May 26, 2007 (5/26/07) "First Magical Med Cruise!!" (The M&M's!)

[winotracy]

Hi Peter and Jenn!

Not much going on today on the thread. Have a great day!

Ken

Hi Ken!

It's a beautiful day in the Midwest today! 35 days from now and we'll be heading to Chicago for our flight to Barcelona

 

[kpros]

Hi Ken!

It's a beautiful day in the Midwest today! 35 days from now and we'll be heading to Chicago for our flight to Barcelona

Hi Tracy and Bill

Do you have the Rome trip all planned out for us? I guess the train station is a short walk from the Port. And that St. Peter's in one of the first train stops as we get into Rome.

Only 35 days to go - some of us have to leave sooner because our mode of transportation is a little slower - oh well, we will just have to make due.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the port in Barcelona!

Ken

 

[winotracy]

Hi Tracy and Bill

Do you have the Rome trip all planned out for us? I guess the train station is a short walk from the Port. And that St. Peter's in one of the first train stops as we get into Rome.

Only 35 days to go - some of us have to leave sooner because our mode of transportation is a little slower - oh well, we will just have to make due.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the port in Barcelona!

Ken

Hi Ken,

I actually have a little something special for everyone on the train with us. I'm having a graphic made for our group (which will be on the little something special), which I will have put on t-shirts at Cafe Press for those interested in buying a shirt.

St Peter's is probably where we'll all go our own directions. I believe Peter, Jenn, Bill and I (and whoever else wants to join us, Celeste?) will be doing the hop on/hop off. We'll set a time to meet back at St. Peter's for the train back to the port.

 

[jeanneg]

Question for the people who are doing Rome on their own:

DOES ANYONE SPEAK ITALIAN?

 

[winotracy]

Question for the people who are doing Rome on their own:

DOES ANYONE SPEAK ITALIAN?

I have my translation book.

 

[holidayfanatic]

I have my translation book.

The Romans are geared up to tourism so very few people can't speak English. You shouldent have any problems with directions and you certainly wont have any problems when buying something, as they all speak perfect English then! LOL

 

[sweetsue]

Hi Ken!

It's a beautiful day in the Midwest today! 35 days from now and we'll be heading to Chicago for our flight to Barcelona

Better start packing, packing packing!

Sue

 

[figment52]

Question for the people who are doing Rome on their own:

DOES ANYONE SPEAK ITALIAN?

I ave been listening to Berlitz in the car and doing a software program.

 

[figment52]

I actually have a little something special for everyone on the train with us. I'm having a graphic made for our group (which will be on the little something special), which I will have put on t-shirts at Cafe Press for those interested in buying a shirt.

And how would one locate that at Cafe Press?

 

[winotracy]

And how would one locate that at Cafe Press?

You wouldn't be able to right now I'll let you know when it's ready

 

[figment52]

You wouldn't be able to right now I'll let you know when it's ready

Ok , I thought I was missing something obvious. It has been a long day.

 

[kpros]

Good morning everyone! Another day closer to cruising!!!!

Ken

 

[winotracy]

Good Morning Ken! Everyone!

I have a question for those staying in Barcelona after the cruise. Don't laugh, but feel uncomfortable if I am not in control of a personal situation. I don't feel comfortable about my choices with my luggage after the cruise. For those that can't take your luggage to the place you'll be staying that night when we disembark, what are you doing with your luggage during the day until you can take it to your hotel/apartment/etc.?

 

[Hygiene99]

Good morning everyone! Another day closer to cruising!!!!

Good Morning Ken! Everyone!

I have a question for those staying in Barcelona after the cruise. Don't laugh, but feel uncomfortable if I am not in control of a personal situation. I don't feel comfortable about my choices with my luggage after the cruise. For those that can't take your luggage to the place you'll be staying that night when we disembark, what are you doing with your luggage during the day until you can take it to your hotel/apartment/etc.?

Jenn, is not liking the leaving luggage in a rental car option!!!

Sue, will have the Anwser,,, She knows everything!!!!

 

[sweetsue]

Jenn, is not liking the leaving luggage in a rental car option!!!

Sue, will have the Anwser,,, She knows everything!!!!

Thanks for the vote of confidence!!!! This one is a hard one.

Left Luggage at the Estacio de Franca is probably the next best option if you can't leave it at the apartment. I'd call the apartment first.

We're doing the luggage in a rental car - but we're going all the way to Montserrat so should avoid concerns. Being able to park in a handicapped spot is also helpful since they are usually right up front in areas easily observed.

From what I've read on Barcelona crime, the biggest things to watch for are (and I went on a police website for this):
1) pickpockets. They are RAMPANT in Barcelona. Rick Steves also states that this is the most likely city in all of Europe where you will get pickpocketed.
2) Purse snatching - via scooter or otherwise
3) Someone in a scooter will slash a rental car tire to make you pull over. As you have pulled out all your luggage to get to the spare, a nice person will come to help you while their "friend" rides by in a scooter and steals your luggage.
Lesson: Avoid this by not looking like a tourist. You know how tourists look in your town - imitate the locals (e.g. no wide open maps). If you do get a flat tire, do NOT stop at the next most convenient pull-out spot (where they WILL be waiting for you). Instead continue driving until you get to a service station. This usually happens on the routes out of town, not in the city center.

There is less discussion of stealing luggage from trunks or even of car break-ins. Having suffered a car breakin before though, I suggest you leave everything out of site. Also, don't park the car, lock something in the trunk and then walk away. This gives people a clear view of that purse you just stuffed in the trunk.

HTH!

Sue

 

[winotracy]

We're doing the luggage in a rental car - but we're going all the way to Montserrat so should avoid concerns. Being able to park in a handicapped spot is also helpful since they are usually right up front in areas easily observed.

How is the driving around there? I do want to go to Montserrat.

 

[sweetsue]

How is the driving around there? I do want to go to Montserrat.

It's supposed to be very easy to drive around in Spain. Roads are well marked and maintained. Most cars are manual transmissions. Best if you have an international driving permit (get it at AAA).

If you want to go on Friday, you're welcome to caravan with us. We'll be making a beeline off of the ship fast enough to make Avis at WTC by 9.

Sue

 

[ronjoh]

DISboarders Invade Rome!!​

Come join us on a train ride to Rome !! Details to follow once we have a group. For those worried about missing the boat, my plan is that we be back to the ship before sunset. The way if we have any problems, we have some time to work it out.

Possible participants:

Winotracy
Milestogo
Hygiene99
Jeanneg
kpros/spros
sunshine state kim
yensidfan
rufustee
rohjoh
rmkd
garylpn
figment52
icunurse_celeste
Faithfullyeeyore
charwac1 ??
renegade7 ??
Kissimmee ??


Come one! Come all!

Hi Tracy,

You have us down as rohjon (I think that is us) rather than ronjoh.

We wouldn't want to miss out on anything

Thanks

 

[winotracy]

Hi Tracy,

You have us down as rohjon (I think that is us) rather than ronjoh.

We wouldn't want to miss out on anything

Thanks

Sorry, I guess I couldn't read my own writing

 

[winotracy]

DISboarders Invade Rome!!​

Come join us on a train ride to Rome !! Details to follow once we have a group. For those worried about missing the boat, my plan is that we be back to the ship before sunset. The way if we have any problems, we have some time to work it out.

Possible participants:

Winotracy
Milestogo
Hygiene99
Jeanneg
kpros/spros
sunshine state kim
yensidfan
rufustee
ronjoh
rmkd
garylpn
figment52
icunurse_celeste
Faithfullyeeyore
charwac1
renegade7 ??
Kissimmee ??


Come one! Come all!