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How To Europe
The Complete
Travelers Handbook
by John Bermont
The best travel guide to all of Europe.
Europe on a Shoestring
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Note: Italicized notations by the author.
Wear a money belt under your shirt to protect your passport and valuables, especially if you are staying in hostels or dorms.
Victorinox Deluxe Concealed Security Belt
An RFID blocking wallet protects your passport and credit cards from identity theft in public places.
Travelon RFID Blocking Passport Case
This portable combo door stopper and alarm will give you additional security in your hotel room.
GE 50246 Smart Home
Door Stop Alarm
You will need one or more of these plug adapters for your appliances and chargers.
For details on electricity in Europe see chapter 11,
Electricity in Europe: Travel Voltage Fundamentals
Plug Adapter (doubler)
Universal to Continental Europe "Europlug."
4.0 mm prongs
SIMRAN PLUG ADAPTER
Adapts grounded USA plugs to European "Shucko" plug.
4.8 mm prongs
This is a universal plug adapter for the UK and Ireland.
Grounded Adaptor Plug for Britain and Ireland
The holes of many Italian outlets are too small for the Schucko plug. One of these will probably fit.
If you have the Europlug (above) you do not need this plug.
Italy Adapter Plug B
Ungrounded
4.0 mm prongs
Plug Adapter for Italy
Universal to Grounded 3 pin
To use this with American plugs you'll also need the USA to Continental Europe adapter.
Grounded Adapter
Europe to Switzerland
For charging the batteries of more than one gizmo at a time use this 250 volt universal
power strip. It comes with a grounded Continental plug.
Surge Protector
Power Strip
6 Universal Outlets
220/240 Volt 50/60Hz
To use the surge strip in Britain and Ireland you will need one of these plug adapters.
Grounded Adapter
Europe to
Britain and Ireland
To use the surge strip in Italy you will probably need this plug adapter.
Grounded Adapter
Europe to Italy
Here is a smaller power surge strip with three universal outlets. It is wired with an American grounded plug so it needs a plug adapter for the countries you are visiting.
SM-60 Universal 3 Outlet Power Strip / Surge Protector for Worldwide Travel. 110V-250V with Overload Protection.
Make sure that your electrical appliances are 110-220 dual voltage so they will work in Europe.
Note:
These appliances require a plug adapter(s), NOT a converter, for the countries you are visiting.
Vagabond Compact Styler
Conair's Dual-Voltage Ionic Hair Dryer
Conair Flat Iron 2" Ceramic Straightener
Dual Voltage
Conair TS63R MiniPro Ceramic Curling Iron
Dual Voltage
Travel Hair Setter
Dual Voltage
Remington H-1015
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Chapter 13
of
HOW TO EUROPE
The Complete Travelers Handbook
Internet edition. Without photos.
A page from
enjoy-europe.com
with
John Bermont
A sense of humor, prudence, and patience are attributes of a good traveler.
ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT
Guest Status
While you are in Europe, consider yourself an invited guest. You're not at home and you
won't find everything to your liking. Some things will be annoyances, mainly because of your lack
of information and understanding of local customs, things, and folklore. Their's isn't always wrong
and yours isn't always right — they're just different. That's part of the spice of traveling in Europe.
Beee Cooool
A short temper will discomfort only you, and may raise resentment in whoever or
whatever seems to be giving you a problem. At such moments, beaucoup more gremlins are often
hatched, temperatures rise, perspiration flows, international relations harden, and your good times
start turning rancid.
Take it easy. Laugh it off. It is far better to smile at adversity. If something is wrong, you
most likely did it to yourself by acting without enough data or forethought. Mistakes are a part of
your education. They should only cost you a little time and/or money.
Ears Are Open
The purpose of this book is to get you up on the learning curve for Europe and thus save
you some of these uncomfortable moments, and wasted time and money. Restrain yourself from
the temptation to criticize and ridicule. Instead, comment on how interesting or how unusual
something may appear. Your conversation could easily be overheard and understood by others
around you. Your choice of words may mean the difference between a scowl and a gracious
explanation.
