I am sure you can guess what we did:
During our 40 km ride, look what we found:
This is not a castle, it is a Chateau.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Loire Valley home to wine and a bicycle
The thing to do in the Loire Valley is to bike.
I am sure you can guess what we did:
During our 40 km ride, look what we found:
This is not a castle, it is a Chateau.
I am sure you can guess what we did:
During our 40 km ride, look what we found:
This is not a castle, it is a Chateau.
Food - Best of
Anybody who knows me, knows that I love food. After a week of france I have compiled the best of (so far) eats in France:
Vegetables (mainly stewed peppers) with Goat Cheese lying in a cold tomato soup:
Smoked Salmon with Goat Cheese with a mixed salad and vinegarette dressing:
Filet a beef, pan fried over a hash brown like patato ensemble with two types of sauce (green on the outisde which is a light and a red wine sauce)
Creme Brulee: nothing special here, but I have only seen this on the menu once:
I have saved my last entry for the most interesting and to also to kill everyone's appetites after this mouth watering post:
TAR TAR. It is 100% Raw ground beef. Its the meatloaf BEFORE you put it into the oven. Its served everywhere and it is fantastic. AND YES, I ate it and I dont regret it.
Arent we the cutest.
Vegetables (mainly stewed peppers) with Goat Cheese lying in a cold tomato soup:
Smoked Salmon with Goat Cheese with a mixed salad and vinegarette dressing:
Filet a beef, pan fried over a hash brown like patato ensemble with two types of sauce (green on the outisde which is a light and a red wine sauce)
Creme Brulee: nothing special here, but I have only seen this on the menu once:
I have saved my last entry for the most interesting and to also to kill everyone's appetites after this mouth watering post:
TAR TAR. It is 100% Raw ground beef. Its the meatloaf BEFORE you put it into the oven. Its served everywhere and it is fantastic. AND YES, I ate it and I dont regret it.
Arent we the cutest.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Irish Music Video
While I was in Ireland, I had a little fun with my camera.
The picture is dark, and the sound is so so, but I hope it interests some. Irish music is not the junk you hear in the movies. I thought it was very similar to light modern rock.
I only got 30 seconds of the performance.
The picture is dark, and the sound is so so, but I hope it interests some. Irish music is not the junk you hear in the movies. I thought it was very similar to light modern rock.
I only got 30 seconds of the performance.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Experiencing Paris
The Local Food:
The markets:
(Bird Market)
The Seine River
(Joe washing dog poo off his shoe)
The breakfast
Lunch
The evening:
Paris has been great and now we are off to Tours
The markets:
(Bird Market)
The Seine River
(Joe washing dog poo off his shoe)
The breakfast
Lunch
The evening:
Paris has been great and now we are off to Tours
Remembering the Dead
American Cemetery (about 8000 buried here)
German Cemetery (21,500 buried with 2000 in the center mound)
Bloody Omaha
This is of the many sites where the Germans hunkered down with massive fire power and pelted the beach below.
Can you imagine landing on that beach?
Can you imagine landing on that beach?
D-Day
Joe and I splurged on a 8 van mini bus tour of the D-Day sites. It was worth every cent I payed and 200 more. The guide was a pure historian that talked strategy on how the battle unfolded and of individual stories collected about soldiers who fought.
If you saw the film "The Longest Day", you would appreciate this:
This does not look like a very important site, but you need a guide to tell you that the Germans had stopped a damn and flodded the fields like this with 4 - 8 feet of water. The grass had grown up and you could not see the water. When the paratroopers landed, alot of them liked the look of the field and landed. A vet who spoke with our guide landed on an embakement where we are currently standing. He discussed that he was haunted for 20 years by the screams of hundreds of soldiers as they landed with a hundred pounds of supplies strapped to them slowly drowning.
Joe is putting together a photo album of all the sites with info we learned. He can discuss more later.
If you saw the film "The Longest Day", you would appreciate this:
This does not look like a very important site, but you need a guide to tell you that the Germans had stopped a damn and flodded the fields like this with 4 - 8 feet of water. The grass had grown up and you could not see the water. When the paratroopers landed, alot of them liked the look of the field and landed. A vet who spoke with our guide landed on an embakement where we are currently standing. He discussed that he was haunted for 20 years by the screams of hundreds of soldiers as they landed with a hundred pounds of supplies strapped to them slowly drowning.
