| Author | Message | ||
     Mikef5000 |
I have an opportunity that I would be stupid to pass up. I have a chance to go with my good friend to Germany for 2 or 3 weeks, with a free house to stay in and many free meals. Right now I have a job that doesn't mind if I run away for a few weeks (Only 12 paid vacation days, but they don't care if I take more off, I just won't get paid for them) And I don't have a house payment or rent. I think here in the next year or so I'll be getting a real job, and hopefully a house, or at least an apartment. (21 years old and living with my parents right now) And then a trip like this will be out of the question. Right now the only large expenditure is the flight. I looked into getting a pass with EuroRail to be able to go to other countries (Since I won't be over there again for a long time, if ever) but the costs was just too much, $500-$800, plus we'd have to pay for lodging if we leave Germany. We'll be going sometime in or around July, so Homecoming is not likely.... although I'm not giving up entirely, I might try to work Homecoming into the time off, either the weekend before we leave, or after we get back. We'll see. So I guess I'm posting this here to see what everyone's thoughts are. If you could go to Germany for 2 weeks, what would you be sure to see or do? | ||
| Spiderman |
I just got a new job so I may be in the same boat... I feel your pain  | ||
| Newfie_buell |
What Spidey????? Whats UP | ||
| Spiderman |
new job. You are still welcome to stay at the house though, if I can't make it maybe I'll have a little Welcome/farewell Newfie Party  | ||
| Nevrenuf |
i regret not taking more advantage of the three months that the ship was in drydock in naples italy like some of the other guys i knew did like go over to england or head in to switzerlan and france(back in the late 70's when it was cooler to be over there) or germany. take advantage of it and see what you can afford to see and if nothing else just enjoy the experience mike. there is no way you can go wrong if you go through with this. just take a lot of pics. | ||
| No_rice |
that will reeaaallllyyy suck spidey | ||
| Prof_stack |
Mikef, what city are you going to in Germany? Back in my beer-drinking days Germany was heaven. If you like beer, go to almost any kneipe (bar) and order it "vom fass" (on tap). It is hard to imagine a better made product than what the Germans do with barley, hops, and yeast. Enjoy your time there! | ||
| Steve_mackay |
You mean not everyone gets the whole month of July off? | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Take advantage of the opportunity to go to Germany. When you get a job, anything like a 3 week vacation will be a mere memory. I love Europe and have spent probably a total of a year or more in Northern Italy. If nothing else you'll get a good perspective on how other people live, but I'd bet you'll get a whole lot more than that out of the experience. Live it up, man. You're only 21. Before you know it you'll be a cantankerous old 30-something like me. | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
I was stationed in Germany for 3 years. I would suggest to see the Nurburgring. Its a racetrack that is quite famous for its high-speed. They have open days where you bring in whatever and run it. You'll see bikes and cars even trucks on the track at the same time. Very cool. The other thing I would suggest is to see some castles. Any really, as it gives a great insight to the German culture and ideals. You also should visit whatever local brewery there is close to you. Ask for a crystal veissen and enjoy. Dark beers abound also. The crystal v's are a light colored beer that is basically the champagne of that particular brewery. It'll be hard not to enjoy any of the food as it is all great. Rich cakes and deserts, fantastic bread and of course many, many types of sausage. I wish you a great time. It really is a clean comfortable country with alot to see and do. Make the most of it. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
They love the Buell in Germany, I bet you see a tonne of them. Go travel now. Without exception, you will regret later if you dont. Have fun, make sure you to at least one Hauf Brau ;) | ||
| Thespive |
I was planning on going for my first time ever, but that happens to be a bad weekend for me. --Sean | ||
| Damnut |
IF you have a chance to visit a foreign country GO FOR IT!!! I am fortunate that I get to travel for work. I been to ~20 different countries and I want to see more. Seeing different cultures has changed me as a person for the better. I am a lot more appreciative of the things that I have and how good I have it by living in the USA. If you get a chance, check out Paris. If you enjoy looking at buildings and architecture then that's the place to check out. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Here's a crappy map with our home base, and some things that interest me.  Until you suggested Paris, I didn't realize how close we will be. That could easily be a 2 or 3 day "long-weekend" type trip away from our home base in Cologne (free house). | ||
| Bcordb3 |
