That's right, eduardo has finally convinced me to get out of American and see that there really is a place called Europe. And it doesn't have to cost and arm and a leg to visit. So, i am planning on traveling to Europe and staying for about 10 days.

When: November 24 - December 5 (2004)
Where: i am planning on seeing the following major cities:

I would like very very much to meet as many European Perlmonks as i can, and any offers for a "free" place to stay would be wonderful. I am willing to buy dinners and such in exchange for a floor to sleep on. :D Can't offer a place to stay? Let's just meet for a beer. The cities i listed are just preliminary, i leave that list flexible in case a few monks really feel i should visit elsewhere. I just want to get out and finally see Europe. Maybe i can do Asia next year. ;)

I figure that if i start planning now, i can develop a good travel plan. If you are interested in meeting me, or if you have any advice at all, please respond or /msg me. Also, if you know of other European Perlmonks who might not have been around the Monastery recently, please feel free to /msg them this node.

UPDATE: Majority seems to agree, limit. So i knocked out Rome and Berlin :.( . By the way, eduardo is helping plan and prepare (he's from Spain) and he reminds me that once i visit Europe, i will go back every year. So ... next time. :)

My plane lands in London and my flight home departs from Amsterdam, so those two cities are set in stone. Adding Paris makes a nice tight triangle, and Brussels is in on the way to Amsterdam from Paris ... but three is probably plenty. Thanks again. :)

jeffa

L-LL-L--L-LL-L--L-LL-L--
-R--R-RR-R--R-RR-R--R-RR
B--B--B--B--B--B--B--B--
H---H---H---H---H---H---
(the triplet paradiddle with high-hat)

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: "jeffa Goes To Europe"
by shenme (Priest) on Aug 10, 2004 at 04:26 UTC
    Smart traveler trick #47: (Especially if you're hoping for blanket & pillow on those floors)
    Take small gifts with you.
    My wife is remembered at the monastery library where she studied partly because of the small tokens we left them. Texas pecan pralines were unheard of and a big hit. And we thought we'd have no place for the BBQ chef apron until a priest drove us to his church in Florence and cooked us Sunday lunch!

    Think of it this way. Pack some gifts, so you'll have room in your luggage coming back, and won't have to choose whether to ship your clothes or your purchases back.

[reply]
      Genius!

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Re: "jeffa Goes To Europe"
by VSarkiss (Monsignor) on Aug 09, 2004 at 18:52 UTC

    Try getting in touch with some Perl Mongers groups in your possible destinations, such as London.pm. Maybe you can be an agenda item at a meeting. ;-)

[reply]
      Good advice. I did that when I was in London and it was really fun. London.pm knows the best pubs in town.
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Re: "jeffa Goes To Europe"
by tilly (Archbishop) on Aug 10, 2004 at 00:03 UTC
    Advice: See fewer cities.

    It is a common mistake to pack too much into a short trip. In each city you'll want to see far more than you'll get a chance to see. And travelling between cities gets to you after a bit.

[reply]
      Advice: See fewer cities.

      I'd second that. I've had friends from the US try this sort of thing and not enjoy it at all since they spent half their holiday in airports :-)

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        ... spend half their time in airports...
        One way to avoid that and see more of the scenery is to take the train. London to Paris via the Eurotunnel should only take a couple of hours longer than by plane (door to door), and will let you see a lot more country. Paris to Brussels and Brussels to Amsterdam should probably be pretty quick as well.

        Michael

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Re: "jeffa Goes To Europe"
by gmpassos (Priest) on Aug 10, 2004 at 00:21 UTC
    5 cities in 10 days?! Europe is not soo big, but is not soo small, since I think that you are not thinking in the locomotion time.

    From one country to another you always need 1 day to move between them, also don't forget that the free pass in Europe is only for citizens from there, so, you will be there as a traveler.

    And you won't enjoy the Europe if you stay only 1 free day in each place! I think that you should take 3 days at least and reduce the cities. Or stay there 1 month an visit all the Europe.

    Other thing, don't think that everybody talk in english, or like to talk in english! Always try to learn the basics of each place, specially in France and Germany. Always think that everybody knows english, but you are in their home, so, don't think or act as they are obligated to understand/talk in other language. The biggest respect that you can show to them is that you are trying to learn their language.

    And enjoy the trip. ;-P

    Graciliano M. P.
    "Creativity is the expression of the liberty".

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Re: "jeffa Goes To Europe"
by elusion (Curate) on Aug 10, 2004 at 00:57 UTC
    tilly's right. Splitting a week between Paris and London can be difficult, depending on the type of sightseeing you plan to do. The Louvre in Paris, for example, can easily take up a whole day (or more). Much more history has occurred in a much smaller space than here in America.

    That having been said, if you're in Paris, I highly recommend seeing Sainte Chapelle -- it is probably the most beautiful cathedral I have ever seen. And no picture could ever do it justice.

    Also, get tours when possible: they greatly heighten the experience.

    elusion : http://matt.diephouse.com

[reply]
      The Louvre in Paris, for example, can easily take up a whole day (or more).

      I knew somebody who spent one of his two days in London looking at half of the Science Museum :-)

[reply]
        I knew somebody who spent one of his two days in London looking at half of the Science Museum
        My wife and I spent 3 days at the British Museum. Though I guess you have to like that sort of thing to spend that much time there (and it's free!) :)
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