The "I'm Traveling somewhere" Thread

[TAC]

Not worth it. I'm not going out to dinner for bread. What kind of meal is that?

Although If I ever find myself at an Olive Garden again, I'm going to ask them to serve me my bread sticks french toast style.

[Spiritus]

Seriously I am watching the desolation of smaug right this minute where Thorin and Gandalf are talking at the beginning  in prancing pony and they are ripping into delicious bread and cheese. I had to go get myself bread.  Bread butter and cheese.  Mmmmm. 
Anyways continue.

[cramx3]

Ugh, when I was in Amsterdam last month, I checked into my hotel and the toilet wouldn't stop running (it was already prefilled with piss when I got into the room, so flushed and it just didnt stop).  I complained and got a new room and the same thing happened.  I told them I wouldn't be able to sleep in such a room so I told them to cancel my reservation and I will stay somewhere else.  They obliged after going to my room with me and then checking a third room and finding the same problem.  Well, doing my expense report from that business trip and low and behold, they charged me for the entire stay  Seems like I will have to deal with long phone calls to get that refunded come monday, I didn't have the patience to do that before I left work today.

[Evermind]

What hotel was that?

[ReaperKK]

That sucks Cram, back when I was traveling for work our company would handle discrepancies. Last time I was in houston I got charged for someone's bar bill, almost $300.

[cramx3]

That sucks Cram, back when I was traveling for work our company would handle discrepancies. Last time I was in houston I got charged for someone's bar bill, almost $300.

I may have to call up my travel agent, I put in an issue request online with the IHG and I'll see on Monday who I may need to get on the phone. 

What hotel was that?

Holiday Inn Express Schipol

[pg1067]

I'll be heading to Nashville in a couple weeks for a work conference.

Any suggestions for good BBQ places (or otherwise)?  I'll be in the downtown/arts district area of the city.

Well...my conference in Nashville got cancelled.  We were planning on going to the Predators game on Thursday and, if the Titans played on Saturday, we were going to stay an extra day and go to the game.  Supposedly going to be rescheduled in August.

[Evermind]

Holiday Inn Express Schipol

Thanks, I know where I'm not staying next time I'm in Amsterdam.

[lordxizor]

I'm trying to book a camping trip to Glacier national park this summer. I'm finding it incredibly annoying that the vast majority of campsites are first come first serve and are not reservable.  I'm not driving 18 hours without a reservation and the available sites book up every day instantly. I get on, set up my reservation, and click reserve at the earliest time of day to the second and they're already booked. So frustrating!

[Nekov]

Not exactly traveling, but my wife secured a job in Barcelona with her current company and we will be moving there around March. So yeah, I'm starting a new life in a different country which I expect will be far better than my current one. My brother is already living there and one of our best friends is also moving there in a couple of days.
I expect that I will be doing a lot more traveling once I'm there since I will be able to afford it 

[TAC]

Wow!

[Nekov]

Yeah, it's both super exciting and frightening at the same time. We've been preparing for this for months, but there are still quite a few things we need to resolve before we can pack our things and go.

[MirrorMask]

Not exactly traveling, but my wife secured a job in Barcelona with her current company and we will be moving there around March. So yeah, I'm starting a new life in a different country which I expect will be far better than my current one. My brother is already living there and one of our best friends is also moving there in a couple of days.
I expect that I will be doing a lot more traveling once I'm there since I will be able to afford it 

Barcelona is lovely!

I was skeptical about visiting it, everyone was loving it and I was afraid that it was a glorified sea town where people was going just to party and have fun, with maybe the occasional nice building here and there.

I was wrong. Barcelona is beautiful, elegant, captivating and you could take away the sea from it, and it'd still be an amazing town. Enjoy your stay there!

[cramx3]

Ugh, when I was in Amsterdam last month, I checked into my hotel and the toilet wouldn't stop running (it was already prefilled with piss when I got into the room, so flushed and it just didnt stop).  I complained and got a new room and the same thing happened.  I told them I wouldn't be able to sleep in such a room so I told them to cancel my reservation and I will stay somewhere else.  They obliged after going to my room with me and then checking a third room and finding the same problem.  Well, doing my expense report from that business trip and low and behold, they charged me for the entire stay  Seems like I will have to deal with long phone calls to get that refunded come monday, I didn't have the patience to do that before I left work today.

This has been a headache, I'm using my travel agency from work as the in between of myself and the hotel partly to make them do the work (since we pay for the service) and partly because I can't make international phone calls with my work phone.  So they kept saying that I did in fact stay there since they had a room number associated with my stay... which is true because I did check into two different rooms before saying fuck this hotel and their running water in the bathrooms.  So they asked me to send an email with all my details to the hotel and the manager will review and get back to me.  No word after a few days since I sent the email, so the agency got back in touch with the hotel.  They said they received the email but the manger hasn't been back in to give me the refund.  What a shit experience.  It's becoming a huge waste of time, but I guess the positive is I'm not stuck on the phone with them for hours.

[Podaar]

We're going to be in Monte Carlo for two days this year during the Grand Prix, and are trying to decide if we want to watch the qualifying rounds on Friday. Has anyone from the forum been? Is it worth the (nearly) thousand dollars to hang out in the grandstands all day? Thoughts?

