Thanks for enrolling!  As of Friday, 22 Feb 08, 30 travelers have enrolled.  I expect several enrollments within the next week.

 

This message is long and addresses questions and concerns that came up during the enrollment process.

 

1.  Please reply to the email that I sent 22 Feb 08 with the roster.  Please reply "No changes", or change what info I need to correct.  You may add as many phone numbers and email addresses as you wish. 

 

2.  I will not post the roster or list of travelers on this website.  All of your information should remain amongst the travelers via email. 

 

3.  I will mail the applications to EF today, Sat 22 Feb 08.  After EF processes the apps, you will recieve an invoice.  The first installment of $150 is due 30 days after enrollment (see original packet).  The next installment of $250 is due 29 Aug 08 (see original packet).  The final BIG payment is due approximately 1 Mar 09, or 99 days prior to departure. 

 

4.  Those who enrolled in AutoPay will have approximately $156 per month deducted from the credit card on record. 

 

5.  Nine of you have enrolled in AutoPay.  Others may add AutoPay soon.  AutoPay provides the option of spreading the entire cost over twelve months or so of credit card payments. 

 

INSURANCE?

 

6.  There are many options for insurance.  You may select individual insurances, per the original packet.  You may wish to select any insurance that interests you within the next year or so. 

 

7.  There are many options for insurance.  About 25-35 percent of travelers take some sort of insurance. 

 

8.  There are many options for insurance.  I might recommend that you don't select or pay for it until you need it, or around 1 Mar 09, when the big payment is due. 

 

8.  There are many options for insurance.  If you enroll in AutoPay, you may wish to select the trip cancellation insurance sooner because you are paying approximately $156 per month and your investment in the trip grows bigger sooner than those who do not use AutoPay. 

 

IMPORTANT PARENT QUESTIONS AT ENROLLMENT:

 

9.  "Are the kids out clubbin' solo until 1 am?"  I'm glad that this parent asked this question.  We've sat in nearby pews at church for 10 years.  The very simple answer is "No".  Remember, this trip is "an extension of the school day", per the original packet.  That means no sex/drugs/alcohol/illegal activity, just as in school.  If you are concerned about safety, PLEASE CONTACT any of the parents/travelers listed in the packet from the previous five trips to Spain.  As in class/sports/driver ed, I tend to run a tight ship, while at the same time learning and having fun.

 

10.  "The interest inventory questions are too personal (one parent)."  The interest inventory stays between the parent, the traveler, and Sr. R.  The purpose of the interest inventory is to get the parent and student discussing the requirements of responsible international travel.  Years ago, in another situation, three 16-year old girls fought me an entire trip because "my mom lets me smoke and drink at home, why can't I do that here?!?!"  These same girls also were actively soliciting intimacy from the nearest male at any moment.   I'd prefer that this type of teenager stay home instead of take the trip.  I hope that the parents who allow their kids to act illegally decide to not send their kids on the tour.  Let's hope that the negative influences self-select themselves out of participating. 

 

11.  "Will the kids take public transportation much?"  Yes, and HALLELUJAH, no teenage drivers in Spain!  Car crashes are the number one cause of fatalities for 16-24 year olds in the U.S.  We won't have to dodge teenage drivers as we take the metro/bus/train in Spain.

 

12.  "How safe is it?"  There are more handgun murders in Des Moines in one year than in the entire country of Spain!  Spaniards like to talk, argue about politics and soccer, talk some more, walk around, dress sharply, talk some, eat, talk some more, dance around, talk some more, have fun, and get a little sleep.  Random violence appeals less to Spaniards than to Americans.