WC 2006: It's in Germany, not America; Important Information

[spidergoose]

Also important to keep in mind when it comes to cultural differences:

"Having a beer" in the United States is a fairly harmless act that can help one unwind after work.
"Having a beer" in Germany is an act that can potentially leave one dancing naked on the rooftop of a bus.*










*Credit to Dave Barry

[JoeSoccerFan]

Also important to keep in mind when it comes to cultural differences:

"Having a beer" in the United States is a fairly harmless act that can help one unwind after work.
"Having a beer" in Germany is an act that can potentially leave one dancing naked on the rooftop of a bus.*


problem? :confused:

[roadkit]

problem? :confused:

None that I know of. And being as it is June in Germany, you shouldn't be shocked to see people buck nekkid in the parks sunbathing. It's a very German and acceptable thing to do.

However, I'm not sure that dancing on a bus will be all that acceptable. ;)

[dirk diggler]

Even if your insurance company covers medical expenses overseas, make sure they also cover evacuation charges. For example, if you suffered a severe leg break that required special seating on an airplane to get you back to the USA, those charges start at $20,000.00 USD!!!!
If the accident happens in a remote location, or you live in remote area in the USA those charges will easily double. I have heard horror stories about travelers who have been financially ruined by these fees. I never take a chance, I always buy travel insurance. There are lots of companies that sell policies, I happen to use this one:
http://www.travelinsure.com/

[Palermo10]

I might save the $20,000 and just ask the guy next to me if I can have the aisle seat...

[dirk diggler]

Special seating in an airplane means ripping out two rows of seats, and bolting a special "bed" to the floor. The airline will want to be compensated for this. In additition you will have to pay the ambulance service and the attendents that transport you from the hostpital to the aircraft. A nurse will also have to accompany you, she will want to get paid as well. Once you land in the USA, you may have to transfer to another flight to get to your final destination; that means another ambluance service will have to be hired and another aircraft will have to be retrofitted. Once you get to you final airport, yet another ambulance service will needed to get you to your house. All of this adds up. Its your bank account, if you want to play russian roulette with it-got for it!

[JoeSoccerFan]

Special seating in an airplane means ripping out two rows of seats, and bolting a special "bed" to the floor. The airline will want to be compensated for this. In additition you will have to pay the ambulance service and the attendents that transport you from the hostpital to the aircraft. A nurse will also have to accompany you, she will want to get paid as well. Once you land in the USA, you may have to transfer to another flight to get to your final destination; that means another ambluance service will have to be hired and another aircraft will have to be retrofitted. Once you get to you final airport, yet another ambulance service will needed to get you to your house. All of this adds up. Its your bank account, if you want to play russian roulette with it-got for it!

Thanks. I hadn't considered it. I'm not sure if I'll purchase it. I ran the numbers and I could get a medical plan (medical expenses 500K, emergency evacuation 100k) with other minor benefits for $100. Not too bad considering.

As I get older, and as I anticipate having an adult beverage or 5, it's something to consider. It might make my wife sleep better (not snoring next to her might help as well).

[roadkit]

Special seating in an airplane means ripping out two rows of seats, and bolting a special "bed" to the floor. The airline will want to be compensated for this. In additition you will have to pay the ambulance service and the attendents that transport you from the hostpital to the aircraft. A nurse will also have to accompany you, she will want to get paid as well. Once you land in the USA, you may have to transfer to another flight to get to your final destination; that means another ambluance service will have to be hired and another aircraft will have to be retrofitted. Once you get to you final airport, yet another ambulance service will needed to get you to your house. All of this adds up. Its your bank account, if you want to play russian roulette with it-got for it!

I was on a Quantas flight to Sydney, Australia from L.A. last spring and there was guy who had creamed himself skiing. As I recall, the flight attendants said it was costing upwards of $20K for him to fly to AUS in the rig they had set up which took out several rows of seats and also delayed the departure by about an hour. Get boned up overseas and getting home in one piece could cost you a lot of bucks.

[Gioca]

Boned up? Creamed? Are these words being used in reference to a skiing accident??

[roadkit]

I used "boned up" because I'm tired of get nastygrams from the Mods about my potty mouth. :D

I'm not a skier, so if that term has some derogatory connotation I have to plead ignorance. :D

[Shibb]

I was just looking at a site, www.vacationvillas.net , which was posted in the K-Town lodging thread. Great looking places. But please, be aware of what kind of person you are. If you're looking for non-stop, round the clock action, these places may not be a good fit. Most I see are off the beaten path, in idyllic settings. Great for those who prefer the country side, want some quiet time with their family, or just prefer a relaxed pace with quiet evenings. It's probably a VERY BAD fit for someone who wants to drink until late at night, scream obscenities at the referee, or play drinking games while practicing their Sam's Armies chants.

