Out of Office Reply

The desk is pretty much cleared off- all of my projects are either in a holding pattern or won't be started until I return. Work voicemail greeting has been set to tell people to call someone else. Email auto-response is on, telling people to, again, contact someone else (or wait for me to get back). Amy and Dana are taking care of my plant so it's not dead when I return. Desk is wiped down, coffee mugs are cleaned out, calendars have been flipped, hugs have been given -- I'm DONE WITH WORK for 2 weeks!

Problem Loading Page

The trip is coming up FAST... and I'm learning about all of these incidental expenses. Like, how if you take the Heathrow (Hogwarts) Express in London from the airport to Paddington (which is right outside of our hotel), its £18 one way. If you order it online, it's £16.5 one way. £1.5 doesn't sound like a huge savings, but with the conversion rate, it's like a $4 difference. If we take the Heathrow Connect, it's only £7 one way, but it only runs every 30 minutes and doesn't move at 100km. I like the cheaper version, but we'll see what the group goes with. I say we take the slower, cheaper one, enjoy the sites (if there *are* any- not sure if it's underground or not), and get there with a few extra bucks in my pocket.

Of course, you can't get to Heathrow Express' website, as it's down. AWESOME.

And, Air France's online reservation system is down- I received an email saying I needed to log in and enter my passport information, etc. I go to do it, and BAM! Service is down, please check back later.

Nice part is that the Paddington Station is one of the main Underground hubs. Sweet!

T- 4 days, 18 hours, 27 minutes...

I never realized how many different types of planes there are until I saw the flight itinerary for this trip. I knew there were a few, but they all looked the same- an aisle down the middle, 3 seats on each side of the plane. If you're lucky, you get extra leg room in the seats by the wing. If you're REALLY lucky, you get bumped up to first class (I wish!!).

I will be on 8 different planes over this 13 day trip. 8!! I'm going to HATE planes by the end of this trip. I was reading Lifehacker and it recommended that I check out Seat Guru. At this website, I can put in my carrier, my plane type, and scope out the best- and worst- seats on the plane. Now, if I can just beat *everyone* to the airport (or online) and book the best seats. Of course, there are 4 of us going on the trip, so someone (read: probably me!) will have to sit across the aisle. It's ok. I'm sure we'll have enough together time on land...

The first flight (Detroit to Atlanta) is a standard M88 (didn't know that *was* standard)- aisle down the middle, 3 seats on one side, 2 on the other.

The second flight (Atlanta to Dublin) is a Boeing 767. Holy huge plane. 2 aisles, 2 seats along each edge of the plane, and a row with 3 seats in the middle. (7 seats across plane). There are LCD screens that flip down over the cabin to watch movies, but no personal screens. That's fine, as I plan on sleeping for that entire flight.

Third flight (Dublin to Paris) is a little larger than the first plane- 3 seats on each edge of the plane, one aisle down the middle.

Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth flights (Paris to London, London to Paris, Paris to Rome) seems to be similar to the Dublin/Paris flight, but the middle seat in each row flip down to a table. Win-- if there's nobody sitting by me :)

Seventh flight (Rome to Paris) and Eighth flight (Paris to Detroit): I don't know because it's not up on Air France's website. I just called and had a heart attack- according to their website, I wasn't coming home!! Air France has my reservation, but it's just not showing up online. As long as I have my confirmation, I guess...

Vatican's Scavi Tour

Yes, yes, I know I already posted today, but I just found something. Earlier last week, Pam messaged me that the nuns approved us, and we're now taking the St. Peter's Scavi Tour. I was all excited, yet didn't really know what it was.

We're apparently going *under* St. Peter's Basilica to view the real tomb of St. Peter, which is in a necropolis (city of the dead). I'm a little freaked out- there is a LOT of death and crypts and churches on this trip...!

I found on "Slow Travel Italy" a description of the tour. Favorite part? "The Ufficio Scavi (Excavations Office) people scared me. After all, I went to Catholic grammar school. I learned that you can't mess around with God and the people in the Vatican were certainly capable of telling God that I hadn't followed their instructions."

