Well, what do YOU suggest?

[gailkate]

People get paid for mouthing off?

[slb2]

With your mouth, gk? Yes.

[doctork]

gailkate said:

People get paid for mouthing off?

Uh, have you heard Rush Limbaugh or Ann Coulter? Those idgets mouth off and don't even say anything, so they couldn't hold a candle to your thoughtful posts.

[gailkate]

Merci danke. I'm delighted by the confidence of such a worthy audience.

[slb2]

I took DocK's suggestion and bought my ticket to Hamburg. I leave at about 7:30 pm on May 8th, have a fantastic layover in Amsterdam of nearly 7 hours where I will check out a museum and sit in the square and pretend I am Vermeer. Then I'll fly to Hamburg, landing around quarter to seven in the evening, ditch my luggage somewhere and hook up with this dude named Bjorn who's dad is in a band, well, here's part of the e-mail Bjorn sent me: Hamburg's famous "Hafengeburtstag" is coming round on 9-12 May - where there will be lots of music and where Dad and Irish trio (or quartet?) have been asked to perform live and open air. The next day I will travel (somehow?) up to Rostock to see my sister for a good handful of days.

After that, I will take a train (I assume) and go to Paris where I'll find some Frenchman to um, well, I don't need to go into all the details here. But then I'm traveling down to Grenoble, France to visit my friend who spent six months here, across the street from me, last year while her husband taught mathmatics at the University.

Then I'll return to Paris and fly directly home on May 19th.

I'm psyched and shaking. I've never done quite such an ambitious solo trip. Any more advice will be gladly received. Except for advice on the French dude.

[slb2]

Oh, and I'll also stop in Frankfurt to visit a friend there. I'd better brush up on my German! And then French.

Modified to add that I have second cousins in Germany, maybe I'd better try to see them, too? I wonder if they're close to my sister? We could make that visit together.

[doctork]

You will have a wonderful trip, Susan! And there is no need for advice on the French dudes (or German for that matter), since "it will just happen" as you've pointed out. Traveling alone you meet lots more people, and it's much easier.

Best to brush up on your French. Many French people speak English quite well, but if you start out in French, it will go so much better. Don't bother to be offended when you say something in French and they answer somewhat condescendingly in English. That is a more common occurrence in Paris and environs; elsewhere in France, they are a little less ethnocentric, and around Normandy they actually like Americans.

Then review a little German. Lots of Dutch words are similar, which is handy in Amsterdam, though almost everyone speaks English in the Netherlands. I think it's a good idea to take the longer layover there, you'll have fun.

Bon voyage! Gute reise!

[gailkate]

I'm delighted for you, slb! Somehow I missed these comments yesterday - actually, I was in the throes of furnace removal, noise, mess - or I'd have piped up with congratulations.
As a caution, though, please do not break any hearts. You may flirt a bit. Pretend you're Gigi? I guess you're a bit mature for that. But you could hum a lot of Maurice Chevalier songs.

Seeing your sister sounds wonderful! Visiting relatives and touring will be fun, but save lots of time for long chats over Riesling or Gerwurztraminer and cheese. Well, tea, too, if you wish.

[slb2]

gk, didn't I post a poem somewhere around here titled Flying? That tells you want I plan to do with a Frenchman. If you can't find it, try here.

[gailkate]

Of course, I remember it well.

[slb2]

I'm planning on blogging my trip; I'd like to work up a travel article out of the excursion. Will my laptop work when I plug it in in Europe? Is it worth hauling? The thing's heavy with its case. Will I be able to get on-line with my wireless pc?

I'd ask at FlyerTalk, but I'm too embarrassed because I figure my question is pretty elementary. At this point, I'm used to embarrassing myself in front of all of you.

[doctork]

I'm not sure about Wi-fi access, but you will need a converter to plug in your laptop safely. Different countries have different voltage, and they differ by AC vs DC (or something like that, not my area of expertise). The configuration of the plug is usually slightly different too. With the converter, you plug your laptop power source into one end of the converter, and then the converter itself plugs into the wall outlet. You have to buy the right converter for the right country (ies), or buy a converter set that has adapters for many countries. AAA, TravelSmith or Magellen should have them, maybe eBags. You can get them in Europe too, but they may be more expensive onsite.

I've been trying to decide if I want to bring my laptop to Afghanistan with me. Leaning against at the moment, just because of the trouble of watching and worrying over it. There are occasional reports of customs difficulties, though I don't think you will find "irregularities" in western Europe. Afghanistan also does not have reliable electricity (to put it mildly), so surge protector with emergency power supply is a must there too.

If you blog online at an internet-based website, you can use an Internet Cafe, which are abundant in most places I have visited, even Afghanistan. Just pay for the computer time and go to your website.

Lurk on FlyerTalk, especially in the Technology section, to see about the WiFi access question. The search function should help. If you don't find what you want, go ahead and post the question. If you identify yourself as a newbie, and explain you couldn't find the answer through the search function, I don't think anyone will flame you. And someone will surely have the answer to your questions, right down to specific locations in specific towns.

