By
Alex Ginsberg
, Brown University
Part 1
OK, so you’ve decided to be adventuresome, daring, and cool. You’ve just finished a year of college or high school and that broad expanse of summer is calling you, tempting you, saying “here I am…use me.” You’re going to buy a Eurailpass and see the Old World. And unlike many students, you want to spend as little money as is humanly possible. I feel your pain. But don’t go riding off just yet. Take some time to read the pearls of wisdom that yours truly has to share with you. I’m a veteran of many “roughing it” trips to Europe, and I can save you much aggravation and waste. If cheapness is not what you need, don’t read this. Go buy a book. Buy eight books. But this website is free, so I intend to speak to cheapskates here.
Let’s start with the basics. Take a backpack. DO NOT TAKE A SUITCASE. Do I make myself clear? You need hands-free operation at all times. You need to be able to read a map, open a wallet, operate a vending machine, chug a beer, fight for your life, etc. Sporting goods companies such as EMS and The North Face make these things for camping, but to my knowledge many more have seen the inside of the Louvre than the Grand Canyon. They are huge, but they hold everything you need and they don’t feel as heavy as you might think when they’re on your back. Don’t skimp on this just because it is expensive. Think! Can you “borrow” a friend’s? After all, you’ll only be using it for six weeks or so. The fact that it will look like Manuel Noriega’s face when you return it can be discussed later.
Pack light. I mean light. I mean really really light. Take your backpack and fill it for a “practice run” on packing. Now throw out half the stuff in there. Then go for a one mile walk around your block (preferably on a 90 degree day). When you get back, I won’t have to tell you to throw out half of what’s left in there. If you’re a girl, throw out half of what’s left after that. If you are a girl who shares the author’s religious/ethnic persuasion, throw out half of what’s left after that.
