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Post by Bin on Mar 12, 2005 1:16:30 GMT -5
Passport/Eurail Pass:
In the info booklet that came with our passes it says "Don't be alarmed if you passport and Eurail pass are gone in the morning. The train staff often collect it over night and return it later."
What!? I'm not leaving my passport and eurail pass accessible. Am I oblivious to some sort of secure system? (a locked box or something?)
Hostels:
I don't mean to sound really silly, but are bedbugs and lice a concern at all in many hostels? Has anyone had a problem? I've seen bedbugs mentioned before, but I'm not sure what getting "bedbugs" really entails.
Spain:
Is it safe? I mean, theres all the this talk on the news about terrorism and politsl tension:( I hope I don't sound completely sheltered.
My backpack: We leave in 3 weeks and no matter how much I adjust it, it chafes my neck! This is a long shot, but is anyone from vancouver, and if so, do you know where I can get a good bag last minute?
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Post by bin on Mar 12, 2005 1:19:22 GMT -5
Oops! It posted before I was done.
Well, I know some of these things are probably silly things to ask about but I'll appreciate any advice! This site has helped me sooooo much.
One more: Are laundry detergent and dishes for eating absolutely neccessary?
Oh, no, I lied, one more: Are skate shoes unheard of? Will my feet die and I'll just look silly to boot?
Thanks!
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Post by bin on Mar 12, 2005 1:29:21 GMT -5
ok, one more! Do most of you guys leave your packs in the hostels during the day? How safe is it really? Has anyone just taken their pack with them everywhere? If so, are the chances of being ripped off (not just theft, but being charged more. I've had people tell me they've come across places that have local prices and tourist prices, tourist prices being significantly higher)? My boyfriend is Czech and wants to pass us off as Europeans. He is also fluent in French and I have half decent German. He's very against putting Canadian flags on our bags as he thinks we can pass off as Europeans while still looking like tourists. Anyways, will we regret not leaving our bags in the hostel? Thanks again!  |
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Post by WillTravel on Mar 12, 2005 1:55:21 GMT -5
Passport/Eurail Pass: In the info booklet that came with our passes it says "Don't be alarmed if you passport and Eurail pass are gone in the morning. The train staff often collect it over night and return it later." Keep this in your moneybelt. If the conductor (and make sure he or she really is the conductor wants it), then you can provide it, with the conductor waking you up if necessary. I have heard these sometimes keep them overnight. But be positive who you're dealing with. I agree the sentence as written sounds weird. I'm sure it happens. Even "good" hostels can get them if a traveler with bedbugs stays there, but obviously housekeeping standards matter. One reason I try to be very picky about what hostels I stay at. But really it's got to be pretty rare, with the many hundreds of hostels that people visit all the time. I don't think anywhere in the world is safe really. If we think so, we're just fooling ourselves. I don't think Spain is any worse than anywhere else in Europe right now. If you look on West Broadway between about the 100 and the 400 block, there are a bunch of stores that can help you. Mountain Equipment Coop is the best-known one, but there are several others. Get down there tomorrow and get some personalized help. My son got one from a store near the TravelCuts office, and he's been very happy with it. |
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Post by WillTravel on Mar 12, 2005 1:57:51 GMT -5
One more: Are laundry detergent and dishes for eating absolutely neccessary? Oh, no, I lied, one more: Are skate shoes unheard of? Will my feet die and I'll just look silly to boot? Thanks! Stay at hostels with kitchens, and dishes aren't necessary. You might like to take a few plastic spoons with you, in case you buy yogurt at the store, etc. I've never taken laundry detergent with me. You can do a bit of handwashing with shampoo. Otherwise I just go to the laundromat. Or you can buy the soap there. Just take the shoes that make you feel comfortable for miles and miles of walking and that will work for the places you want to visit. If you're going to certain clubs, some are a bit snobbish about shoes, but I don't have any details. Or take one really comfortable pair, and one pair for dress-up. |
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Post by WillTravel on Mar 12, 2005 2:00:00 GMT -5