[slb2]

thanks, docK

[doctork]

Susan, I decided to take my own advice and do the stopover in Amsterdam en route to Dubai, and back. I think I have 6 hours layover outbound, 4 or 5 on the return.

If I have internet access from Kabul and beyond (somewhat iffy), I'll report back on the experience before your May 8 departure.

[gailkate]

Wait!!! I'm mixed up, K. When are you leaving?

[doctork]

Apr 17, 2008 9:29:42 GMT -5 gailkate said:

Wait!!! I'm mixed up, K. When are you leaving?

I'm leaving May 1 (I think - the agent needs to send me the itinerary) and returning May 15 or 16.

[slb2]

Apr 17, 2008 0:08:27 GMT -5 doctork said:

Susan, I decided to take my own advice and do the stopover in Amsterdam en route to Dubai, and back. I think I have 6 hours layover outbound, 4 or 5 on the return.

If I have internet access from Kabul and beyond (somewhat iffy), I'll report back on the experience before your May 8 departure.

Excellent. Let me know the details of what's-hot-to-see in five hours or less in Amsterdam.

[doctork]

Susan, I went to the bookstore yesterday to get maps of Afghanistan and Amsterdam for my trip, and though I couldn't find the one I really wanted on Amsterdam, I did buy "Amsterdam Day by Day" which has a fair amount of other info as well as a good map. FYI, here are the memorable sites it reminded me of (I have been to Amsterdam before): Rembrandt's House, Anne Frank's House, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Canal Boat tour, and an Indonesian restaurant with a rijstafel lunch or dinner. I haven't studied the details yet to determine what is doable in 3 - 4 hours from the airport, in my 6 hour layover. I will get two chances though - one outbound and one return.

I was also surprised (they're ready for tourists??!!) to find a Lonely Planet guide to Afghanistan, published last year, so I bought it even though I have numerous guides to the country. It's quite good, and might be of interest to your friend, or possibly it's TMI. There is a considerable number of pages devoted to security as well as sightseeing.

[slb2]

When these troops are deployed, do they have time to enjoy the country in which they've been stationed? Is that even a mindset they could conjure? Enjoying the country, that is.

If you think it'd be appropriate, I might buy that book for my friend to give to her husband.

[doctork]

Some of my physician colleagues who have been deployed to Afghanistan have had time to travel around the country and sightsee, as did many of the soldiers I met at "the Army base" in Kabul.

At both Kabul and Bagram bases, vendors come to the base for "market day" at least once a month. Even those who do not leave the base can shop for souvenirs - Persian rugs, Afghan handicrafts, lapis lazuli jewelry, "antique swords" are popular. I bought a cool sword which fits inside what appears to be an ordinary walking stick, as well as a set of inlaid nesting tables at that market in Kabul.

The Lonely Planet Guide is about 240 pages, of which only 8 pertain directly to security. Most of the rest is the usual tourist info - historic sites, restaurants and hotels, useful Dari or Pashto phrases. It is a wonderful, fascinating country.

Here's another website with useful info:

www.kabulguide.net/

This is the online version of "The Bradt Guide to Kabul" which was the very first tourist guide published, back in 2003. I bought a first edition while I was there. Street kids still sell it on the streets of Kabul, and you can buy it, or at least order it, from most US bookstores. I bet Danno can help.

Either one would be very useful for someone spending a year in-country. The LP book is brand new (fall 2007) and has lots of nice pictures. There are also two great classic guides, "An Historical Guide to Kabul" and "An Historical Guide to Afghanistan" both by Nancy Dupree, and both out of print, but you can buy them in Kabul. I got mine from " The Bookseller Of Kabul" - the subject of the best-selling book of the same name.

[doctork]

Here's the Amsterdam report. It's definitely worth the layover time to make the effort to go into the city.

The Northwest/KLM flights from the US land at Concourse E. There is a bank of lockers at the place where E concourse and the Main Terminal ("Holland Avenue") intersect; you can store your carryons for 6 euro per 24 hours. Just to the left is stair/escalator down to the ground floor, train station and trains into the Centraal Station.

I think it was 6 euro for that too, takes about 20 minutes and trains leave every 15 minutes.

Right in front of the Amsterdam train station are the boarding places for the canal boat tours. There may be bike rental places there too. I know I saw several bike rentals a few blocks away. Do be careful about getting lost, as it is easy to confuse all the canals.

I was a little too tired after the almost-10-hours plane trip to do the train my self. So I took the bus tour - there is a "Holland Tour Schipol" booth just to the right of the E concourse entrance to the main terminal, and you can book those for 40 or 50 euro, depending on whether you have enough time for the canal boats (3 & 1/2 hours instead of 2 & 1/2).

There is a branch of the Rijksmuseum right in the airport, with a show of Van Gogh's Nature Works now. ATM machines are nearby too. Have a great time!