Anyway, it sounds exciting, a little scary, and not something that the average Vatican visitor gets to do. This almost makes up for the whole Pope-ditching-me thing. Almost.

T- 5 days, 22 hours, 21 minutes

Holy crap, a week from now, I will be in Dublin, starting the vacation of a lifetime! I did laundry last night, packed (I'm DONE except for the last minute stuff!), made sure my ipod was all loaded up and ready, grabbed a few more magazines for the trip , called all insurance/credit card companies to let them know about the trip, charged the camera battery, packed Leonard the Gnome, made sure the DVR was set to record my shows...

I'm ready.

I joked last night that I would have to have plans for the next 6 nights, because if I was left at home, I would be packing and unpacking and *re* packing. Plus, I would get stir-crazy. Thankfully my friends have stepped in and will be keeping me sufficiently entertained for the next few evenings. And, I made sure my stock of Tylenol PM was full- sleep is going to be rough the next few nights.

I feel like I am missing something. Is there anything random that I should be doing/packing before I get in the big ol' plane??

T- 5 days, 22 hours, 15 minutes...

Ring ring ring ring... Banana phone!

Today was "phone day" for me while preparing for my travels. I know you're thinking, "She's nuts. Just turn the damn crackberry off and forget about it." Doesn't work that way, mi compadre. I had to figure out how to turn off all of my email notifications while I'm overseas, so I don't receive 100,000 emails upon flipping the phone back on the evening May 15th. I also wanted to make sure I remembered how to change my voicemail message through Verizon (I turned off YouMail- sorry guys!).

I considered -briefly- taking my Blackberry with me. However, since I have the Curve and not the fancy schmancy "Blackberry World Edition," my phone wouldn't work overseas. In the alternative, Verizon would rent me a craptastic phone for $30 then charge me over $100 to use it overseas for two weeks. Forget it. All of our hotels have email access if I feel compelled to check my email/blog about my day (which I hope to do at the minimum- I need to keep tabs on what I'm doing for *me.* You reading about it is just a bonus). I don't think any of my "phone friends" will mind 2 weeks of phone silence-- besides, if they need me, they can call the hotel or go online ;-)

I did, however, set up a Skype account so I can try to talk to people while overseas. We'll see how *that* works -- all depends on the hotel computers and, you know, having friends to *talk* to on Skype.

And, I also got an international calling card through "Enjoy Prepaid." The Emerald Plan lets me have $20 on a pre-paid card, and will only charge me (at most) 2¢ a minute. This will let me call the parents, call "special" people back in the US, and even check on my hotel reservations. Of course Maureen was the one who recommended this phone card- she mentioned that she *still* has money left on her last card that she used while in Europe for 6 weeks. Win!

It's going to be hard to part with the Crackberry for 2 whole weeks...

Travellers Insurance

After talking to Maureen last night, I decided I should buy trip insurance (if you read my FB, you should know how accident prone I've been lately). Maureen put me in touch with her mom, who is absolutely WONDERFUL, and a kick-ass travel agent. Nancy set me up on a plan that will cover just about every situation possible- lost luggage (over 12 hours), bumped flights, cancellations at hotels... I'll take the peace of mind, no problem.

Jason emailed us all last night with a travel update from our "London Concierge" and I nearly had a heart attack. All I could think of was, "We're being booted!" I need that to NOT happen every time I get an email.

*Stomps foot*

I want to go NOW. No more waiting. No more being concerned about a volcano or a subsequent volcano that may or may not erupt in the next 2 weeks. No more focusing on packing for the trip or packing for moving. No more preemptively doing work before I leave. No more people starting crap right before I leave. Reading about Rome today just isn't cutting it. JUST LET ME GO, DAMMIT!

Volcano Girl

I've gotten 3 questions this morning (it's only 9:30 am, people!) about the volcanic ash situation in Europe and if this will affect my trip in 2 weeks. I sure as hell hope it won't affect my trip, but who knows. My flight is still scheduled, I'm hoping that the air quality will be alright 3 weeks after the event, and I'm monitoring the news to see what the airports are saying.

