Showing posts with label 87adventures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 87adventures. Show all posts

4/14/11

RUSSLAND RETROSPECT

I like to say I'm ballin on a budget or that I'm a temporarily employed expatriate, but times are hard. So never in my wildest dreams did I think a Monday evening could be so chaotic. My advice to you sappy travelers, do your homework --especially when it comes to traveling outside the EU/Open Borders. Having a passport just won't cut it for some countries. These countries have STRICT visa entry rules, and no matter your nationality or if the USA is allies with them, they won't bend the rules.

Yes, I think it was amazingly stupid and a direct rip-off. Sure I could've phoned for the Embassy or Consulate. But what if they told me the same thing? Perhaps Russia should have a transit bus, for those types of issues.

Or I shouldn't have been cheap and purchased TWO separate tickets. It cost me more in the long run. So another tip, just buy a direct flight... OR research your options.

If I could re do it. I'd totally would've researched my options and more than likely still bought separate tickets, but they would have been for the right airport. And, I wouldn't have a suitcase STILL in Germany.

PLANNING is ESSENTIAL!

So I learned my lesson the hard way. Now, I leave you with my theme music for my Chaotic Russland Trip, courtesy of GLEE Season One, Sectionals.

RUSSLAND Recap IIII

Editors Note: I dearly apologize but these postings will be looking all sorts of crazy-- infused with slandering, cussing, and major abuse directed to the international community. It was written in the heat of battle and I take nothing back! However, I am definitely looking into a career change... perhaps International Relations is not my forte?? ENJOY! :)

Part 4


March 29
8:05am German Time

I arrive in GE. I go through passport control. They ask why I'm here, I say to catch a connecting flight to Russia. They ask when I'm leaving I say within 6 hours. They scratch their heads, and than ask. Didn't you just come from Russia. I said yea, but I needed a visa to go 10 minutes down the road. The look at me. Shake their heads and say enjoy Germany.

Next, I find Air Berlin -- where I'm assisted with the information that the connecting flight is at an airport that is 20 minutes away. I hop in a taxi where I pay nearly 50euro, looking back I should've just looked to see if there was an bus going that direction, but I wanted to get to that airport ASAP JIC there weren't many seats left to Moscow/SVO. But seriously, who goes to Moscow?? The plane (Russian Airlines, Aeroflot) is departing at 9:45am, and with minutes to spare I withdraw euro from an ATM (praying to God that I won't over draw my account).

The lady at the counter was helpful in general but the lack of her English and my German, bogged us down for atleast 20 minutes. She kept telling me there was no flight, I kept saying there was. Apparently, She was under the impression that I already booked my flight.

Sigh.

So, after I potentially overdrew my checking & credit cards. I called my mother and asked her to deposit monies into my checking account. I really hate to see the phone bill from these past two days.

Now I am the flight headed to Moscow/SVO. Here's to Praying everything goes right.

The flight lands safely, this airport is so much nicer than the other (DME). It's cleaner and the people are helpful AND speak English. Things always look better in the day light!

So as I begin my already dreary 5-8 hour layover, I laugh. Looking out the window I can see the other airport/DME. I think I should be hysterical right now. It's seriously no more than a 4 minute drive. I'm in the bloody red up to the wazoo. Why? Why? Why?!!! It's RIGHT there!!

PS. ya'll should see this jazzy old man trying to mack on the bartender.

9:40pm

The flight to Seoul/ICN begins now. The plane is a bit delayed but what-ev. I pray everything goes safely and that these Russian mob-look-a-likes don't take over the plane, and that my seat-mate turns off his android. Jerks.

After, consuming a wonderful airline meal (no seriously it was good!) and taking 2 Drama-Mines (??) I wake to find myself in Seoul. Everything looks so foreign, it's unreal!

My friend meets me about 30 minutes later and now off I go to leave my European adventures behind. Hello to Asia!

Thanks for Reading!!

