Credit and Debit cards

I have found out, just within the last couple of days, that many credit and debit card companies have added some hefty charges for using these cards overseas. In addition to selecting the exchange rate most favorable to the company, they are also tacking on "exchange" fees that can be as much as $5.00 per transaction. I realize this isn't much notice, but before we leave you might want to call your financial institution and find out what their fees are. Then have a discussion with your delegate about how they should spend their money. Perhaps they should get more cash at an ATM and use the card less frequently?

You did remember to call the financial institution and let them know the card would be used overseas, and the dates of travel, didn't you?

Clarification

A couple of families have expressed some confusion about a notice on the "On-Board" web page that references a form for unaccompanied minors flying alone. That does NOT apply to us, as your delegates won't be flying alone, they'll be flying with us.

The form would only apply if your child had elected to travel with a group from another part of the country, and was flying alone to JFK to meet them there. On behalf of People to People, I apologize for any confusion.

People to People Binder

Earlier, People to People sent you a three ring binder filled with different booklets. The only one you need to take on our adventure is the "Explore Guide." Whether to pack it in your suitcase or your carry-on is a question best answered by answering this question: "Have you read it yet?" If not, put it in your carry-on as reading material during our flight!

During the trip

Should you have any questions during our trip, the Delegate Assistance Team is always ready and available to assist you and get your questions answered! You may call them at 1 (800) 669-7882. The team is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, during our trip. If necessary, they will even be able to call me on my cell phone.

The Eiffel Tower

Since so many of you indicated this was the place you were most looking forward to visiting, I thought I'd post this link to the Eiffel Tower's official web site.

http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk/

The "tour" in the address doesn't mean tour; it is the French word for tower.

Arrival in Ireland

We are scheduled to land in Shannon, Ireland at 8:55 A.M. Thursday, July 5th. I will activate the phone tree to let everyone know of our safe arrival. However, that means you'll be getting a call about 1:00 in the morning. So, if any family would like to "opt out" of the phone tree for that phone call, please let Tanya English (the first name on the phone tree) know before we go. You may email her at englishtm@comcast.net .

Of course, you may also check our flight status on-line at Delta's website:
http://www.delta.com/home/index.jsp
Check the "Flight Status" box on the lower left side of their home page. Our flights are:
Seattle to JFK 0030
JFK to Shannon 0102
Amsterdam to JFK 0081
JFK to Seattle 0107

The Challenge

The history challenge is still open!

Battle of the Bulge

Today, most adults hear the phrase "Battle of the Bulge" and think "weight loss." However, there was a time when the victorious result of World War II was not "known" and the final outcome was still very much uncertain. At the time of the original "Battle of the Bulge" the final outcome of the war between Nazi Germany and the Western Powers was anything but certain. Here is a link which tries to tell the real story:
http://ice.mm.com/user/jpk/battle.htm

D-Day

Another scheduled stop on our adventure is the D-Day landing site of Normandy. What is the origin of the name "Normandy?" What was the significance of this invasion landing? Why is it called "D-Day?" What is the connection between this historical event and People to People? The first delegate to answer these questions accurately will win a prize. To verify your answer, please document your source(s), and write me at charleshall@yahoo.com .

Anne Frank House

One of the places we're scheduled to visit in Amsterdam is the Anne Frank house. No doubt many of you have heard of Anne Frank, and some of you have probably read the book based upon her diary. To put her into perspective, President John F. Kennedy once said of her, "Of the multitudes who throughout human history have spoken for human dignity in times of great suffering and loss, no voice is more compelling than that of Anne Frank."

For some basic information on this important world figure, here is a link to follow:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Frank

Although it goes against my nature as a teacher, I also know many of you won't have time to read her diary before we leave. So, here is a link to the "Cliff's Notes" version:
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/LitNote/The-Diary-of-Anne-Frank.id-75.html

Finally, here is a link to the website for the Musuem that was once her home:
http://www.annefrank.org/content.asp?pid=1&lid=2

Anne Frank's story really personifies the holocaust that was the Hitler regime, and the evil behind World War II.

London Theatre Wear

You should have received an email from me (if you're a guy) or from Janet (if you're a lady) about what to take with you to wear the night we go to the theatre in London. If not, please email one of us and let us know, and we'll send you a copy.

Charlie charleshall@yahoo.com

Janet jeidsmoe@harbornet.com

Sunday's meeting

Our June meeting (our last before we meet at the airport) is very important. We'll hand out your polo shirts (very important, as you must wear them on our flight!), your lanyards and name badges, and your luggage tags.

We'll also collect your passports (unless I already have yours) and the emergency contact forms we passed out last month. Even if a delegate can't make the meeting, please have someone from the family there to represent you. This is the most important meeting of the year!

Girl's swimsuits

Every year, someone asks about swimsuits. This year is no different. The Parent Protocol book, on page 28, reads, "Appropriate two-piece swimsuits may be worn while on the beach or in a pool area. They may not be worn uncovered to/from the beach or pool or for any other activities." So if you plan to take a bikini, ask yourself if it is "appropriate." If you have any doubts, it probably isn't. The "uncovered" part means you must wear a t-shirt or swimsuit cover when you are going to the beach or pool.

However, in discussing this issue with Janet, she points out we'll be spending two days at a sailing academy, where you might feel more comfortable wearing a one-piece swimsuit.