Joe is putting together a photo album of all the sites with info we learned. He can discuss more later.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
The Appreciation
Before I left for my trip, I received many negative comments from US citizens about the French.
They included: The French don't like you. The French are snotty. and The French have no respect of the sacrifice that was made to liberate them during the Nazi occupation.
You be the judge:
70% of the land and memorials to commemorate the battle of Normandy are provided by the individual locals and their houses are not mansions.
This was a small church we visited during our D-Day tour.
This shot was taken from the hallway in our manoir.
I hope the posts I will put up over the next week will change someone's preconceived notions of the French and will allow them to pack their bags for a fantastic experience over here.
They included: The French don't like you. The French are snotty. and The French have no respect of the sacrifice that was made to liberate them during the Nazi occupation.
You be the judge:
70% of the land and memorials to commemorate the battle of Normandy are provided by the individual locals and their houses are not mansions.
This was a small church we visited during our D-Day tour.
This shot was taken from the hallway in our manoir.
I hope the posts I will put up over the next week will change someone's preconceived notions of the French and will allow them to pack their bags for a fantastic experience over here.
Bayeux: A Manoir
Check out our B and B in Bayeux. Its a manoir and very castle like. Too cool for words:
As we were trying to find it, a crazy lady came running across the street to us yelling... ruuuummelll, ruuuummeelll, ruuuuuummmelll.
The crazy lady turned out to be our inn keeper and all of us used everything short of the swahili clicking language to make sure that our stay was great.
In the morning we received fresh bread, cheeses, and hams every morning at 7:45 sharp. The plate of cheese also had a slab of butter. Imagine my surprise when I bit into it hoping for sharpness. whoops.
As we were trying to find it, a crazy lady came running across the street to us yelling... ruuuummelll, ruuuummeelll, ruuuuuummmelll.
The crazy lady turned out to be our inn keeper and all of us used everything short of the swahili clicking language to make sure that our stay was great.
In the morning we received fresh bread, cheeses, and hams every morning at 7:45 sharp. The plate of cheese also had a slab of butter. Imagine my surprise when I bit into it hoping for sharpness. whoops.
Flashback: Ireland
I think we have a perfect score with Joe posing with a cat in every european country we have visited.
I guess, I have to work on France now.
I guess, I have to work on France now.
Were in France, now run like hell
Our ferry was almost an hour late at 15 past 18:00 and the last train out of Cherbourg for the day was 18:44.
There were about 8 backpackers that walked on the ferry by foot and the mess of getting into france was fantastic. First there was the platform to get us off the damn ship. No one seemed in a hurry. Then the freight elevator and followed by a bus to the terminal building. Once again no one seemed in a hurry, but all the backpackers were about to pee their pants. Next: customs. The lady took my passport and proceeded to read it cover and cover. I was about to climb back there to make her cup of hot cocoa and give her a throw blanket for the whole process. We ran to the street and stuffed ourselves into taxis. I sat in the front, and the backpackers kept throwing euro coins at me so that we could get out of the taxi fast enough.
Run, run, run, run and into the train at 18:42.
If anyone would like to get over their fear of a new foreign country, I strongly recommend a frazzled entrance. There is no better way to get over it.
There were about 8 backpackers that walked on the ferry by foot and the mess of getting into france was fantastic. First there was the platform to get us off the damn ship. No one seemed in a hurry. Then the freight elevator and followed by a bus to the terminal building. Once again no one seemed in a hurry, but all the backpackers were about to pee their pants. Next: customs. The lady took my passport and proceeded to read it cover and cover. I was about to climb back there to make her cup of hot cocoa and give her a throw blanket for the whole process. We ran to the street and stuffed ourselves into taxis. I sat in the front, and the backpackers kept throwing euro coins at me so that we could get out of the taxi fast enough.
Run, run, run, run and into the train at 18:42.
If anyone would like to get over their fear of a new foreign country, I strongly recommend a frazzled entrance. There is no better way to get over it.