ok, one more! Do most of you guys leave your packs in the hostels during the day? How safe is it really? Has anyone just taken their pack with them everywhere? If so, are the chances of being ripped off (not just theft, but being charged more. I've had people tell me they've come across places that have local prices and tourist prices, tourist prices being significantly higher)? My boyfriend is Czech and wants to pass us off as Europeans. He is also fluent in French and I have half decent German. He's very against putting Canadian flags on our bags as he thinks we can pass off as Europeans while still looking like tourists. Anyways, will we regret not leaving our bags in the hostel? Thanks again! You can stay at hostels with lockers. Bring a padlock. But I've never heard of anyone absconding with an entire backpack, although I've heard of isolated thefts from them. If you have to leave your backpack unattended, it's very unlikely anything will happen to your dirty underwear and socks ;-). But don't leave money or valuables unattended. I totally disagree with the idea of pretending to be European. You'll meet lots of people who want to speak English, and it will be clear from your accent you are from North America. I can't imagine keeping up such a charade - it would be very stressful. |
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Post by Bin on Mar 12, 2005 2:09:20 GMT -5
WillTravel: Thank you very much for confirming all of those things for me. The spoon idea is great! I think I'll leave the dishes and detergent at home. I'm glad you wrote what you thought about the passing off as European thing, because now and can show it to my boyfriend and use it to support how I've felt all along! He says though, that he doesn't wanna lie, he just doesn't want to flaunt being from Canada, and hang a Tim Horton's mug on his pack. He is from Czech though(we will be visiting his family) so I'm sure he'll do just fine there! Again, thanks, you've eased my mind. I will check out that strip of Broadwat tomorrow. That's helpful to know. I think the pack I have is actually from coast mountain. |
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Post by WillTravel on Mar 12, 2005 2:16:42 GMT -5
Good luck!
Above, I meant bring a combination lock, not a padlock.
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Nicstar
Senior Travel Member
i like the sound of my own voice, i never gave anyone else a choice
Posts: 190
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Post by Nicstar on Mar 12, 2005 4:35:57 GMT -5
there is a difference between flaunting where you are from and hiding it. Don't do either. Just do what you do at home.
I don't walk around at home with an Australian flag attached to my bags, so I didn't do it in Europe.
I think the worst thing in the world is to pretend to be something you're not. Just be yourself, it helps to enjoy your time away.
In regards to shoes, if it turns out your shoes aren't right, get a pair over there. I kinda wished now I'd waited and got my good walking shoes in the UK cos I would have paid about the same money, and they had much nice styles there!
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Post by Libby on Mar 12, 2005 8:31:10 GMT -5
I'm putting a flag on my backpack, but not the national flag. Instead, I found a great little provincial flag of Nova Scotia. That was recommended to me by someone who's visited Scotland. They said it's a great way to meet locals. The reason is the Nova Scotia flag is made up of the two flags of Scotland |
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Post by WillTravel on Mar 12, 2005 11:38:15 GMT -5
I saw the funniest thing in Rome. It seemed lots of young Italian men for some reason had Norwegian flags on their daypacks/backpacks. Surely they weren't trying to pass themselves off as Norwegians - there must be some other fashion trend involved?
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Post by Libby on Mar 12, 2005 11:40:46 GMT -5
Will,
Maybe it's the company who produced the pack? Like how so many of the backpacks you can buy in Canada that have the flag already on in. I see alot of them on the back of school kids. The flag is already embroidered on it.
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paint
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 173
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Post by paint on Mar 12, 2005 19:40:55 GMT -5
I agree that the Italians may have had packs made in Norway... otherwise perhaps they were attracted to Norwegian women? heh
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Post by dumbdiety on Mar 12, 2005 20:10:03 GMT -5
Is that a flag on your daypack or are you happy to see me?
;D
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Post by stanncie on Mar 13, 2005 13:05:09 GMT -5
i also think it's kinda dumb to pretend to be european and i believe you'll have very little succes even if u try very hard.
I'm sure you can spot a tourist in your hometown and the locals in europe will spot you too.
I could easily spot a tourist in my town and i don't just mean foreigners but people from other states or even counties if i look closely heheehee
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