European Travel & Fencing

[telkanuru]

So I have a little trip to the Continent planned for this April/May. I will be 10 days long, and I'll be bouncing around everywhere from Italy to Ireland (girlfriend doing a semester abroad in Limerick), and I was wondering if it would be worth the hassle of dragging it everywhere to bring my fencing bag with me for the duration.

Any and all advice (pertaining to the subject) is appreciated.

[Purple Fencer]

Even without reading your response, Chase...can't you just stay away and not bring your pollution to the rest of the board?

Telk...see if there are any places you CAN fence while there...if so, I'd do it...for the experience if nothing else.

[pillow]

So I have a little trip to the Continent planned for this April/May. I will be 10 days long, and I'll be bouncing around everywhere from Italy to Ireland (girlfriend doing a semester abroad in Limerick), and I was wondering if it would be worth the hassle of dragging it everywhere to bring my fencing bag with me for the duration.

Any and all advice (pertaining to the subject) is appreciated.

No. I've done it and it's not worth the hassle of carrying heavy stuff, perhaps losing it, and dealing with airline security or border crossings. You also would need to make arrangements in advance for club entry, as I needed a personal introduction to a number of clubs. Most folks are of course quite friendly, especially to fellow fencers, but the hours of the clubs are variable, and there is no guarantee of fencing people of your own or better level. Plus your stuff begins to smell and is a pain to wash on the road. I suggest that you go and enjoy your vacation and forget the fencing.

[PretAllez]

Ten days is a really short trip... especially when you factor in jet lag, and if I understand you correctly, you will be travelling a lot. If you were my son, I would say save the fencing for another time.

Have you travelled to Europe before? If not, you might want to read up on any of the areas you know you'll be visiting; it makes the trip that much more interesting

Especially if you are travelling with your girlfriend, just take it all in and enjoy every minute of it!

I once spent 3 weeks in April in Paris (while I was in England for a year)
.... it was glorious. I truly envy you!!!!

Remember to pack your bags, then edit away half your clothing and bring twice the money you had planned!
Oh, and if you can, try to dress well (classic sports wear, nice shoes); it does seem to make a difference (in terms of service), at least on the Continent proper

Oh, and you know those stupid looking cloth passport/money belts that you strap to your body and are really uncomfortable? USE THEM . Nothing like getting pickpocketed to ruin your vacation.

[KD5MDK]

What pillow said. If you and your girlfriend can't think of better things to do in that kind of limited time and extensive distance, I'm concerned, unless you have as specific tournament you want to fence in. Hauling fencing gear is difficult and expensive. Go see some castles or museums.

[Gav]

Even without reading your response, Chase...can't you just stay away and not bring your pollution to the rest of the board?

Chase's post has been deleted and he has been issued a warning.

I'll tolerate crap like that in WC but not on the main board.

[Gav]

So I have a little trip to the Continent planned for this April/May. I will be 10 days long, and I'll be bouncing around everywhere from Italy to Ireland (girlfriend doing a semester abroad in Limerick), and I was wondering if it would be worth the hassle of dragging it everywhere to bring my fencing bag with me for the duration.

Any and all advice (pertaining to the subject) is appreciated.

Dude, pop into Edinburgh. If you end up here I'll take you to the pub. We'll get drunk and fall over lots; it'll be fun.

10 days in Europe is nothing, there's tons of things to see and do so focus on that.

[kalivor]

Ten days and many locations? Don't bother with the fencing bag.

And I'm happy to also volunteer a night at a pub, if and when you find yourself in London.

[telkanuru]

Thanks, all. No bag, then. I'll keep you updated as to itinerary, and warm up my liver

[pillow]

Ten days and many locations? Don't bother with the fencing bag.

And I'm happy to also volunteer a night at a pub, if and when you find yourself in London.

The Lamb in Bloomsbury is nice and cozy for a pint of Young's. Not that there is a shortage of other places.

[kalivor]

The Lamb in Bloomsbury is nice and cozy for a pint of Young's. Not that there is a shortage of other places.

Don't you mean midtown? http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standa...-new-future.do

Not sure I like that, mind you.

[pillow]

Don't you mean midtown? http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standa...-new-future.do

Not sure I like that, mind you.