[Nekov]

We're going to be in Monte Carlo for two days this year during the Grand Prix, and are trying to decide if we want to watch the qualifying rounds on Friday. Has anyone from the forum been? Is it worth the (nearly) thousand dollars to hang out in the grandstands all day? Thoughts?

I don't think it's worth it to be honest. Saturday and Sunday are the fun ones.

[Podaar]

Thanks for the input, Nekov. I can see your point, but we went ahead a booked it anyway. Figured it's likely we won't be back that way ever and it might be kinda fun way to spend the day. Hopefully, we'll be able to walk around town a bit if we get bored.

[Phoenix87x]

Random question:

Has anyone flown domestically in the US recently? And if so, do you have to show proof of vaccination?

I'm am, but would rather leave the card safely at home if I don't need to bring it.

[cramx3]

Random question:

Has anyone flown domestically in the US recently? And if so, do you have to show proof of vaccination?

I'm am, but would rather leave the card safely at home if I don't need to bring it.

There are no proof of vaccination requirements for domestic travel within the US.  Check your airline to be sure though, maybe it's different, but I've flown a bunch since the pandemic began and only needed to show proof when entering another country (or returning to the US) but never within the US.

As for traveling, heading to Las Vegas Friday morning  so excited, first "real" vacation in awhile.

[pg1067]

Random question:

Has anyone flown domestically in the US recently? And if so, do you have to show proof of vaccination?

I last flew last June.  My wife flew within the last couple weeks.  Neither time was any vaccination-related info required.  In fact, the only vaccination/testing requirement I've heard of was for Hawaii.  My boss was supposed to go to Hawaii sometime in fall 2020.  He had to have a negative test result within X days before the flight, but he didn't get his results in time, so he missed his flight.  He did the same trip the following year around the same time, and the requirement was still in place (even though he is vaxed).

Do a google search for "[name of state] travel vaccination or testing requirement" and you'll get what you need.

[lordxizor]

I'm heading to Ireland for a week in early April for work and will have a couple days for sightseeing. Any must see or do things that anyone would recommend? I think I'll be flying into and out of Dublin and the work related stuff will be in Galway.

[El Barto]

Random question:

Has anyone flown domestically in the US recently? And if so, do you have to show proof of vaccination?

I'm am, but would rather leave the card safely at home if I don't need to bring it.

Depending on where you go you might want to tote it along anyway. If nothing else be sure and have a picture of it on your phone.

[Nick]

We managed to do two road trips during the pandemic, first in fall of 2019 to Salem/several points in Massachusetts, and then post-vaccine we did a tour to see some sights and friends through Virginia, Western PA, and New York.

Now on the seemingly immediate horizon are the first two "back to normal" trips. Flying down to Florida for RoSfest in a few weeks, and then not long after getting back from that is the big one. Fly to Nashville, have a day and a half there leading into MorseFest just North of that, which then leads to Cruise to the Edge. If all goes well then I will get off the ship Saturday morning, fly home, and catch Thank You Scientist in Harrisburg that night. Then Sunday, if I feel up to it, will be John 5 near home. Then that coming Tuesday is Haken/Symphony X. After so much time at home that stretch is going to be... something. 

[Nekov]

I arrived at Barcelona a week ago and have been working on getting used to the city and looking for furniture and home appliances for the new appartment. My brother is unemployed at the time so he has been spending a lot of time with me which is helping me quite a bit.
I'm also looking for a job but that will take some time since I haven't finished my paperwork yet. But I'm enjoying the unemployed life to be honest. I tried to get my wife to support us both but she was not very keen on the idea 

[El Barto]

Question for the LA peeps: Is there any way that parking isn't a nightmare for a big show at Staples and a bigger show at the Coliseum? I recall from the super bowl thread that it was going to be godawful. Any way to make it less so?

[cramx3]

Question for the LA peeps: Is there any way that parking isn't a nightmare for a big show at Staples and a bigger show at the Coliseum? I recall from the super bowl thread that it was going to be godawful. Any way to make it less so?

Anguyen usually talks about the parking situation for LA concerts in the concerts thread, I'd bet he would be able to answer your questions.  I drove to Staples once for an event and I was able to find parking a a garage nearby that wasn't an issue.  Traffic getting to the venue was a PITA though.

[El Barto]

Question for the LA peeps: Is there any way that parking isn't a nightmare for a big show at Staples and a bigger show at the Coliseum? I recall from the super bowl thread that it was going to be godawful. Any way to make it less so?

Anguyen usually talks about the parking situation for LA concerts in the concerts thread, I'd bet he would be able to answer your questions.  I drove to Staples once for an event and I was able to find parking a a garage nearby that wasn't an issue.  Traffic getting to the venue was a PITA though.

We talkin twenty bucks or 50 bucks? Trying to budget for this.

[cramx3]

Question for the LA peeps: Is there any way that parking isn't a nightmare for a big show at Staples and a bigger show at the Coliseum? I recall from the super bowl thread that it was going to be godawful. Any way to make it less so?

