It´s an undecisive morning/afternoon.
Only 6 made it for the 7am wake-up call to go to the Dali Museum. The rest barely made it for the 9:30 check out wake up call. Seems that they decided to make their last night in Barcelona memorable, and visited in room 402 until sunrise. The laughter could be heard from the first floor, but it seems the night desk watch is used to such hoolabaloo, as they were never asked to stop their fun and games.
I did hear one of the boys say that missing the Dali would be a regret of his life, and so I suggested that they try to still accomplish the feat, if they took the 11:25 train to Figerous and then have a shortened visit inside the museum by 3 pm, they could still make our 7 pm meeting time to catch our night train to Paris. The idea was thought about, but the fear that the line to get inside the museum would be too long, so they decided to take Mr. Keenan´s advice and visit Casa Mila, a Gaudi house.
I watched them head down Carrer de Ferran as I headed in to write this blog. We decided to wait for the Dali 6 and then will walk up to visit Parc Guell a park designed by Gaudi. All legs are worn out, so we will see how our planned naps in the park rejuvevante us to walk back for our meeting time.
I will bbm Gwen to make a call that we made it to the Paris hotel without any difficulties. We are expected to arrive the Paris Austerlitz train station at 12:20 pm. Wed. June 30th, after a 15 hour train ride, just in time for a full day of: check in, Eiffel Tower, Bike Tour, Night Seine River Boat ride.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Day 4 Barcelona Beach
Hola!
What a day! It is 10 pm here, but the sun just set 30 minutes ago, so it feels like 7 pm.
All the kids were in the lobby at noon for a group trip to the beach. We decided against Sitges, as they found out it was a homosexual nude beach (mostly old men)...Evan and Ashli mentioned a Tosa Del Mar beach, but it was a different train and 15 euro round trip, so we decided to use our metro subway passes and took a red bus line to the beach....only to discover it was the same beach the bike tour led us to. So, we found a different beach 10 minutes up the yellow subway line to Porblenue (sp?) and found a less populated beach. Again, the water was warm and everyone was able to layout and rest for awhile...then the tummies started getting hungry and so they walked up the avenue and bought falafels.
After the beach, most decided to clean up, walk around Barcelona more and since they had spread out to about 5 groups, they wanted to try to get everyone together for dinner.
Saba´s cousin introduced them to a Tapas restaurant, but it was too expensive, so they found directions close to the hotel of a street of tapas, so we are all headed for dinner there (yes it is after 10 pm!).
Tomorrow we will take a train to Figures and discover the Dali Museum and castle on the hill.
From all of my experience (Ty) of traveling with kids. This is the nicest group ever. They are thankful, excited, motivated to see, relaxed about missed busses, or walking the wrong way for blocks, and the most respectful of tour meeting times. I am really happy with their attitudes and their longevity to last dancing all night and walking all day. (it is only the 4th day, but SO FAR SO GOOD!)
Haven´t heard any juicy gossip, but I guess, even if I had, I probably shouldn´t tell ya all....
Please comment on these blogs to let me know you are reading them, and what other kind of information you would like to know!
What a day! It is 10 pm here, but the sun just set 30 minutes ago, so it feels like 7 pm.
All the kids were in the lobby at noon for a group trip to the beach. We decided against Sitges, as they found out it was a homosexual nude beach (mostly old men)...Evan and Ashli mentioned a Tosa Del Mar beach, but it was a different train and 15 euro round trip, so we decided to use our metro subway passes and took a red bus line to the beach....only to discover it was the same beach the bike tour led us to. So, we found a different beach 10 minutes up the yellow subway line to Porblenue (sp?) and found a less populated beach. Again, the water was warm and everyone was able to layout and rest for awhile...then the tummies started getting hungry and so they walked up the avenue and bought falafels.
After the beach, most decided to clean up, walk around Barcelona more and since they had spread out to about 5 groups, they wanted to try to get everyone together for dinner.
Saba´s cousin introduced them to a Tapas restaurant, but it was too expensive, so they found directions close to the hotel of a street of tapas, so we are all headed for dinner there (yes it is after 10 pm!).
Tomorrow we will take a train to Figures and discover the Dali Museum and castle on the hill.