NUISANCES
However, there are a few things which can tarnish your good times through no fault of
your own. The best defense is some extra care in avoiding these situations, or a quick escape
when you find yourself already involved.
Politics and Perceptions
Your patience may be tried on occasion by comments about America of a political nature. Younger
Europeans love to taunt us about American presidents, social problems, and foreign policy.
Two reasons for this criticism come to mind: one is the complete openness of American society in which
all the dirty linen is run up the flagpole, and the other is the Marxist domination
of European TV and radio broadcasting. Every American wrongdoing is exaggerated and every
virtue is suppressed.
It's been more than 20 years since the Iron Curtain came down revealing the treachery and idiocy of
communism. But true believers of Marx and Lenin still don't get it. The anti-American
disintelligentsia holds sway over public opinion in Europe.
Meanwhile on the other side of the world, the heirs of dictatorship in the mold of Stalin
and Hitler continue to rule with brutal force in Beijing. Ironically, five months before the
beginning of the end of European communism, the Chinese communists murdered thousands of
their own students who were holding a peaceful demonstration in the main square of their capital
city. Had the Soviet communists shot the Dresden demonstrators in 1989, as they had in Budapest
in 1956 and Prague in 1978, Europe and the world would be a whole different place right now.
The difference is beyond description.
Bad Capitalism, Good Communism
A few malcontents have fabricated a straw man which they love to kick around. The USA
is maligned around the world, and in Europe. The roots of contempt and envy of Americans may
be traceable to European educational systems. It is reported by some to include a far greater study
of America than of any other foreign country, with emphasis often placed on treatment of the
native American Indians and slavery. This is coupled with a group psychoanalysis of the supposed
conformist, naive, moneymaking, arrogant, and aggressive characteristics of the American people.
There is nothing we are not guilty of in the eyes of some people. They ignore the fact that no
country in history can match the American record of welcoming people from all parts of the planet
and providing the infrastructure to enable them to prosper beyond their dreams.
When someone tries to bait you into a political argument, just stand aside. Their mind is so
completely fixed that no amount of talk will change it.
As one amusing example, I know a photographer in Holland who claims to be a
communist. Yet he is practicing a trade for profit. He once asked for my advice about some
Kodak projectors. He wanted to buy two of the latest models. I asked him why he needed two
and he replied that he could then show his slides to customers more effectively and sell more
photographs. His plan was to invest in better equipment so that he could make more profit. This is
simply the essence of capitalism. He denied being a capitalist — he claimed to be a communist,
period.
INSULTS AND KISSES
Holland
My European life began in 1975 in the Netherlands. The Vietnam War and civil rights
abuses and demonstrations were fresh in everyone's mind. The young Dutch people whom I met
in cafés knew America by these events. I remember one girl who
told me in a very nasty tone "I don't like America." When I told her that I lived in California she
beamed from ear to ear and said "I like California!" It's the image that counts.
Meanwhile the older Dutch could not tell me often enough how they helped American
flyers escape to Britain during World War Two. Many American bombers crashed in Nazi
occupied Holland after being shot up during raids on German factories and military installations.
The Dutch underground smuggled the pilots and crews out of Holland. My landlord once told me
about two Americans whom they had hidden for a few weeks while they looked for a way to get
them out. The servicemen were getting cabin fever so my landlord decided to take them out to
dinner. While they were in the restaurant some German soldiers came in to eat. Fortunately none of the
Germans noticed the two men who were silently eating with their right hands. (Europeans eat with
the left hand.) Nazis were known to practice summary execution in Haarlem. That meal had
the possibility of being my landlord's last supper.
Britain
Envy and ignorance seem to surface where you would expect them the least. British ego is
a bore. Some British folks like to put Americans down by referring to us as the "colonists." Their
historians must take pride in the role that Britain had in the establishment of the United States.
