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tamiam
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« on: June 29, 2006, 11:30:10 AM » |
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I'm so excited about this new forum!
OK.
This summer is my first foray into research-related travel. In my former life I traveled some for business, and it was not at all unusual for things to be arranged at the last minute. But I am finding it surprising how last-minute my present travel plans for research are turning out to be. Funding snafu's, coordination with other parties and host agencies/countries, etc. mean that I am supposedly leaving next week but have not yet purchased a plane ticket etc. Also haven't sprung for shots, since it's note entirely clear that this whole thing is moving forward and I don't want to be out several hundred dollars to no purpose.
My family is going bonkers, because of child care and vacation plans. Oh, and the kitchen remodel that's happening in the midst of all this. I'm not too stressed out (because I have a family to take care of the kids), but it just seems odd to me that this whole thing is so disorganized.
Anybody have academic travel horror stories they want to share?
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Hey look! I have a tag line too!
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bibliothecula
Academic ronin
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 3,727
like Bunnicula, only with books
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« Reply #1 on: June 29, 2006, 01:43:15 PM » |
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No real horror stories, just wishes for a wonderful trip! Maybe you should blog your adventures for us, so we can all vicariously follow along from the relative blandness of our stateside locales.
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I came. I saw. I cited.
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francie_
The Really Cheerful
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 3,815
The Voice of Reason
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« Reply #2 on: June 29, 2006, 02:25:58 PM » |
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Tamiam, are you sure you want to hear travel horror stories right now??
A couple of questions though, what shots, and is it a good idea to get them at the last minute? I wonder about side effects, reactions, etc., and how long it takes to for immunity to kick in with some of them.
I wish you a safe journey in any case!
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Oh realfrancie, so clever!
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iomhaigh
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« Reply #3 on: June 29, 2006, 03:14:15 PM » |
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I have to agree with Francie and wonder if you want to hear horror stories... So, instead, I offer a pain in the rear story that is not horrid, but is good for a laugh:
During a visit to Europe, I had to make a short 4-day trip to an archive. After taking a longish train ride to the city, I was about to embark upon a 2-mile walk to the hostel when my sandal disintegrated irreparably on a holiday evening. My other shoes (and the rest of my luggage) were back on the other side of the country. I tried shuffling through the city streets with the sandal barely attached to my foot and gave up and walked through the city barefoot.
Next morning, I borrowed some tape from the desk, taped the sandal onto my foot, and had to go to the archive (back down by the train station) because my visit was short and there was a lot of material I had to get through. Few stores were open in the evenings after the archive closed, and none of them carried shoes. Finally, on my third day in the city, the archive was closed during the afternoon and open at night instead, and so I was able to take the time to go find a place to buy new shoes. The shoe salesman got a good laugh out of the tale and gave me a discount and some free socks.
Ah.... I'd go back to those taped up sandals anyday. Have a great time!
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I am the very model of a modern major general.
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expatinuk
Has spent over 1000 pounds but now holds a Brit passport!
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 6,564
From SC living in UK
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« Reply #4 on: July 01, 2006, 05:28:57 AM » |
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wear sneakers!
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Expatinuk seems to be a Soviet Satellite in stationary orbit over the UK
It is what it is.
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francie_
The Really Cheerful
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 3,815
The Voice of Reason
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« Reply #5 on: July 01, 2006, 11:31:50 AM » |
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wear sneakers!
Ditto, or at least inspect your footwear before departure for signs of wear and tear. |
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Oh realfrancie, so clever!
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elsie
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« Reply #6 on: July 01, 2006, 12:01:36 PM » |
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But pack at least one pair of sandals for those times when wearing the same shoes too long have resulted in horrible blisters.
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"People assume that time is a strict progression from cause to effect. But actually, from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint, it's more like a big ball of wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey stuff." - the Doctor
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expatinuk
Has spent over 1000 pounds but now holds a Brit passport!
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 6,564
From SC living in UK
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« Reply #7 on: July 01, 2006, 12:03:50 PM » |
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But pack at least one pair of sandals for those times when wearing the same shoes too long have resulted in horrible blisters.
erm... I always pack two pairs of sneakers |
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Expatinuk seems to be a Soviet Satellite in stationary orbit over the UK
It is what it is.
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poor_kid_prof
New member
Posts: 3
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« Reply #8 on: July 03, 2006, 07:17:03 PM » |
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Want a horror story, huh?
I had a fun summer a couple of years ago when I stupidly agreed to present at 3 international conferences AND lead a student tip abroad AND teach a summer class. It looked like that: US West Coast to Eastern Europe to West Coast. Teach class, prepare presentations. West Coast to Western Europe to US West Coast. Teach class, prepare presentations. Fly US to Orient. Get sick while at the conference. Fly to US, enter with one day left on visa.
Be sick for the entire fall semester, during my 3-d year review.
Chindren, do not try this at home.
Oh, and I can beat the sandal story, easily. While at the conference in the Orient, my favorite pants broke at the seam. As in, 5-6 inch gap. While I was talking to one of the biggest names in the field. While surrounded by the bunch of other "big names". Yeah!
So not to worry, travel is easy!
PoorKidProf
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crazybatlady
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« Reply #9 on: July 06, 2006, 02:22:06 AM » |
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Next morning, I borrowed some tape from the desk, taped the sandal onto my foot, and had to go to the archive (back down by the train station) because my visit was short and there was a lot of material I had to get through.
I am literally waking up my household laughing. I can't stop. This is just too perfect a picture of us academics, wandering the streets of a foreign city, wearing tape and broken plastic.... |
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As always, CBL rules! All hail the CBL!
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