Franconian Beer Message Board

OT: Driving
Posted by Mark Andersen on 2012-03-09 04:34:12
Going point by point: "You have your preference and I have mine." First off I don't know how many times on this thread of said that I actually prefer to travel by train most of the time. Therefore my preferences are really no different than yours. You seem to want to pigeon hole me so as to somehow prove a point regarding Americans. "Americans seem to always travel by car, even in Europe." Absolutely wrong. By far, most Americans when travelling Europe prefer to go on a tour (i.e. bus tour) or use public transport. I really don't know where you're getting this idea. Even most Americans on this forum mostly use public transport. It's this kind of pre-conceived generalizing that has got me wound up on this thread more than anything. All you have to do is read along various threads on travel websites to see that most Americans are actually a bit too afraid or concerned to rent a car in Europe. "Regarding your story above: first, let me explain that I grew up in a German house (my parents were both from Berlin), have lived for the past 14 years in Amsterdam and speak Dutch and German as well as what English I can still remember. But, having grown up as I did, I have a fair familiarity with German culture. " I've not once questioned your knowledge of Germany and it's culture. I thought your comment about "when in Rome, etc." a bit uncalled for and a bit condescending but maybe I'm a bit sensitive. "Since I know weeks before I leave that I will be traveling by bus and train, I pack accordingly: I bring a small backpack that will easily last me one or two weeks (yes, I do my own wash). " Sometimes I do the same. Do you want to know why I had a large suitcase with me this last trip? Because I wanted to bring home lots of beer souveniers on the plane and needed a large suitcase in order to do that. Personally I'd rather have backpack and do wash once or twice. On several occasions I've used the Waschsalon next to Spezial. However, bringing 10 bottles of beer home and other souveniers necessitated a suitcase. "When I book hotels, I write the hotels in German. I have never had a situation such as you described with a reservation at a closed hotel. Can I assume that you corresponded with them in English? " No you cannot assume this. I corresponded in German. Firstly I made the reservation online. I received and email confirm in German direct from the hotel. I asked a question back to them in German about whether the pub would be open that day (it was a Wednesday) that they responed affirmatively to. This was about 2-3 months in advance. My mistake was not checking back with them to confirm right before leaving. I didn't think it was necessary. They had a 1 day Urlaub sign posted when I got there. I drove to Rothenbach in Aufsess and managed to secure a room in German btw. My German is not good, I've got a lot to learn, but I do at least try. "And you will have to give up the notion that you can stay in one pub as long or short as you like because you can drive away whenever you want. " I thought I made it pretty clear that I don't ever use a car to go to a pub. I have used it to go point A to point B (i.e. hotel to hotel). "Let me offer you a challenge: for your next trip, give me a month or so advance notice and tell me which stops you'd like to make. I'll come up with a plan only involving train and bus (and taxis if necessary). If I can make this plan, the challenge is for you to follow it. Do you accept?" You're a piece of work Mike! Just full of assumptions. What makes you assume that I would need your help in planning travel routes? Just because on occasion I have chosen to rent a car doesn't mean I don't realize there are public transport options and can't figure them out. I've just decided that on occasion a car is more convenient. Is there some kind of badge of honor to not renting a car ever that I am not aware of? Okay but I won't be a curmudgeon. I'll take you up on your challenge. I'm most likely not visiting Germany this year but going to Scotland in October instead. If you can work out my public transportation through the highlands and even up into the Isle of Skye I'll be impressed. I'll make sure to give you at least a month notice.
 
Followups:
                                       OT: Driving by Mike B. on  2012-03-09 07:47:14
                                         OT: Driving by DonS on  2012-03-09 10:30:49
                                         OT: Driving by Mark Andersen on  2012-03-09 10:19:12
                                           OT: Driving by Mark Andersen on  2012-03-09 10:53:23
                                             OT: Driving by Uncle Jimbo on  2012-03-09 13:07:27
                                               OT: Driving by DonS on  2012-03-09 13:32:52
                                         OT: Driving by Nick B. on  2012-03-10 02:24:56
                                           OT: Driving by Mark Andersen on  2012-03-10 06:04:07
                                             OT: Driving by Mike B. on  2012-03-11 03:05:00
                                             OT: High Speed RE Munich-Bamberg by Nick B. on  2012-03-11 04:57:29
                                               OT: Driving by TreinJan on  2012-03-11 06:14:51
                                               OT: High Speed RE Munich-Bamberg by TreinJan on  2012-03-11 06:17:39
                                                 OT: High Speed RE Munich-Bamberg by Nick B. on  2012-03-11 08:23:15
                                                   OT: High Speed RE Munich-Bamberg by Nick B. on  2012-03-11 08:34:13
                                                     OT: High Speed RE Munich-Bamberg by TreinJan on  2012-03-11 09:53:30
                                                       OT: High Speed RE Munich-Bamberg by TreinJan on  2012-03-11 09:56:41