Travelling

[Curtis, baby]

Who likes to travel? I'm 32 and I've done, like, almost NO travel, cos I never had any money. But finally I sorta have a career, so I'm going to New York for a few days in December/January.

My question: how do you guys get accommodations on the cheap while roaming about? Hostels? Airbnb? I looked into hostels in Brooklyn, which I was told is the cheapest burrough, and the cheapest I could find is like $65/night!? For a fucking bed in a room with five other beds?!?! Is that real life or do I just need to search harder?

[nrh]

brooklyn is definitely not the cheapest neighborhood, but sadly $65 is probably about what you're going to pay for an airbnb - just looking at 1 bedroom rentals in the quiet/convenient queens neighborhood where we live and it's all around $40-$50. to get lower than that you'd want to look at more remote neighborhoods like sunset park in brooklyn (it's on 2 express trains so still not bad) but then you have to weigh against being a little far out.

i would definitely think about transportation. like you can find 40$ or less place in ridgewood queens, which is a pretty nice neighborhood, but you are talking about somewhere where train to manhattan or other parts of brooklyn is a little tricky. a lot of cheaper neighborhoods you'd end up paying more money for taxis or ubers, which might cancel out whatever you're saving...

[Umbugbene]

When I lived in Germany I used to host people through https://www.couchsurfing.com/. Never tried it as a user though, although it's a great way to get free lodging. I use https://www.booking.com/ a lot these days for good hotel rates.

[flip]

i'm in the middle of a four month run of air bnbs while i wait to move into a permanent spot in montreal. it's not as cheap as i thought it would be, especially when you factor in all the fees, though it sounds like it's cheaper than nyc! i have seen some $22/night listings where you're like sleeping on someone's couch in their living room, but i can't imagine doing that.

[sally]

ugh i hate travelling. the waiting around like meat-filled cattle, shuffling from one holding area to the next, hoping your luggage shuffles with you until you find out your connection is canx and then it's 3am and you're stuck in a strange city and nothing is open and it's -10 even inside your gloves and everyone is stressed and you all hate each other. and even if none of that is true you only see the shiniest surfaces of everywhere.

better off just staying home and watching movies of those places.

[greennui]

Looking for the cheapest hostels on booking.com should be the best way imo.

I was in Japan earlier this year (Tokyo/Kyoto). It was my first visit to Asia, I've been around Europe a lot but never outside of it before. It was a blast and so forth. Did some cinephile tourism by visiting the Japanese film archive where they had an exhibition with memorabilia from classic Japanese cinema, personal belongings of Ozu, Naruse, Kurosawa, Mizoguchi, Gosho, Tanaka and etc. Stuff like Ozu's Tokyo Story script and Mizoguchi's death mask and whatnot. I also visited the Gotokuji temple, always wanted to go there after seeing it in Marker's Sans Soleil all those years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJqPo4LmLx8

[liquidnature]

Have never been outside of the US, nor any state east of Missouri. Planning to change that soon, just got my passport about a month ago.

[Silga]

I've visited 18 countries, which is a relatively small number when compared to my friends and family. I wouldn't call myself an avid or passionate traveler.

I've only visited two places outside of Europe (I don't count Turkey, because I see it as a bridge country between the continents and I've been there 4 times already)

1. Rather exotic and unforgettable two weeks fishing trip to Lake Baikal in Siberia, Russia which is about 5000 km (~3090 miles) from Lithuania. Covered about 600 km (~370 miles) with a boat through the lake where our boat was constantly escorted by Nerpas (aka Baikal seals). Breathtaking views and beautiful scenery. Can't say the same about the biggest neighboring city Irkutsk which, I guess, is a typical run-down city in Siberia.
2. Singapore, where I went to visit my cousin who lived there at the time is an absolutely beautiful city with friendly atmosphere and probably the best food.

As for Europe, my highlights are London, where I lived for almost 3 years, Amsterdam and everything in Switzerland, especially Lugano, which is a paradise on Earth.

As for accommodation, I go with AirBnB or booking.com . There are cities where AirBnB prices aren't any cheaper when hotels. So it always depends on where I'm going. I'd say London is a place to go with AirBnB, but for example, Amsterdam hotels are much more affordable and for a short stay I always prefer hotels.

