Evangelion Posted June 13, 2007 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 So it dawned on me last night that I'm leaving the country in 8 days... and I've never been off the Eastern Coast. What do I bring with me? What don't I bring with me? What mannerisms do I need to know about Londoners? What mannerisms do I need to know about Parisians? What are the hot spots in London that I should visit? What are the hot spots in Paris that I should visit? Is my cell phone going to work? Is my laptop going to work, so I can upload pictures from my camera, or should I just buy a second memory card? What can/can't I get on the plane? What can/can't I bring back? Anything else you can think of? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aulian Posted June 13, 2007 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 Is my laptop going to work, so I can upload pictures from my camera, or should I just buy a second memory card? I vote for that one being the funniest! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evangelion Posted June 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 I vote for that one being the funniest! ... Why is that funny? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deykari Posted June 13, 2007 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 How are you travelling? Backpacking, or coming across and staying in hotels? You'll want an AC power adaptor (our mains voltage is 240v) so you can use anything electrical (laptop/phone charger, etc.) and you may need another adaptor for anywhere in the EU.. not sure what their mains voltage is over in France but it's easy enough to find out. You might not, if the power supply is the same as US. Your laptop will work. To charge it, you'll need the adaptor so you can plug it into UK mains supply. As far as your phone goes, if your phone service operator allows you to make calls abroad, then it's more than likely that your phone can be used here. Alternatively, if you're phone is unlocked (allows you to put other SIM cards in from other service providers) then you could always just get yourself a cheap pay-as-you-go SIM card whilst you're here to last you. As far as London goes, I'm not a big fan of the sights. I suppose if you really wanted to see them, then it's the standard London Bridge/Buckingham Palace, and any other stuff that's down there. My knowledge of London is small anyway. Thanks to BigMac, I know of a great place to eat, as well as some good pubs though. If you plan on using the underground, which you will be doing, I can guarantee it, you'll want an all-day tube pass. The underground here is split into zones, zone 1 being the very centre, zone 2 being a ring around the centre, right upto 6 (maybe 7) which is the outermost ring covering the outskirts. Unless you plan on going anywhere in particular, or you're staying outside of Central London, a daypass for zones 1 & 2 will cover you. I think you're staying in Wembley, so you made need zones 1-3 or 1-4. Not sure, I can look it up for you though. I can't really think of anything more from the top of my head, so I'll post back when I think of stuff. P.S Wembley Plaza Hotel Empire Way Wembley London HA9 8DS England Telephone: 011 44 (0)2089028839 Checking in on the 22nd whenever we get there, we'll be in London all day on the 23rd, and leaving for Paris on the 24th. So you better be there on the 23rd. This still standing? I want to be in London for the evening of 23rd right? You're going to have to make sure it's all confirmed when/where I'm meeting you and for how long, so I can sort out what I need to do on my end. Dey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evangelion Posted June 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 Yes, that's still all correct. And you'll have to set me up with your digits, so I can get in touch with you on the day of. Because you may not be that familiar with London, but think of it like this: My knowledge of London is just about equal to Zrothum's skill in PK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aulian Posted June 13, 2007 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 So in other words you beat small children to death with blunt sticks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest emp_newb Posted June 13, 2007 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 I beat myself to death with blunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sirax Posted June 13, 2007 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 Best way to travel by underground is to get an oyster card but if your just staying a few days then a one day travel card will see you good, zones 1-6 will give you peace of mind to travel anywhere, but if your staying central then 1-3 will do, they are the most expensive zones so it wont make much difference by having all zones. As for mannerisms I wouldnt worry about it to much just bear in mind the basics ie dont wander around dodgy looking places with your bag and map out visible, you may as well have "mug me" stamped on your head. Covent garden is good at the moment for nightlife its a bit pricey but then most of London is. Leicester square has a lot going for it but most of it is aimed for tourists and is even more costly, worth having a look though. Things to bring passport or your wont be getting very far. A rambo type hunting knife for when the locals act up (kidding ) Stab vest (see above) :eek: Lots of cash in a big yellow wallet (So i can pickpocket it easily :eek: ) Seriously though dont worry about much if your caught short of anything its easily purchased. Whats the main things on your agenda? you arriving at heathrow? anything like that i may be able to point you in the right direction. Also Soho is a bit of a laugh? bit like Amsterdam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evangelion Posted June 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 Wait, you live in England too? Do I hear a multi-person FL gathering being arranged? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sirax Posted June 13, 2007 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 I cant believe your meeting up, im a bit gutted if I hadnt been away from computer, FL and Forum I could of helped you out a bit more . Yeah I live very close to Wembley but at present im staying in Bournemouth which is a good bit further. When you meeting up? hat of to you for arranging a meet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insepiddeception Posted June 13, 2007 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 Deys gonna corrupt Bali...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evangelion Posted June 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 June 22nd-24th are all possibilities. Don't know where. You should try to come... