I've fallen and I can't get up

After last week's craziness with all the traveling and stuff, I got to thinking how much things change in just a few years. Five, six years ago, the last time I was in Europe on non-vacation status, traveling within Europe was not so expensive. I could hop on a train for about 25 Euros round trip and be in another country. Granted I had a eurail pass then, but it just seems more expensive now. It's rare to find a round trip ticket to another country (or sometimes a city just a few hours away) for less than 100 Euros. Same with low cost airlines. They ain't so low cost anymore. You'll see ads everywhere for 10 to 20 Euro flights, but when you actually go on the website to book a flight, it ends up just being a little less than on a normal airline. They always end up adding all these fees to it!

Note: I teach a class at the Spanish equivalent of the FAA and I got to talking to my student about low cost airlines. She gave me some insight into low cost airlines and basically, DO NOT fly on a low cost airline. I am so done with Ryan Air! So long Easy Jet! Screw you Vueling! I think I'd rather pay 20 Euros more than die.

Anywhoooo, I am also realizing how I'm starting to get old for traveling. I know I'm not old old, but I'm not 21 anymore either. I remember having so much more energy during my Roman times. I traveled every weekend and slept minimally, yet I never got tired! Last week, I was exhausted after 3 days. My body was aching (my back, especially), my head was pounding, and now I'm sick. It's ridiculous! What the hell happened to me?! Thank god I decided to do this whole abroad thing now, not when I'm having a mid-life crisis. Soon, I'm going to have to be one of those oldies that go on bus tours of Europe (no offense to my parents/aunt who will be doing the same in a couple weeks)! How horrible!

I think the day when I can no longer carry that big ass backpack, get on a train or bus, and make my way through cities without a human guide, will be the day I die. I better get to Peru soon and walk that 4 day Inca trail before I get too old to walk it. Machu Piccu, anyone????