From all of my experience (Ty) of traveling with kids. This is the nicest group ever. They are thankful, excited, motivated to see, relaxed about missed busses, or walking the wrong way for blocks, and the most respectful of tour meeting times. I am really happy with their attitudes and their longevity to last dancing all night and walking all day. (it is only the 4th day, but SO FAR SO GOOD!)
Haven´t heard any juicy gossip, but I guess, even if I had, I probably shouldn´t tell ya all....
Please comment on these blogs to let me know you are reading them, and what other kind of information you would like to know!
Barcelona Bike Ride
Hello all!
I have not been able to use the internet, as everytime I have 10 minutes, the computers in the lobby are taken. There are sooooo many tourists in Barcelona. We have met so many people, a majority are from Ireland and Australia.
Yesterday morning, all the kids met on time in the lobby at 10 am. We walked a few blocks to the bike tour location, split into two groups, received a beach cruiser, and then enjoyed a FOUR hour bike ride around town. It was super easy to navigate through the streets, as it was Sunday and the streets are mainly one way streets. We were able to see the La Familia Sagada, the Arc de Triomphe, gorgeous parks, and other Gaudi structures. The catedrals are beautiful stone buildings, and the stories from the tour guide were interesting. Lots of political stories about the religious wars. The end of the bike tour took us down to the beach, and we were able to have a nice lunch and cool drink. After getting back from the tour, everyone decided to go back to the beach, so they walked down La Rambla and were able to get in the Mediterranean Sea. Perfect 72 degree water, and little waves, and were able to walk out a ways before it got too deep.
After the beach everyone met at 8pm for a group dinner at a local restaurant for Paella. We had our own room to ourselves and there were 10 at long tables. It was nice to relax with the group!
After dinner everyone decided on a Pub Crawl. Miss Ty´s luggage finally arrived to the hotel at midnight (dide we mention she had been in the same clothes for almost 3 days?)
In any case, it was an excellent first full day in Barcelona, Espana!
I have not been able to use the internet, as everytime I have 10 minutes, the computers in the lobby are taken. There are sooooo many tourists in Barcelona. We have met so many people, a majority are from Ireland and Australia.
Yesterday morning, all the kids met on time in the lobby at 10 am. We walked a few blocks to the bike tour location, split into two groups, received a beach cruiser, and then enjoyed a FOUR hour bike ride around town. It was super easy to navigate through the streets, as it was Sunday and the streets are mainly one way streets. We were able to see the La Familia Sagada, the Arc de Triomphe, gorgeous parks, and other Gaudi structures. The catedrals are beautiful stone buildings, and the stories from the tour guide were interesting. Lots of political stories about the religious wars. The end of the bike tour took us down to the beach, and we were able to have a nice lunch and cool drink. After getting back from the tour, everyone decided to go back to the beach, so they walked down La Rambla and were able to get in the Mediterranean Sea. Perfect 72 degree water, and little waves, and were able to walk out a ways before it got too deep.
After the beach everyone met at 8pm for a group dinner at a local restaurant for Paella. We had our own room to ourselves and there were 10 at long tables. It was nice to relax with the group!
After dinner everyone decided on a Pub Crawl. Miss Ty´s luggage finally arrived to the hotel at midnight (dide we mention she had been in the same clothes for almost 3 days?)
In any case, it was an excellent first full day in Barcelona, Espana!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Flights to Barcelona
Greetings from Barcelona!
We have all arrived safely to the Sun and Moon Hostel in Barcelona.
I am happy to announce that all travelers met their tour guides at the set meeting time at the Los Angeles airport. The nine hour flight from LAX to LHR was quite long, but most were able to watch three movies: Rango, Just Go With It with Adam Sandler and No Strings Attached were the top 3 most watched movies. After changing body positions over a hundred times, 15 minutes here and there of sleep, and two meals, travelers arrived London with little turbulence. Ty and Johns American Airlines flight to Barcelona was actually a British Airlines flight, so Raquel´s group and Ty and John´s group were able to meet in the London Airport, and were able to hang out together in the lounge waiting for our perspective flights from London to Barcelona. The Barcelona flight was less than 2 hours, and the French and Spanish countrysides were visible the whole route from the airplane window, such beautifully green mountainous landscape! Then we saw the Spanish coast.
