British Isles

After a long day (or night, however you look at it) of traveling, we have arrived safe in Dublin, with no problems or delays to speak of. We immediately went to Trinity College to have a look at the Book of Kells and the famous Long Room. Then back to the hotel, where some are catching up on a little sleep, and others are exploring the surrounding area. It’s going to be a good trip through Ireland!

Also, have a look at the upper left area of this website. We’ve added the local Irish phone numbers for each of our guides, and will be updating this area with new local phone numbers throughout the trip as we change numbers.

Fresh off the plane in Dublin!

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I just called American Airlines and checked the Dublin Airport website, and all our flights are operational, so no need to worry:) The Dublin Airport opened today no later than 4am our time, noon their time. The wind direction has changed and is now blowing the ash away from Ireland and the UK.

WEATHER UPDATE: The current forecast shows that on Wednesday and Thursday Dublin will be in the low to mid 60s (F) with 20% chance of showers. Dingle will have heavy rain on Tuesday, but we won’t be there until Friday. The forecast for Friday in Dingle is sunny intervals and on Saturday they’re predicting “grey cloud,” whatever that means (maybe fog?). I guess we’ll find out, but be prepared for some rain and wind. I treated Paul’s shoes and my shoes with water proofing spray yesterday. If you have time today, you may want to do the same. It does smell, so do it well before you pack.

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I’m sure you are all worried about the Ash Cloud which is impacting some of the airports in the British Isles. As of Sunday night, you can have a look at this item posted by the BBC for the latest: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8685913.stm

Here’s the short story: Flights are currently grounded in parts of Ireland and the UK, and there are expected to be more closures tomorrow. Flights are currently grounded in Dublin, which is where we are expected to land on Wednesday morning. Here’s the good news: Dublin could be reopening as early as noon on Monday, and all of the airports in Ireland and the UK are expected to be back to normal sometime on Tuesday.

At this point, it looks like we won’t be having any problems, so cross your fingers that it will stay that way. See you all at the airport on Tuesday morning!

-Paul

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You were all given this information at the meeting last week, but here it is again. Who’s ready to go? See everyone at the airport on Tuesday morning!

LJML SUMMER STUDY ABROAD 2010: FINAL INFO SHEET

DEPARTURE: We meet at San Diego airport on Tuesday, May 18 at 8:45 a.m. SHARP at the American Airlines check in lines. You can call 1-800-221-2255 before you leave for the airport for updated flight information.

Our flight ( # 874) leaves at 11:55am. We are meeting early because we are on an international flight, and moving groups through the process takes even longer. We need to go through the gate together, so please don’t be late. Call my cell phone (858-366-5221) or Robin’s (858-245-9752 ) if you’re unavoidably delayed.

Our return flight (#1121 from Dallas/Fort Worth), for those flying home with the group, arrives in San Diego at 7:35 p.m. We’ll email a copy of the complete itinerary with all the contact info. Print one for you and email a copy to your folks.

ABSOLUTE MUSTS

1. Passport and one other photo ID. They won’t let you on the plane without a passport.

2. ATM card and credit card. Best to bring an extra of both in case one gets lost or demagnetized.

IMPORTANT: Tell your bank you’re going overseas. Some banks get alarmed if they see overseas purchases starting to show up, and they could suspend your card(s).

3. Multiple photocopies of all your documents: passport, credit cards, other ID, prescriptions. Carry photocopies separately in your luggage and keep the originals in your money belt. Bury copies of your passport, plane itinerary, and prescriptions in the bottom of your luggage.

4. Under-the-clothes moneybelt: You will FAIL your airport pop quiz, have to recite a Yeats poem every day of the trip, and have to sleep on a cot in every hostel if you don’t have yours with you when you get to the airport. NEVER let your moneybelt or its contents out of immediate contact with your body under your clothes. DON’T put it in your purse or pocket, or wear it outside your clothes, or leave it in your room or on the coach. Fill your moneybelt with Passport, plane itinerary, debit cards, credit cards, traveler’s checks or cash, driver’s license, prescription medicine, British Heritage card, theatre tickets, and anything else you absolutely must not lose.

5. Secure wallet: Use a pocket wallet separate from your money belt for day use items: student ID card, today’s cash, and attraction ticket, today’s prescription medicine, etc. Best to get a wallet with a chain that latches to your belt loop.

6. Contacts and Glasses: If you wear contacts, bring extras and bring your glasses just in case. Contact solutions are widely available in Europe. Spare glasses and/or prescription, mini-eyeglass repair kit.

7. Prescription medications and copy of the prescription. Keep medicine in original containers, if possible, with legible prescriptions. If you take prescription allergy pills, bring them—pollen count is high over there.