On the boat to france
After Galway, we completed our trip in Dublin and took a train ride down to Rosslare. For my next trip to Ireland, I will need to spend some time in Wicklow. As we travelled down the coast, I felt like I was coming strait out of the book, Little Women with babbling brooks and beautiful forest.
We picked up the Oscar Wilde ferry boat to Cherbourg France. The ferry ride was 18 hours long, but there was plenty of stuff to do on the ship. For one, we sprung for the lowest grade cabin you could get. I was surprised that it wasn't a mess, but quite clean and hospitable. Secondly, they had lots of placards to read about how nuts Oscar Wilde was.
They also had satellite TV. To our surprise, they had an NFL show on in the bar.
I wish I took more pics of the ferry. The whole experience was extremely interesting.
We picked up the Oscar Wilde ferry boat to Cherbourg France. The ferry ride was 18 hours long, but there was plenty of stuff to do on the ship. For one, we sprung for the lowest grade cabin you could get. I was surprised that it wasn't a mess, but quite clean and hospitable. Secondly, they had lots of placards to read about how nuts Oscar Wilde was.
They also had satellite TV. To our surprise, they had an NFL show on in the bar.
I wish I took more pics of the ferry. The whole experience was extremely interesting.
PARIS and once again online!!!
We learned that internet cafes in Bayeux are few and far between. We have a hotel in Paris with unlimited wireless access.
Expect some great stories and more pics soon as we sort through some other items and email.
Expect some great stories and more pics soon as we sort through some other items and email.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Thank you for all the comments!!!
All,
I am really enjoying reading all the comments. Thanks for posting. You motivate me to post more.
We are leaving Galway today and returning to Dublin. We pick up the train to Rosslare and we will set sail to Cherbourg, France. Therefore, you wont be hearing from me till tomorrow night or even the next day.
I am really enjoying reading all the comments. Thanks for posting. You motivate me to post more.
We are leaving Galway today and returning to Dublin. We pick up the train to Rosslare and we will set sail to Cherbourg, France. Therefore, you wont be hearing from me till tomorrow night or even the next day.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Dingle: 3 days in the country
We stayed at a wonderful B&B for 3 days and by the time we left, we felt like we lived there.
Dingle is all the way on the west side on a Peninsula.
Of course I made a big to do about the local livestock. The locals must have had a good laugh watching me try to pet the cows.
Sheep:
Horse:
And of course, my favorite:
It is said that at one time, Ireland had 300 inhabitants per square km. Now there is as few as 13 in areas. As a result, you see many abandoned houses and other buildings.
We drove around the coast to find some nice views of the local islands:
Reminds me of coastal california:
Dingle is all the way on the west side on a Peninsula.
Of course I made a big to do about the local livestock. The locals must have had a good laugh watching me try to pet the cows.
Sheep:
Horse:
And of course, my favorite:
It is said that at one time, Ireland had 300 inhabitants per square km. Now there is as few as 13 in areas. As a result, you see many abandoned houses and other buildings.
We drove around the coast to find some nice views of the local islands:
Reminds me of coastal california:
For our wonderful realtor
Hi Jen,
Maybe you can transfer offices:
I have a tough sell for you.
Are you up to the challenge?
Maybe you can transfer offices:
I have a tough sell for you.
Are you up to the challenge?
The Rummel's do Eastern Ireland
A Rummel and the Liffy
The Rummels having a Pint
Dont look now, a Rummel is getting behind the wheel. God help us now.
Yes, we drank all that:
You cant end this post without a good ol castle. How is this?
The Rummels having a Pint
Dont look now, a Rummel is getting behind the wheel. God help us now.
Yes, we drank all that:
You cant end this post without a good ol castle. How is this?
Joe
You just cant have a blog with out a picture of Joe doing something silly at the Pittsburgh airport.
To my subscribers
For those of you who subscribe, you most likely get an email for every post. When i have a good strong connection, I like to post quick thoughts and pictures in single posts.
The mailing list will send you a copy of the text only post by email. If I make 5 posts, you will get 5 emails. If you would like to set up google groups to send you only 1 email a day of all posts, you can adjust your settings by visiting:
http://groups.google.com/group/hopelessplanner
Log in using your email address and password you setup and select "Edit my Membership".
