Airport, Rome

When I got to Rome, I was a bit apprehensive about venturing out into the city. So much so, it took me full 3 hours to leave the airport. It was my first time stepping into Europe alone and I'd heard that Rome was overwhelming. As long as I was in the airport, I was assured someone spoke English and I was only a gate away from going home without a hassle and help was immediate. Once I stepped outside of the sanctuary of the airport, I would be all alone amongst 1 million Romans and its many tourists. No one knew my name or cared and I couldn't simply call someone to come & get me. It was a big, unknown world out there.

Initially, I wasn't aware of my feelings until I realized how much time had passed. I'd spent the time trying to get money from the ATM, exchanging money, looking for a calling card, finding the restroom, discreetly tucking money into my moneybelt, etc. After I'd run out of things to check or do, there was nothing to do but leave. Leave. Go outside. I'd wanted this for much of my life and here I was. Now I knew how agoraphobics felt; afraid of the unknown outside world. I took a deep breath & stepped into the pulsating, moving, panoramic, 3-D picture of Rome.

I have since found my bearings and stepped bravely into traffic, belted hardy Buon Giornos, and moved about the beautiful country of Italy as I was born to do.

For Whom the Bell Tolls

The more traditional, historical Spanish cities have an obsession with bells. Installed in many churches hundreds of years ago, they have been a mainstay ever since. They chime every hour on the hour. It's quite charming until...BONG! 2am. BONG! 3am. BONG! 4 am.

El Balcón de Europa

I'm sitting here on the Balcony of Europe, watching & listening to the waves of the Mediterranean roll in. It's 10:45 PM here in Nerja and the nightly paseo is in full effect. Babies and old alike are enjoying this magical evening.

It's almost time for me to head back to my room. I'm a wee bit tired. I arrived in town today with no hotel plans so I got an early start to begin looking. I found one of the best rates in town at €25/night. That's super cheap for this over-priced, but beautiful, seaside resort town. It's also the nicest room I've stayed in thus far. It's large with a private bath, three towels, two stoppers, A/C and TV. A very nice retreat after my last room which was wonderfully priced @ €15/night. It was also matchbox-sized, making it the smallest room I've stayed in. I had to stand outside of the room in order to take a picture.

After I settled in, I picked up lunch at the market, visited the Cuevas Nerja (Caves of Nerja) , purchased a used English/Spanish dictionary for €4 at a used bookstore, lost €16 , and had 1/2 ración varied fried fish. I don't know what all was on that plate, but I took a deep breath and ate most of it. I know there was monkfish, which I've found I like immensely, calamaritos, a new fave, too, squid, sardines, shrimp, crayfish, seahorse(?), and some other things. Did NOT like the fried sardines & seahorse! The fish is totally different here. No perch, grouper, snapper, or catfish. I like the differences, though. That's why I was bold enough to try all that was strange on my plate. Normally, I would've been like, "Ewww!"

Caves of Nerja

When I get back to my room I have some serious laundry to do. I got the whole tub fulla clothes. I'll set my clothesline up and everything should be dry by tomorrow eve, ready to be packed. It's getting cool out here. ~Later~

Pinching Pennies: Spain on a Budget

Several folks have hinted around or been outright nosy enough to ask how I can afford to go to Spain, when I have no job as of June 30th. As Ricky Ricardo would say, "Let me 'splain, Lucy." At first, I was simply going to splurge and dip into my savings. Then the practical side of me kicked in and said maybe I don't want to do that. Who knows when I'll decide to get a new job, so I just might need to be able to pay my bills.

Here's how I'm going to Spain without dipping into my reserves. Finding creative ways to make money is key, as is looking at how you think about money and cutting corners. Any money saved, is counted as money in your pocket. The easiest way is to cut current expenses. Eating out is one of my favorite things to do, so I'm cooking more. When going to make a purchase, I think in terms of what that may get me in Spain. As a result, that $2.50 gelato becomes a bus/train ride between some Spanish cities. I'll keep you posted on how I'm doing as I'm traveling. When I run out of money, I'm coming home!

Plane ticket - Cost me $239. Cheapest price found online: $2045. My dear friend, Greg, works for an airline and he was friend enough to give up one of his precious passes. Thank GOD for friends. Thanks, Greggy!

Room & board - According to Rick Steve's guidebook, a good economical trip can run you $80/day. According to Let's Go's guidebook, $35/day will do ya. Ya know I'm a whiz at being frugal, so I plan to do it for $25/day.

Earning spending money - I was browsing around eBay one day and realized that people sell all kinds of things on there...and people buy it! SO, I decided to do the same. The first 4 items were sold on eBay. See the explanation for the rest of the items.

• Textbook #1: $60


• Textbook #2: $38


• Digital camera: $186 - Replaced my digicam a while ago, so I sold the used one.
  


• Purseholder: $7
  


• Rick Steve's Guidebook: $22- Returned new copy & checked it out at the library.


• Phone earpiece: $10- Got returns lying around the house? Now's the time! This is transportation to Ã�vila, Segovia, AND Cercedilla.


• Backpack: $200 - I also count money I didn't have to spend. A low-end travel backpack costs about this much. My price? $0! My dear friend, Corey, is lending me the backpack he used on a recent visit to Spain. Thanks, Corey!
  


• Travel containers: $4 - I was recycling some water bottles and I thought, "Hmmm, these look like those travel bottles at the store. Update: Okay, I didn't have to go there. I purchased a travel kit that'll hang from the towel rack and it came with travel bottles/soap dish/ toothbruth holder. $9.00 @ Ross!
  

• Textbook #3: $18

• Textbook #4: $27

• Textbook #5: $14

• Textbook #6: $50

• Paperback novel: $7

• Another paperback: $13