sheets. The view from the balcony was like living in an old Prego commercial. Lovely, but the only thing I could think was "get me to a hostel, quick!". The lady would not leave me alone!! Kept wanting to escort me everywhere.

The very next night (that's right. exactly 30 hours later. I couldn't stand it another minute!) I got on a train to Rome and the lady totally did not leave me alone until THE VERY MOMENT before the train departed. "Leslie, watch your bag. Someone might try to steal it!" yeah, no shit Sherlock! And who the hell let you on the train???

There were one or two other family instances that were better and worse (english ladies forcefeeding me and telling me to go to college) but my bottom line is this. It's nice to have a place to prop up the ol' backpack every now and then without having to memorize a door code or label all of your food in the fridge but under no circumstances should you feel OBLIGATED to go out of your way. Especially if it means you'll get that unspoken curfew which dictates you be home by 11pm lest you wake someone when you knock on the door. The fam/friends will understand and if they don't? Who cares! You'll be too busy livin' it up in a drunken haze to notice!

And if savin' money is key, take yourself a tent!

**GoKrazy** · 04-27-2005, 09:14 PM

Same thing happened with me and the last time I went to Europe. I have family in Warsaw, Poland and as much as I love them I just couldn't stand it in the city that long. So I did the next best thing - I made it my base! I got there, stayed a few days and then took off for a week or two to explore on my own, back for a few more days and out again. It worked out well, cause it was more or less centraly located and I got to see like half the country. It was win-win - they were happy cause they got to see me and I was happy cause I got to travel.