Jackie Steves Blogs Europe - I Survived High School, but Can I Survive Europe with No Parents?

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I Survived High School, but Can I Survive Europe with No Parents?

Jackie gets a plane ticket to Europe for Christmas...wrapped in a Rick Steves moneybelt.
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Last week, I marched across the quad with my class of 120 and up to the stage wearing a billowing black gown and a wreath of orchids to be handed my high school diploma.

I survived high school, but will I survive the next month? Tomorrow, I fly to Europe. This time will be different, however, from the past 18 summers of traveling to Europe because I will be traveling with no parents. It will be just me and my friend, Juliana.

I am following in the footsteps of both my dad, Rick, and my brother, Andy, who also went on trips to Europe right after they graduated from high school. Just like them, I have taught piano to fund my trip, I will use a Eurail Pass, and I will be on a tight budget. Unlike my dad when he was my age, I will have much more travel experience under my belt, visiting some cities for the fifth time. Unlike my brother when he was my age, I will follow a thoroughly planned itinerary. He and his friend wanted flexibility, but I want well-planned structure.

I am equipped with a six-day three-country Eurail Select Pass, five Rick Steves' guidebooks, hotel reservations in half of the cities and hostel reservations in the other half, a little black Moleskine journal in which I am writing this “blog”...oh, and it kind of helps to have a dad who knows a little about travel in Europe.

So it may sound like this is just one more trip to Europe for me, but in fact this one is completely different from the rest. People who know that I am the daughter of Rick Steves think I know everything about Europe. I actually know very little about travel in Europe.

Sure, I know how to pack light, how to get over jet leg, how to order pasta with meat sauce in Italian, and how to get around crowds at the Louvre. However, I know little about using a Eurail Pass, about withdrawing money from ATMs, about using a cell phone in different countries, about which museum pass is the best value, and about reservations that are required for this and not that.

During this past spring I worked Saturdays in the Travel Center at Europe Through the Back Door to earn money, and at the same time, while researching and answering customers' travel questions, I learned a fair amount about travel.

To give you the honest truth, I am nervous — not scared, just nervous — about traveling alone. Sure, I traveled last summer to Morocco without my parents, but I was with a school group with adult leaders. Yes, I've been to Europe about 18 times before. However, I didn't have to worry about pickpockets because my passport was safe in my dad's money belt. I didn't have to worry about missing the plane because my mom would wake me up from my nap when it was time to board. I didn't have to navigate Amsterdam because my brother read the map and led the way. Now all of that is up to me and my friend. Also, I have never been to Prague or Istanbul before, where we will be traveling for half of our trip.

One thing is for sure — this trip is bound to be an amazing adventure. Above all else, I am incredibly excited. I'm excited to discover tricks at being thrifty to keep a low budget, excited to make friends in hostels and bars, excited to get lost in Prague, excited to observe the convergence of cultures in Istanbul, and just ready to be totally independent.

About This Entry

You are reading "I Survived High School, but Can I Survive Europe with No Parents?", an entry posted on 16 June 2008 by Jackie Steves.

29 replies to this entry. Add your comment below.

Next Entry, The Plane: A Good Time for Context, posted Jun 19 2008

Comments [ top ]

Jackie, Good luck on your trip!

Posted by: Brooke - Jun 23, 2008 9:20 PM

A GREAT blog! I'm 65 & its been a long time since my first trip to Europe in 1965 with a friend, but I'm going alone this year and still have the same anxieties. She sounds like a well-raised girl who can navigate this ins & outs!

Posted by: Karol - Jun 24, 2008 12:07 PM

Hi Jackie, I took one of your dad's travel classes at the U of W in 1991 and then did France, Italy and Switzerland with a Eurail Pass and ETBD books and maps. We did one night in a hotel/one night on the train...it was wild and crazy! I was 55 then. Had a wonderful time...and will never forget it! Hope you and your friend have a wonderful time. Janet

Posted by: Janet - Jun 24, 2008 9:59 PM

What a great blog. I have not been to Europe but will enjoy the trip through you. We'll keep track of you here and pray for safe, enlightening travel. You will be great ambasadors for all of us. Tell the Europeans we value their history and our common future. Swak