RUSSLAND Recap III

Editors Note: I dearly apologize but these postings will be looking all sorts of crazy-- infused with slandering, cussing, and major abuse directed to the international community. It was written in the heat of battle and I take nothing back! However, I am definitely looking into a career change... perhaps International Relations is not my forte?? ENJOY! :)

PART 3


So, as I sit in the holding cell aka transit area I'm torn between crying and killing people. Luckily, in the holding cell I meet a hot Brazilian dude who is on his way to Austria. The thing that brings us together is our lack of Visas. GRRR

So, I sit next to the Brazilian who laments about being in the holding cell for 10 hours! So here's his story. He had a visa but it expired, so now he can't leave the airport/holding cell until his flight. But due to the major mix up in communication he missed his original flight, and had to book another flight (sounds familiar-- seriously the US should take notes in regards to handling illegal immigration. No one would ever come back to our country if we did it like Russia... jerks).

4-ish-am

So, back to me. I paid 161.99euro to go back to Berlin/TXL at 6am (THANK GOD FOR CREDIT CARDS) But that seriously grinds my gears! According to my conversions, the airport I need to fly too is 62 feet away. Another sucky thing, is that the actual ticket price was 96.99euro but the service charge cost me more than a grip. I feel like I got gypped. Seriously, when I was in Germany/NUE and they were clarifying details, how come they didn't notice this potential problem. and I know I already said this but I just want to reiterate that I have to buy a ticket BACK to Moscow/SVO.

Fucking Ridiculous and these workers of DME & RBP are so damn rude. They laugh at the customers misery, ignore the ones with questions, pretend they can't speak English ---I'm sorry if you're an international airport shouldn't your Representatives speak flipping English! But seriously, this girl pulled out her mirror -No she wasn't an AKA-- to fix her makeup while the Brazilian dude pleaded for her help. The workers seemed more concerned with looking jazzy than helping the CUSTOMERS! Or, when I needed my itinerary for my continuing travel --every good traveler should have one-- the RBP dude got in my face yelling "I SAY, I SAY, I SAY." Ok Holmes, you may say but I will go upside your head with a quickness. By this point I was willing to be thrown in jail or sent to the embassy. Although, after speaking with my mom she definitely cautioned me in staying calm, seeing as how my family can't just fly over and get me out of Russian jail. That phone call lasted quite a while. She had to calm me cuz I tend to do crazy things.

5:40am

Oh shit, the adrenaline is rushing in my body! I had to American on they ass! Don't tell me to sit down when my flight is doing a last boarding call. Who do you think they are calling?? ME DUH! I jumped up with a quickness and basically ran down to the Border Police office and demanded they take me to my flight! The Air Berlin Representative informed me earlier, that I would be escorted onto the plane by the RBP, who would than give me my ticket/baggage info and my passport. My flight was to leave at approx. 6am) .. yea this is something of the crazy things my mother cautioned against. I don't think she would've been proud.

No, but seriously me and this woman was gonna box like fucking Ali and a buttercup. I was too heated, that these fools were taking their lily sweet time. Our jailer in the holding cell ran after me, grabbed and yanked me back upstairs, screaming at me. I gave back just as good. You can yell as loud as you want in Russian and I will yell back just as loudly. I refuse to be stranded in the God-forsaken place! I showed out and went off! BUT, I bet you the RBP escorted me to my airline with a quickness.


I even got cheeky on the way out. Yelling in the jailers face "CIAO, CIAO!" .. Had a big ass grin on my face as I got taken away.Of course the foolishness didn't end right there. When I reached for my passport and information papers, he gives it to the flight attendant instead and gives me a dirty look. My shoe, his knee. It almost happened. However, the GERMAN flight attendant was very soothing. I was so heated. I'm trying to calm down but I def need a drink cuz I've been awake since 10:30am of March 28.

Wonderfully, I got a entire row to myself on the flight back to Berlin/TXL. I was knocked out.

PS. When I finally left, the Brazilian guy was still there. Due to the utter disregard for their passengers/customers/international relations. He missed his flight again.