I hope this helps.
The mailing list will send you a copy of the text only post by email. If I make 5 posts, you will get 5 emails. If you would like to set up google groups to send you only 1 email a day of all posts, you can adjust your settings by visiting:
http://groups.google.com/group/hopelessplanner
Log in using your email address and password you setup and select "Edit my Membership".
I hope this helps.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Thoughts on Ireland
Well, everyone's probably tired of hearing from Mauri, so I thought I would leave a post. The first stop on our trip has been the Emerald Isle, Ireland. Ireland is a very beautiful country, very green, and quite expensive. If you are a novice to traveling, Ireland is a good place to start because it is very similar to the United States in a lot of ways, such as language (they speak English), food (you can find Italian, Chinese, and hamburger joints everywhere), and media (I watched "Friends" and "Everybody Loves Raymond" on TV and listen to the Rolling Stones, John Mayer, and Red Chili Peppers on the radio). Here are some of my thoughts:
Driving: They drive on the left! That sounds like it would be hard to get used to, but it really isn't. You just have to remind yourself to stay left. My biggest problem is getting used to the controls being on opposite sides. For example, when I want to make a turn, I turn on the windshield wipers, when it rains, I turn on the turn signal. But, I am getting used to it. Another thing is that the roads are very narrow and they have ALOT of trucks and buses on them (kind of like Western Pennsylvania)! That can be a little hairy at times. Also, you have to remember on the superhighways in Dublin, traffic is supposed to stay to the left and pass on the right, which is the opposite of the U.S., however, this was not hard to get used because this is the way they drive on the Central Coast in California!
Pubs: The pubs are the center of all social activity. You want Irish food, you go to the pub. (There are not many restaurants that server Irish food). You want to hear traditional Irish music, you go to the pub. You want good beer, you go to the pub. In Ireland, Guiness is a very good beer. I don't like it much in the States, but is very good here. This is because "Guiness does not travel well" as the Irish say. It takes 3 minutes for them to pour it because they pour let it settle, and then finish pouring. The traditional Irish music is very good. It is kind of a mix of folk and country. It definitely will get your feet tapping to the beat. The Irish are proud of their music and are not shy to remind you that U2, Van Morrison, Sinead O'Connor, and Enya are all from Ireland.
History: Mauri and I did a Historical walking tour of Dublin and that was really need. We saw Trinity College, which was set up by the English to educate Protestants in Ireland; the old Irish Parliament building, which is where the Legislature of Ireland would meet in the old days, no Catholics allowed and no law could be passed without permission from London; Dublin Castle, Temple Bar, and plenty of info on Micheal Collins, Daniel O'Connell, the IRA and "The Troubles". "The Troubles" were really ignited by an event called Bloody Sunday, back in the 1970s when British troops gunned down about 30 unarmed Irish Catholics in Northern Ireland. "Sunday Bloody Sunday" by U2 is about that event. Last, they absolutely LOVE John F. Kennedy out here. He visited Ireland as President and the whole country shut down because everyone wanted to see him. He was supposed to stay for 3 days and he ended up staying five.
Well, that's all for now. I will leave another post later, maybe talk about France and D-Day. We'll be there in a few days. Thank God for the internet. It still get to see the Penguin scores. LETS GO PENS! BEAT THOSE FLYER JAGOFFS!
Driving: They drive on the left! That sounds like it would be hard to get used to, but it really isn't. You just have to remind yourself to stay left. My biggest problem is getting used to the controls being on opposite sides. For example, when I want to make a turn, I turn on the windshield wipers, when it rains, I turn on the turn signal. But, I am getting used to it. Another thing is that the roads are very narrow and they have ALOT of trucks and buses on them (kind of like Western Pennsylvania)! That can be a little hairy at times. Also, you have to remember on the superhighways in Dublin, traffic is supposed to stay to the left and pass on the right, which is the opposite of the U.S., however, this was not hard to get used because this is the way they drive on the Central Coast in California!