CRUCIAL LUGGAGE INFO : Travelers to Europe are allowed ONE regular-size checked bag of no more than 50 pounds each, plus one carry-on of no more than 40 pounds and 45 inches when you add length + width + height and one “personal item” no more than 36 inches when you add  the length + width + height so that it fits in an overhead bin or under the seat (includes purse, laptop size bag, etc). If your bag is oversize/overweight, they’ll charge you $50. Bags over 70 pounds WILL NOT be accepted even as checked luggage. When you pack, remember you’ll be bringing back more than you take, so leave some room in your bags. Don’t pack more than you can carry for a mile or so. (for more information see https://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/baggage/baggageAllowance.jsp) [continued on next page]

*If you are bringing only carry-on luggage and not checking anything, or if you plan to bring any liquids with you in your carry-on, you must follow the 3-1-1 security guidelines: 3.4 ounce bottles or less for liquids, 1 quart side clear plastic zip top bag that will fit all the liquids; 1 bag per passenger to be placed in screening bins. (for more information see https://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/baggage/carryOnAllowance.jsp#examples)

OTHER IMPORTANT ITEMS TO PACK

1.  Camera with new battery and empty large disk. Bring your battery charger(s), too, plus a converter. Carry your camera is a low-profile stuff bag rather than an obvious camera case.

2. Small umbrella that will fit in your jacket pocket

3. Light/medium water resistant jacket (lined nylon with hood is best). Rain is a sure thing in Ireland,                Scotland and England

4. Comfortable closed toe walking shoes + flipflops or sandals

5.  Comfortable pants with lots of pockets

6. Small daypack

7. Phone card or unlocked cell phone

8. Travel journal

9. Several zip lock bags in different sizes

10. Sweater

11. U.K. adaptor and plug converter for charging electronics like your camera

12. Small pillow (for sleeping in planes, coaches, waiting rooms)

BASIC PACK LIST: We’ll be staying in ten different lodgings, which means packing and unpacking at least ten times. Packing cubes, Packmate bags, zipper bags, and zip lock plastic bags will help make the job less frustrating

Toiletries kit. a nylon toiletries kit that can hang on a hook or a towel bar is perfect. Put all squeeze bottles in zip-lock baggies, since pressure changes in flight cause even good bottles to leak. Consider a vacation from cosmetics. Bring a little toilet paper or tissue packets (sold at all newsstands in Europe). Fingernail clippers and tweezers (for retrieving lost bank cards) are also handy.

Zip-lock baggies. Get a variety of sizes. They’re great for packing leftover picnic food, containing wetness, and bagging potential leaks before they happen. The two-gallon jumbo size is handy for packing clothing.

Earplugs. Hotels and hostels can be noisy, especially in cities. If night noises bother you, you’ll love a good set of plugs such as those made by Sleep-well.

Small notepad and pen. A tiny notepad in your back pocket is a great organizer, reminder, and communication aid

Address list. A list of e-mail addresses and mailing addresses will help keep you in touch. Taking a whole address book is not packing light. Consider typing your mail list onto a sheet of gummed address labels before you leave. You’ll know exactly who you’ve written to, and the labels will be perfectly legible. Or just send mass e-mails as you go (bring a shrunk-down print-out of your e-mail address book in case you can’t access it online).

BASIC Toiletries (if you run out of anything, you can buy it over there)

• Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss
• Shampoo/conditioner / soap: A plastic squeeze bottle of concentrated, multipurpose, biodegradable liquid soap is handy for laundry and more.
• Brush/comb
• Lotion, sunscreen, skin products
• Razor
• Feminine hygiene products
• Deodorant
• Nail clippers/file/tweezers

OTHER BASICS FOR WOMEN (For colors, think neutrals—everything can be worn with everything)

• 1-2 pairs of shorts/capris/skorts
• 2 pairs of pants (one pair of jeans, one lighter material), 1 belt
• 1 swimsuit (packed in a plastic bag)
• 5 pairs of socks (cotton blend)
• 5 pairs of underwear (silk, lace, or micro-fiber dries quickest)
• 1 extra bra
• 4 shirts (long/short-sleeved, various colors)
• 1-2 light cardigans for layering
• 1-2 skirts (wrinkle-resistant)
• 1 pair of pajamas or long shirt
• Scarves for dress-up / variety

OTHER BASICS FOR MEN

• Pants. Bring two pairs: one lightweight cotton and one jeans or other medium weight.
• Shirts. Four short-sleeved or long-sleeved shirts in a cotton/ polyester blend. Arrange mix according to season.
• Shorts. Take a pair with pockets — doubles as a swimsuit for men. Zip off pants work, too.
• Underwear and socks. Bring five sets (lighter dries quicker).
• Sweatpants or pajamas

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We are all traveling together on the same flights from San Diego to Dublin, but only seventeen of you will be traveling back to San Diego together from London.

Here’s the regular group flight itinerary. If you’re not part of the seventeen in the “regular group,” I will email you a copy of your itinerary today. All flights are on American Airlines.

