General Travel Tips and Advice Have you traveled before?- Please share your tips and advice with fellow Tpunks! |
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08-17-2004, 07:42 PM
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#1
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Okay, so I'm taking my first trip to Europe at the end of the month. I've done some traveling in my day, but never on that side of the world. I"ll be going to Spain, Amsterdam, Scotland, Austrian, Switzerland, and France (not necessarily in that order). What is the ONE thing I need to know about each of these countries that will make my trip easier. I'm looking for cultural tips, ie how to get along with locals, any customs or things not to do that aren't in books and whatnot. thanks.
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"In all the world, there is no place dedicated to solitude." -Chief Seattle
"You shouldn't expect anything now. You should just wait and see what happens." -James Frey
You realize the sun don't go down. It's just an illusion caused by the world spinning round.
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08-17-2004, 08:43 PM
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#2
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To Smart For Mensa
Join Date: Jul 2004
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be friendly!
and bring your passport... and peanut butter....
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Adventure needs to be as much about discovering yourself as it is about discovering the world.
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08-18-2004, 07:38 AM
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#3
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Join Date: Oct 2003
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Spain - Learn some basic Spanish phrases. English is not widely spoken there
Amsterdam - If you are going to smoke weed and hash, don't assume that it is acceptable everywhere. If you are in a bar, ask the bartender if it is alright to smoke it there
Switzerland - Eat from the super markets! I am sure you would like to try the local cuisine, but food in restaurants is very expensive and it really is not that special (melted cheese and hash browns)
France - Learn some basic French phrases. When I was in Paris, it seemed that even though some of the people might be able to speak English, they don't seem to want to. If you leave the big cities, not many know English.
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08-19-2004, 07:30 AM
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#4
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Thanks y'all. Good advice.
__________________
"In all the world, there is no place dedicated to solitude." -Chief Seattle
"You shouldn't expect anything now. You should just wait and see what happens." -James Frey
You realize the sun don't go down. It's just an illusion caused by the world spinning round.
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08-19-2004, 10:06 AM
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#5
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TPunk Emeritus
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When attempting to ask a local something or talk with a waiter/clerk/etc. greet them in French/Spanish/etc. (simple hello works). If they seem friendly ask 'Do you speak English?' in their native language. I think Spanish is 'Habla Engles?' and French is like 'Parla vu Ingles'. (Been a while since class.) Look it up on Altavista.com.
As long as your kind and show them that you respect their language it should work. Kind of how when a Mexican person is in front of someone at a supermarket. If their trying to communicate with some English one's more likely to feel nicer and try to help them if asked. However if their talking in Spanish one's more likely to ignore them or think their stupid foreigners.
So make the attempt and don't feel bad if you pronouce words horribly. Their get what you're saying and show you respect for trying.
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"If I had a kid I'd f**k it. Then kill it. Then f**k it again." Seattle 2006
blog of travels and such
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Currently located in HAWAII
Been to: Alaska, Bahamas, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Hawaii, Spain, Switzerland - - also meetups in Chicago, LA, and Seattle
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08-19-2004, 10:08 AM
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#6
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TPunk Emeritus
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Damn forgot to add this.
As for shopping at the supermarkets in Switzerland. That is a must! Totally buy those little cheese rolls (like Belle brand or something). They are so good there. I've tried them back home but their nothing compared to Swiss ones. Haw, now I'm craving them.
__________________
Amber
"If I had a kid I'd f**k it. Then kill it. Then f**k it again." Seattle 2006
blog of travels and such
flickr
Currently located in HAWAII
Been to: Alaska, Bahamas, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Hawaii, Spain, Switzerland - - also meetups in Chicago, LA, and Seattle
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