Hi Amy,
I tried sending this reply to you at the earthnet address, but here’s what I got:
“I apologize for this automatic reply to your email.
To control spam, I now allow incoming messages only from senders I have approved beforehand.
If you would like to be added to my list of approved senders, please fill out the short request form (see link below). Once I approve you, I will receive your original message in my inbox. You do not need to resend your message. I apologize for this one-time inconvenience.
Click the link below to fill out the request:
https://webmail.pas.earthlink.net/wam/addme?a=about@earthlink.net&id=11e3-f570-71f34e42-bab0-00144fe24d34”
I followed that link, and filled out the form, but here’s what I got in response:
“ERROR: Unable to process Allowed Sender request.
We’re sorry. Because your original message to about@earthlink.net is no longer available, we cannot process this Allowed Sender request. Your message may have expired, or the recipient may have accepted or deleted it. You may wish to resend your original message, and check your email shortly thereafter for a new Allowed Sender Request message.
If about@earthlink.net chooses to allow email from your address, the message(s) that have been intercepted will be delivered immediately, and any future message(s) will be delivered without delay.”
So…
Here’s my reply:
Hi Amy,
Thanks for your reply.
Not to be flippant, but it’s a good thing you can’t tell if I’m coming from the UK or USA or any other English-speaking country, for that matter. I’m American, but not a loud one. I try to travel with a small a footprint as possible. I carry a palm-sized camera and try to be as “invisible” as possible within my means.
I joined StayDu for the same reason as I used airbnb to set up my lodging, and study up what to see and where to eat on sites like TravBuddy, LonelyPlanet, Travel Companion Exchange, and HelpX.net—travel networking.
I think I was aware of your polyglot ability, and I’d love to hang out with you, exploring what there is to see that both of us are interested in. Unfortunately, I too, have a budget and it doesn’t accommodate more than what I described. Most of the airbnb places I’m staying at offer breakfast, so I’ll only be responsible for a few groceries and one meal out per day. Calorically, I’m sure that’s all I’ll need, even if I go swimming at one of the olympic-sized pools every other day or so. (I’m bringing my suit and goggles.)
What I have is a front seat in a Fiat 500 for you and a back seat for a piece of luggage. I’m bringing a TomTom GPS for hassle free navigation, and the trips from one hub city to the next will be safe and pleasant. I’m also planning to take day trips from the hub cities, (e.g., Montserrat), which you’re also welcomed to join me.
There are rooms/beds in hostels to rent, as I’m sure you know, in Barcelona for quite cheap. In some of the other cities along the northern part of Spain, there may be extra rooms that could be rented, or if we both felt comfortable, extra beds or king beds where the “extra person” charge is only $10-15. (I don’t think this is the situation in Barcelona—it’s a single bed.) At many of the restaurants ordering a dinner for two is the same as for one (with a big appetite), then I could help you out here and there, but your budget should enable you to be self-sufficient since mine is. I teach social studies in an inner-city public high school, so what I can offer intellectually might be a nice complement to what you know.
If I can contribute to anything you’re doing along a more job-related activity—use my talents to your advantage—so be it! Travel, like life, Amy, is a matter of balance. If I can help out another traveler with land transportation (something tangible), then my trip will be much more balanced than driving around with empty space in the car.
Let me know your thoughts.
Regards,
Ronn
