Alanabit said: You will do what you want to anyway Marion I don't want you to think that I'm not open to your advice; I am! But what I'm most interested in is advice on matters that I haven't settled yet, or that I haven't considered. And as for "boring old men"... I'm hoping that this trip will get me closer to being as cool as you are someday.

I did in fact think seriously about postponing the trip to raise money to get a car. But there are some personal circumstances that make this the right time for me to go... also, I kind of doubt I'll ever have enough money at one time to get a car.

Greg, as Alan said, I saw the Boat Band video when I was in Cologne and was very impressed with your adventurousness.

Willie-O, my plan is to head out to Montreal, then New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, then head into New England and down the east coast, then cross the south in the winter, then come up the west coast in the spring. BTW, have you considered busking in Perth? I recently made $220 in five hours (playing hours, that is, not including breaks) at the strip mall.

I'd still be interested to hear how other people handle not knowing the local bylaws. Do you try to stay totally legal, or totally guerrilla, or is there some practical middle ground you've found?

Thanks, Marion