It was super easy to collect luggage, go downstairs and then board a bus which took us to the main part of the main street of La Rambla. We then exited the bus and walked down the center of La Rambla. It was heavily packed with people, sales vendors and gypsies. We stayed in a tight pack, and made it to our hotel without any weird incidence. Our hotel is down from a Mc Donalds and Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Students raced up to their rooms to shower and clean up for the evening out. Boys are sharing dorm rooms with eight beds and one shower each, girls have rooms of 6 beds and a shower. Then met downstairs within an hour. Imagine25 kids showering and there was enough hot water! So, survey agreed that this was a good hotel!
The kids looked ready to dance all night, after first looking for a quick meal.
Tomorrow´s agenda includes a bike tour of the city, a group dinner and another night out.
Barcelona has small alley streets, and many turns, huge squares and boxes of trash in every crevice. This is a bustling city and the area of our hotel is smack center in the action. Very reminiscent of Venice, but more decrepit...that doesn´t sound beautiful, but it has been dark out since we arrived, so the sunshine may bring a different atmosphere tomorrow.
Salute for now.
We have all arrived safely to the Sun and Moon Hostel in Barcelona.
I am happy to announce that all travelers met their tour guides at the set meeting time at the Los Angeles airport. The nine hour flight from LAX to LHR was quite long, but most were able to watch three movies: Rango, Just Go With It with Adam Sandler and No Strings Attached were the top 3 most watched movies. After changing body positions over a hundred times, 15 minutes here and there of sleep, and two meals, travelers arrived London with little turbulence. Ty and Johns American Airlines flight to Barcelona was actually a British Airlines flight, so Raquel´s group and Ty and John´s group were able to meet in the London Airport, and were able to hang out together in the lounge waiting for our perspective flights from London to Barcelona. The Barcelona flight was less than 2 hours, and the French and Spanish countrysides were visible the whole route from the airplane window, such beautifully green mountainous landscape! Then we saw the Spanish coast.
It was super easy to collect luggage, go downstairs and then board a bus which took us to the main part of the main street of La Rambla. We then exited the bus and walked down the center of La Rambla. It was heavily packed with people, sales vendors and gypsies. We stayed in a tight pack, and made it to our hotel without any weird incidence. Our hotel is down from a Mc Donalds and Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Students raced up to their rooms to shower and clean up for the evening out. Boys are sharing dorm rooms with eight beds and one shower each, girls have rooms of 6 beds and a shower. Then met downstairs within an hour. Imagine25 kids showering and there was enough hot water! So, survey agreed that this was a good hotel!
The kids looked ready to dance all night, after first looking for a quick meal.
Tomorrow´s agenda includes a bike tour of the city, a group dinner and another night out.
Barcelona has small alley streets, and many turns, huge squares and boxes of trash in every crevice. This is a bustling city and the area of our hotel is smack center in the action. Very reminiscent of Venice, but more decrepit...that doesn´t sound beautiful, but it has been dark out since we arrived, so the sunshine may bring a different atmosphere tomorrow.
Salute for now.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Currency Exchange and PLAN OF ACTION
Hello all.
It is wise to have some euros in your pocket upon arrival in Barcelona.
There is a currency exchange office on 4th and Broadway, under the parking structure, door facing 4th street. In Barcelona, Paris and Amsterdam you will be using Euros to pay. In Prague, the currency is Koruna and in Budapest the currency is Hufs or Forint and is abbreviated as Ft. or HUF.
Below are the currency exchange rates as of today.
Also, unless you have a credit card without any transfer fees, it is best to have cash as your paying method at all restaurants, vendors and stores.
Bank atms will beable to give you cash from your atm card, and it is wise to withdrawl the maximum amount, as there will be transfer fees from the foreign atm and from your bank. These withdrawl amounts do add up.
We will be passing money exchange booths at all times in all cities, but, upon arrival at train stations, if you plan to buy a water, fruit or snacks before we hit a money exchange booth, please get some Korunas (CZK), Forints (HUF) and euros before departing LAX.
Example: I plan to bring one thousand dollars spending.
I am going to go to the Santa Monica store and change 700 into Euros and 150 into Hufs and 150 into Korunas. Then I am going to keep my money in my wallet, which I will put in a zipper pocket, inside my cross body purse which i will never set down (and when sleeping I will put the wallet in my pillow case. (yes I am bringing a down pillow which I can roll up and put inside my duffel bag). As you can see, I will never have to exchange any money, unless I plan to change my leftover euros into Hufs or Czks, and I will stay on budget, not paying any bank transfer fees.