Outbound

Tuesday, May 18, Depart San Diego at 11:55am on flight # 874
(be at the airport no later than 8:55am; no food is provided on
this leg of the trip, so bring a snack or plan to purchase something
on the plane)

Arrive at Chicago O'Hare at 5:50pm

Depart Chicago at 7:20pm on flight #92 (dinner will be provided
on the plane)

Arrive in Dublin at 8:40am on Wednesday, May 19

Inbound

Tuesday, June 8, Depart London Heath Row at 12:15pm on flight #81 (lunch
will be provided on the plane)

Arrive at Dallas/Fort Worth at 4:45pm

Depart Dallas at 6:30pm on flight #1121 (a meal will not be provided,
but food will be available for purchase on the plane)

Arrive in San Diego at 7:35pm on June 8

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Paul and I took a walk around Shelter Island yesterday. We try to go for a long walk or run every couple of days. If you haven’t already, it’s a good time start training yourself for all the walking we’ll be doing on the trip. Shelter Island and Sunset Cliffs are good places to walk.You want to be able to walk at least five miles comfortably. You should be able to walk from campus to the OB pier and back, which is just under five miles. Walking to the end of Shelter Island and back to campus is about six miles, and walking from campus to the Cabrillo Light House is about seven miles.  Make sure the shoes you bring are long distance worthy.

Only 29 days till takeoff!

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I know we discussed this in one of the meetings, but I know the different power systems in Europe can be a little confusing, so here’s a little explanation.

Our power that comes out of a standard three-prong outlet here in North America is 120 volts. Where we are going, the outlets still use three prongs, but they are shaped different than ours. More important than the different physical shape of the plug though is the difference in voltage. The standard voltage over there is 220 volts, and not all electrical items will work properly on both voltages. All devices that you can plug in have a description on them, usually in tiny print, that tells you what voltages that particular device will work with. For example, the above photo tells you that this device works with voltages in the range between 100-240 volts. This means that this charger will work on our trip, we just have to use an adapter that allows us to physically plug it in to the wall. The adapter below will allow us to use this device with no problems:

Where we can get in trouble is with devices that do not work on the higher voltages. For example, this curling iron will not work properly on 220 volts, and we can tell that by the description on it, which tells us that it is only designed to work with 120 volts:

Basically, if you take this with you and plug it in using an adapter like the one above, this curling iron will get dangerously hot, in fact one student on the last trip burned her hair with a hair straightener that was not designed to use on 220 volts. Her hair sizzled and smoked when she tried to use the straightener!

So what happens if you really want to use something only designed for 120 volts? Fear not! You will simply have to buy and carry a voltage adapter, which cost more and are larger and heavier than the simple adapter shown above. Here is an example of one, which can be purchased at http://www.amazon.com/CONVERTER-AMERICAN-PRODUCTS-COUNTRIES-CHARGERS/dp/B0014XCK8W/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1269379228&sr=8-14

This just adds another item for you to have to carry, so it’s better to look for products that will work on the higher European voltage as well as at home. Some travel items are known as dual voltage and require that you set the voltage for where you are. The travel hair dryer below is an example. To use this here, you turn it to the 125V setting, and to use it in Europe you set it to 250V.

Sometimes different numbers are used to describe voltages, so it’s only important that you are close to the voltage. I know this can be confusing, let us know if you have any questions by leaving a comment.

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The box office finally opened for the summer season at  Shakespeare’s Globe Theater in London. I booked tickets for us to see Macbeth our second night in London.

We will also see Romeo and Juliet at the Royal Shakespeare Theater in Stratford-upon-Avon, which is Shakespeare’s home town.

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I’ve just added eight travel books for our group to use at the reserve desk at the library. You can see the titles here. The books are available for a 2 hour check out at the circulation (front) desk. Read up when you have some free time as they offer some valuable insight into the places we will be visiting.

When you go to the library to check one of the books out tell the student working that you would like to check out one of the “British Isle Trip” books, then tell them the title you would like to check out.

We have several copies on the same topic. For instance we have two books on Great Britian (which includes Scotland, Wales and England) by two different publishers, so both copies would be worth exploring. We also have two books on Ireland (one from 2004 and one from 2008), both by Rick Steves, so both copies will have very similar content. Though the Rick Steves’ Ireland 2008 copy may have more current information on such things as lodgings, you don’t have to worrry about those types of things, so either the 2004 or 2008 would work.

Most of these books have short blurbs on an area’s history and/or culture. The introduction to each book may also be worth reading for some insightful background information.

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Fellow Travelers,

I’ve fine tuned and posted a Google map of our trip. To view it, just click on the link under “pages” on the left hand side of the blog or go to http://paullangphotography.com/british_isles/itinerary-map/.

You can zoom in and out and click on the blue pins to read about each of our destinations. The blue pins will tell you where were are stopping on our drives to site see, where we’ll be staying each night, and what sites we will visit in each town. Our actual road selection will be made by our coach driver, so the roads you see highlighted on the map aren’t necessarily the roads we will be traveling on, though they are probably close.

I’ve had a ton of fun planning the trip thus far! Let me know if you have any questions by posting a comment below or sending me an email.

Cheers,

Robin

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