I'm safe and sound in Afghanistan, and all is going smoothly.

[slb2]

Oh, man. I am floored by the goodness of people. DocK takes time to write out these explicit instructions. My trip appears headed for stunning experiences what with all the expert, veteran, caring tips I'm receiving.

I saw BeauSoleil last night in a concert at St. Benedict's College and had a nice chat with Michael afterwards. Our conversation ended with him telling me to e-mail him so that he could send me the name of a friend of his in Paris who would show me the Cajun French musical hotspots.

Picked up that e-mail from MD a few minutes ago. I'm now set to efficiently tour Amsterdam, find my way around the backstages of of a musical bonanaza in Hamburg thanks to a connection I made there, and get a personal tour of the music around the French cathedrals in Paris.

Pinch me, I think I'm dreaming.

[booklady]

I had to re-read this thread to refresh my memory and get caught up (I kept seeing that there were new posts and telling myself to remember to read them "later" ). There's some funny stuff in here. I was laughing my head off. ;D

So, slb, you are leaving soon! What's Ace going to do with the kids? How long will you be gone? (found it!) Have fun, doggonnit!

Glad to hear from Doc, too!

[booklady]

Apr 11, 2008 15:31:40 GMT -5 doctork said:

I'm not sure about Wi-fi access, but you will need a converter to plug in your laptop safely. Different countries have different voltage, and they differ by AC vs DC (or something like that, not my area of expertise). The configuration of the plug is usually slightly different too. With the converter, you plug your laptop power source into one end of the converter, and then the converter itself plugs into the wall outlet. You have to buy the right converter for the right country (ies), or buy a converter set that has adapters for many countries. AAA, TravelSmith or Magellen should have them, maybe eBags. You can get them in Europe too, but they may be more expensive onsite.

I've been trying to decide if I want to bring my laptop to Afghanistan with me. Leaning against at the moment, just because of the trouble of watching and worrying over it. There are occasional reports of customs difficulties, though I don't think you will find "irregularities" in western Europe. Afghanistan also does not have reliable electricity (to put it mildly), so surge protector with emergency power supply is a must there too.

If you blog online at an internet-based website, you can use an Internet Cafe, which are abundant in most places I have visited, even Afghanistan. Just pay for the computer time and go to your website.

Lurk on FlyerTalk, especially in the Technology section, to see about the WiFi access question. The search function should help. If you don't find what you want, go ahead and post the question. If you identify yourself as a newbie, and explain you couldn't find the answer through the search function, I don't think anyone will flame you. And someone will surely have the answer to your questions, right down to specific locations in specific towns.

Isn't Doc smart?! Wow.

[slb2]

May 4, 2008 9:50:55 GMT -5 booklady said:

So, slb, you are leaving soon! What's Ace going to do with the kids?

That's a loaded question...

Actually, I should post over in the Prayer Requests thread. My girls are flipping out regarding undefined angst.

[Trusty]

May 4, 2008 9:00:17 GMT -5 @slb2 said:

Our conversation ended with him telling me to e-mail him so that he could send me the name of a friend of his in Paris who would show me the Cajun French musical hotspots.

...the...Cajun...French...musical...hotspots - in Paris !!

Now, THAT'S cool!


...need full report...need full report...

---

PS: THIS should get ya started...

[booklady]

What do you suggest?

First night on the road to Vicksburg. I'm not entirely pursuaded that Cooperstown, dear that it is to me, is the best choice.

It needs to be place within about three hours or so of Providence, RI on one end, and Harrisburg, PA on the other. Not NYC, no. Not this month. I'm thinking about the Hudson River Valley. I saw West Point one time about 30 years ago. Any suggestions?

[joew]

Are the cities of northeastern PA too close to Harrisburg? I've never been there, but if I wanted to avoid NYC and go no more than three hrs. from Providence, I'd consider heading that way to see what the area has to offer.

[doctork]

You could check out the sloop Clearwater and go on one of their educational sails for the general public in Poughkeepsie, NY - see www.clearwater.org. Pete Seeger lives nearby in Beacon, NY I think, and he was one of the founders of the organization, which is dedicated to improving the environment, especially the Hudson River. It's near West Point too - just across the river. Too bad you'll just miss the Great Hudson River Revival Festival, which is June 20 - 21.

Or a little farther down the road, check out the Poconos. Lots of resorts in the area around Stroudsburg, PA. I was last there many years ago, so I can't recall specifics.

Philly is not far from Harrisburg - maybe 90 minutes, max 2 hours. Lancaster, PA and Amish country lies between the two cities a bit to the south, and Three Mile Island is right outside Harrisburg. Amish country is interesting.

[liriodendron]

Jun 2, 2008 19:30:34 GMT -5 doctork said:

Or a little farther down the road, check out the Poconos. Lots of resorts in the area around Stroudsburg, PA.

Now I might actually be able to offer some assistance here . I know quite a few people who live in the area. Let me know if you want me to contact any of them for suggestions.