Posted by: Uncle Rick - Jun 24, 2008 10:45 PM

I think traveling alone in Europe at a young age is such an interesting and great thing to do. I totally missed out on this type of thing when I was 18 (I am 29 now). I thought that going to the Atlantic coast with a friend, and no parents, was a big deal. You put me to shame that's for sure! Those of you who get to go to Europe fresh out of high school should truely savor and enjoy it because there are some of us out here that don't even THINK about going to Europe until we're older (like myself). Anyways, I hope I don't sound bitter, just commenting. I plan to go to Europe next fall for my first time. :)

Posted by: Eric from Raleigh - Jun 25, 2008 8:24 AM

You are a brave girl indeed, Jackie! I wish I had had the same experience years ago but I didn't "discover" Europe until a long time after high school and really regret that. My last trip was 9 years ago and I am hoping tomake it back to Europe and my favorite city Paris at least once more. I will be 67 years old next month so I doubt I will be going back to Europe much more and I will always be sorry for that. I wish you all the very best. Have fun and enjoy this wonderful experience. You are so fortunate to have a wonderful dad who exposed you to the beauty and wonders of Europe so young. I wish I had had the same kind of family as you have and in particular, your dad who is simply the very best!

Posted by: Elizabeth - Jun 28, 2008 4:27 AM

What a great blog. I am 61 and just returned from my first trip to Europe. I too am a planner and with the help of your dad's books & website I planned an amazing 3 week trip for my husband & I. We even ran in to your dad on the Rue Cler & got a picture.

Posted by: Ambrosia - Jul 02, 2008 12:54 PM

I am sure you will have so much fun exploring on your own. There is nothing like the thrill of discovering things that are especially appealing to you, and this changes with age. Your visits up to now have been as a child, and now as an adult you have a unique perspective.

Posted by: Kay - Jul 02, 2008 5:15 PM

I've just read this first entry and it makes me think of my first European adventure by myself--I moved to Switzerland for over a year and armed myself with as many of Rick Steve's travel books as I could afford. I look forward to reading all your blog entries.

Posted by: swisspix - Jul 10, 2008 5:39 PM

the travel journal reminded me of the trip my roomate and I took in Sept 1954 after we graduated from college -very adventurous for us -- too much luggage - we mailed some home - we went on a ship - ( good to be on well run ship' was the motto - 3 months cost us $900 - staying with some relatives in Italy - also 90cent hostel in Rome - over night trains - meeting in American Express offices - our means of communication in all the cities - London,Cardiff, Edingourough, Hamburg, Amsterdam, Paris, Vienna, Venice, Lucca, Milan,San Remo,and to get mail - no phones - you are lucky to have the experience - continue your good travel notes - a pleasure to read! and remember ours.

Posted by: adriana otoole - Jul 10, 2008 6:49 PM

I loved reading about your trip to Europe. I was 67 years old when I finally got to backpack through Europe with my son. Of course we used your father's book to guide us on a 48 day tour that was absolutly the best trip ever. It was something I had wanted to do all my life. It's cost?? We managed to make it on $5,000 each. Of course that was almost ten years ago. I had been on several more expensive tours before that trip, and none were as exciting as one I had planned myself. My love of art took us to all the best museums in Europe. Good luck. Hope you have many more exciting trips.

Posted by: Jan Davis - Jul 10, 2008 10:44 PM

I have been wondering if you were going to travel this summer and if you did, would blog about it. I am very much looking forward to reading about your adventures - just as a did your brother's. Have a fabulous time and keep us posted!

Posted by: Carol - Jul 11, 2008 5:43 AM

What a wonderful opportunity you have! I will live vicariously through you as I wish so much that I would have had the opportunity to travel Europe years ago when I graduated high school. Have a wonderful time and enjoy yourself!

Posted by: Megan - Jul 11, 2008 6:01 AM

Very informative...i wish i could go to these places next time. Am joining a tour this November - in Rome...can't wait. Enjoy and be safe!

Posted by: Marisol - Jul 11, 2008 6:08 AM

Great job - thoroghly felt like I was along for the ride! Thanks!

Posted by: Dave - Jul 11, 2008 8:19 AM

Hi Jackie, This is the most refreshingly "real" travel blog I've read. While I enjoy a "stay-cation" this summer; your blog is the next best thing to being in Italy, Amsterdam, etc...!!! What an adventure before you head to Georgetown!