[thoxans]

i always figured nrh had an open couch policy, so that's where i planned on staying on my next nyc trek... no?

[rischka]

haven't been anywhere for awhile but i'm lining up a birdwatching trip to yucatán for next year. gotta get my passport renewed

i've long dreamed of the maya cities, probably next fall i'll go. will be staying in reasonably nice hotels lol

[pabs]

I've been really lucky and spoiled, and have visited quite a few countries. I caught the travel-bug from my parents, in childhood.

There are tons and tons of places left that I've yet to visit, like Canada, most South American and Central American countries (I've been to a few cities in Mexico, to Havana, Cuba). I visited Peru (Lima, the Peruvian Amazon, and hiking up in the Andes to the ancient city of Choquequirao) and to Rio - I can't really say I've visited Brazil, though, coz I never ventured out of that city; I need to see Africa (I've only been to Morocco so far).

In Asia I'd love to see parts of India, and also Burma, Japan and non-urban China (its cities don't appeal to me). I've been to Hong Kong (including a half-day trip to boring Shenzhen on the Chinese mainland), and I've also visited Singapore, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

I've never been to Bali (Indonesia) and I'm not in a hurry to do so: it's the most popular overseas destination for Australians and therefore infested with the roughest, rudest, rowdiest and cheapest Aussie tourists, some of whom have never been anywhere else and who go back there several times a year. No thanks! (I know there are places in Bali you can go to that are far away from this crowd of (mostly) loud roughnecks, but I'm still not inclined to go.)

I'd like to visit the Middle East more (excluding Dubai and those other new, super-boring, mega-rich Arab metropolises) and also parts of Eastern Europe.

I've covered most of western Europe, but I'm always drawn back there, as I have family in France and often use their places as my own personal Euro-HQ and to springboard from them into other countries to spend a few days exploration. I know France pretty well, obviously. I would love to do Turkey for the first time, and also Bulgaria, Poland, the ex-Yugoslav nations, the countries formerly part of the Soviet Union, Poland and Norway. Been to Stockholm and Copenhagen, but again, I can't pretend I've seen anything of Sweden and Denmark. Come to think of it, apart from France, I mostly know only the capitals or main cities of most of the countries I've visited, and not so much their provinces and rural areas. There's never enough time and money.

[rischka]

having visited africa, india and south america, i now feel guilty about too much frivolous flying. i do recommend alaska if you can go.

i don't intend to do an 8 or 10 hours flight ever again it's torture

[pabs]

If you lived in Australia, that would rule out practically all international travel. We're so isolated.

Would you consider breaking your journey into several flight segments, 7 hours flying per day?

[Lencho of the Apes]

If every seat on the plane is filled, then you're doing the environment a disservice. If there are empty seats, the plane would still have taken off whether you were on it or not, and your presence didn't add a +1 to the total number of fliers that "had to be" accommodated.

See also: "dumpster divers can eat meat without feeling vegan guilt."

[Umbugbene]

Ranking places is almost as much fun as ranking movies, so here are a few lists of my favorites:

Natural scenery:

Fjords, Norway
Ionian Islands, Greece
Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland, Canada
Acadia National Park, Maine, USA
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Bernese Alps, Switzerland
Machu Picchu, Peru

Large cities:

Venice
Paris
Rome
Frankfurt
Munich
Sydney
Budapest
Washington
Melbourne
New York City

Small cities and towns:

Bamberg
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Bern
Schwäbisch Hall
Würzburg
Bruges
Lindau
Ronda
Nördlingen
Sighișoara
San Gimignano
Siena

(All the best small towns are in Europe.)

[rischka]

favourite and most liveable city vancouver BC!!
for scenery rio, i mean
wildlife kenya, duh
favorite small city valparaiso chile

and no, four hours flight is more than long enough (what it takes to reach the atlantic coast from here) but i'd probs feel differently if i was australian!

i've not been in any city in europe (except to change planes at heathrow) but i've been in delhi, nairobi and cairo

[nrh]

i always figured nrh had an open couch policy, so that's where i planned on staying on my next nyc trek... no?

Please ask at least, work and travel makes it a little tough in next few months but at the very least we’ll buy you a beer.

