THE UGLY AMERICAN – Baby, come back!

We are not ugly anymore.

If you are inclined to being loud, rude, arrogant and like to sightsee on the elegant streets of Europe in your sweats and running shoes, no one will sneer.  They might even kiss you.

The Americans are not traveling.  And we are missed.

It’s “the economy” of course but we are just not going anywhere.  Not even out of our driveways to the mall.

It is true that the unemployment rate is approaching eight percent but that also means that 92 % of us are working.

You have saved the money for your dream trip and have hoarded your airline miles.  You are afraid to spend them.

The airlines have trillions of dollars tied up on those miles and I guarantee they are going to make it harder and harder for you to use them in the future.  They are hoping you will die and your family will not know they can have the miles transferred.  But not right now.  If you have a lot of miles, you can use them for hotels and car rentals.  Check into that.  Try to book your flights on line but sometimes you get better information if you pay the fee to call the mileage people on the phone.

I remember being on a Mediterranean cruise which was full of widows hanging over the rails and crying,  “How George would have enjoyed this trip.”  George was long gone.

I say. GO WITH GEORGE NOW.  Or whomever.  You are not getting any younger.

You may have to make some adjustments in your plans.  That trip for three weeks to 17 countries may have to be cut down to size.  Most people don’t remember where they have been on a schedule like that anyway.  They spend years arguing if that picture of a church was in Brussels or Rome.

Here are some suggestions to make it your trip recession guilt free.

TRAVEL IN LOW SEASON

That means between November 1 to March 31.  You do not go to Europe to swim.   Everyone wants to go when the weather is “nice.”  I ask you.  When is that?  The global warming issue is messing up weather all over the world.  Just go.

GO TO JUST ONE CITY FOR A WEEK

You can get a full flavor of a major city in this length of time and see almost everything worthwhile.  Then come home and count your pennies and your miles for the next one.  Pick the city you have most yearned to see.  Go there first.

RESEARCH HOTELS YOURSELF

There are many small hotels you can find if you do the work.  And bed and breakfasts.  Do not ask your travel agent because they do not get a commission on them so they will not book them.  Do it yourself.  Pick something just a little off the main drag.  Not the suburbs.  Make sure there is public transportation nearby.  There are plenty of travel books in the library.  I have found that that is a better source than on line.  Fodor’s or Frommer is a good place to start.

I stayed in a very reasonable hotel in London right across from the British Museum.  The room was small, the roses on the carpet did not match the roses on the wallpaper which did not match the roses on the bedspread which did not match the roses on the chair – but it was warm, with a big tub and they served a full English breakfast included in the price. The underground stop was a block away.   Don’t ask me to remember the name but there are many like that in every major city.  They do not spend money on advertising and may not have a web page.  They cater to European tourists.

Some of these hotels have emails but they all will have a fax.  Or call them up.  It is not that expensive to call overseas these days.  Be specific about what your requirements are.

Something  like this:

Please reserve and confirm one room with two beds with a bath and TOILET for seven nights beginning ______ and ending __________.  Please advise availability, cost including all taxes, any meals included and deposit required.  (They count nights not days.  And I am not kidding about asking for a toilet with the bath.)

Inquire politely about early check in as most international flights from the US come in early in the morning.  Ask for detailed instructions by public or other reasonable transportation from the airport to the hotel.  Taxis are pricey.

End with your name and contact information.  They will answer you.  They are very efficient.

EXCHANGE YOUR CURRENCY TO THE LOCAL CURRENCY AT A BANK

There are banks when you come to the airport.  You will get a better exchange rate.

AVOID USING CREDIT CARDS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE

Sometimes, a store or a hotel will hold a charge until their currency improves over yours.    You might be in for a big surprise months later.

BUY A WEEKLY PASS ON THEIR LOCAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

Ask for a discount – senior, student – you might even get one if you are a teacher.  Bring your ID.  You can usually buy these at most airports so you can get started right away.  There is usually a traveler’s tourist desk in major airports if you don’t know where to go to get these things.

(Also ask for a discount at all major sightseeing sites)

AVOID RESTAURANTS WITH WHITE TABLECLOTHS

That’s the signal they are more expensive.  Or, look at the menu on the door.  Do the math.  Bring a little calculator with you.

LEAVE YOUR LAPTOP AT HOME (IF YOU CAN BEAR IT)

Use Internet Cafes which are everywhere.  I am getting mixed answers about your using Skype.  But bring your headset just in case.

Ditto your hairdryer.  Buy a cheap one there.  I have burned out several.

HAVE A PICNIC TO SAVE ON MEALS OCCASIONALLY

Buy a nice bottle of wine, some crusty bread and some cheese and have a simple meal watching CNN in your room.  You will need some rest after a hard day touring.

If you are still scared, read CK’s article about FEARLESS LIVING. Great new book.

And I was just kidding about ugly.  I think you are beautiful!

What did I miss?  Attention:  You savvy travelers!

Add your suggestions in the comment box so everyone can benefit.

Picture by Peedeejay