Pubs: The pubs are the center of all social activity. You want Irish food, you go to the pub. (There are not many restaurants that server Irish food). You want to hear traditional Irish music, you go to the pub. You want good beer, you go to the pub. In Ireland, Guiness is a very good beer. I don't like it much in the States, but is very good here. This is because "Guiness does not travel well" as the Irish say. It takes 3 minutes for them to pour it because they pour let it settle, and then finish pouring. The traditional Irish music is very good. It is kind of a mix of folk and country. It definitely will get your feet tapping to the beat. The Irish are proud of their music and are not shy to remind you that U2, Van Morrison, Sinead O'Connor, and Enya are all from Ireland.
History: Mauri and I did a Historical walking tour of Dublin and that was really need. We saw Trinity College, which was set up by the English to educate Protestants in Ireland; the old Irish Parliament building, which is where the Legislature of Ireland would meet in the old days, no Catholics allowed and no law could be passed without permission from London; Dublin Castle, Temple Bar, and plenty of info on Micheal Collins, Daniel O'Connell, the IRA and "The Troubles". "The Troubles" were really ignited by an event called Bloody Sunday, back in the 1970s when British troops gunned down about 30 unarmed Irish Catholics in Northern Ireland. "Sunday Bloody Sunday" by U2 is about that event. Last, they absolutely LOVE John F. Kennedy out here. He visited Ireland as President and the whole country shut down because everyone wanted to see him. He was supposed to stay for 3 days and he ended up staying five.
Well, that's all for now. I will leave another post later, maybe talk about France and D-Day. We'll be there in a few days. Thank God for the internet. It still get to see the Penguin scores. LETS GO PENS! BEAT THOSE FLYER JAGOFFS!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Cashel, Dingle
We stayed in a lovely hostel in Cashel that was right across from a ruined Abbey. Of course, Joe and I had to go check it out since it was free. We then saw the famous Rock of Cashel before we drove to Dingle.
Dingle is a fantastic town and we are staying at a very nice B&B with a little scotty dog and a black cat.
Unfortunately, internet access is very far and few between, so there is no internet access yet and therefore no pictures. :(
Dingle is a fantastic town and we are staying at a very nice B&B with a little scotty dog and a black cat.
Unfortunately, internet access is very far and few between, so there is no internet access yet and therefore no pictures. :(
Stay Left
After saying goodbye to Dublin, we rented a car to explore western Ireland. When we found our car, I left Joe sitting in the drivers seat to contemplate the new driver's side while I walked backed into the airport to find a decent road map.
Once we got moving, staying left wasnt that hard. However, every turn we made, the window wipers turned on and Joe cursed about it.
Once we got moving, staying left wasnt that hard. However, every turn we made, the window wipers turned on and Joe cursed about it.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Into dublin
I always forget how nervous buses make me. I have this undying fear of missing my stop. Once I found an old man who knew about my stop, Joe and I harassed the poor guy until we got there.
Are we there yet? no. Are we there yet? no. Are there yet? no. Here we are. Stop the bus!!!! During my fit of panic, I slammed a poor french lady. I guess I am not representing the US to the best of my abilities.
After a Guiness and a bowl of soup, Joe and I were in bed and sound asleep by 9pm. We sure are party animals. Traveling from 5:30AM on Monday to 7:00 PM on Tuesday will do that to you.
Tonight we are playing tourist and going on a celtic music experience tour. Hopefully, I will have time this evening to post a few pictures.
Are we there yet? no. Are we there yet? no. Are there yet? no. Here we are. Stop the bus!!!! During my fit of panic, I slammed a poor french lady. I guess I am not representing the US to the best of my abilities.
After a Guiness and a bowl of soup, Joe and I were in bed and sound asleep by 9pm. We sure are party animals. Traveling from 5:30AM on Monday to 7:00 PM on Tuesday will do that to you.
Tonight we are playing tourist and going on a celtic music experience tour. Hopefully, I will have time this evening to post a few pictures.
Finally... arrived
London Heathrow is the most amazing airport. I dont say this in a sense of pure beauty or sheer technological power. I say this because of how mind boggling the airport was from the moment I stepped off the plane.
I think they thwart off terrorism by just confusing the hell out of every traveler (good or bad) that enters the airport.
