Funny events on your trip in Europe
Jun 6th, 2010, 08:09 AM
#1
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Funny events on your trip in Europe
I'll go first., It was the first time my husband visited Provence with me.
We were not sure if we were on the right road so he stopped to look at the map.
I said, I think i'll get out and stretch my legs. Little did we know we were beside an irrigation ditch. I stepped out and tumbled into the water, ruining my new Armani jacket,
pants and shoes..Soaking wet I walked across the road to the sunny side and I lay down in front of a huge wrought iron gate.My husband says while you dry off, I'll nap.
Soon, I dozed off to awaken to a deafening roar. It was the gardener on some kind of
moto rvehicle. He saw me looking like a drenched mess, laughed, and waved goodbye.
After drying out enough to take off these now smelly clothes. I cleaned up by the side of the road using baby wipes and changed into fresh clothes.
We were not sure if we were on the right road so he stopped to look at the map.
I said, I think i'll get out and stretch my legs. Little did we know we were beside an irrigation ditch. I stepped out and tumbled into the water, ruining my new Armani jacket,
pants and shoes..Soaking wet I walked across the road to the sunny side and I lay down in front of a huge wrought iron gate.My husband says while you dry off, I'll nap.
Soon, I dozed off to awaken to a deafening roar. It was the gardener on some kind of
moto rvehicle. He saw me looking like a drenched mess, laughed, and waved goodbye.
After drying out enough to take off these now smelly clothes. I cleaned up by the side of the road using baby wipes and changed into fresh clothes.
Jun 6th, 2010, 08:25 AM
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That is funny!!
We were in Paris in front of the Sacre Coeur. (sp?) An Irish family walked in front of us and a pickpocket grabbed the dad's wallet. Fast as lightening the Irishman turned around, grabbed the pickpocket's neck and said, "I want me wallet. Give back me wallet." He squeezed the pickpocket's neck so hard his (the pickpocket) face was turning red, and he still wouldn't give back the wallet. The Irishman squeezed harder, the pickpocket gasped and finally handed over the wallet. The whole time his daughter had the video camera running.
After it was over everyone gave a round of applause to the Irishman. I suppose you had to be there, but it was so funny to see a pickpocket get what was coming to him. I think it will be a great video for this family to show to their friends.
We were in Paris in front of the Sacre Coeur. (sp?) An Irish family walked in front of us and a pickpocket grabbed the dad's wallet. Fast as lightening the Irishman turned around, grabbed the pickpocket's neck and said, "I want me wallet. Give back me wallet." He squeezed the pickpocket's neck so hard his (the pickpocket) face was turning red, and he still wouldn't give back the wallet. The Irishman squeezed harder, the pickpocket gasped and finally handed over the wallet. The whole time his daughter had the video camera running.
After it was over everyone gave a round of applause to the Irishman. I suppose you had to be there, but it was so funny to see a pickpocket get what was coming to him. I think it will be a great video for this family to show to their friends.
Jun 6th, 2010, 08:32 AM
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Thank you, cigale! I was hoping you would start this thread. Thanks for remembering. I can't wait to hear the stories.
Two of our funniest travel memories happened consecutively during our trip to Maui years ago when we were circling the long way around the island on Highway 31 back from Hana (the side where the rental car companies don't want you to go). DH was driving and we had our two youngest kids in the back (then 13 and five). The area on that side of the island is almost exclusively local. Keep in mind also that we were probably all rather "punch drunk" from getting up so early that morning.
This is from my 2004 Fodor's trip report:
"Just after leaving Oheo Gulch, we got stuck behind a group of horses trotting closely together behind a cart. Their broad hindquarters were perfectly framed in the windshield and it struck me that they looked just like they were dancing to the music on the CD. It happened to be an island version of Willie Nelson's 'On the Road Again' and, when I pointed this out to the kids, it sent them into fits of laughter. PAP took a picture of this 'view' for our scrapbook. I'm sure it was one of those quirky had-to-be-there moments, but it's one we won't forget. That song won't ever be the same again, either.
