patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Feb 1, 2006 1:13:07 GMT -5
Jdav... seeing that Cinque Terra is early in the trip, I wish you the best of luck... plus, following it up by Rome (from what I hear) gets you extra bonus points... Congrats, and best wishes!! Let us know how it goes... PS... you'd better take pictures.
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patrickt
Senior Travel Member
Near? Faaaaaar!!!!
Posts: 80
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Post by patrickt on Jan 24, 2006 17:50:10 GMT -5
Hi, Cat!! I'm new on here, so excuse my 'newness'...
But Texas, on the other hand, is something I'm a pro at..
I grew up in Houston, and went to school and worked in Dallas for 5 years...
In Dallas, take a short drive over to Fort Worth for a stroll around "Sundance Square." It's a great place to go bar hopping... it's a little pricey, but it's worth... and the sunset\dusk time is gorgeous.. it's a really clean and pretty area...
Ft. Worth and Dallas both have spectacular theater communities... if you're into that... you can get relatively cheap tix.
There's also a theme park called "Six Flags Over Texas" right between Dallas and Ft. Worth... It's got some killer rides... though it tends to be busy during the summer, it's a lot of fun... I know, cause I worked in the entertainment department for 5 years... again, thats if you're into it.
Southwest Airlines is a no-frills, rather inexpensive airline.. They have TONS of daily flights all around the area in which you'll be traveling.. I use them, cause I feel safe, and I've never had any problems with luggage, etc... but, check online at the travel sites, as you may find something cheaper.
Houston, though it's my home town is far from being my favorite city... construction everywhere, and well, it just looks dirty. I'm not certain of the Houston nightlife, as I turned 18, and moved to Dallas... so I can't really help you out.. There are some beautiful places downtown in the theater district...
Just my 2.5 cents...
Enjoy your trip to the 'Lone Star' state...
PatrickT
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patrickt
Senior Travel Member
Near? Faaaaaar!!!!
Posts: 80
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Post by patrickt on Mar 22, 2006 13:56:48 GMT -5
Dublin is fantastic... Cold, and mostly cloudy, but today we had SUN!!! Went to Trinity College and checked out the Book of Kells and the 'Long Room.' It's amsolutely amazing!! I've heard lots of traditional Irish music... even bought a CD... Ronan... The pints of Guiness are running around 4.50-4.90 per pint... But honestly, it's not too much more pricey that what I've seen elsewhere in the country.. I'm having a good time here... I'm not sure where I'm going next.... either Belfast, or somewhere in Scotland... Have fun!!!
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patrickt
Senior Travel Member
Near? Faaaaaar!!!!
Posts: 80
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Post by patrickt on Mar 20, 2006 5:02:31 GMT -5
Hello all!!! Writing very quickly as I'm supposed to be leaving my hostel right now... things in Ireland are beyond words... truly magnificent... DaVinci himself couldn't paint such a canvas.... The Ring of Kerry was.... oh my gosh.. it was.... it just was I'm headed off to Dublin from Kilarney... Backpacking ROCKS... I've met so many cool people from all around the world... And to think, I'm less than 2 weeks into all this.. I'll catch up more when I have time!!! Cheers!!
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patrickt
Senior Travel Member
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Post by patrickt on Mar 9, 2006 15:27:30 GMT -5
HOLY COW...
I'm here.. WHAT A DAY!!
Got flagged at customs... they kept me there for an hour... was put on the wrong train to London from Gatwick... finally turned around and found my way to the hostel..
It's rainy...
What the heck have I gotten myself into??
But tomorrow is a new day....
(so who can blame me for chuggin the beers tonight!!)
My internet time us just about up...
Thanks again for all your help, and I'll be posting to keep you updated...
CHEERS, mate!!!! PatrickT
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patrickt
Senior Travel Member
Near? Faaaaaar!!!!
Posts: 80
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Post by patrickt on Feb 20, 2006 23:01:57 GMT -5
DANGER!!! DANGER!! Uh oh... I may be de-railed on my trip, and I haven't even left yet!!! Though I've got no 'REAL' itenerary, I'm starting in London for 5-6 days, (Mar 9- Mar 15)... Then moving up to Ireland for St. Patrick's day... I've got my hostels set up in London... BUT, I can't find anything available in Ireland... (Yes, I understand it's St. Patty's day...therefore, it's busy)... I'm looking for either Cork or Dublin... for the dates of 16th - 18th... I can't find a place online that has all 3 days available... I'll pony up extra money for it... but some of these places are asking $200 a night (hotels)... Is there another way to check for rooms?? Think they'll make an exception since my name is, in fact, Patrick?? Maybe?? Thanks!!
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patrickt
Senior Travel Member
Near? Faaaaaar!!!!
Posts: 80
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Post by patrickt on Feb 9, 2006 16:31:21 GMT -5
I applied for the passport earlier this afternoon... Craig, the handy-dandy postal worker was really friendly... with the expedited service, Craig said that my passport will be delivered to me in 7-10 business days... which is WELL before my departure date... Eagle.. when I'm in Italy, I see no reason why I shouldn't stop in Torino.. I think it could be fun... I'll keep everyone posted Rchua... I'll be re-visiting the store we've spoken about very shortly to get some gear n such... Let me know who I need to flirt with to get a discount Oh... I just watched the movie "Eurotrip"... and though it's heavily exagerated, some of the stuff in the movie is HYSTERICAL... I haven't gone on my trip yet... but from the stuff I've read on this massage boards and by speaking with other travelers.... it made me giggle... I. Cant. WAIT.