Posted by: Carol - Jul 11, 2008 8:58 AM

"excited to make friends in hostels and bars" Bars! Don't you know your parents might read this? :-)

Posted by: Cleophus - Jul 11, 2008 9:15 AM

Hey girls! What an awesome trip! I am a missionary so I traveled alone all over the US (except the Northwest and Northeast corners) alone, and went to NYC 10 days after 9/11. Then in Dec. 2001 I went to Amsterdam and England. Quite an experience in those days! I love your Dad's travel videos! I am praying to get back out on the missionary field again soon too. Like you, I have to work to pay for my trips, not supported by any church or anything, go solo. So I know that God will want over you and bring you back safe with lots of fun memories and I am sure you will touch many! I like your comments about sex/prostitution. I am in agreement that God meant us to save it for that special one He created for us! :) So, have a GREAT time and if you ever get to Los Angeles, let me know, I am an expert on this area here and am working on a photography book of the old buildings here while they still exist! All the best and God bless you! Missionary Sunshine

Posted by: Missionary Sunshine - Jul 11, 2008 11:39 AM

Aloha Miss Jackie, Blessings to you for being a World Travler and taking the lead from your parents. I loved reading your thoughts about where you have been and where you are going. Our 18 year daughter is studying abroad in France and is off on excursions during the weekends. She calls less, and emails more. It can be scary " out there ", but your life experiences will "wow" your mind and allow you to become a great person. All the best of everything that you do. Aloha, Na Wahine o Hawaii

Posted by: Mom in Hawaii - Jul 12, 2008 12:07 AM

Miss Jackie; Your blog on your European trip was not only pleasant but informative. My wife and I are cruising the Rhine and the Danube this fall from Amsterdam to Budapest. Your Dad's guide on Germany and Austria has been of great help. Good luck

Posted by: Dan J. Sullivan - Jul 12, 2008 1:52 PM

Loved reading about your thoughts and experiences. My 18 year old granddaughter and I are taking our first trip to France this fall. Enjoy your time.

Posted by: Candi - Jul 13, 2008 3:09 PM

Hi Jackie. I just wanted to let you know I've really enjoyed your blogs. Very intelligent and insightful. Reading your thoughts about Amsterdam really made me want to visit. It sounds like you're having a good time. Sharing your travel experiences with a good friend makes all the difference, I'm sure. All the best! J.P. Davis

Posted by: J.P. - Jul 14, 2008 2:03 AM

Several years ago when I was traveling in Switzerland, my good friend tried the whole time we were staying at the Kulm hotel in St. Moritz (7 days) to get a smile from the Maitre D. We commented on how Europeans were not as responsive as people in the U.S., especially those from Texas. I agree they seemed to be in their own world. By the way the Maitre D did send over an extra dessert for my friend on the last night of our stay (all of her smiling and flirting were not a total loss after all)

Posted by: Lee Skinner - Jul 15, 2008 11:25 AM

Go for it, Jackie! When I was 18 I also travelled around Europe on a Eurail pass- to this day, it was the best experience of my life. I was with a girlfriend from my high school, and we were both en route to university. We loved the freedom of hopping on trains, and meeting all kinds of wonderful people. We did a circuit from London-Amsterdam-Alkmaar-Vienna-Yugoslavia(Plitvice National Park)-Athens-Patras-Brindisi-Rome-Florence-Pisa-Bologna-Venice-Nice then Paris- in one month! Our favorite memories included sleeping on the beach in Greece and getting invited to stay for a couple of days with a Greek family, and eating the best pizza and gelato once we arrived in Italy.This was back in 1979.

Posted by: Lindsey - Jul 15, 2008 12:13 PM

I'll be traveling vicariously through Europe for sure!

Posted by: Brent - Jul 21, 2008 12:04 PM

We just got back from Prague and it was great! One thing that was a bummer was a night at Medivikou Beer hall, The head waiter was berating us and our friends and one of my friends was Czech and told him he understood what he was saying, I noticed the first time I was in there he had the same kind of thing going on and I ignored it. Maybe your dad can give a heads up to this resteraunt that you should treat people the same as you would treat yourself! We were not rude or intoxicated but we were trying to be polite and find a table. We will not go back to this spot!

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