The Object:
The Backstory:
My venerable Let’s Go Europe was my first travel book purchase. It’s a decade old this year. It still has tabs marking train maps and ticket information. I remember the day I made the purchase. I went straight from the Barnes and Noble at my local mall to my sister’s high school track meet… where I huddled in the bleachers and read about backpack locks and staying in hostels.
Books on France (and Paris in particular) followed soon after. As I got more confident, I started buying ones written in French.
Let’s Go Europe came out of retirement for trips in 2004 and 2005.
In 2007, my sister and I planned a trip to Ireland and Norway (Random? Perhaps). We used my mom’s travel books from a trip she took with her sister a few years prior to guide us around the Emerald Isle.
We got our own books on Scandinavia (and, in so doing, fell in love with the Lonely Planet series).
These books are out of date. The youngest one was printed in 2006. I can find all the information I need for future trips online. I could do that in 2006 as well, but there’s something comforting about their presence. Thumbing through the newsprint-weight pages of Let’s Go Europe fills me with warm nostalgia.
Traveling through Europe – on my own, with friends – was incredible. Beyond incredible. I recommend studying abroad to every college-aged person who will give me the time of day.
Read the rest of the series here.
Hemborgwife says
I am the same way with my travel books, even though a few have been left in hostels when my bag got to heavy the ones I still have are sitting pretty on the bookshelf with fond memories folded into their pages.
Hemborgwife says
I am the same way with my travel books, even though a few have been left in hostels when my bag got to heavy the ones I still have are sitting pretty on the bookshelf with fond memories folded into their pages.
Theresa says
“I recommend studying abroad to every college-aged person.”
Me, too!
P’raps you should do a series on studying abroad/travelling? Might inspire some folks!
Theresa says
“I recommend studying abroad to every college-aged person.”
Me, too!
P’raps you should do a series on studying abroad/travelling? Might inspire some folks!
brianne says
Rick Steves’ shop is about 30 miles from where I grew up and I will never forget the first time we trekked up there to check it out. He recommended my first travel backpack and I’ll cherish that thing forever. Travel is the best thing ever, and I totally agree on your study abroad sentiment.
Beth says
True story: I ran into Rick Steves in the lobby of WTTW when I worked there. I was awkward, but I tell myself celebrities probably get that a lot.
Helena says
Ha, yeah. They likely do. I remember reading something about the Queen once where her Pops told her that she wouldn’t remember meeting people, but they’d always remember meeting her. So… same deal, just less royal. (not that you aren’t memorable!)
Beth says
True story: I ran into Rick Steves in the lobby of WTTW when I worked there. I was awkward, but I tell myself celebrities probably get that a lot.
Helena says
Ha, yeah. They likely do. I remember reading something about the Queen once where her Pops told her that she wouldn’t remember meeting people, but they’d always remember meeting her. So… same deal, just less royal. (not that you aren’t memorable!)
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