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sirax Posted June 13, 2007 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 Id love to, not sure about the dates i will post closer to the time, im sure if you can make it from over the pond surely I can sort something out, will keep you posted. If you have any questions let me know and ill try to help out. . You meeting Dey? :eek: Oh dear will London be able to cope Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evangelion Posted June 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 The time is in 8 days... hurry up and make a decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rairen Posted June 13, 2007 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 What do I bring with me? Your passport, a second form of photo ID, a cell phone (some work in the UK and some don't, but it never hurts to try), and a credit card and/or debit card with some cash on the side just in case. (If a debit, preferably one with "Cirrus" written on the back, since I know that works over there. I'm sure there are others, too, but that one sticks with me.) There is nothing else that you'll need that cannot be bought once you're there. A note about the passport and ID - If you get a chance, make copies of everything before you go. I had a friend get her purse stolen in London and it wasn't a pretty thing, but she'd made duplicates of all of her important documents. At least if you have copies of them safe, you aren't in as rough of a spot. What don't I bring with me? Knives? :-P Travel light, as best as you can. Walking through Heathrow, down to the tube, and to wherever your hostel/hotel is can be a pain with too much stuff. What mannerisms do I need to know about Londoners? Mind the queues. It's stereotypical, but really very true. Also, London has a crazy low violent crime rate, but pickpocketing is a thousand times worse than in the US. Get used to keeping your wallet in the front pocket, checking for it, not carrying important things in backpacks where you can't monitor them, etc. They're sweethearts, really, but they'll be more sweethearts if you speak to them at half of your normal volume. Americans have a rep for being loud and it can be a turn off for them. What mannerisms do I need to know about Parisians? There are snotty Parisians; there are nice Parisians. Go figure. My lingering impression of the city is that it is tourist-laden. Unless you're dealing with a service (like ordering food), you're likely to be surrounded by perfectly abnormal foreigners like yourself. What are the hot spots in London that I should visit? Oh, God. I could write a book. For history, Westminster Abbey is my favorite, by far, if you're sticking to the main part of the city. The Tower of London, too, naturally. For parks, Hyde Park was my favorite of the group. Try going there on Sunday afternoon to laugh at the crazy people at Speaker's Corner. For culture, try and get a show at the Globe. The performances I saw there were fantastic, and if you're willing to stand in front of the stage for two hours, you can get a very cheap ticket. Another bit of a tourist-y thing, but well worth the view, is the London Eye if the day is clear. Mostly, I liked to walk around and look at the pretty things. What are the hot spots in Paris that I should visit? The standards are alllllll standards for a reason. Is my cell phone going to work? It can depend. I forget what the criteria is, but your service provider should know. Is my laptop going to work, so I can upload pictures from my camera, or should I just buy a second memory card? See the other stuff from above. What can/can't I get on the plane? You can carry less onto a plane than you can for a domestic flight. Otherwise, typical rules apply. What can/can't I bring back? Class C drugs? Again, standard rules apply. Anything else you can think of? Have fun? I'm jealous as hell? (And not just because you're getting to meet Dey.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfdude Posted June 13, 2007 Report Share Posted June 13, 2007 Don't bring your laptop, I wouldn't have to worry about something like that, along with having to worry about getting some kinda crazy moon adapter for their damn liberal energy over there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMac Posted June 14, 2007 Report Share Posted June 14, 2007 What do I bring with me? Everything everyone else said, but a hefty appetite for beer. The beer over there is the best. Oh, and everything in London is about 2-3 times the price of what you'd expect to pay in most major US cities. You'll need a lot of money. Bring a windbreaker as well, as the temperature in Europe can vary quite a bit. Also, an UMBRELLA. It rains in London at least 150 days a year. Bring a chain wallet + tight pants. Pickpockets for the lose. What don't I bring with me? Knives, fanny-packs, anything generally too heavy to carry around. What mannerisms do I need to know about Londoners? The language is very different. It'll take a few days to pick up on. Be very careful of your pockets. My mother got pickpocketed when we were in London last month. Also, you pay to use most public restrooms (which you may or may not be used to as a US Citizen) What mannerisms do I need to know about Parisians? They're *******s. Everyone has a tiny ankle-biting dog. Watch out for dog**** on the sidewalks. What are the hot spots in London that I should visit? The Texas Embassy - just south of Picadilly Circus. Go there; you absolutely have to. It's fan-mother****in'-tastic. Also, if you've got time and are into war history, go to the Imperial War museum. It's well worth it; I spent like 4 hours in there one day. What are the hot spots in Paris that I should visit? The red light district. Also, go to the top of the Eiffel tower just to say you've been there. I did, and it was awesome. Is my cell phone going to work? Who's your carrier? ATT/Cingular charges $1.29/minute. T-Mobile has service, but I'm not sure how much it is. GSM phones won't work (Verizon/Sprint). Is my laptop going to work' date=' so I can upload pictures from my camera, or should I just buy a second memory card?[/quote'] Laptop works; you can usually find unsecured wifi for free interweb as well. What can/can't I get on the plane? Pack liquids in small plastic bags. It'd be best to check anything with liquid in it (cologne, other toiletries). Don't take a backpack full of bottles of water and expect to be able to get through the gate. Buy your water in the airport. On that note, take 3-4 bottles of water with you on the plane. High altitudes dehydrate you, and drinking water on the plane regularly will help minimize the negative affects of jet lag. What can/can't I bring back? Just about anything, but any tobacco/alcohol will cause delays coming back through customs... so you'd be better off not bringing any of that jazz (although I brought back 2 liters of scotch, a liter of mead, and a carton of cigarettes last time.... and declared it, and customs didn't tax me or stop me at all). What airport are you coming back through? If you're coming back through JFK, you're in for a nightmare. Anything else you can think of? If you get a chance, try to hook up with a few chicks. And Deykari. He's hot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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