Jess

Well Fodorites, I am just 2 days away from my first trip overseas. For those of you who forget or are just becoming aware of my trip, I'm flying to London, staying for 1 day, then flying to Edinburgh for Hogmanay (woo-hoo!). After that, I return to London, then stay with a friend in Reading for a week, then check into my one-person room in London and explore for 10 days! A lot of you have offered me great advice about London and general overseas travel over the past four months. I'll try to post a mid-trip report from an internet cafe (wherever I can find one-any suggestions around Bayswater?). <BR><BR>I figured I'd offer what I've gleaned from that massive amount of advice both to me and what I've read (of course, most of these are gross enhancements of what I've read, it'd be way overdone to post the obvious : ) ):<BR><BR>1. Washcloths are a black market commodity.<BR>2. Sterilize yourself before boarding a plane. You don't want anyone to hurt you over how bad/good you smell.<BR>3. If it's a choice between the plane's lavatory and waiting...hold it.<BR>4. I have full permission to recline my seat on the plane (of course, that was the general opinion on a thread I read about a week ago, that may have changed...)<BR>5. Listen to Ben Haines and Wes Fowler, they are dubbed my "gurus of travel" for London.<BR>6. Do your homework: Read up on where you're going.<BR>7. Take up a habit of the locals: smoke 'em if you got 'em.<BR>8. Ziplocks are your friend (also a black market commodity)<BR>9. Photocopy everything. Your family may forget what you look like...best to photocopy your face as well...<BR>10. Bring more rolls of film than underwear.<BR>11. Be like a secret agent: Hide your valuables and American affiliation in interesting places (or be like x-files: trust no one)<BR>12. Separate clothes between suitcases of whomever you're traveling with. When traveling alone, make a friend, share their suitcase...<BR>13. Umbrella, Umbrella, Umbrella.<BR>14. All the cool kids are wearing Silk underwear.<BR>15. I am an ambassador for my people (I apologize in advance, my fellow americans...)<BR>16. Antibacterial face stuff is a great idea (especially when I'm not able to escape my window seat on the plane because the other people in my row have fallen asleep)<BR>17. I will need to sell my first born child to afford a hotel in London. (done)<BR>18. forward all your personal information, credit card numbers, pin numbers, last will and testament to everyone on your email groups. That way, you'll feel safe.<BR>19. Alcohol is your friend.<BR>20. Feminine products do not exist overseas<BR><BR>And...<BR>21. Before you leave, make sure to lock your keys in your car so you won't have to carry those pesky buggers with you.<BR><BR>Seriously though, I have learned so much from this website. I'd be lost without all the great information. See y'all in the New Year!<BR><BR>Cheers,<BR>Jess<BR>

ja

Jess - <BR>eexcept you left out the one about only wearing black. Seriously, have a wonderful, hassle-free trip. I envy you!<BR>Enjoy every minute.<BR>ja

Jess

duoh! Forgot that one. I'll notice that a lot more when I get there. : )

JOdy

Jess,<BR><BR>This was a real chuckle...you have the travel stuff down to a science!!!!!!!!!<BR><BR>Loved it!!!!

MaryC

Jess,<BR><BR>LOL! Great breakdown of travel advice.<BR>And did we ever come to a conclusion on the Hogamanay question (Hug-muh-nee, Hog-money, etc.)?<BR>Also, where will YOU be glugging champagne on New Year's?<BR>Best wishes for a Merry Trip for you.<BR><BR>

beth anderson

Jess - good for you! Maybe I will run into you there! (London).<BR><BR>internet cafs - try the one in Covent Garden - my new favorite, although I do not remember the name - cannot miss it, it's in the main market building, as you exit the tube and walk down towards the market... let me check and get back to you. you'll be in Covent Garden for sure...<BR><BR>as well as the Easy Everythings everywhere. There is one on Ken High Street, near Charing Cross Station, near Victoria Station, and up Tottenham Court Road - I think not too far from Goodge Street station? also near Goodge Street Station is a Cyberia - one of the first if not the first.<BR><BR>hope this helps...<BR><BR>Beth

ja

BTW - Happy belated Birthday, Jess!<BR>ja

Jess

Thanks MaryC- I put my info on the New Year's thread, but for those who haven't read that, I'll be in Edinburgh, who knows where exactly, and I think as soon as I land in Edinburgh I'll grab the first Scot I see and have them read the word "Hogmanay" from a piece of paper. (yeah, I won't look like a tourist doing that...)<BR><BR>Beth- Thanks for the advice on the cafes. I'll keep my eyes peeled. And your previous posts about moving over there and trying to find work was very inspiring to read. I've always wanted to live overseas...well one day.<BR><BR>ja- Thanks for the birthday wish! It was a lot of fun. Fielded phone calls from a ton of relatives (even more called this year because of my trip). Even managed to blow all the candles out on my cake! : )<BR><BR>If I get a chance to post again, I wanted to wish everyone a very happy and safe New Years!!<BR><BR>Cheers,<BR>Jess

gogoellen

Great synopsis of travel advice! (have my big trip in June!) What is Hogmanay????? Have a wonderful trip and we will so look forward to hearing about it!