Net, know who you are. Don't pick a charming dorf if you prefer the big city. Likewise, don't get a place in Frankfurt if metropolitian living gives you the heebie-jeebies. Or mix it up and see some of both.

Aside: There are laws in Germany, and Switzerland for that matter, about noise after 10 pm or so. Sundays, too, IIRC. They expect you to be quiet. This can even include stuff like flushing the toilets late at night. In the cities I don't know this is followed, but in little villages it will be expected and at least polite to do so.

[JBigjake]

I ran the numbers and I could get a medical plan (medical expenses 500K, emergency evacuation 100k) with other minor benefits for $100. Not too bad considering.
Seems like a reasonable price. Any links?

[SnakeEyes]

Always a good idea to check in with the embassy.

[dfb547490]

The beer over there is a lot stronger than it is here (mass-produced beer anyway). Just because you toss back 15 cold ones at a typical night at the bar here, doesn't mean it's neccesarily a great idea to do it there.

[dirk diggler]

Seems like a reasonable price. Any links?
http://www.travelinsure.com/

[JBigjake]

http://www.travelinsure.com/
Excellent: rates range from $3.25 - $8.00 per day!

[jp54]

I remember that! He worked for DLJ didn't he ?

[Brushes Sand]

https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/

I'm shocked that no one has posted the above link.

When travelling in Britain/Ireland, I never register.

On the Continent, I would only register if I were travelling
alone in "NATO" countries (i.e., the original EU states + France).

Anywhere else (outside of Aus/NZ) I always register.

However if I were going to Germany next summer, in spite
of the fact that I would be travelling with hundreds if
not thousands of other USians, I would register.

Everything. Every hotel, transfer, train and plane.

If something goes wrong next summer, with so many
"non-regular" travelers in-country, the US Embassy
would be totally fubar.

The other MAJOR recommendation is to rent an
International Cellphone for a month. For Diners Club
cardholders it's "free" (you pay the airtime) and they
deliver it to you at your first hotel.

I can't stress how important mobile communications
will be for those few who have that capability are going
to be in high demand from other USian zealots whilst trying
to coordinate pre-game/in-game/post-game activities.

Paranoid word of caution.

This sucks, but i'm going to say it anyway.

I WOULD STRONGLY URGE EVERYONE TO AVOID LARGE
GATHERINGS OF USIANS IN THE MAJOR CITIES even if
there is a major celebration to be had. And I would
also avoid posting the locations of "private" celebrations
in public here on the board.

Instead, I would urge everyone who is going to form-up
"word of mouth" PRIVATE email communication threads
and keep gathering/celebration assembly locations PRIVATE.

This is where mobile communications will come in handy.

If 500 core Sammers want to firm up after we beat Italy,
do so at a pre-selected location but KEEP THE LOCATION
OFF THE BOARDS AND KNOWN ONLY TO THOSE ATTENDING.

The rest of us can see pictures and hear about it once you
get home. SAFELY.

When using net.cafes, try to use ones in 'posh' areas and
in major 'western' hotels if at all possible. If you have friends
or acquaintances, use their machines if at all possible.
DELETE COOKIES, CLEAR HISTORY, DELETE TEMP FILES,
and if possible REBOOT the machine in any net.cafe.

Germany has changed alot in the last 20 years, in ways that
I won't go into without having to resort to stereotyping.

In 2002, the world was in our court. In 2006, it's a different world.

-bs

[roadkit]

https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/

I'm shocked that no one has posted the above link.

********

Paranoid word of caution.


-bs

Good post - thanks for posting the registration link - I neglected to do so when I started the thread - thanks. It is very important.

I also agree with your paranoia - on the other hand, I would encourage people to get together, have fun, but to be aware of their surroundings. Two final points in the 'paranoia' category:

1. Find a place outside the stadium (preferably a few blocks away, like the train station, etc.) where you can link up with the rest in your party if you get separated. This is especially important if something happens.

2. If (God forbid) something should happen while you are in the stadium/pub/platz, etc., try to stay put for as long as possible. Most people get injured/worse trying to evacuate/run away in a panic.

[Thomas A Fina]

Also important to keep in mind when it comes to cultural differences:

"Having a beer" in the United States is a fairly harmless act that can help one unwind after work.
"Having a beer" in Germany is an act that can potentially leave one dancing naked on the rooftop of a bus.*

*Credit to Dave Barry

German beer is stronger, and their glasses bigger than you think.


I know. I checked.

Then I passed out.