[arkheia]

I was in Japan earlier this year (Tokyo/Kyoto). It was my first visit to Asia, I've been around Europe a lot but never outside of it before. It was a blast and so forth. Did some cinephile tourism by visiting the Japanese film archive where they had an exhibition with memorabilia from classic Japanese cinema, personal belongings of Ozu, Naruse, Kurosawa, Mizoguchi, Gosho, Tanaka and etc. Stuff like Ozu's Tokyo Story script and Mizoguchi's death mask and whatnot. I also visited the Gotokuji temple, always wanted to go there after seeing it in Marker's Sans Soleil all those years ago.

That sounds amazing! I'm actually going to Tokyo in a few weeks and might try to check that out. Do you remember the name of the archive?

[Curtis, baby]

Thanks for the tips guys, looks like staying in Queens via booking.com is the way to go.

Some of these trips you guys have been on sound so amazing...

And rischka I agree, Vancouver is the best place to live imaginable. Well I've only lived in four cities, but yeah, Vancouver is wonderful

[greennui]

I was in Japan earlier this year (Tokyo/Kyoto). It was my first visit to Asia, I've been around Europe a lot but never outside of it before. It was a blast and so forth. Did some cinephile tourism by visiting the Japanese film archive where they had an exhibition with memorabilia from classic Japanese cinema, personal belongings of Ozu, Naruse, Kurosawa, Mizoguchi, Gosho, Tanaka and etc. Stuff like Ozu's Tokyo Story script and Mizoguchi's death mask and whatnot. I also visited the Gotokuji temple, always wanted to go there after seeing it in Marker's Sans Soleil all those years ago.

That sounds amazing! I'm actually going to Tokyo in a few weeks and might try to check that out. Do you remember the name of the archive?

National Film Archive of Japan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_ ... e_of_Japan

I also went to Toho studios just to get a snapshot of this:

[Roscoe]

When visiting Queens, the Museum of the Moving Image is worth a visit, but you probably already knew that.

[nrh]

When visiting Queens, the Museum of the Moving Image is worth a visit, but you probably already knew that.

Always thought the museum was a little too small to warrant a trip on its own (haven’t seen the new Kubrick exhibit yet) but their larger screen is one of the nicest in the city...

also recommend checking out screen slate website - it lists all the rep theaters and screenings in the city. Programming can be hit or miss around holiday season but there’s usually something.

[Roscoe]

Yeah -- Moving Image's exhibits can be hit or miss (the 2001 exhibit opens in January), and that permanent Henson exhibit takes up more space than it really should, but the Big Screen is well worth it.

[Curtis, baby]

NYers, what's the deal with the cinemas? This is what I've got so far

Film Forum, IFC, Anthology Film Archives = essential programming

Fair? Is that where you guys see most of your shit that's *special* to NY?

Nothing else seems that special.

In terms of classic "cinemas" themselves, what should I see? The Paris and the Ziegfeld were the two big ones and they're gone right? Cinema Village, is that the most classic cinema left in NY?

[Roscoe]

Check out the Film Society of Lincoln Center, their Walter Reade Cinema is one of the better ones, they do a lot of programming. The Paris, I understand, is coming back with a Netflix run of that Marriage movie. Museum Of The Moving Image gets great stuff, too, they've got a Malick retrospective coming up. The Ziegfeld is, alas, gone. Cinema Village, well, the screens are miniscule. The Quad in the West Village has some interesting programming too.

[nrh]

yeah i'd say film at lincoln center, moma, momi, metrograph, and anthology are usually the most interesting programming wise. but all can be hit or miss depending on the month. bam in fort greene used to be one of my favorites but i haven't been as interested since they switched programmers.

but idk unless there's a rep screening or something you're really interested in i wouldn't bother going to movies in ny if it's a short visit. though it is much cheeper than most other activities i guess.