ger

Jess, you are SO lucky that I caught this thread before you left. Selective advise on your list. Listen & learn!<BR><BR>Sterilize yourself before boarding a plane. <BR>A bit drastic, Dear, and perhaps unnecessary, for a two-week trip, don't you think? A simple "No, I am in a serious relationship" would probably be enough to ward off unwanted romantic intentions and mitigate the risk of discovery of "bun in oven" upon return from trip.<BR><BR>If it's a choice between the plane's lavatory and waiting...hold it: <BR>Well, as a frequent flyer, I would highly recommend a Catheter (choose your doctor VERY carefully)<BR><BR>I have full permission to recline my seat on the plane <BR>NOT if I'M sitting behind you BIT@&! If you want to recline, then go Business Class and take your squalling brats with you!!!<BR><BR>Listen to Ben Haines and Wes Fowler, they are dubbed my "gurus of travel" for London.<BR>SOOO True!<BR><BR>Do your homework: Read up on where you're going. <BR>ABSOLUTELY Unnecessary … Be spontaneous and ask the locals interesting and provocative question. A couple of interesting question to ask in Edinburgh, that will be sure to engender lively debate, would be:<BR>"But you SCOTCH people are really ENGLISH, right?" or, a favorite of mine<BR>"But wasn't William Wallace really an Aussie?"<BR><BR>Ziplocks are your friend (also a black market commodity) <BR>Yeah, but what do you DO you Americans DO with them??? Are you going to bring back leftover HAGGIS or something? POOH, isn't there enough toxic waste in NA?<BR><BR>Bring more rolls of film than underwear. <BR>EXCUSE ME, but my Granny said that, if you are a LADY, then you always carry a spare pair in your handbag in case you get knocked down by a truck. Of course, I'm not sure that, having been broad-sided by an 18-wheeler, your first thought would be changing the undies. OH Dear …Perhaps she was talking about been knocked UP by a TRUCKER!<BR><BR>Be like a secret agent: Hide your valuables and American affiliation in interesting places (or be like x-files: trust no one): <BR>WHAT a neophyte! No my dear … in Europe I would recommend X-rated AFFILIATIONS with INTERESTING AGENTS that are managing SECRET TRUST funds for Europeans in AMERICAN markets. Then BUILD a FILE, promise to HIDE his crimes, GRAB his VALUABLES and X-IT!<BR><BR>Umbrella, Umbrella, Umbrella: <BR>Nonsense - An unnecessary packing item! A plastic rain hat (available at K-Mart (99cents, with cute little pink bunny pattern) serves two purposes - to keep the rain off the perm (meant to last for the entire four weeks) and to ward off any unwelcome (or welcome) advances from them haggis-eating lotharios <BR><BR>I am an ambassador for my people (I apologize in advance, my fellow Americans...) <BR>OH SURE .. take the EASY way out. Where were YOUR ancestors in the 1290s and which side were THEY on…HUH??? (Be prepared, if your are going to Scotland - they have LONG memories)<BR><BR>Antibacterial face stuff is a great idea (especially when I'm not able to escape my window seat on the plane because the other people in my row have fallen asleep): <BR>OHMYGOD you are NOT joking … you really ARE traveling in ECONOMY??? (Note to self, scratch HER/HIM off MY 2002 Christmas Card List)<BR><BR>Alcohol is your friend. <BR>Yeah well that's the MOST sensible thing I have heard on this web-site for a very LONG time!<BR><BR>Feminine products do not exist overseas: <BR>Absolutely UNTRUE … Europe is renowned for the excellence of its chocolate, the availability of Bailey's in every bar , shoe stores on every corner … Am I missing something? What more do you want?<BR>Before you leave, make sure to lock your keys in your car so you won't have to carry those pesky buggers with you. <BR>Sell the car, you won't be back, Jess!<BR><BR>Regards ... Ger<BR><BR><BR>

Jess

Ger:<BR><BR>ROTFLMAO!! Very, very funny. Yes, very true, I may not be back...hmm. <BR><BR>I also forgot about wrapping yourself in dry cleaner plastic so you won't wrinkle. Wait a minute...maybe I got that wrong.<BR><BR>And, yes, I'll be back there in economy with all the other cheap people. (*Note to self: find a sugar-daddy to help me next time...)<BR><BR>And second place for those with the longest memory are mexican-americans. Trust me. Just ask one about where the first "real Thanksgiving" was held. (Although I'd advise not getting into an argument with one about the "stolen land thing", somehow my people don't take it well...and yeah, most of them know where their ancestors were...)<BR><BR>Perhaps I've been sampling a little too much of my Bailey's (yeah, I know really "girlie", but well, last time I checked...). And somehow so sad that you pegged one of my favorite drinks without even knowing me... <BR><BR>-Jess

Jim

Hi Jess:<BR> We ate at pubs mostly in both London and Edinburgh. We also asked people at B&B's where we stayed where they ate and used their recommendations.<BR> Have fun!!!