MSNBC has posted an article summarizing the countries affected by the volcanic ash and their airport's strategies. Looks like most countries are going to be re-evaluating opening air space as of later today, except Italy which is checking it Tuesday at 2am. So, looks like I'll be monitoring and worrying for at least one more day...

All about the Benjamins-- or whomever

I spent about an hour today trying to get my hands on some euros and some pounds for the trip. What a FUN time that was.

I have been putting trip money into a savings account at a local credit union. To prevent me from "cheating" and using that money in advance, I did not get a checking account/debit card hooked to the account. The credit union told me, "SURE! You can order foreign currency online!" I get to the site, and you need a checking account. AWESOME. So I now have to wait 7-10 days to get my Visa check card from the credit union, order the euros/pounds, then wait 2-3 days for them to ship to me. Again, AWESOME. That leaves me a 3 day "cushion" (in case something goes wrong) before I leave.

I decided to check my other credit union and see what it would take to get foreign currency from them. HOLY FEES, BATMAN! It was beyond ridiculous-- $20 just to ship the notes to me?!

Then, I find out that it's going to be a 3% per transaction fee on anything I put on my credit card. WHAT?! My bank is going to profit from me traveling? How does that seem fair?!

I just want to walk into a bank, change out some USD for some Euros/Pounds-- is it really that difficult?!

I'm getting antsy- and now getting a little frustrated. 16 days...16 days...

♫ Rome, if you want to ♫

Since we just ordered the Roma Pass, thought I should run down the sites that we plan on visiting and solicit ideas/ itineraries for the 4 days we're there. On one of those days, Justin, Jason and Pam are going to Pompeii- I will be in the city, wandering on my own. There's a lot that the 4 of us want to do together, so I get to do the smaller stuff on my "day away."

The Roma Pass covers the metro/buses for 3 days, free entry into 2 sites, and discounted entries into other sites. I will be using this pass for the 3 days where the 4 of us are together; on the 4th day, I will buy metro/bus passes as needed, and either hit free/cheap sites or pay the full admission price. *Really* wish they had a 4 day option...!

The list of the participating sites with the Roma Pass (while the sites are in Italian...!)is pretty lengthy. But, most are museums. Not going to lie, but I'm not a HUGE museum person. I want to see the highlights and get out. I'm more of a "hands-on" kind of girl, if you know what I mean. I feel bad- I went through the Roma list and made notes on each of the sites the pass covers. While it will cover our entrance to the Colosseum and Roman Forum, plus travel for 3 days (and the pass pays for itself right there), I'm not sure how wild I am about some of these sites. Maybe I really *am* that uncultured.

Pantheon: The "Temple of the Gods" - it's now a Catholic church (go figure) and still has services on holy days and does weddings. But it's *gorgeous*-- at least, it looks that way...!

Colosseum: "Capable of seating 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles. As well as the gladiatorial games, other public spectacles were held there, such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era." Damn. Was hoping for a "mock sea battle" to be re-enacted while I was there. I've been warned that there are people dressed as gladiators walking around there who will take a picture with you-- for a fee.

Roman Forum/ Palatine Hill: The original center of the city. This is where Rome started, and branched out from. Palatine Hill is the center hill (of 7), right in the middle of the city. It looks down onto the Forum. Oooh.

Spanish Steps: "On June 13, 2007, a 24-year-old Colombian man attempted to drive a Toyota Celica down the Spanish Steps. No one was hurt, but several of the 200-year-old steps were chipped and scuffed. The driver was arrested and a breath test showed his blood alcohol content was twice the legal limit for driving" hehe. No wonder they've been redone numerous times (last time was 1995). Rome has banned "eating lunch" on the steps. Weird... but ok...

Trevi Fountain: "A traditional legend holds that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome. Among those who are unaware that the "three coins" of Three Coins in the Fountain were thrown by three different individuals, a reported current interpretation is that two coins will lead to a new romance and three will ensure either a marriage or divorce. A reported current version of this legend is that it is lucky to throw three coins with one's right hand over one's left shoulder into the Trevi Fountain. An estimated 3,000 euros are thrown into the fountain each day. The money has been used to subsidize a supermarket for Rome's needy." Yup, I'm throwing in 2 coins. I wonder if I throw 2 coins in on each day of the trip, if that's 4x as lucky??