The views of the southern coast and Haleakala were also incredible along cliff-hugging Hwy 31. The blind curves are nerve-racking, but very much worth the drive. At one point coming around a narrow corner, a local 'businessman' leaned out of his old white Buick and waved a humongous doobie in PAP's face. The man was grinning from ear to ear and obviously having a great time teasing the haoles."
It's true. I have never heard Willie sign "On the Road Again" since without picturing those humongous horse butts side-by-side in our windshield swinging in perfect rhythm to the music.
Two of our funniest travel memories happened consecutively during our trip to Maui years ago when we were circling the long way around the island on Highway 31 back from Hana (the side where the rental car companies don't want you to go). DH was driving and we had our two youngest kids in the back (then 13 and five). The area on that side of the island is almost exclusively local. Keep in mind also that we were probably all rather "punch drunk" from getting up so early that morning.
This is from my 2004 Fodor's trip report:
"Just after leaving Oheo Gulch, we got stuck behind a group of horses trotting closely together behind a cart. Their broad hindquarters were perfectly framed in the windshield and it struck me that they looked just like they were dancing to the music on the CD. It happened to be an island version of Willie Nelson's 'On the Road Again' and, when I pointed this out to the kids, it sent them into fits of laughter. PAP took a picture of this 'view' for our scrapbook. I'm sure it was one of those quirky had-to-be-there moments, but it's one we won't forget. That song won't ever be the same again, either.
The views of the southern coast and Haleakala were also incredible along cliff-hugging Hwy 31. The blind curves are nerve-racking, but very much worth the drive. At one point coming around a narrow corner, a local 'businessman' leaned out of his old white Buick and waved a humongous doobie in PAP's face. The man was grinning from ear to ear and obviously having a great time teasing the haoles."
It's true. I have never heard Willie sign "On the Road Again" since without picturing those humongous horse butts side-by-side in our windshield swinging in perfect rhythm to the music.
Jun 6th, 2010, 08:35 AM
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After my studies in Florence ended, I had "budgeted" a few weeks for myself to travel a bit within Europe. I was going to Avignon and had to change trains in Marseille. I had a backpack, which I was wearing, a small duffle bag and a large, heavy suitcase with me, as I'd been in Italy for a while. (I'd sent home "winter clothes). So I boarded the train in Marseille with some difficulty. I'd actually gotten onto the train, threw my backpack and duffle bag, and needed to use two hands to hoist the suitcase up. The train started to move, and I gave the big suitcase one last "tug" and apparently didn't realize my own strength. Between the movement of the train and my effort, the suitcase "came onboard" with such force that it knocked me flat onto the floor of the train.
BC
BC
Jun 6th, 2010, 09:02 AM
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These are funny! We've had quite a few in our four years of non-stop travel, but I think this one was by far the funniest...in Portugal confronted by a naked German!
http://www.soultravelers3.com/2008/0...-and-nake.html
We also found it quite funny that the only time we got pulled over in Europe, was by police on the autoban in Germany...for going too slow!! We were only going 80 miles an hour!!
We drive in a heavy, small motorhome (weighted down by books & full sized digital piano for homeschool) so can only go so fast up hills. We had no idea that it was a cop car in front of us or what the colorful sign on top was saying in German. Finally he waved with his arm, so we got his meaning, but we were a bit fearful that it might be some kind of crime as we had read about people pretending to be police to rob people.
Nope, real police and they just told us to go faster. We could keep up with the minimum as long as there were no hills.
http://www.soultravelers3.com/2008/0...-and-nake.html
We also found it quite funny that the only time we got pulled over in Europe, was by police on the autoban in Germany...for going too slow!! We were only going 80 miles an hour!!
