Posted on 02/14/2007 8:48:33 AM PST by Big Guy and Rusty 99
My wife (repogirl)is planning to go Europe this summer, however the trip is not yet set in stone. She is worried about possible terrorist attacks while she is over there. I was looking some advice, perhaps by European freepers as well, about how dangerous Europe is right now. She is going on a "tourist" tour, which means no out of the way places. Any advice would be helpful.
As this is a serious matter, I am only looking for constructive advice. Please do not post any sarcastic or stupid remarks.
Thank you in advance.
Buddy of mine went to Prague several years back and said he was surprised how many people there absolutely LOVE Americans.
He didn't have to buy a beer the entire time he was there. People would hear his accent, shout "American!" and buy one for him.
Their are many microbreweries in Prague, I like St. Norbert the Black, but it's pricier than some.
And CK Browar's in Krakow-I could just live there..They bring this huge glass testube of beer that's about 2 feet high, and costs next to nothing. Also, they have the best food for not much cash.
I went there with 6 other people, and we all drank beer and stuffed ourselves on delicious food-the bill for all of us was less than forty dollars.
Speaking of beer, wine and tobacco I have to tell you that Europe is just great. On my last trip to Europe (mostly Germany and France) my brother and I developed a great routine. Drive to a town with the women, they go shopping while we smoke Cubans and drink German beer. A good day was two Cubans and, let's see, how many beers? I forget...
Spent a year on business travel in Germany. Each month the company gave me a trip 'home.' When I was there I had no residence back in the US so I would call my supervisor each month and tell her that my 'home' this month was somewhere in Europe. It was cheaper for the company and better for me. Homes included Sweden, Denmark, Malta, Turkey, Poland, Slovenia, Italy, Austria, and France. A couple trips were random 4 or 5 day hop_on_a_train_see_where_it_goes_stay_for_a_day_get_local_advice_hop_another_train
type trips. One trip to Monaco/Nice had me spending $100/day for food and drink (and no I'm not Mooresque but only weighed 140 lbs then). Loved it!
Care to offer any advice to Big Guy and Rusty 99 regarding travel to Europe this year?
BTW, where in Germany? Found that the best beers were the local microbrews that each town seemed to have. Hefeweizen became a favorite of mine.
Heh! I didn't steal it on purpose! (Unlike that pickpocket I ran into in Barcelona.) I think this just proves that great minds think alike. :)
Both kids studied in Spain for 6 months while in college. Here's some tips:
No sneakers! Only Americans wear them routinely. Wear leather shoes and sandals, etc.
No logos! Apparently, wearing things labeled Broncos, Disney World and Nike are things that mark you as an American.
No shorts! European women wear cotton skirts and lightweight dresses or linen slacks rather than shorts.
Passport cover: you can buy these at any of the travel supplier websites. It's just a leather jacket that holds your passport and that gold eagle isn't so visible to those around you if you should have to show ID.
Slow down! Americans walk with purpose and drive. The pace we walk (and we don't make much eye contact) also marks you as an American.
Skip McDonald's! Don't go to places where large crowds of Americans go. Our daughter went to Europe Jan, 2002 and our son in April, just after the Madrid train bombings and they never ate at an American brand eatery or tavern. Gather some of the local flavor instead and you will likely find that you are very welcomed in those places.
I am not suggesting that anyone should be ashamed of being an American. I am merely suggesting that when in Rome (or Madrid or Dresden) one should do as they do.
There's a lot of excellent advice on this thread. The only thing that pops into my head that others may not have mentioned is to avoid public transportation (ie, Paris Metro, London Tube) during rush hours...
Care to offer any advice to Big Guy and Rusty 99 regarding travel to Europe this year? :o)
One way the Americans frequently get noticed is that they have an expectation of faster service in restuarants than do most Europeans. Some countries serve at slower paces than we do. Also, if it takes 15 minutes for the barmaid to return with your Budvar it's because it truly does take that long to pour.
Try to do a home exchange/swap if you live in a desirable destination.
I wish I could help, but I chose to go to grad school in Israel. The summer ulpan started a week after the war began... but I came anyway.
Living with the Army I had no shortage of guys offering me advice on "Bier". That was where I first tried Hefeweizen, and it is today my favorite beer.
Quick story: At Herrenkiemsee we toured Mad King Ludwig's castle on the island, then walked down to a beer garden on the edge of the lake. Older guy behind the outdoor bar looks at my Army Captain brother and says "You American soldier, you drink free." He proceeds to tell us how during the war his unit walked 200 kilometers to surrender to the Americans and by the way, avoid surrendering to the Russians. When they encountered American tanks and soldiers in a nearby tree line, they all sat down in a field and raised their hands, hoping not to get shot or strafed. After the surrender he said the first thing the Americans did was feed them. And so for that reason 60 years later "You American soldier, you drink free." I being a fat, soft American civilian, I did not drink free. But I like the Germans.
Due to the relative unpopularity of Americans in Europe, I think she has more to fear from the Europeans heaping verbal abuse on her than a terrorist attack.
That doesn't mean that the chances of a terrorist attack in Europe are remote, but it is more likely that the Europeans will not be particularly welcoming.
Great advice, CN. Also, if your wife can speak a foreign language, tell her to use it instead of English.
I remember all the fun I had speaking German, instead of English. Especially when anti-American remarks were said in my presence. I never took it seriously, but you should have seen the looks on their faces.
Wearing nondescript clothing is important. Even down to the colors, as they could be associated to a particular country's flag.
Lastly, DO NOT engage in political discussion. Europeans have a condescension toward the US that is unbelievable. Just grin and bear it, and enjoy the sights.
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