RUSSLAND Recap II

Editors Note: I dearly apologize but these postings will be looking all sorts of crazy-- infused with slandering, cussing, and major abuse directed to the international community. It was written in the heat of battle and I take nothing back! However, I am definitely looking into a career change... perhaps International Relations is not my forte?? ENJOY! :)
 
PART TWO:

March 29:

It all happened as we began to land in Moscow/DME. The turbulence, the massive crowds of air line passengers struggling to get off the air craft. It all boils down to these key things.

1. I need to get my luggage
2. I need to check in for my flight to South Korea (SK) and get a boarding pass.
3. I think I need to go through passport control???

Let's just say none of this happens. The Russian Border Police (RBP) are confused as to why I don't have a visa, and as to how I got there.

Do you know what is frustrating? That another passenger had to translate for me to the RBP. I'm just not understanding the worlds refusal to acknowledge English as the dominant global language. DO I LOOK LIKE I SPEAK RUSSIAN?!!?!?!?!

The only good thing about the delaying of my obtaining information is that its now 2:45am and my flight doesn't depart until 9:35pm. I just hope my baggage doesn't get stolen cuz there will be hell to pay.

Right now I'm watching them make copies of my passport and verify someone else's with some kind of eye scanner. Oh, no she didn't! She just told me to shoo. Oooh!

15 minutes later:

WHAT IN THE HOLY HELL??!! If I could politely apply thumbscrews to someone (preferably Russian) my life would be SO wonderful! According to the Russian Airport/DME or really my Air Berlin Representative --who spoke wonderful English--, my connecting flight/SVO is less than 100 meters away. 10 minutes walking! Because of --they lack the proper resources, i.e. terminal buses or more importantly OPEN BORDERS --  this I can't leave the airport due to lacking a a visa! A visa to walk down the m-effing STREET!

Which means, are you ready??? I have to FLY BACK ... to GERMANY!!! And than FLY BACK to the exact airport in MOSCOW/SVO! This has become the most frustrating morning of my existence.

PS. I have to pay for each flight. Yep. WITH what bloody money?!!!

RUSSLAND Recap I

Editors Note: I dearly apologize but these postings will be looking all sorts of crazy-- infused with slandering, cussing, and major abuse directed to the international community. It was written in the heat of battle and I take nothing back! However, I am definitely looking into a career change... perhaps International Relations is not my forte?? ENJOY! :)
 
PART ONE

March 28:

5-ish-Pm

Can nothing in my life begin calmly? But, what would be the fun in that? I arrive to Nuremberg/NUE airport with 40 minutes to spare only to find that I'm eligible for only one suitcase of 20kils, and my second suitcase of 22kilos would force me to pay 200euros. No Bueno, my Friends. The issue at hand, I booked 2 separate flights, so according to the GE monitor I was flying domestic. When I was really flying International.

 Luckily, my now former roommate hadn't left and I was able to consolidate my items and pay only 30euros. However, this meant that I would have to forgo the necessities of my life, i.e. rain boots, hats, jewelry, hair gel, my wigs, etc.

I never EVER wanna hear complaints about American Airline Companies and their skyrocketing prices, it's still a lot cheaper than GE!

As I attempt to clarify my flight while I'm still in a country that speaks moderately good (yes I know I repeated myself there) English, I'm told that I will have no issue entering Russia due to my being there for less than/then 24 hours. SCORE! After a semi-tear filled goodbye I depart for Berlin/TXL.

I would like to state here, how I spend the first 15-20 minutes of every flight: I pray fervently to God and ask for His Blessings on my trips, for nothing dramatic to occur, or life threatening to happen en route. That the pilot/flight attendants and all that handle the plane (departure/arrivals) are awake, sober, not lust crazed, and competent. I also pray that the my fellow (stupid) passengers turn off their electronic toys and don't decide to terrorize the plane.

Thankfully, I made it to Berlin safely. I had a 4 hour layover, and than I began my trip to Moscow/DME.

That's where the Drama began!