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patrickt
Senior Travel Member
Near? Faaaaaar!!!!
Posts: 80
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Post by patrickt on Feb 9, 2006 0:26:18 GMT -5
Departure date... 8 Mar 06.. landing at 7:35 AM on 9 Mar... which is 1:35 AM my time... I'm not even in BED before 1:35am... OY... <ponders ways to combat jet lag... aside from a cafiene IV> Jo.. I got my passport pics taken yesterday... and went to apply... but APPARENTLY, the post offices here require apointments... THUS, I have an appointment tomorrow afternoon... so, I'll be pitching in for the 'expedited' service... Anyhow... it shall be done.. Becuase my flight was cheaper a few days prior to my original planned departure date, I've decided to see London prior to hopping up to Ireland... so as long as I'm in Ireland around the 15th... I'll be good... So.. I've got a good week or so to see London and surrounding areas... plus, I think it will be a nice buffer area prior to zipping off to... oh.. say... Norway, or Germany... where I think culture shock might be a bit overwhelming for a novice like me... I'll slip into it easily... (in theory I'm sure I'll be updating in the next few weeks with last minute panic attacks and questions that nag at me when I sleep <side bar> For anyone who's planning a trip in the near future... Have you thought about visiting Torino.. (once the Olympics are over)... I think it could be interesting... any thoughts??
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patrickt
Senior Travel Member
Near? Faaaaaar!!!!
Posts: 80
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Post by patrickt on Feb 8, 2006 23:35:26 GMT -5
HOORAY!!! I booked my flight today!! Less than a month to go!!! <insert confetti, fireworks, and champagne here> I'm excited!!..REALLY!!
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patrickt
Senior Travel Member
Near? Faaaaaar!!!!
Posts: 80
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Post by patrickt on Feb 4, 2006 3:42:19 GMT -5
<clears throat> Calling on mods\regulars... testing.. testing... is this thing on?? Calling on mods and regulars... <clears throat again> Kim is... in fact... my hero... Copy?? <silence> Uh... I got nothin... But I tried <looks to see where I can buy a Canadian flag for Kim's Super hero cape>...
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patrickt
Senior Travel Member
Near? Faaaaaar!!!!
Posts: 80
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Post by patrickt on Feb 2, 2006 23:10:56 GMT -5
chua.. I went to the store on Wednesday... took me a little longer than I had anticipated to find it.. but it was amazing.. they had the backpack that I ordered online.. love it, but seeing it in person, I think it MAY be a little small... but they had all the Eagle Creek one could wish for.. lots of cool jackets... even fancy schmancy travel underwear... Once I decided what I need to take with me, I'll be returning to the store... OH yeah... and almost all the clothes are 20% off... wow!! Jo-jo: Departure date... roughly March 10 or so... not certain... I need to speak with a travel agent who can set up an open-jaw flight for me.. course, I really might not need one... if I start in Ireland (for St. Patty's Day)... then start down south and work my way up north... then I could just fly back out of London... but even this is getting to structured for me.. Kim... just so you know... you're my hero.
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patrickt
Senior Travel Member
Near? Faaaaaar!!!!
Posts: 80
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Post by patrickt on Feb 1, 2006 13:07:33 GMT -5
Wow Jo.. thank you for sharing what must have been a rough time for you... but I'm glad to see you're taking positive steps for yourself... Rchua... if I can motivte myself to wake up and hop in the shower, I'll try and make it over to that store... I'll let ya know how it goes... Cross your fingers for me!
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patrickt
Senior Travel Member
Near? Faaaaaar!!!!
Posts: 80
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Post by patrickt on Feb 1, 2006 0:27:36 GMT -5
Thank ya... I MAY just check it out... though I have no clue where it is... I might be able to find it... My backpack is supposed to arrive on Friday... but other than than, I've got nothin... so, I may be paying the store a visit... thanks for your help!!
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patrickt
Senior Travel Member
Near? Faaaaaar!!!!
Posts: 80
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Post by patrickt on Jan 31, 2006 2:56:53 GMT -5
Hey Rchua... thanks for the info... I wish I had know this about 12 hours ago, as I've already bought my pack online... it should arrive Friday... but if it doesn't suit my needs, I'll most definately check this place out... thanks for the post.. I appreciate it... I still need a few accessories... can you get me a 'family' discount?
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patrickt
Senior Travel Member
Near? Faaaaaar!!!!
Posts: 80
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Post by patrickt on Jan 30, 2006 11:53:33 GMT -5
Thanks Kim!! It's on its way... Backpack? Check.
A quick question on Visas... from the tour books I've read... most countries don't require a Visa from U.S. residents if the traveler stays for less than 90 days... so, am I correct in assuming that if I don't spend my entire trip of roughly 120 days in any one country, I should fine??
OOOOOR, is that 90 days limited to all of the EU countries?? And if that's the case, can I hop into Morocco for a day or two, then come back??
As much as I'm trying to do this thing by the seat of my pants.. I'm finding that more and more planning actually needs to be done... and knowledge of the Visa system (read: loopholes) would aleviate many problems along the way...
Any help is greatyly appreciated!!
Thanks!!
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