Agenda for 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 23, 2005 meeting in the
NVMS cafeteria
Upon arrival, collect your backpack and
stuff it with the following: bag tag, bag markers, long-sleeve burgundy shirt,
passport holder, and ten Euros (about $12-$13).
1. Distribute
“Famous Advice to Travelers” (handout).
2. Discuss changes to phone
tree (handout). Use for contingency/emergency only.
3.
Discuss ATM cards, exchange rate (1 Euro = about $1.30 US), and other money issues.
Know your 4-digit numeric PIN. Notify your bank and credit card providers
of your trip. Practice with your cards!
4. Prepare for carpool transportation
to the Des Moines Airport. Each group will meet in the south part of the Mercy
North parking lot on First Street next to Quik Trip. GROUP B will meet
at 5:00 a.m. and depart for the Des Moines Airport by 5:15 for the 7:15 departure. Group
B will have a meal voucher in Chicago. GROUP A will meet at 7:30 a.m.
and depart for the airport by 7:45 for the 10:12 departure. You must be wearing
your passport holder and group shirt in order to receive your ticket and travel with us.
You must have your three-ounce bottles in a quart-sized ziplock bag easily accessible in your carry-on. Pay attention and remain quiet in the security line.
5.
Arrange for transportation home, Saturday, June 9.
6. Discuss phone cards. Refer to the yellow card for calling instructions (yellow card).
7. Review itinerary and hotel information (hotel and trip itinerary).
8.
Review airline tickets, and return them to Seņor Robidoux. Check spelling. Know your traveler number (airline tickets).
9.
Discuss packing tips. OUR LUGGAGE WILL BE DELAYED: COUNT ON IT! Refer to the “Tips for Travelers To Spain
2007” for what you should (must!) include in your carry-on.
10.
Discuss airline size and weight restrictions for both United and Lufthansa. The maximum size of each checked bag is 62 inches (length + width + height). The maximum weight per checked bag is 70 pounds each. A carry-on bag (40 pounds max) must fit under your seat or in the overhead bin. Carry-on bag dimensions should not be more than 9" x 14" x 22" or 45 linear inches (length + width
+ height).
11. Pay the REFUNDABLE $20 curfew
fine and discuss curfew. We plan to then use this as the tip to the tour director.
12. Budget about $20-$30 for tips. EF
suggests that we tip the tour director $4-5 per day and the bus driver $2-3 per day.
That seems high. It is customary to tip 5% to 10% in Spanish restaurants. Swords in Toledo cost $50-$500, and for that reason I have never bought one!
13. Budget about $25 for a bullfight
in Seville and $25 for the river cruise in Seville. I’ve been talking with
our tour director Sam Frew about these options.
Predeparture meeting agenda/spain 2007