As soon as i walked off the plane, I felt like a rat in the maze looking for the end. They sent us down this hall way, up the stairs, down the escalator, around the rotunda. Without letting any of us escape the walk, they crammed us into a bus to repeat the ups, downs, lefts and rights. I couldn't even tell you where the hell I was. If you told me I was 50 ft underground, I would sure as hell believe it. I finally entered customs where they took my picture, gave me a paper and sent me through security. The underwire of my bra set the security detector ringing and I had a heck of an interesting pat down.
Finally, after getting our tickets for the next flight, they dropped us in the middle of a mall complete with a store called FCUK. We sat there for four hours in a daze due to jet lag. Finally it was time to board. Once again: up, down, left, right. They literally sent us walking through a giant pipe. (not kidding). They took my peice of paper away and I was dropped off in an area with about 10 gates. Once again, if you told me I was now in Guam, I would believe it.
Time to board, but no plane??? They sent us down a narrow spiral stairway that was connected to the skyway and placed us into a bus. The bus went left, right, left, left, under the terminals. Once again, if you told me I was on the moon, I would believe it. Magically, we got let off at a big plane and set off for dublin.
To say the least. It was an interesting adventure.
I think they thwart off terrorism by just confusing the hell out of every traveler (good or bad) that enters the airport.
As soon as i walked off the plane, I felt like a rat in the maze looking for the end. They sent us down this hall way, up the stairs, down the escalator, around the rotunda. Without letting any of us escape the walk, they crammed us into a bus to repeat the ups, downs, lefts and rights. I couldn't even tell you where the hell I was. If you told me I was 50 ft underground, I would sure as hell believe it. I finally entered customs where they took my picture, gave me a paper and sent me through security. The underwire of my bra set the security detector ringing and I had a heck of an interesting pat down.
Finally, after getting our tickets for the next flight, they dropped us in the middle of a mall complete with a store called FCUK. We sat there for four hours in a daze due to jet lag. Finally it was time to board. Once again: up, down, left, right. They literally sent us walking through a giant pipe. (not kidding). They took my peice of paper away and I was dropped off in an area with about 10 gates. Once again, if you told me I was now in Guam, I would believe it.
Time to board, but no plane??? They sent us down a narrow spiral stairway that was connected to the skyway and placed us into a bus. The bus went left, right, left, left, under the terminals. Once again, if you told me I was on the moon, I would believe it. Magically, we got let off at a big plane and set off for dublin.
To say the least. It was an interesting adventure.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Pittsburgh = good times
I thought it was only right to update my blog on the day that I head overseas. Unfortunately, there is not a whole lot to report unless the Pittsburgh International airport gives you goose bumps just thinking about it.
We have been testing our sanity by visiting a variety airports: LAX, PIT, PHL, RDU, PHL and back to Pit. We spent a wonderful weekend in Myrtle Beach (Eat, Sleep, Beach, Pool, Wedding activities, repeat). We should be arriving in Chicago in about an hour or two before we board our trans atlantic flight to London and then on to Dublin.
Once again, not that exciting.
On the plus side, they have a brookstone in the airport. Rock on.. massage chair.
We have been testing our sanity by visiting a variety airports: LAX, PIT, PHL, RDU, PHL and back to Pit. We spent a wonderful weekend in Myrtle Beach (Eat, Sleep, Beach, Pool, Wedding activities, repeat). We should be arriving in Chicago in about an hour or two before we board our trans atlantic flight to London and then on to Dublin.
Once again, not that exciting.
On the plus side, they have a brookstone in the airport. Rock on.. massage chair.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Welcome Back Family and Friends
Our trip begins on the 5th of May. Please stay tuned for future postings of our grand adventure.
For now, please review my random ramblings and my postings from my previous trip to Spain. :) :) :)
For now, please review my random ramblings and my postings from my previous trip to Spain. :) :) :)
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Budgeting for the trip
Keeping a European adventure low is a very difficult task. I have read so many articles concerning long term travel and budgeting and they all have one common piece of advice: stay out of Europe.
I do have to side with with Rick Steves's approach to traveling on a budget: if you want to go to Ireland, then dont try to save a few dollars and go to Thailand. No matter what, make it work.