I meant this place, which I frequented during my UCL days.

http://www.pubs.com/main_site/pub_de...php?pub_id=138

[jeff]

Ten days is a really short trip... especially when you factor in jet lag, and if I understand you correctly, you will be travelling a lot. If you were my son, I would say save the fencing for another time.

Have you travelled to Europe before? If not, you might want to read up on any of the areas you know you'll be visiting; it makes the trip that much more interesting

Especially if you are travelling with your girlfriend, just take it all in and enjoy every minute of it!

I once spent 3 weeks in April in Paris (while I was in England for a year)
.... it was glorious. I truly envy you!!!!

Remember to pack your bags, then edit away half your clothing and bring twice the money you had planned!
Oh, and if you can, try to dress well (classic sports wear, nice shoes); it does seem to make a difference (in terms of service), at least on the Continent proper

Oh, and you know those stupid looking cloth passport/money belts that you strap to your body and are really uncomfortable? USE THEM . Nothing like getting pickpocketed to ruin your vacation.

Excellent advice from first word to last. And consider buying traveller's health insurance because you're not covered by your US policy and if you get sick you'll pay out of pocket for everything.

Learn how to say hello/goodbye/please/thank you/where's the bathroom? and a few other simple phrases in the national languages of every country you'll pass through. They'll appreciate it and you'll be treated better.

10 days is really short for a whirlwind trip through Europe, but it should be a good introduction.

[fdad]

In addition to all the other reasons, checked baggage in Europe usually costs a lot more than in US.

[DavidX]

omg what did chase say? was it the questionable existance of a girl masochistic enough to hang out with telk?

yeah bro - you dont want to lug that stuff around - look online to see what clubs will be around where you are going and just pop in - you're only going to be there a short while so so what you know? get your picture taken in european salle if nothing else. Just learn - "i'm sorry - im american and not as educated as you - do you speak english?" in whatever language of the country you're in and you're golden - believe me this has worked EVERYWHERE - all europeans speak some english.

Dude you could have some fun - just walk into a salle and be like 50 euros to whoever can beat this american in a bout - now that would make an AWESOME story.

[telkanuru]

omg what did chase say? was it the questionable existance of a girl masochistic enough to hang out with telk?

In fairness, I profess constant amazement at this myself.

[DavidX]

dude - telk DO this thing.

If you go to a salle and fence someone on a monetary challenge i will back you - i swear on the fresh prince of bel air - that if you do this you will have an awesome time and a story to tell forever and if you lose i will get you whatever you want from the internet and have it sent to whatever cave or basement you lurk in.

all you have to do is get pictures.

and if you fence a girl it's

T's or GTFO.

[clagen]

Yes, for ten days don't bother with your kit. If you were over here for a month or more, it would be worth it, but not for a brief visit. I can also recommend the Lamb - its our local and not normally overrun with students, more grumpy grad students (present company included) and staff, plus the food isn't bad - but the student pubs nearer the main campus do have a younger crowd. Depends what you are looking for, really. For ten days, I strongly recommend that you pick one area and not try to do a whirlwind tour; it is much more rewarding in the long term to visit one place well than have a memory of train stations and airports. Its a running joke on the Continent about how Americans (I was/am one, so can sympathise!) visit ten cities in ten days - anathema for Continental tourist philosophy. They're right.
Also beware that British trains are not the most punctual in the world, especially if, help us all, it snows half an inch or the wrong sort of leaves fall on the tracks, and be sure to book at least a day ahead (this can be done online or at the station), else they will bugger you for fares on the day. Edinburgh is wonderful - I'd take Gav up on his offer! My wife is a member of the Royal College of Surgeons there, so we head up as often as we can, usually 3-4 times a year. We like the Bow Bar, but get his input. Alas, since I have all but been forced to temporarily leave fencing due to a bloody PhD taking over my life, I haven't fenced up there yet.
Relax and enjoy!

[PretAllez]

For ten days, I strongly recommend that you pick one area and not try to do a whirlwind tour; it is much more rewarding in the long term to visit one place well than have a memory of train stations and airports. Its a running joke on the Continent about how Americans (I was/am one, so can sympathise!) visit ten cities in ten days - anathema for Continental tourist philosophy. They're right.

qft
( or "spot on" as they say)

[downunder]

seconding the call that if you're in London i'll happily buy you a pint