As a traveler, it is very important that you have a plan of action for your money. One year a traveler's atm card was eaten by the machine. He did NOT have a second plan of action, and had to borrow from his friends ( I believe he still owes me money...) Also, one year a traveler never stopped at a money exchange booth, and didn't have money for lunch. Another traveler lost their wallet, and did not have money stashed in a hiding place in suitcase, or access to a bank card.
Please be aware that the fear of "gypsies" is real, and there are many areas in Barcelona where we will forbid you to walk through, as they know where tourists keep their stash. There are also hotel room cleaners who will go through your luggage, so please have locks to put onto your duffel bag zippers when out of the room.
if you have any other questions about traveling with money, please post a comment, so we can help you figure out your personal plan of action for your money.
.
It is wise to have some euros in your pocket upon arrival in Barcelona.
There is a currency exchange office on 4th and Broadway, under the parking structure, door facing 4th street. In Barcelona, Paris and Amsterdam you will be using Euros to pay. In Prague, the currency is Koruna and in Budapest the currency is Hufs or Forint and is abbreviated as Ft. or HUF.
Below are the currency exchange rates as of today.
Also, unless you have a credit card without any transfer fees, it is best to have cash as your paying method at all restaurants, vendors and stores.
Bank atms will beable to give you cash from your atm card, and it is wise to withdrawl the maximum amount, as there will be transfer fees from the foreign atm and from your bank. These withdrawl amounts do add up.
We will be passing money exchange booths at all times in all cities, but, upon arrival at train stations, if you plan to buy a water, fruit or snacks before we hit a money exchange booth, please get some Korunas (CZK), Forints (HUF) and euros before departing LAX.
Example: I plan to bring one thousand dollars spending.
I am going to go to the Santa Monica store and change 700 into Euros and 150 into Hufs and 150 into Korunas. Then I am going to keep my money in my wallet, which I will put in a zipper pocket, inside my cross body purse which i will never set down (and when sleeping I will put the wallet in my pillow case. (yes I am bringing a down pillow which I can roll up and put inside my duffel bag). As you can see, I will never have to exchange any money, unless I plan to change my leftover euros into Hufs or Czks, and I will stay on budget, not paying any bank transfer fees.
As a traveler, it is very important that you have a plan of action for your money. One year a traveler's atm card was eaten by the machine. He did NOT have a second plan of action, and had to borrow from his friends ( I believe he still owes me money...) Also, one year a traveler never stopped at a money exchange booth, and didn't have money for lunch. Another traveler lost their wallet, and did not have money stashed in a hiding place in suitcase, or access to a bank card.
Please be aware that the fear of "gypsies" is real, and there are many areas in Barcelona where we will forbid you to walk through, as they know where tourists keep their stash. There are also hotel room cleaners who will go through your luggage, so please have locks to put onto your duffel bag zippers when out of the room.
if you have any other questions about traveling with money, please post a comment, so we can help you figure out your personal plan of action for your money.
.
| 1.00 USD | = | 0.703591 EUR |
| 1.00 USD | = | 17.0180 CZK
|
Sunday, June 12, 2011
4th of July Preview
Hey Elves,
We booked our Fourth of July Private Sunset Canal Boat in Amsterdam.
Who can sneak the fireworks in their duffel bag? Just Kidding....
Alex? just kidding?
Justin? just kidding!
10 days and counting!
We booked our Fourth of July Private Sunset Canal Boat in Amsterdam.
Who can sneak the fireworks in their duffel bag? Just Kidding....
Alex? just kidding?
Justin? just kidding!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Water Bottles and T-Shirts
Have you received your water bottles? Blake was given a box full, go see him, for your bottle. and t-shirt? Evan was given the t-shirts.
I am starting to get really excited, mentally packing and thinking about calling Verizon to get my phone ready, going to get my money exchanged, looking up restaurants I want to try to eat at in Paris, and also finding a Party cruise barge for our 4th of July evening in Amsterdam.
Please email us if you have any last minute packing questions. Remember, look at who you are bunking with, and figure out who is packing the blow dryer, shampoo bottle, 2 prong plug adapter, and tour guide books.
Also, is anyone planning to bring a skateboard? If we all are, that's great, but if Tylene and John start skating away from everyone, how will you keep up? LOL
Totally excited. Also, is anyone planning on a movie night to watch Taken or Hostel?
See you at the airport!
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