Of course, we're devoting about an entire day to the Vatican and it's sites- they have even started doing night showings, from 7-11 pm (of course, you sign up in advance for it). I'm looking forward to this part of the Rome portion of the trip the most. The Vatican houses a whole host of treasures, plus the Basilica and the Sistine Chapel?! YES please!

I'm looking for suggestions for things to do/see on my day off.. ideas?

venti giorni per andare!

Yeah, I started packing today. I bought a few articles of clothing, and wanted to pack them so I don't wear them before the trip (and ruin them), so I busted out the big suitcase and started packing. I still have a LOT to throw in the bag- all of the last minute stuff, etc. - but I'm paranoid I will forget something.

Rick Steves has a list that is in his guide books (and online) about what to pack- he says not to pack more than 20% of your body weight. HA! If only he knew how much I weigh... He makes a comment to bring Vaseline for your feet. WHAT?! Seriously?

The place we are staying in Paris has a laundry facility nearby-- I'm wondering if it's worth me only packing half of my items and washing them while in Paris (that's our half way point of the trip). It may be worth the hour or two at the laundromat, or whatever it's called in French.

I also noticed that a few things that I plan on bringing are not on the list- such as a camera, an extra memory card, the ipod/charger, set of electrical socket adaptors, freezer size plastic bags (I plan on bringing home liquids- olive oils, Irish whiskey, etc), travel pillow (thanks Andrea!). Anything else random I should be packing?

Top o' the Morning to ya

Today's topic/ iternary run down is for Ireland, sprinkled with a little bit of Irish trivia (thanks Maureen!) We will be in Dublin for a little under 24 hours- nothing too big, but it was apparently cheaper to add the day's stay in Dublin than it was to go without it. On a side note, I fully intend on going back to Ireland next year- hopefully to Belfast and to stay with family.

IRISH TRIVIA TIME!! What is the colloquial meaning of "riverdance"?

a) To skip to an upbeat tempo
b) To commit suicide in the Shannon River
c) To knit
d) To forgive the ancestors of someone who has wronged you

If you guessed "b" you are CORRECT!

We are doing the Dublin Bus Tour package- it's a 24 hour bus route that will take us to/from Dublin's top locations. Best part? It's under $20 and the pass gets us discounts to the stops (like 1€ off at the Guinness Factory!).

As you can see from the above, map, we will hit the Guinness Storehouse, St. Patrick's Cathedral (why do all of these churches require admission?!), Trinity Park, etc. We are there for such a short period of time... so sad...

TRIVIA BREAK! Who does the term "Plastic Paddy" refer to?

A. Someone of Irish heritage who was not born in Ireland.
B. A person who emigrated from Ireland to the US
C. A person who has moved to Ireland from the US
D. A person who was not born in Ireland and who has no Irish ancestry.

Guess D? You'd be wrong. A is the correct answer (i.e. *I* am a Plastic Paddy).

I think I am most excited about going to the cathedral and the Temple Bar. Just because I want to go to the Guinness Storehouse AND a bar... AND the Jamison distillery... does not make me a lush! It does, however, solidify the Irish drinking stereotype.I'm a McLellan- you shouldn't expect anything less.

Final Irish Trivia Match up: Match the Irish expression with the English translation

A. Dry up
B. I am in me wick
C. Luvly hurdling
D. You have your glue.
E. You're like the police
F. Well, boy.
G. Let the dog see the rabbit
H. Keep your breath to cool your porridge.
I. I was stung.
J. Pull your socks up
-----------
1. Don't be silly
2. You're never where you're wanted
3. Get to work
4. I was embarrassed
5. Shut up
6. You must be joking.
7. Great Job
8. Stop wasting your time talking to me
9. Show it to me and then I'll understand
10. Hello

(answers: A-5, B-6, C-7, D-1, E-2, F-10, G-9, H-8, I-4, J-3)

Maureen's France Iternary

When I first mentioned this trip, Maureen got REALLY excited and started planning out my Paris portion of the trip. Here it is, so others can (hopefully) comment and Maureen can (definitely) edit, since we know what hotel we're staying at now... and she knows (or WILL know, from my post yesterday regarding Paris) what else I would like to do while in Paris.