2/19/11

Aburpt Berlin Trip

I'm at it again, backpacking through Germany with nothing but iPod and Blackjack II for my sanity. For 2011's Presidents Day Weekend I originally planned a trip to Hamburg, but later refunded the idea for a trek through Bavaria. At the last moment, my friend informed me about agreat weekend deal -one way fares from Nuremberg to Berlin, (and vice versa) for a max of 5 ppl- the only catch it takes about 8-10 hours. No biggie, I've done that before in 2009.

We're scheduled to depart in the wee hours of the morn, and my friend wakes me with tiresome news. She's sick. After several attempts to convince her to man-up, I gather my items and Like a true Gypsy I embarked on my trip to Berlin. Having caught the train, which is noticably empty, who sits behind me? 2 German Polizei, and I had a quick flash of myself chained to the gates, and I swiftly sat elsewhere. I was comfortable, Jerks.

10/19/10

Official Countdown to Espana

37 Days until I began my solo adventure to SPAIN..

Uber excited.

My flight was 16 Euro.. but all the things I purchased pushed it to 71.50euro... I'm planning to buy a EuroRail--Spain specific; and I haven't yet decided on hostels.. I've made a rough itinerary and when I get the details squared away I'll let ya'll know!

:)

10/12/10

Part 2 Recap "Scotty Doesn't Know" Road Trip

So we finally got to Prague. Honestly it was very pretty but I wasn't like in awe. Perhaps because I've never been interested in the Czech Republic. Either way I did enjoy the sites. We took a tour of Prague and it sucked. I blame it on the tour guide; he was extremely low in volume and somewhat monotone. Like I have no idea what I saw and it we left in the middle of the tour.

Click the video to see the sites:



I met some cool Scottish folk who were in Prague for a football (European) game. They lost but they seemed to take it in stride. Which is good since supposedly there were about 8,000 Scots. I was overly impressed with their manliness, kilts, and their oh so charming.

Click the video to see the Parade of Kilts:

10/10/10

Recap: Scotty Doesn't Know Road Trip

Interesting title; right? Well that is the official name of my cross country road trip. The song comes from the film EuroTrip; and while we didn't have the insane incidents of the film. It was quite fun.

Watch a clip of us rocking out to "Scotty Doesn't Know"



Anyways Let's Recap in sections

Friday;

Four of us ventured out of Germany and headed to Prague. The drive was about 2 1/2 hours and it went rather smooth. No one got stopped by the border control or the polezi. However we did get stopped by a man requesting euro for gas.

Watch a clip of the incident:

10/8/10

Everything I'm Not Made Me Everything I Am

For Fall Break and in approx 6 mins we head out on our Cross Country Tour of Europe;

FRIDAY

Prague, Czech Republic
-- The Green Fairy aka Absinthe
--- Prague Nightlife
---- Prague Hostel

SATURDAY

Vienna, Austria
-- Imperial palaces of the Hofburg and Schönbrunn
--- Vienna Nightlife
---- Vienna Hostel

SUNDAY
Tour a bit more Vienna; Sightsee as we Venture home
Head back home (Germany)

MONDAY
Palm Beach-- Nuremberg, Germany
--- Indoor Beach; Swimming Pool

10/4/10

Recap: Oktoberfest Interviews

I love doing interviews!!! Their so fun and I love meeting new people!!

Check out the clip below from Oktoberfest:

10/3/10

Recap: Oktoberfest 2010

Hey friends!

Okie dokie, OKTOBERFEST.. I was really pumped for the beauty of it all. I literally had beer dreams but like all things in life; my dream wasn't reality. It was a snarky day and I wasn't overly impressed with my company. The event in itself was fine; I got loads of footage. IDK why things aren't as great as the first time around. Slightly disappointed but determined to create an Oktoberfest more of my liking and not as dramatical. :)

Click the Links to see my experience--sans drama lol



9/29/10

Oh, A Traveling I will Go!

