Rick's Thoughts on Andy in Europe
One generation later…18 year-olds Keep on Truckin' |
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| Rick Steves and Gene Openshaw: Day after graduation 1973 | Andy Steves and Alex Matteson: Day after graduation 2005 |
| Hairstyles change, but the "coming of age" value of travel stays the same. | |
When people ask me about my best trip ever I say, "1973, just after high school graduation." If they ask why, I have to say, "No parents." Now our son, Andy, is in for the same fun. He'll be Eurailing and back-packing through Europe on the cheap starting the day after his high school graduation.
For 18 years, Anne and I have been dragging Andy to Europe. For the first decade he loved it — more candy, stay up late, lots of time with mom and dad. Then, as he grew older, it was a drag — away from friends, cutting into his hard-earned summer break, and so on.
I've carefully made a point not to drill my passion for travel into Andy. But I was happily surprised to learn that he'd be celebrating his high school graduation by exploring Europe with his best buddy Alex.
He'll be entirely on his own, spending his own money, making his own mistakes — with no one to blame. Stumbling sleepily off the train at dawn in Madrid, looking at his travel partner, and putting together the experience. Day after day, for 45 days, Andy will build the trip of a lifetime.
Sure he'll make mistakes — probably more costly (in time and money) than dangerous. He threatens to "run with the bulls" at Pamplona…today. The fact is, common sense and discretion come with being alone, far from home, with no safety net. I'm not really worried. In fact, I'm excited.
Huddling with Andy and Alex as they plan their adventure, I remember my first trip (with Gene Openshaw, also two days after high school graduation). My budget was $5 a day. Andy's is $50. (I think his will be more of a challenge.) Travel is about making mistakes, growing up, gaining confidence, broadening perspectives, doing things without parental oversight, and (for teenage Andy and Alex, like me and Gene) meeting girls who don't speak English very well.
One thing's for sure, I will be reading their web journal eagerly.