Dehydration excitement and compliments to flight attendents!

I just recently returned from my Eastern European holiday, about which I plan to blog extensively.  The holiday was extraordinary and brought the region history together as my high school and undergraduate education could never do, but that’s a story for another day.

You hear all the time how important it is to make sure that you are hydrated and that you move around.  I know this to be important, but because I am healthy and active, I sometimes ignore these simple suggestions, particularly the drink liquids.  I hate using airplane restrooms.

So, we are flying practically all day starting from LA, California to Cincinnati, OH and from there to Paris, France before continuing to Austria.  On the flight from Cincinnati to Paris, I have dinner and wine and periodically do lower body flexes.  I decide to try to go to sleep. 

Some time early morning as we are approaching Europe, I start feeling sick … that dehydrated feeling.  I unbuckle and get up thinking I will walk around … maybe I just need some exercise or something to drink.  As I am walking toward the back of the plane, perhaps 4-5 rows from my seat.  I drop to one knee, then the next knee.  I must say this was very embarrassing, but I don’t even think I was thinking about that at the time.  Next thing I remember, I was stretched out on my back and a flight attendant was taking care of me.  Believe, laying on an airplane floor is the last place I would want to be … think of all the germs.

I tried to tell her that I just felt dehydrated and I remember trying to get up … not very successfully.  So, the flight attendant brings me some water and I tried to drink.  Most of which spilled on my pants like I had had an accident (Not reaching the toilet in time.)  Next, she brought me oxygen, so, I get to use the little oxygen mask that they always demonstrate.  Again, more germs.

So, I am still laying on the floor.  The flight attendant didn’t want me to move.  They call for any medical personnel on the plane.  Next, I feel someone’s hand around my wrist.  Of all people to pass out around.  I passed out by a French physician, who was on holiday in the United States.  Finally, I am able to sit up and the flight attendant walks with me to the back of the plane and the French physician accompanies us.  He takes my pulse and checks my blood pressure, which was around 90/65.  That’s even low for my low.  He takes my blood pressure several time.  It remained low, but has climbed a little to around 100/65 … I think.  They make me drink juice and eat.  I ate the banana … that was my compromise.

They ask if I wanted a medical team to meet me.  I refused.  I was really embarrassed by this time, but the flight attendant and the French physician were quite graceful and attentive to my needs. 

Thank you both.

Eastern Europe 2008 … History comes to life!

We just recently returned from Austria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary and if you like history and you haven’t been to these countries, they are must visit destinations.

As much as I would like to take credit for planning such a historic-rich trip … it was happenstance.  As one who loves history, and is aware of the close relationships among the Austrians, Czechs, and Hungarians, I completely was not thinking of this when I made the arrangements.  Visiting these three countries really pulled all that history together … the Austrian-Hungarian Empire!

These three countries, despite being part of the Austrian-Hungarian, are quite culturally different.  Vienna is quite different from Prague, which is not like Budapest.  Of course, prior to the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, these countries and their territories were distinct and the Empire did little to change that.

In summary, Vienna is probably culturally west.  Prague is very old and the western edge of Eastern Europe.  Hungary, a culturally rich eastern European country, is proud of its historical role in stopping the advance of the Turks.

A visit to one or two of these destinations would be incomplete.

Warning … American Express Travel

Are you traveling outside the United States and need foreign currency?  Beware!

We are traveling to three eastern European countries the 30th of June.  So, as I usually do, I exchanged/purchased foreign currency prior to our trip.  There are many benefits:

• You don’t have to wonder whether or not you are getting a good rate from one of the many currency exchanges that you find in Europe.
• When you land in your host country, you are ready to start spending money!  Splurge and take a taxi!
• There are all types of security concerns … for instance, is this exchange legitimate or is this a real ATM or is it just recording my financial information.
• Not every establishment accepts credit cards.  The same is true in the United States.
• Hotels sometimes do not offer the best rates.
• Beware of vendor who accept your home currency, such as US dollars, you will always get a bad exchange.

In the past, I have used AAA, but they can be expensive and they sell currencies in pre-packaged packs.  So, this year I decided to purchase Euros from American Express.  I though, wow, you are so smart.  Wrong!

If you purchase currency from American Express, you better be ready to stay at home and wait for UPS to deliver your money.  There is no option but delivery to your billing address.  I understand that this is money that can get lost or stolen.  I understand.  But, you have no option to pick your package up from your local UPS center!  Nowhere is this mentioned on the website.  It doesn’t even say that they will ONLY ship to your billing address.

Customer service at American Express Travel is terrible.  The representative that I spoke with gave me one option, “return to sender.”  This is not a tenable option.  I leave home in 3 days!  The representative and the manager seem to expect me to know their policy with UPS, which also is not listed anywhere on their website.  So, what am I going to do!  Wait at home, miss work, and get further behind in projects than I already am!