So, while my Alma Mater is enjoying the "delights" (heavy sarcasm meaning I think he flippin sucks) of Kid Cudi at this years Homecoming (The 2nd one I haven't attended since Graduation; due to being overseas AND my 5 year commitment of not going back on that campus if I can help it... which might just get cut down to Homecomings; due to resurgence of Grad School Applications.. yuck..)

Anyhoo.... The ITINERARY for the WEEKEND!!

SATURDAY Oct 2
Oktoberfest -- Munich -- Bier --- 2nd Time attending the Fest

So, I'm making future purchases for a

---Net Book
---Camcorder
---Camera

Wish me Luck!!

:)

8/19/10

Got 99 Problems but being Drunk ain't one!

That's right folks. I've been stopped!

I drive on the formidable German autobahn, the narrow country roads, the unseemly cobblestone streets, and where RIGHT is before LEFT.

It is a scary experience driving at night in Germany. On the country roads there aren't any lights. Just road reflectors and maybe a sign saying there's a sharp turn. I drive with my high beams on, just to see beyond the car, and I typically refuse to go the max speed limit. The roads in Germany are just to windy and unpredictable. But on the autobahn, well I'm a Speed Demon.

Luckily, in the times I've had my USA & German license.
Yikes I look a Fright!

I've never been stopped, had a ticket, got caught by the cameras, been in accident, etc, etc, etc. Not to say that I'm an awesome driver. I'm not. I'm great when I don't have another adult nervously nitpicking how I'm dangerously close to driving between 2 lanes or how I'm to close to the sidewalk, and maybe that person on the right. lol I kid. But seriously, when someone is nitpicking me and overly anxious. I just can't do it. I'm on all pins & needles. And my driving takes a turn for the worse.

But let's get to my being stopped. So, I'm the D.D. and were coming from a German club and we enter a town --speed limit is reduced immensely-- and I look in my mirror and see STOP.

It's the M-F-N polezi. German Police.

7/28/10

European Get-a-WAY pt 1.

European Cities/Countries I need to visit Before June 2011

France
1. Versailles
2. Normandy
3. Paris
4. Nice
5. Lyon

England
6. London
7. Westminster
8. Bath (Jane Austen Centre)
9. The 2010 Jane Austen Festival is from Friday 17th to Saturday 25th September.


10. Chawton, England (Jane Austen's House Museum)

UK
11. Dublin, Ireland
12. Edingburgh, Scotland
13. Wales

13. Spain
14. Pourtgal
15. Bratislava Slovakia
16. Copenhagen Denmark
17. Utrecht Holland
18. Brussels Belgium
19. Tallinn Estonia
20. Lviv Ukraine

Italy
21. Rome
22. Florence
23. Naples
24. Tuscany
25. Genova
26. Sienna

27. Prauge
28. Amesterdam
29. Austria
30. Poland
31. Switzerland
32. Iceland
33. Moscow
34. Budapest

***********Germany is purposefully excluded from this list. I do realize I have already been to Paris but there is much I did not get too see.

6/18/10

Tallyho! All Aboard to Germany! ..again

May 25- Moved to Germany
June 7- Got job at the gas station
June 8- Started said job. Now I'm sponsored by the military to be in Germany
June 15- Got my German drivers licence
June 19- Will receive my car to drive in Germany

ANSWERS to the SILENT questions:

-I have a place to stay. My friend C, her husband deployed so she opened her home to me.

---My homeboy is deploying and he's letting me borrow his card; he's gonna continue paying for insurance, gonna give me money for new breaks, and putting me on registration. Basically he's gonna get a power of attonery. ...

He didn't wanna put his car in storage and he knew I was gonna need a car. So it works out.

---I'd rather work a mininum wage job in Germany, with the opporunity to visit Greece or Spain for a 4 day weekend than being in Ohio with my application/resume on hold.

---I put in 100$ for groceries, dont have to pay for anything but gas for my car, my extra things, but I'm not going to be a taker. I help out around the house and watch her kids to give her a break.

---And as for my next step. Taking everything day by day. Not stressing and enjoying life. I've been extremely blessed.