Thomas Jefferson, then 33 years old, penned "A Declaration" on July 4, 1776 in which he and the
other 55 members of the Continental Congress accused the British king of "Despotism" and of
seeking "the Establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States." Such management of its
colonies must be the reason why Britain is a former colonial master. King George III was not too
amused with the Declaration of Mr. Jefferson and his colleagues. The despot king hired a
professional German army to help do his dirty work. Our George and his army whipped them so
we can celebrate Independence Day every year. Even the present "royals" believe that George III
was correct way back then so it's no surprise that some "commoners" have an attitude toward
Americans. Get over it, Brits.
France
Then there's France. Darn near everybody I talk with about France comes up with the
statement that the French are nasty to Americans. Very few of these people have actually been to
France, but they "heard this" from someone. WRONG! Go with an open attitude and you'll love
the country and the people. The French love Americans and deeply appreciate the services
of the United States Army in the two big wars of the last century. While in Paris during
Reagan's attack on Libya several French people, total strangers, told me how happy they were with that.
The main problem in France is the café waiters in Paris. They treat everybody just as bad
so don't take it personally. It's just that Americans are not used to insults instead of service.
French "diplomacy" is also a stick in the eye.
French like to protest. From farmers to students to air traffic controllers there seems to be
a strike a month. Fortunately these are usually one day strikes to get some attention. One day
"warning" strikes are used in other countries as well.
Germany
Germans are polite and certainly do like Americans, though there is a subcurrent of
discomfort because of WW I and WW II. I lived there and picked up some of this in my daily life.
You'll never notice this as a tourist. But a tiny minority
still think that they could have won the second round except for one thing or another, but not
blaming their idiot leader.
Eastern Countries
By the "eastern countries" I mean those that were under Communist Russia's domination for 45 years.
In the eastern countries, Americans are a special lot. This is really amazing because just a
few years ago we were all indoctrinated with the idea that the nuclear shoot-out between America
and Russia could come any day. I attended the Alliance Française in Paris for a few months
while Ronald Reagan was President. I loved to show the left wing students a
Hollywood photo of the President in a cowboy outfit wearing a pair of pistols — just to prove that we
were ready for those commies.
Well, the truth is that the easterners were treated so shabbily by the communist murderers
who ruled them that you just can't put it into words. Most of them look up to Americans in
the times they are going through, and welcome all of us. I am usually not too emotional but I
remember coming home from my first trip to the Ukraine in 1991. I broke down in tears over
the deplorable conditions to which those people had been subjected.
Patience is in order in the eastern countries. They tore down the statues of Marx and
Lenin in the early 1990s and jumped into a free economy. Unfortunately they nearly drowned in it.
Some countries went back to or stayed with a semblance of the old economic order, with a facade
of democracy. It is going to take some time, perhaps a couple of generations, for the eastern
countries to reach the standard of living and democracy existing in western Europe. This should
be expected. The early history of the United States was not on a fast track either. After those men
at Lexington fired the first shots against British law and order in April of 1775, the Declaration of
Independence was not signed until July of the following year. Then the Revolutionary War lasted
until the Treaty of Paris in 1781. George Washington did not become President until 1789 when
the United States adopted the Constitution. That was about 14 years of upheaval until the
Founding Fathers got their stuff together and made a nation. So, give the eastern countries a little
time to get reorganized. In fact, some are doing quite well already.
APPROPRIATE RESPONSE
There are not very many insulting fools over there who will blame you personally for all of
America's perceived sins. But if you bump into a mal-informed jerk, and if you're the kind who
can't back out of a tongue fight once the other side gets in a hit, give them the KO punch — just
mention that we won't be coming over for their next war. Their cemeteries already have enough young
Americans who died for Europe's freedom.
ANNOYANCES IN THE STREET
Dogs
One common nuisance may trip your patience. You have probably never before seen dogs
in hotels, restaurants, trains, and stores. Not until you have been to Europe, especially Amsterdam
and Paris.
The dogs don't know any better. Their inconsiderate owners let them crap anywhere — on
the sidewalks, in Metro stations, and several times on my doorstep. The authorities are posting
more signs to the effect that owners should curb their animals, but there is still plenty of poop
around. I sploshed in a fresh pattie on my last trip to Paris. Watch your step.