We drive in a heavy, small motorhome (weighted down by books & full sized digital piano for homeschool) so can only go so fast up hills. We had no idea that it was a cop car in front of us or what the colorful sign on top was saying in German. Finally he waved with his arm, so we got his meaning, but we were a bit fearful that it might be some kind of crime as we had read about people pretending to be police to rob people.
Nope, real police and they just told us to go faster. We could keep up with the minimum as long as there were no hills.
Jun 6th, 2010, 10:40 AM
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Not really funny but odd:
The first time I tried to get an iced coffee in London (it was about 85). I asked and the waitress didn't understand. so I explained. she brought me what I think was a coffee iced cram soda. this was about 15 years ago. Perhaps they have iced coffee now. I haven;t asked again.
Also, some odd examples of the language that divides us:
Salad "cream" instead of dressing
Chicken salad - cold chicken with lettuce and tomatoes on the side (not a salad made from chicken, celery and whatever held together with mayo)
Asking for a large ice water (a still small glass with one cube of ice)
Another source of interest is the many, many ways there are of flushing a toilet. My favorite was at a rest stop on the autostrada. I searched everywhere, before finally seeing a slightly different colored "tile" on the floor - it was a rubber nipple that you had to step on to flush.
The first time I tried to get an iced coffee in London (it was about 85). I asked and the waitress didn't understand. so I explained. she brought me what I think was a coffee iced cram soda. this was about 15 years ago. Perhaps they have iced coffee now. I haven;t asked again.
Also, some odd examples of the language that divides us:
Salad "cream" instead of dressing
Chicken salad - cold chicken with lettuce and tomatoes on the side (not a salad made from chicken, celery and whatever held together with mayo)
Asking for a large ice water (a still small glass with one cube of ice)
Another source of interest is the many, many ways there are of flushing a toilet. My favorite was at a rest stop on the autostrada. I searched everywhere, before finally seeing a slightly different colored "tile" on the floor - it was a rubber nipple that you had to step on to flush.
Jun 6th, 2010, 11:22 AM
#10
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Toilets!! I was once in one (FRANCE) but couldn't figure out how to flush and was too emabrressed to simply walk away,
so I waited outside for another woman to approach. Luckily she understood English, and I explained my problem.
She told me what to look for in this toilet. Later she sent us over glasses of champagne. There have been many toilets and showers were hard for me to figure out.
so I waited outside for another woman to approach. Luckily she understood English, and I explained my problem.
She told me what to look for in this toilet. Later she sent us over glasses of champagne. There have been many toilets and showers were hard for me to figure out.
Jun 6th, 2010, 11:40 AM
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A post about wearing Red White & Blue on July 4th in France, made be remember this when we were in Italy on July 4th in 1979. We were on our first and only (gasp) bus tour of Europe & the whole bus load of us were eating at one of those places that cater to groups. Our waiter brought out liter bottles of Coke and with a flourish announced "American Champagne!" Then for dessert the waiters brought out cakes with sparklers and we all sang a patriotic song. At the time, the waiters probably got a bigger charge out of it than we did, but it was fun. And, thinking back on it, was was pretty funny.
Jun 6th, 2010, 12:53 PM
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Sometimes my sister and I leave our husbands for a week or two and go to Europe.
One year we were in Florence and my sister had a huge (last time she packed like that) suitcase. We had to go up a step so she turned backwards to pull it up. She missed and fell flat on her back with the suitcase on top of her. I was laughing so hard I couldn't help her. A very handsome young Italian gentleman walked up to her put his had out and pulled her up.....we now refer to him as Paolo.
Another year when we were in Paris in the Marias I was doing the stupid tourist thing of standing on the corner looking at a map. A gentleman walked up to me and asked if he could help. He was dressed in a white suit and white hat just like Maurice Chevalier...ok it dates me....He helped us and we were on our way. About a hour later we were sitting in the garden of a museum cooling off and "Maurice" walked up to us again. We said we were ok and just resting. After he left my sister said, "If he comes up to us again, I'm running." I said, "But he could be Maurice Chevalier's ghost."