A Word about Foreign Languages

A delegate asked: “When we are in countries where English is not the most common language, how will we be able to buy things, order food at restaurants, etc. Will the delegation manager be able to translate for us?”

Ah yes, the question of languages. As Steve Martin once observed, "It's like those French have a different word for everything!" Yes, our delegation manager will be able to assist in translations when he/she is available. However, much of your souvenir shopping will be done in smaller groups, when the D.M. won't be with you. If you have a phrase book, that will be helpful. In all cases, if you attempt to use "their" language, they'll appreciate your attempt (far too many Americans don't even try) and will meet you at least half way. Sign language/body language also helps a lot.

That having been said, most people in Ireland speak only English. Welsh was a dying language, is making a resurgence, but almost everyone in Wales speaks English as their primary tongue. England is the home of English, but as George Bernard Shaw put it, "England and America are two nations separated by a common language." By that he meant there are differences in how we use some words and phrases. For France, I took three years of French in high school, have been to France many times, can read most signs, practice my French before each trip, but frequently still have waiters hand me an English version of the menu rather than try to understand my accent. However, I can get by, and you can too, if you try. I've only ever passed through Belgium, and have never attempted Flemish. Dutch is very similar to German, but the Dutch like to encourage tourists, and they understand far more people in the world speak English than Dutch.

So the bottom line is, try to learn at least a few words in each of the major languages, and you'll be amazed at how well you'll be able to communicate!

Our Accommodations List

The People to People On-Board site has listed our accommodations for our trip, but I've added websites for each of the places where we'll stay here.

Exploring Western Europe 2007 Hotel List

Sneem Hotel
http://www.irelandhotels.com/servlet/CtrlServlet?action=showProperty&wpgKey=wpg01521&color=blue&propertyName=Sneem%20Hotel

Day’s Inn Dublin Airport
http://www.dayshoteldublinairport.com/

The Beaches Hotel
http://www.thebeacheshotel.com/

Warwick Castle
http://www.warwick-castle.co.uk/warwick2004/index.asp

Sunborn Yacht Hotel Excel
http://www.sunbornhotels.com/english/

United Kingdom Sailing Academy
http://www.uksa.org/schools/location.asp

Portsmouth to Caen on Brittany Ferries
http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/index.cfm?articleid=64

Novotel Bayeux
http://www.accorhotels.com/accorhotels/fichehotel/gb/nov/0964/fiche_hotel.shtml

Mercure Paris La Defense
http://www.mercure.com/mercure/fichehotel/gb/mer/1546/fiche_hotel.shtml

Ol Fosse d’outh Hotel
http://www.olfossedouth.com/htm_uk/index.php

Mercure Dinant Castel de pont a lesse
http://www.accorhotels.com/accorhotels/fichehotel/gb/mer/1512/fiche_hotel.shtml

Hilton Hotel Amsterdam Schiphol
http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/SPLHITW-Hilton-Amsterdam-Airport-Schiphol-hotel/index.do

This isn't anything official; rather, it is something I've looked up on my own, because I get excited to see where it is we'll be staying on our adventure!

New Information

Both our "Flight Schedule" and "Schedule of Activities" are now posted on the OnBoard website. Check it out!

http://www.studentambassadors.org/

Luggage

Last minute questions about luggage allowances? Check out Delta Airline's web site about baggage allowances. Here's the link:

http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/baggage_allowance/index.jsp

It describes their requirements for both checked bags and carry-ons.

Scuba diving and the Eiffel Tower

This news story was just too unusual to let slip by. How can you combine scuba diving and the Eiffel Tour? Check out the story by following this link:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070601/ap_on_re_eu/eiffel_tower_scuba;_ylt=AqrTUpPCtQV2UVRMlFvvbc2s0NUE

Just in case you're thinking how cool this would be, the article goes on to say the "event" will end before we arrive in Paris, so we won't get to participate.

Polo Shirts

We are getting very close to our long awaited departure; it is only 32 days away!

I have received our polo shirts, and I'll bring them to the meeting Sunday, June 10th. It is very important that you attend this meeting! If the polo shirt you ordered does not fit, we will need to take care of that immediately. It will take at least three weeks for polo shirts to be exchanged, and you must wear your polo shirt on travel days. Please come to the meeting prepared to try on your shirt, as the best solution will be to exchange with another delegate if you both don't get a fit, and can fit into each other's shirt. Otherwise, you'll need to mail your shirt back.

We'll also collect passports at that meeting, and hand out your lanyard, name badge, and luggage tags. We'll also wrap things up with our pinning ceremony. It should all be a lot of fun!

Passports

First, the good news: We are just about a month away from our departure date! However, for some of you I don’t have your passport information. If you have your passport, please make a photocopy of the picture page and mail it to me right away. Please make sure the copy is clear enough that I can read the passport number, expiration date, and date of issue, as I need to input that data into the system.



I need this information as soon as possible, as we travel by e-tickets, which means your ticket is linked to your passport. Without the passport information, your ticket cannot be issued.



If you don’t yet have your passport, it is time to take action. Please log on to the People to People On-Board website, and click on the big red button entitled “Late Passports.” Please read all of the information on that link. Please let me know if you have any questions, as this is a very important issue. If you do not have your passport in time to leave on the trip, you will not be allowed to go (the airline won’t let you).