We are heavy on carryon taking LOTS of electrical equipment ( 2 laptops,dvd player,camera,camcorder,quad phone etc,etc)...all of it new and bought for this open ended world tour.Heck I am even bringing a large tripod in my carryon duffle for our satellite ( because it cost a young fortune to send it) so that we might have 24/7 connection.We had to get the duffles for the tripod and carseat vest,so thought might as well throw some food things and more books etc.
We leave in 18 days with a 5yo,so its really not good timing.We wanted most things in carryon with us because we need all that we are bringing.I am like Karen M and can not buy what I need to wear there.To top it all off ,we still do not have our long stay visas from Spain ,even tho we did all that was needed for them in April.
We are living with hardly any furniture here in our rental ...we are eating on top of our ice chest and using 3 plastic chairs from the deck.(We sold our kitchen table& chairs at auction this week with a few other last minute items including my childs loved large wooded dollhouse and stove).Meanwhile we are bleary eyed from trying to prepare all our new equipment and figure out how to do a blog.
On top of that my child wants one more BD birthday here so we booked a suite at a nearby Hilton for next week for a place to do a little sleep over ( & say good bye to family and friends too).We are going to need that Jaccuzi ( if we can find the packed away suits).
Are we having fun yet? Actually life is grand,but juuuuust a little tense at the moment.I would love to hear some good news for a change.
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This message has been edited. Last edited by: Pauline,
I started to post last night but my computer crashed while posting. Gotta love technology!
The last days and weeks before leaving for such a long trip are definitely stressful. I completely understand having a long to-do list that feels like will never get done in time. And, in truth, there were some little details that I never got around to and had to pass on to family members to help with. So, don't be afraid to ask for help. Most people will be glad to offer support.
I know how stressful it is right now, but the last weeks will go by fast...and soon you will be roaming Europe and seeing such wonderful and fascinating places.
Hang in there! It will all come together and soon you will be having the time of your life!
if it would help WT you could send some stuff to us in Spain and then when you get down to your winter lodgings we could get it delivered to you.
Just an idea.
This airport thing has hit us as well. We have just had a cancellation from a customer who refuses to put his photographic gear into the airplane hold. Its about 10,000 euros worth so I don't blame him. I just sent him a full refund. sigh!
if it would help WT you could send some stuff to us in Spain
Awww,that's so sweet.Thanks Clive and Houseblend.I appreciate your kind thoughts and offers.
I don't think we will have to send anything ,but it is always nice to know that possibility exists.I suppose you know from your blue lorry days what its like not have a home for a base,eh?
We have 14 days to go now and I think we will make it.The hardest thing was trying to make a blog quickly before we go and we are all but done with that.
I am with you Houseblend,whatever does not get done,just doesn't get done or we find a way to do it once we are there.
I am getting sooooo excited , I can hardly wait.We sent our third copy of passports and banking stuff to our bank in Gibralter & did some errands today together and some how it was just fun knowing that we were almost done with this long prep phase.I am actually feeling quite peaceful at the moment...hope that keeps up.
Que sera ,sera! Hasta muy pronto.
( Sorry about your customer cancellation Clive).I wonder how this all will affect the travel industry. I know we did not travel by plane for years after 9-11 ( this will be our first flight since then) partly because we just did not want to hassle with the airline stuff ( or a baby in a plane).
Yes, AMS is Amsterdam. On some boards it's common to refer to airports only by their 3-letter code: they can be looked up at http://www.world-airport-codes.com/ . Although SlowTalk is a travel board, it's possible that people might use 3-letter abbreviations meaning something other than an airport.
oh, I am sorry.I was a flight attendant when I was young with TWA,so I use the airport codes often as abbreviations ( when they are similar to the name) as I guess I forget others don't think in those terms.
Thanks for the feedback. I did not realize I was blocking communication by using that term.So sorry.
Yes, I meant the Amsterdam airport and was just taking the lazy man's route as I am always in a hurry these days.
Oh,and I was mainly wondering if anyone had any experience flying in or out of Amsterdam with the latest baggage problems,since we will be flying into there from SFO.I Know the worst problem is with BA in UK, and there were people talking about France,Italy etc,but I had not heard anything about Amsterdam or KLM.
I will let you know what our experience is ( we leave Sept 2nd).Hopefully things will go fairly smoothly.
I flew in and out of Amsterdam this week, with no problems. I made sure there were no creams, lotions, or liquids in my purse, and carried on my laptop and many magazines, books, files, as well. Would not have normally checked my suitcase, but had to since I wanted to take all of my usual toiletries. While coming through customs at Dulles on Thursday, talked with ladies in line in front of me who had come from Brussels and had had to check all of their liquids, creams, etc., and could only take their passports and wallets with them, and laptops, out of the cases. United gave them a Sky Alliance tote to put their laptops in. Unexpected for them - and no notice, even though they had checked United's website and called before checking in. Don't know if it was just a one day thing at Brussels or not. Anyway - no problems in Amsterdam. For some photos and tales of my couple of days there, see our blog Have fun- Anne
Thank you so much!That's great to hear and one less thing to worry about.
I looove your blog and your tours look wonderful! I have been watching it for a while when I have time ( you are in my blogs folder ) We will definately check out the pancakes ,but sorry we missed the concerts.
We will be staying our first night in a lovely houseboat on Brouwersgracht which I hear is a lovely area near the center.We are looking forward to doing some biking around as well.
We pick up our camper the next day and will spend a few days close by getting acclimated to our new lifestyle.I have been thru Amsterdam quckly many times,but never spent any time there ,so it will be fun to get to know it and the area better.
My brother married a Dutch ( Indonesian) girl many years ago,so we will meet with some of her family too who live in the Hague and have a child of a similar age.Its a funny story because we both struggled many years to get pregnant and then got pregnant the same month.
Slow Travel Talk 