[Curtis, baby]

i don't plan on seeing a lot of cinema, but i will for sure see at least one rep screening while i'm in new york, like, even if there's nothing i want to see that i can't see at home, i'll see one for the hell of it

i've been keeping a pretty steady (obsessive) eye on the schedules for nyc's indie theatres. so far not much that would make me spend time on vacation at a cinema. but i see anthology has been doing some mekas for a while now

i would totally spend 5 hrs of a 4-day trip inside a dark cinema to watch some mekas on 16mm or something

[Curtis, baby]

and thanks for the suggestions on accomodations, i ended up finding something ~$30CAD/night (notwithstanding nye) in queens, very central to everything i want to see

[Curtis, baby]

also recommend checking out screen slate website - it lists all the rep theaters and screenings in the city. Programming can be hit or miss around holiday season but there’s usually something.

oh wow, just saw this. this is sick. makes me miss the version of this that existed for a little while in chicago

i don't miss living in america, but i do miss living in a really huge city

[JADEreigns]

For me, travel has two dimensions: civilization and nature.

As far as civilization goes, of note are the people and the history and structures.

I find most people around the world to be fairly similar. I found more cultural differences between myself and the older generation in San Francisco’s Chinatown than myself and the younger generation in urban China. Obviously there are distinct differences in culture in the rural, non-touristy, poor areas of China, but to me those cultural differences are more interesting in a broader anthropological sense because I think those elements don’t really make a fundamental difference on an individual level; seeing individuals with the same feelings and failings and interests across world cinema helps this perspective. There’s nothing exotic about the people, even if the particulars of the entire culture are unfamiliar. That is to say: I don’t have much interest in talking to individuals of different cultures to find out what makes them different, I only ever interact with the assumption that we’re fundamentally the same and might make a genuine and worthwhile human connection.

So that leaves history and structures and whatnot: it’s fascinating, when it’s visible. As a Frenchman said about his travels in America: nothing is very interesting because it’s so new! In a place like Shenzhen - not interesting at all, because it’s even newer and is built to last even less long. In a place like Xian - if you peel away all of the layers of tourism it begins to be interesting. If you take a $0.16 minibus to the edge of a small rural town and see a wooden stump covered in blood next to a bamboo cage of ducks next to small family farms dotting every square foot of flat, arable land - now you see a bit more history (even though the cylindrical karsts jutting up all around are more interesting). And, in the same small town, the must-see river tour on a bamboo raft actually has a metal seat bolted to it and isn’t quite as authentic as you might have hoped - and nature is still the highlight. To that end, there are still places I’d like to see, but it might often be the case that it’s better to pick a random place on a map that hasn’t been ruined by tourism than a well known place that has rubbed off all of the interesting parts.

The same general rules apply to nature: if you’re in the tourist areas, you might be able to see glimpses of the area in its true state, but you might also see far too much of the elements that rid it of its natural state. There are still wild places, though. In the Sierras or the Cascades or the Rockies or the desert southwest or their corollaries in other continents you can find experiences that show no visible sign of human intervention, let alone tourist polish (though, sure, if you read about the thinning animal populations you might begin to notice their absence, but how far back are we going? They recently released information about humans in Mexico trapping wooly mammoths and camels!) These, to me, are the most interesting. And if it’s summer and there are waterslides a day or two deep into the backcountry or narrow canyons to squeeze through or rappel down or enormous rock walls to climb then it’s even better, I say! And sometimes snow is OK, but only sometimes.

My big nature journeys are mostly limited to North America, and I don’t really count viewpoints nearly as interesting as full on adventures, so these are the things I love the most so far:

1. Sierra backcountry waterslides, backpacking to alpine lakes, and alpine climbing
2. Zion canyoneering and backpacking and occasional waterslides
3. Escalante Grand Staircase backpacking/swimming and slot canyons. Where are the waterslides? I’ll keep looking.

Of all of my big trips to the locations above, the only one with a lot of people was the worst of the bunch: a less spectacular (relatively speaking) part of Zion. I guess we have the enormity of the Sierras and the lack of hype to thank for part of that! And the quotas in Zion help, too. But, seriously, the Sierras are ridiculous. Go on Google Earth and look at the Emigrant Wilderness, or look at the canyon running beneath Baloon Dome, or look at the canyon beneath Tehipite Dome and realize that if you go there you will almost be guaranteed to not see a soul. And then be aware that I haven’t even mentioned the best parts! Who has time for boring cities and drive-by viewpoints when you can swim in a lake with one side ending in a vertical swath of aesthetically streaked granite and the other sides being bound by nothing but a vast expanse of pine trees and exposed granite domes and no people for 10 or more miles in every direction?