Mike, I would take look at flights to London, about the cheapest I found last summer, I think I paid $600.00 trip from Phoenix on American Airlines, check it out. Look on line for Ryan Air. It is a discount airline operating all over Europe. I flew Bologna Italy to London for about $40.00 US. New 737's. I took the chunnel train to Paris from London. I don't remember what it cost me. If you decide to that book on line in advance, save a bundle. The Eurail pass doesn't work on that run, but going through the county side in France at 200+ is a kick. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Amsterdam.... that'll get ya in trouble!! I'll tell you about on our way to the IMS. Don't pass up the chance to get out of this country and see the world. We will expect a full report with pics when you get back! | ||
| Mikef5000 |
I will be keeping an updated web "blog" while we're out there, for my family and anyone here that is interested. The darn Eurail is EXPENSIVE! Too bad too, I thought that would be a great idea, but renting a tiny little baby car with unlimited mileage is nearly half the cost. For roughly $50 a day we can rent a car. Do one 3 day 2 night trip to paris, and later one 2 day 1 night trip to Amsterdam. I don't know, everything's still in the 'dreaming' phase. We may actually have a car available to use for free! OK, now's a better time than ever to explain all this free housing, free car, free meals I've been talking about: My best friend (arg, I wish that didn't make me sound like a 12 year old girl) anyway, my BFF George  hosted a foreign exchange student a few years ago in high school. Since then they've stayed in close contact, and george has been able to go over there a couple times. His (foreign exchange student's) family has a large house, and they are VERY hospitable. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Well a GENIUS idea struck me today at the international motorcycle show in Cleveland... Rent this:  Ride here (Alps):  I can only afford 1, maybe 2 days of renting it, It's about 150 bucks a day. (2 days would be better, Ride south, sleep somewhere in northern Italy, ride back) I sent them an email to see about a minimum age. I spoke with the American Motorcycle Association today, who said they'd be more than happy to help me setup the rental, I'll shoot them an email next. Still in the dreaming stages here, we'll see what happens. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
ARG! What's wrong with these crazy Germans! I want to rent a bike for 2 days, which I can do! BMW F800S, 100 US$ per day! Great! Sold! Fine print: limited to 75 miles per day, then $.50 per additional mile. 75 miles!!! ARE YOU KIDDING? I was planning on riding over 1000 miles in the two days I had it! I'd have to rent the damn thing for a month just to have the mileage I want to ride in the two days. What a joke. I've email a few companies about getting a special rate, for two week days with unlimited miles. One has gotten back to me (the one with the Kawi pictured above), they will do a give it too me for 5 days for the price of 3. I'll still only ride for 2 days, but at least now I have the mileage I want. I hope the company with the BMW can work something out similar. It seems only appropriate that I ride one of those while in Germany.  They have both the S and the ST available. I'd have to go sit on them to decide which one I'll perfer. I'd much rather get the 1200 boxer, but they're way too expensive. I also found a company that rents Uly's in Austria! (Not for me on this trip, just thought it was interesting) | ||
| Brumbear |
I am in the middle of buying an apartment in Wiesbaden and should be over there in the summer for a couple weeks I am gonna try and rent a buell while I am there I am also an avid wolfsburg soccer fan so I have some friends up there as well. Anyway do not give up the chance to Germany it is a wonderful place | ||
| Lost_in_ohio |
Most excellent. I wish that I would have traveled the world more as a young man. Have a great time. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Well, we may or may not change to August or September. July is the peak season, and flight prices are nearly double that of September. This trip is all about saving money, and if we can save $400 on the flight, it'd make a huge difference. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
if you change it you can go to homecoming! | ||
| Brumbear |
look at British airways or KLM sometimes has great deals and also sometimes change where you land Frankfurt can be way more than Stuttgart or Dusseldorf | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
My company has a facility in Karlsruhe about an hour south of Frankfurt and on the French border. I love going there. Be sure to visit the Technik auto and airplane museum by Mannheim, it is spectacular! I lost my photos of it when my computer was stolen but here is a link, they even have a Buell on display! http://www.technik-museum.de/uk/sinsheim/ Also go the Heidelburgh and visit the castle. They have the largest wine cask you will EVER see!   } | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Heidelburg is definately on the list, as that is where my grandparents were born and raised before they came over here. It would mean the world to them if I went over there and experienced it. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
Germany has been around forever, and its not going anywhere soon. There's only one 25th anniversary. | ||
| 1313 |
If you go at the right time, this could make up for missing Homecoming. Possibly... 1313  | ||
| Brumbear |
Mike check to see when the Hiedelberg Castle does its Ilumination it is a fantastic time catch it if you can |