Public Drunks
Public drunkenness is common in Scandinavia, and can be seen now and again in other
northern European cities. Swedish boys are the worse. These characters often get foul and
verbally abusive, but can barely stand up so they are relatively harmless. If confronted by one or a
group, do like the locals. Totally ignore him or them. The slightest acknowledgment will only
bring you problems.
The streets of Paris have little "wine clubs" on a number of public benches, in the streets
and in the Metro stations. These homeless and hopeless men and women are usually laying next to
a half full bottle of wine, often with their colleagues and/or a German shepherd. Local citizens
steer clear, and there's no reason for you to stop for a chat.
Beggars and Thieves
Begging seems to be institutionalized in some cities. Dublin has more than they need, and
you are accosted often in the Mediterranean countries.
On crossing into Spain at Irun, I saw a sullen shabbily dressed young woman with a crying
infant awkwardly slung over her arm. The other arm was outstretched as she went begging
around the train station. It was a pathetic sight. Fifteen minutes later I was on the train and looked
out the window. There on the platform she was standing with the baby in a bright new stroller and was cheerily
waving good-bye to her friends on the train. So much for that act.
In Rome, I saw fathers training their children in the art of begging. In the Milan station, I
had to shake off one old woman four times. You do start to question your judgment at times, but
I noticed that this woman was avoiding the Italians and kept picking on me. Her judgment was
wrong. She didn't get a cent for her effort.
Many beggars are actually thieves. From my hotel window in Warsaw, I watched and
videoed a young Gypsy woman as she approached people on the street. She only went up to
people walking alone. Those who had a companion were not approached. Also, she would never
approach a single walker when there was someone walking behind. She was obviously up to no
good.
One of my favorite Sherlock Holmes stories is "The Man with the Twisted Lip." This will
give you an insight into the begging profession. How profitable it can be is illustrated by the story
from a newspaper reporter who stood on a street corner in New York in the 1960s for two
weeks. He made the equivalent of $14,000 per year, more than I was making as a young
engineer at the time, and his was tax free.
Street Hustlers
Athens has a lot of smooth talking hustlers working the Sindagma (a.k.a. Syntagma)
Square area. They approached me a half dozen times a day offering to help me find something or
another (I looked like an easy mark with a city map and a camera). Then they tried to get me into
a conversation and go to their bar "around the corner." It takes more than "I'm not interested" to
get rid of these insistent pests. Several times I had to resort to an abrupt "Get lost." After a few
days, I started telling them immediately when they approached "I don't want to go to your bar."
That usually worked, but sometimes I got the reply "What, you don't like our country?"
Amsterdam has more street hustlers than any city on the planet. I am approached at least
twice every time I walk from the train station to the Dam, a 10 minute walk. When you are
approached, don't smile, just laugh. If you do business with him he will be laughing. The old
racket was dope, hash and cocaine. Nowadays the street hustlers are not doing so well since
"coffie shop" businesses are legally selling mary jane all over town. At least one of the hustlers found a
new product — he asked me if I wanted to buy some viagra.
Smooth talking characters like these are always walking on the other side of the law.
If it wasn't a scam, they would be advertising on television. Don't let yourself
become the next victim.
NOTE TO READERS
I welcome questions and comments. If you have any concerns about your trip to
Europe that have not been covered well enough in this chapter do not hesitate to write and ask.
My email address is
johnbermont@enjoy-europe.com.
When you write please include as much detail as possible. There are about 50 countries in Europe.
It will help me answer if you mention the countries and/or cities you plan to visit.
I will reply in a day or two.
Don't forget to scroll through the Table of Contents below. The other 29 chapters of
HOW TO EUROPE
are also available, free to read on line. In addition, the Google search box below can locate specific subjects
in any chapter or page on site.
For a check-off punchlist of everything go to The Finale,
Packing List and Last Call:
For Travel In Europe.
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