May 8, Saturday: Bateau Parisiens, Sacre Coeur

1. Arrive in Paris @ 8:55am – Airport will take time, do not expect anything to happen quickly.

2. Once you have luggage head to metro station, follow signs as at information. There will be a line at the counter to get a metro ticket. DO NOT TRY THE MACHINES, they don’t accept American Credit Cards and you will not have enough change.

3. 8,50 Euro for one way ticket to Paris central. Try and get a direct train, so you won’t have to stop until Paris Gare du Nord. Buy the 3 day Paris Visite Pass at this station in addition to your other ticket. Get the 3 day zones 1-3 pass it will cost 20 Euros.

4. You will arrive at the hotel around noon or so. Drop off your bags, you will not be able to check in but they will keep you bags for you behind the desk. Do not leave anything extremely valuable in the bags but they will be safe.

5.Go get lunch, any small little café will be fine. Eat a Croque Monsieur or Madame if you like egg (most sandwiches come with a salad at a café) or French Onion Soup, yum yum and good food for after travel it isn’t too heavy but nice to sit down and eat. When at a restaurant as for a carafe d’eau (a carafe of water), it is tap water and free, which is safe but they charge you out the ass for bottle water at restaurants.

6.If time is right go check in at the hotel.

7.Two choices, both can be accomplished today but you should see what the weather is like, I am putting them in the order I would do them.

a.Bateau Parisiens – two options, get on at the Eiffel tower or Notre Dame. 1 hour tour, it is usually great for pictures and a nice way to see a lot of the sights. 11 Euros a person and 25% off with the Paris Visite pass

b. Sacre Coeur Cathedral – Metro stop line 2, Pigalle or Anvers. Walk up the hill towards the cathedral. If you are hungry find a restaurant along the way, there are some great restaurants that aren’t expensive in the area. Walk up towards the cathedral, you can take the stars of the funiculaire de Montmatre which gets you up the hill in a motorized vehicle.

If you walk up be careful of pickpockets but also of black men who ask you to see your finger, they will make a bracelet using your finger and then ask you to pay for it. There are plenty of police around so it shouldn’t be a problem but don’t even talk to them. If they touch you, be loud and say “Leave me alone” it will draw attention to you which is good for you and bad for them. (ME: I'm so overly paranoid of pick pockets in Paris now, its ridiculous)

The cathedral is free so go in but really be aware of pickpockets, keep belongs close. After you have gone through the cathedral when you come out and face the cathedral go to the left of it and follow the crowds. After walking for about 5 minutes you will see a bunch of restaurants and artists working in a square. It is fun, if you haven’t eaten you can eat there, it is more pricy but fine, but defiantly scope out the artists and such.

8. There are a lot of nice bars and a good party scene in this area which is called Montmatre. Go get a drink somewhere, listen to a band. High amount of Gay and lesbians in this area which makes it a fun, safe and happening place.

May 9 – Sunday (Versailles, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame)

1.Get up at 7am, be ready to leave by 8am, 8:15am at the latest. Eat breakfast at the hotel if possible or get some croissant at a local bakery.

2. Go to metro stop, take RER C, it will be a separate ticket and charge, it is not expensive, buy a round-trip ticket.

3. Palace of Versailles opens at 9am - 15 Euros per person. You can purchase ahead of time but also at the Chateau.

4. Allow about 3 hours for the tour of the Palace and to walk the main gardens. I would not do the other tours because it will eat up your whole day.

5. At about 12:30pm you can walk outside of the Palace, I will get you a make to a line of restaurants, you should eat at the Crepe place there, it is very good.

6. Get back on RER C in the direction of Saint Martin d’Etampes/Dourdan la-Foret (you can also look at the map to make sure) and go to the Eiffel Tower, get off at Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel and follow the signs for the Eiffel Tower.

7. You can choose any of the 4 lines to get into. Make sure to buy a ticket to stop at every level and go all the way to the top. It costs 13 Euros. Allow about 2 hours.