I realized later we probably should have had him sit down and talk to him about the area.
One year we were in Florence and my sister had a huge (last time she packed like that) suitcase. We had to go up a step so she turned backwards to pull it up. She missed and fell flat on her back with the suitcase on top of her. I was laughing so hard I couldn't help her. A very handsome young Italian gentleman walked up to her put his had out and pulled her up.....we now refer to him as Paolo.
Another year when we were in Paris in the Marias I was doing the stupid tourist thing of standing on the corner looking at a map. A gentleman walked up to me and asked if he could help. He was dressed in a white suit and white hat just like Maurice Chevalier...ok it dates me....He helped us and we were on our way. About a hour later we were sitting in the garden of a museum cooling off and "Maurice" walked up to us again. We said we were ok and just resting. After he left my sister said, "If he comes up to us again, I'm running." I said, "But he could be Maurice Chevalier's ghost."
I realized later we probably should have had him sit down and talk to him about the area.
Jun 6th, 2010, 01:28 PM
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It was my first to Europe (London and Paris). On the way over my very (very) new SO managed to hit my eye with a bottle of red wine. I was stretched out on three seats (5 across) and his hand hit his open bottle (he was reading). It hit my eye hard and spilled all over my white top. I was given wings by the flight attendant...really! He was speechless (the only time I saw him so!) and was afraid the trip was ruined. I ended up with a big black eye. The desk clerks in particular looked suspiciously at us for the entire trip.
Jun 6th, 2010, 04:43 PM
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I have one other: We rented a house in Tuscany. My sister and her husband got to Rome very late on Saturday so we arrived at the house very late...with no food. The next morning my husband and I went out (early Sunday morning) foraging for food. On the way to the village we passed a Shell gas station. The village was shut tight. On the way back we stopped there at the gas station just to get "gas station food" to hold us over....whatever. We were starved. I got out of the car and the windows of the building were reflective so we couldn't see in. I opened the door and looked in and all I could hear were angels singing....there were sparkling glass cases filled with the most delicious, bakery fresh pastries....boudini di riso (my favorite) and anything else you could think of....I was in heaven!
Jun 6th, 2010, 05:59 PM
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We were living in an apartment in Montepulciano for our week there and because we had a kitchen, we cooked a few dinners at home. One of the pleasures of that week was going to the shops for groceries. One day I decided we needed some fresh mushrooms for dinner -- I'd seen dried ones everywhere but no fresh ones. Now, to say that my Italian is minimal would be a gross exaggeration.
I went into a fresh vegetable shop (what we'd call a greengrocer here) while my SO waited outside. In my very best Italian (hahaha), I asked "Do you have any fresh mushrooms?" I didn't see any and he shook his head no, so I said grazie and left. I found my SO outside and said that there were no fresh mushrooms but that I was pretty pleased with myself that I'd been able to ask for them in Italian.
We walked along a little ways and I thought about it and said to my SO, I think I might have said "Are you any fresh mushrooms?" We had a little laugh about that.
We walked along a little farther and I thought about it a little more. I said to my SO, I think what I actually said was "Let's go, fresh mushrooms!"
No wonder the guy shook his head. It wasn't that he didn't have any. It was bewilderment.
I went into a fresh vegetable shop (what we'd call a greengrocer here) while my SO waited outside. In my very best Italian (hahaha), I asked "Do you have any fresh mushrooms?" I didn't see any and he shook his head no, so I said grazie and left. I found my SO outside and said that there were no fresh mushrooms but that I was pretty pleased with myself that I'd been able to ask for them in Italian.
We walked along a little ways and I thought about it and said to my SO, I think I might have said "Are you any fresh mushrooms?" We had a little laugh about that.
We walked along a little farther and I thought about it a little more. I said to my SO, I think what I actually said was "Let's go, fresh mushrooms!"
No wonder the guy shook his head. It wasn't that he didn't have any. It was bewilderment.