Anguyen usually talks about the parking situation for LA concerts in the concerts thread, I'd bet he would be able to answer your questions.  I drove to Staples once for an event and I was able to find parking a a garage nearby that wasn't an issue.  Traffic getting to the venue was a PITA though.

We talkin twenty bucks or 50 bucks? Trying to budget for this.

I don't remember but thinking it was less than or around 20 back then, maybe 4 years ago. I don't think I would have paid 50, at that point just uber. I was coming from work only like 10 miles away. 

[pg1067]

Question for the LA peeps: Is there any way that parking isn't a nightmare for a big show at Staples and a bigger show at the Coliseum? I recall from the super bowl thread that it was going to be godawful. Any way to make it less so?

The Super Bowl was in Inglewood.  I haven't been anywhere near SoFi since it was built, but it was built on property that made overflow parking at the neighboring Foum easy.  Thus, unless they built a bunch of nearby parking, I imagine it's an expensive nightmare.

The Arena formerly known as Staples Center is in downtown.  Parking has never been a problem.  In my opinion, the best lot that won't cost more than $20 (unless it's the NBA Finals or something like that) is at 888 S. Figueroa, which is less than a half mile walk north of Staples (and has the added benefit of having both a Denny's and a Fatburger in the building).  The other option is to park at Union Station and take the Metro.  I believe parking at Union Station is free, and the Metro will cost less than any parking lot.

I haven't been to anything at or near the Coliseum in a LONG time.  It's downtown adjacent, two miles south of Staples.  Parking always used to be AWFUL (I once parked in someone's backyard), and I would absolutely take the Metro.

[Anguyen92]

Question for the LA peeps: Is there any way that parking isn't a nightmare for a big show at Staples and a bigger show at the Coliseum? I recall from the super bowl thread that it was going to be godawful. Any way to make it less so?

Well, for me, I have connections where I get validated parking at the lots near the Crypt House and LA Live, so that hasn't been as big as an issue for me in comparison to other places (like parking near the Forum and SoFi Stadium).  As for going to shows at the Coliseum or Banc of California Stadium, I would go with what PG said.  I don't know what it was like to park at the lot near the Fatburger and Denny's, but if you have the time to spend, it's probably more cost-efficient to take the Metro and head south there.  I did that for the Iron Maiden show in 2019.  Didn't take the Metro on the way back since for some odd reason, I had massive cramps as I got to my seat and couldn't stand at all during the show and had to resort to taking a Lyft (walking from the nearby station to the USC area was a pretty lengthy walk).

[El Barto]

Thanks for the info, guys. 

[axeman90210]

I'm hitting Austin for a long weekend next weekend. Had to use a flight credit from March 2020 before the end of this month and Leprous and DT are both playing Austin within a 3 day span. I'll fly in Saturday afternoon, catch Leprous Saturday night, spend Sunday and Monday eating meat and drinking beer, Monday night is the DT show, and then fly home on Tuesday.

[cramx3]

I'm hitting Austin for a long weekend next weekend. Had to use a flight credit from March 2020 before the end of this month and Leprous and DT are both playing Austin within a 3 day span. I'll fly in Saturday afternoon, catch Leprous Saturday night, spend Sunday and Monday eating meat and drinking beer, Monday night is the DT show, and then fly home on Tuesday.

Funny how in your home state DT/Leprous also played within a 3 night span    I can't imagine there being less people at Leprous than there were in Asbury Park though, felt like a private show.

[El Barto]

I'm hitting Austin for a long weekend next weekend. Had to use a flight credit from March 2020 before the end of this month and Leprous and DT are both playing Austin within a 3 day span. I'll fly in Saturday afternoon, catch Leprous Saturday night, spend Sunday and Monday eating meat and drinking beer, Monday night is the DT show, and then fly home on Tuesday.

You should take the time to drive out to Taylor, Tx to hit up Louie Meuller's. I think it's about a half hour, and most of it is rural Texas which is an interesting thing. Quite different from the rural parts up in your neck of the woods. As far as Hill Country BBQ goes, it's been a top 3 place for over 50 years, and deservedly so.

[pg1067]

I'm hitting Austin for a long weekend next weekend. Had to use a flight credit from March 2020 before the end of this month and Leprous and DT are both playing Austin within a 3 day span. I'll fly in Saturday afternoon, catch Leprous Saturday night, spend Sunday and Monday eating meat and drinking beer, Monday night is the DT show, and then fly home on Tuesday.

You should take the time to drive out to Taylor, Tx to hit up Louie Meuller's. I think it's about a half hour, and most of it is rural Texas which is an interesting thing. Quite different from the rural parts up in your neck of the woods. As far as Hill Country BBQ goes, it's been a top 3 place for over 50 years, and deservedly so.

And, if you happen to be a Friends fan, there's another reason to visit Taylor, TX:  https://www.google.com/maps/place/Yemen+Rd,+Taylor,+TX+76574/@30.5896906,-97.4401429,17.25z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x8644ddfe5076ef75:0x94d9ff7e03b58c85!8m2!3d30.5897009!4d-97.4418167?hl=en