8. Take RER C (go in the same direction) from the Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel stop to St. Michel and change to Metro Line 4 in direction of Porte de Clignancourt, it is just one stop to the Cité stop. Get off at Cité and follow the signs to Notre Dame Cathedral. The entry into the cathedral is free even if Mass is occurring, just make sure you are wearing sleeves. Allow approximately and hour.

9. Grab some dinner somewhere around 8pm. Look at menus as you walk around Notre Dame. You can walk across the bridge to Ile Saint-Louis, which is a quaint little Island. It is Sunday night so places will be open for dinner but not every place so try and plan where you want to eat ahead of time.

10. Go back to the hotel and go to bed. I would say go party but it is Sunday night and not so fun.

May 10 – Monday. Arc de Triopmphe, Louvre Museum

1. Eat breakfast at the hotel.

2. Arc de Triomphe – Metro 1 – Stop is Charles De Gaulle Etoile. 20% off the ticket with the Paris Visite Pass. Tomb of the Unknown soldier is there and you can climb the stairs to the top and take some nice pictures. This is also where the Champs Elysee, classic shopping street, expensive but fun to look.

3. Get lunch somewhere along the way.

4. Louvre Museum – Allow 2 hours – Metro stop – Palais Royal Musee du Louvre, it is the underground entrance and a lot faster to get into. You pass through the shopping mall that is underground, there is ample signage. Cost is 9 Euro to get in.

5. Walk out the front entrance, go up through the pyramid entrance and walk into the Tuilleries gardens, it is beautiful and walk until the end of the gardens which will end at the Place de la Concorde which is where the guillotine was for a period of time.

6. Make a right at the end of the park and get on the Rue de Rivoli, cross the street so you walk on the side of the street with the shops. This is an ideal street for souvenir shopping and for pickpockets. So don’t answer anyone who asks you if you lost anything and so forth.

7. In the midst of walking down the street and the farther you get down the street the better the deal. You will see a café that will probably have a line called Angelina’s, YOU MUST stop there and get African hot chocolate and a pastry. It is slightly pricy but so worth it. Splurge! There might be a line but seriously wait and have it, the best hot chocolate ever!

8. Walk around have a good time. Eat dinner.

Ce n'est que le vent qui fait du bruit

French phrase of the day: "It's just the wind making noise." Ironic, because I just came up from the basement at work due to a tornado warning...

OK, onto the French sites listing! As you can see, I've discovered how to hyperlink other pages to mine. I may have gone overboard. Just a FYI: I have "Les Poissons" from The Little Mermaid running through my head as I'm typing out this list. CORRECTION: I have found the song on You Tube and am now listening to it as I type! WIN!

We purchased the "Paris Museum Pass" so a lot of our sites will be covered and discounted AND we get "front of the line" service... I'm already overwhelmed by the culture.

* The Louvre, of course. I'm going to stare deep into the inverted pyramid out front, while munching on my McDonalds, and see if I can see the Holy Grail.

* Orsay: Thanks to Wikipedia, I now know what pieces of art to look for while in this old train station.

* Arc de Triomphe: You can actually go *in* the arch! From the top of the arch, you can see all of the 12 major avenues in Paris. This is where the US got the idea of the "Eternal Flame" for JFK's grave, as there is one at the Arc for their Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

* Pantheon: I have no idea what this place is, but it's covered under the pass-- and I think Maureen said I should visit here...? It's apparently a large tomb, as the building is "...containing the remains of distinguished French citizens." Ever realize that, most touristy places are where famous people are buried? Anyone else think that's creepy?

* Notre Dame Tower and Treasury: a beautiful, large cathedral from the Roman Catholics. We know how to build things, and then ruin them.

* Eiffel Tower: Maureen said that this site is actually hated by most Parisians. And, after learning that it costs MORE to take the stairs than it does to take the elevator, I kind of do, too. Way to reward laziness!

* Palace of Versailles: We're taking a half day trip (short train ride) to view this palace. It was apparently the center of power in early France, as the nobility tried to move away from the crazy Parisians.

We also plan on spending a good amount of time shopping, eating, drinking wine, and napping. Or, at least, I do!