American Express Travel, let me know the full policy, so I can make an informed decision.  I had the option of going to a local American Express Travel office, but decided that the convenience of delivery was better.  I was wrong!  Maybe?

Warning … think twice about using American Express Travel to order foreign currency or traveler’s cheques.  By the way, traveler’s cheques are becoming a currency of the past.  I bought this type of currency several years ago and fewer and fewer shops and institution will exchange this currency compared to the first time that I used them.  The last time that I used this currency I had to go to a bank in Greece.

The other lesson … don’t wait until the last minute.  American Express Travel won’t necessarily help!

No miles for the deep discounters

I am one of those fliers who have bought into the frequent flier program … I know it’s a ploy by the airlines to create and maintain loyalty at the expense of most fliers, especially those who do not take advantage of the perks and benefits.

So, after each trip, I check to make sure that the airlines correctly credit me my miles.  A couple of days after returning from my Memorial Day holiday, I notice that United had not credited my my miles.  So, I wait a little longer, but eventually call.

United does not award frequent flier miles when you make your reservations on Priceline or Hotwire.  The agent told me that these deeply discounted fares are not available for  mile credit, because they are so deeply discounted.  Oh!  Although, I have not done so yet; maybe, I should take my advice and seek a second opinion.  However, it makes sense that the airlines would not count these fares.  I got an amazing bargain on my fare … I guess it was worth foregoing the miles this time.

Where did all the hippies go?

I just recently returned from a trip to Colorado Springs, CO.  When I first started planning the trip, I thought, “how exciting, I’m going to CO.”  Then as I started planning my trip, I started wondering, “what is there to do in Colorado Spring?”  Of course, there is the natural beauty of the area, i.e., mountains!

Well, my buyer’s remorse about going to Colorado Springs was unfounded.  There a lot to do and more to see.  Colorado Springs is not Denver and the town is not really worth exploring, but the area is.

So, where did we go …

 

• You can not visit without going to the Garden of the Gods.  If the weather permits, definitely hike!
• Then there is there is the Royal Gorge scenic train ride in Canon City … opt for the lunch in the vista dome. 

• Manitou Springs is a cute small town at the base of Pikes Peak.  It’s mostly shops, many interesting one, but worth the stop.



• Needless to say, you have to take the cog railway to Pikes Peak, regardless of whether you are a hiker or not.  You should at least take the railway either up or down … there are only a couple of cog railways left.

Unless you are a hiker or skier, you don’t need to spend a lot of time in Colorado Springs.

So, where did all the hippies go … I think they are in Colorado Springs.

Learning about your host country’s culture

You hear a lot about some Europeans perceiving people from the United States as “Ugly American.”  Well, that has not been our experience and we have visited many European countries … in fact, we are visiting Austria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary this summer.

When we travel outside the US, we always remember that the most compelling reason we are visiting is because the country is different from ours, at least that is my philosophy for traveling.  Traveling is an experience.  So, before we go, we do a little research on the local beliefs, values, and practices of our host country.  Remember, not all people think and behave the same, so don’t stereotype.  But, you can learn what to expect and how to behave.

The following suggestions may help you avoid the “Ugly American” label:

• Don’t expect your host country to adapt to you.  That’s arrogant.
• Learn key phrases.  Some people really appreciate this, even when they speak your language perfectly.
• Tip the way locals do.  Leaving a tip on the table is not universal.
• Watch your hand signals, you may inadvertently insult someone or think they are insulting you.
• Don’t get upset with your host country when they don’t have 24 hour services that you want.  Some business close for lunch, because they consider things other than money important.
• Accept gifts like drinks and sweets from locals … drink and eat it too!  This is a very kind gesture on the part of your host.
• Be polite!  Being overly demanding probably won’t help … just as it usually does not help in your country.

Remember, when in Rome, do as the Romans do … to some extent.

InsideTrip … a new way to search for flights

I am not a big fan of info-posts, but InsideTrip may be worthy.  This sight … still in beta … allows you to search for flights based on the criteria of speed, comfort, and ease.  Each category lets you further specify more criteria.  In other words, you get to search based on more than price, which is, of course, important.

Just to test this innovative service, I searched for an one way trip from Lexington, KY to Los Angeles, CA.  I have already booked this flight.  The second choice the InsideTrip provided was the one that I purchased.  Not bad.  The one concern that I have is that the purchasing engine or service is Orbitz … I have not had much luck making travel arrangement through Orbitz.

Word of caution, if you navigate away from the site, such as to InsideTrip’s blog, it can be a little tricky returning to the site … InsideTrip, put a link back to the site on your blog!