My 9 day 25 yr anniversary trip ended miserably
Oct 27th, 2006, 12:49 AM
#22
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For three years I had a job registering tourist complaints and forwarding them to the designated authorities. I think it took me three days to learn not to offer sympathy before obtaining absolutely complete details with documented evidence.
Terminology such as <assaulted and robbed> is used completely differently by different people. It can mean <bumped and pickpocketed> or <knife at my throat>. So let's wait for the story. What all of us know through experience or imagination is that being in a foreign city suddenly without money, passport, or tickets is traumatic.
Terminology such as <assaulted and robbed> is used completely differently by different people. It can mean <bumped and pickpocketed> or <knife at my throat>. So let's wait for the story. What all of us know through experience or imagination is that being in a foreign city suddenly without money, passport, or tickets is traumatic.
Oct 27th, 2006, 03:38 AM
#23
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I'm sorry about Joram's unhappy ending but after reading this thread I wouldn't blame him for not coming back here. I hope the last part of his trip doesn't put him off more travel.
Not everyone is able to travel across the pond as often as others can & so this is particularly a shame if it's a once in a lifetime trip.
Not everyone is able to travel across the pond as often as others can & so this is particularly a shame if it's a once in a lifetime trip.
Oct 27th, 2006, 07:35 AM
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Joram, my heart goes out to you... please tell what happened. The purpose of this forum is to share traveling advice & stories. We can all learn from another.
I just checked your previous postings and see that you really put some time and planning into this trip. Wishing you all the best.
I just checked your previous postings and see that you really put some time and planning into this trip. Wishing you all the best.
Oct 27th, 2006, 06:51 PM
#29
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joram, I remember reading about your questions regarding this trip.
If the smart alecs had clicked on your name they too would have read your other posts.
Having been in the insurance business for decades I am more aware of how tragedies can really upset a person be it their house catching on fire, an auto accident, being burglarized, being assaulted etc. I had grown men sit in my office and break into tears..including some high level executives.
Please, if you can, ignore the rude comments.
Most of us would like to hear about your 25th anniversary trip, the good and the bad. Take care and please, do not judge all of us by a few comments that are so unnecessary. Best regards with hope you will share the rest of your trip with us.
If the smart alecs had clicked on your name they too would have read your other posts.
Having been in the insurance business for decades I am more aware of how tragedies can really upset a person be it their house catching on fire, an auto accident, being burglarized, being assaulted etc. I had grown men sit in my office and break into tears..including some high level executives.
Please, if you can, ignore the rude comments.
Most of us would like to hear about your 25th anniversary trip, the good and the bad. Take care and please, do not judge all of us by a few comments that are so unnecessary. Best regards with hope you will share the rest of your trip with us.
Oct 27th, 2006, 09:12 PM
#31
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It looks like the very rude posts have been deleted by the editors. That is good.
I too hope you are alright joram, please give us the next installment of your anniversary trip when you are able to. Best regards.
I too hope you are alright joram, please give us the next installment of your anniversary trip when you are able to. Best regards.
Oct 28th, 2006, 06:13 AM
#32
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Violence has become all too real in Paris lately. My friend was just assaulted recently in Paris.
Many unemployed youths--the same youths who rioted this past summer--are resorting to robbery and kidnapping for money.
This has been reported in the press--NYTIMES--so don't say I or anyone else is making it up.
Many of you live in fantasy land when it comes to Europe. As a native-born European I know better.
Many unemployed youths--the same youths who rioted this past summer--are resorting to robbery and kidnapping for money.
This has been reported in the press--NYTIMES--so don't say I or anyone else is making it up.
Many of you live in fantasy land when it comes to Europe. As a native-born European I know better.
Oct 28th, 2006, 08:32 AM
#34
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Yes, there is more to the story---most of it is good and I had a really good time most of it. Sorry for the delay. As you might expect, I've been busy trying to get new credit cards, reporting to credit bureaus so my ID is not stolen (I hope), meeting with my bank, trying to get new drivers license, etc. etc. I'll post more tonight. thanks for the support and responses. We did have a very good trip but are very much more distrusting--even here at home.
Oct 28th, 2006, 08:37 AM
#35
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I've enjoyed your trip report thus far - looking forward to reading more (yes, even the nightmare part in hopes that others may learn from your experience). Sorrow for your miserable ending from this poster...
Oct 28th, 2006, 11:41 AM
#36
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I'm back and happy to continue the report. First of all, I hope I didn't offend anyone by my comments. I merely was trying to report my impression of my trip. I like the Jolly St Ermin's and it was as close to everything we had planned as we could have wanted. The staff was extremely nice and helpful throughout. The comment about the area was simply my attempt to report that after dark my wife had a real aversion to walking the last 2 blocks around the corner to where the police were stationed. Anyway, I'll briefly cover the London stay and move on to Paris. On day 2 of our trip we walked to Westminster Abbey again and spent the morning walking around the area. Along the way, we saw the Horseguards, #1 Downing street, and the Cabinet War room museum. There is so much to see---one could spend an entire day just doing that area. We took a cab to Leicester (sp?) square and attempted to buy tickets to Wicked but were told it was sold out. We took a cab to St. Paul's Cathedral. It is awesome and, for me, the highlight of my stay in London. My wife decided to walk up the stairs to the top. I had back surgery (had my back fused, 2 metal plates inserted with 5 screws) about 13 years ago so I decided I wasn't in shape. My legs still get numb after exercise or much walking. She walked over 500 steps to the top and took terrific pictures. Then, we walked back thru China Town (I think), crossed Waterloo bridge, passed the London Eye, and took great night shots of Big Ben and Parliament as we crossed back towards Westminster Abbey. We took a cab to the Apollo Theatre and asked if they had tickets for tomorrow's show. Surprising, we got great seats to Wicked on my birthday. It is a great show, by the way. Then we walked back to the hotel after getting a bite to eat at a restaurant on Victoria Street. The next day we walked to see the the changing of the guard at Buckinham Palace. We walked around the area most of the morning and afternoon taking pictures (about 200 for this stay). We decided to go to Harrod's, shop, and eat at Laduree since we weren't sure if we would be able to do that in Paris with my wife's list firmly full. I ate a club sandwich and tea. I can't remember what my wife ate but she liked it. We decided to try the macaroons that we'd read so much about. She had chocolate and I asked for strawberry but they were out and I got raspberry. Since I'm not much for sweets, I thought it was a little too sweet. My wife liked hers but told me later that she didn't think they were 'to die for'. We shopped a while and then walked back to the hotel to prepare for the play. This ended our stay in London and we took a cab early in the morning to the Eurostar. We had never done this by ourselves so it was an experience. I had also prepaid the tickets and picked them up without a problem. The trip to Paris was smooth and quiet. I had spent almost all of my English currency so I left the rest for the housekeepers. I explained to my wife that our first priority at the train station was to go to an ATM and get euros or exchange my american dollars for euros before taking a taxi to the hotel. When we arrived in Paris, we were excited and full of anticipation. We had a quick half day last year and saw some things from the bus window, climbed to the 2nd floor of the Eiffel tower, etc. so we were excited that we had 6 nights now to devote to Paris. I'll report beginning with our arrival at the train station tomorrow. So far, so good and lots of good memories and many pictures.
Oct 28th, 2006, 12:18 PM
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Hi joram, I am glad to see you "reported" back to us. I got a bit worried that maybe you were in the hospital or something. Will be gone this weekend but will enjoy reading more of your trip report when I get home. The London portion of your trip sounds quite lovely!!