I have challenged myself to maintain living expenses and then have a side account for fun items such as bike rental, tours and museum entry fees. If I get cheap lodging, I reward myself with a nice dinner and if we are overall under budget, the money gets put aside to offset splurges and more expensive countries.
My goal was 75 dollars a person a day. I thought this was a good bet since Rick Steves prices 100 to include double accommodation split between two, breakfast out, a fancy picnic lunch and a dinner with drink. I figured we could stay in hostels now and then to save some money and cook in sometimes to avoid the restaurant bills. So 75 dollars it is and this was easily attainable in Spain.
I have been watching www.xe.com which shows me the price of the dollar. I regularly punch in the one five "O" to find out what my budget will be in euros. Just to get a feel for how much the dollar has fallen, one hundred fifty dollars on our december spain trip was 106 euros. Now its hovering around 94 euros.
I consider readjusting my budget to 90 dollars a person, but I hold out hope that the dollar will swing up eventually.
I do have to side with with Rick Steves's approach to traveling on a budget: if you want to go to Ireland, then dont try to save a few dollars and go to Thailand. No matter what, make it work.
I have challenged myself to maintain living expenses and then have a side account for fun items such as bike rental, tours and museum entry fees. If I get cheap lodging, I reward myself with a nice dinner and if we are overall under budget, the money gets put aside to offset splurges and more expensive countries.
My goal was 75 dollars a person a day. I thought this was a good bet since Rick Steves prices 100 to include double accommodation split between two, breakfast out, a fancy picnic lunch and a dinner with drink. I figured we could stay in hostels now and then to save some money and cook in sometimes to avoid the restaurant bills. So 75 dollars it is and this was easily attainable in Spain.
I have been watching www.xe.com which shows me the price of the dollar. I regularly punch in the one five "O" to find out what my budget will be in euros. Just to get a feel for how much the dollar has fallen, one hundred fifty dollars on our december spain trip was 106 euros. Now its hovering around 94 euros.
I consider readjusting my budget to 90 dollars a person, but I hold out hope that the dollar will swing up eventually.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Credit Cards and Banks for Travel
I found an excellent list of available credit cards and bank account offers that list foreign transaction fees and atm charges.
An excellent resource for the folks that want to start traveling and want to save a buck or two on ridiculous fees.
flyerguide. wiki
An excellent resource for the folks that want to start traveling and want to save a buck or two on ridiculous fees.
flyerguide. wiki
Last Day of Work : April 25th
The countdown has begun for my mega 3 month trip abroad. My last day of work is April 25th.
Tickets (check)
Rail Pass (check)
Luggage Check (check)
So Mauri, where are you going?
Somewhere in Europe. I wont tell you the countries. My blog is not that interesting. I need something to keep people coming back.
Tickets (check)
Rail Pass (check)
Luggage Check (check)
So Mauri, where are you going?
Somewhere in Europe. I wont tell you the countries. My blog is not that interesting. I need something to keep people coming back.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
A new addition to the family: eee
I just received my new Laptop computer. My other computer immediately decided to work tonight after it saw a decent threat. I purchased the computer for the sole purpose of a simple machine to travel with.
As you can see, the other Rummel was not thrilled with the new addition in my family
I get many comments on how small my current PC is. Well it was not small enough. Ahhhh.... its a family picture
Check out the pen in the pic to see how small it is.
Lastily, my PC had to get the true test for all travelling PC's.
Just over 2 lbs and we have a winner!
As you can see, the other Rummel was not thrilled with the new addition in my family
I get many comments on how small my current PC is. Well it was not small enough. Ahhhh.... its a family picture
Check out the pen in the pic to see how small it is.
Lastily, my PC had to get the true test for all travelling PC's.
Just over 2 lbs and we have a winner!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Introducing my new Email List
Please enter your email address in the mailing list on the right panel to receive a copy of my blog directly to your inbox.
Keep in mind that html posts do not play nice with certain email applications. You may still want to visit the site every once in a while to see pictures and other graphics I may add to my postings.
Keep in mind that html posts do not play nice with certain email applications. You may still want to visit the site every once in a while to see pictures and other graphics I may add to my postings.
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