As you may recall my last entry was written while stuck in Amsterdam. I did make it to Rome eventually. Myself and about twenty other people arrived at 4:30 Thursday and basically missed the first day in Rome. And in our group my luggage and one other person's made it to the hotel. Everyone else did get their luggage while we were in Rome.
My first full day in Rome consisted of attending the BMB performance in front of the Colosseum, going with a few of my friends to the Colosseum, having a little street vendor food, a nice meal near the hotel, and having my wallet stolen. The Colosseum on the inside was AMAZING! And the margharita pizza panini I got on the street was delicious. After the Colosseum we went to Piazza Navona where it was packed because it was a holiday. Somewhere in there I had my wallet stolen. I won't lie, I had a bit of a panic attack. But I do still have my passport, which Dr. Dickerson and everyone else assures me is more important. Fortunately my friends have chipped in money to make sure I get fed and what not. Their generosity has been truly overwhelming.
The next day we went to the Vatican. We did a tour that was a few hours inside the Vatican museums, St. Peter's Basilica, and St. Peter's Square. Even if you're an agnostic like me you can't help but be overwhelmed by the sheer scope and artistry of the place. I did sprinkle myself with holy water and amazingly did not catch fire. My luck has turned around a little since then. Coincidence? Not sure. After that I did the walking tour with our guide to Castle St. Angelo and then went with a few other people to the Pantheon since I missed it the first day. It is one of the most amazing buildings I have ever seen as far as art and architecture. We ended the day at the circus maximus where they used to hold the chariot races.
Yesterday we drove six hours to Genoa to board the boat. You're supposed to link your Costa room card with a credit card. I don't have a credit card because it was in my wallet. Fortunately my friend Matt generously offered to put me on his so I can purchase things when I must (including WiFi so I can write this blog entry). Well that's about it for now. I hope to be writing more about the adventure soon.
The BMB Goes On A Cruise 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Getting There Is Half The Fun
I hope right now everyone else in our group who has made it to Rome is thoroughly enjoying themselves. Sadly, I am in the flight group that is still stuck in Amsterdam. Let me give you a little recap. On January 4th my flight group left Minneapolis around 11:40. Then we had to go to Amsterdam via Detroit. A not so funny thing happened on the way to Amsterdam. Our flight was delayed for about an hour and fifteen minutes by... MAINTENANCE! Yes, instead of maybe putting us on a working plane our airline in its infinite wisdom decided to make us sit there forever and a day before finally telling us what was going on. So we eventually got to Amsterdam, but we ended up missing our flight because our previous connection got in late. Then we ended up re-booking for a flight to Rome that was supposed to leave at 12:30. I say WAS supposed to because now it's been delayed until 2:10. To show you how nerdy I am I will quote Battlestar Galactica: Frak This! I hope soon to be writing about the beauty and wonders of Rome, one of my favorite cities. For now I will write about misadventures in travel. The bad news is that I'm not in Rome yet. The good news is that I'm getting really good at playing Angry Birds on my iPhone. I have no doubt though that by the end of this trip we will have had such a great time that we'll look back on this and laugh. For now, it's back to Angry Birds.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
The Last Two Days
There is only two days left before we all begin the journey to Rome, Italy. There is definitely plenty to be thinking about over the next 48 hours. From packing, money, printing off boarding passes; not a whole lot of time for all this. I'm going to make a list of things to think about. Feel free to leave comments if you have your own recommendations.
Packing:
You can basically bring along three items - One checked suitcase, one carry-on, and one personal item. For the one checked suitcase you need to pack all the clothes for the trip, any toiletries, uniform (if in band), etc... stuff you won't need until you get to Rome and into the Hotel. The checked suitcase needs to also weigh AT or UNDER 50 lbs. otherwise it will cost you extra. Personally I am going to be packing a bunch of t-shirts, a couples pairs of jeans, 3 pairs of shoes (one is my marching shoe), and my toiletries. I will probably roll much of these items before I leave just to see how well all of this packs into the suitcase. I am hoping to buy some souvenirs while I am overseas, so I do not want to over-pack. For my one carry-on this should be like a backpack or a small duffel bag. This must be a specific size - it cannot exceed 45 linear inches in combined length, width, and height and must fit inside the carry-on baggage check. I am bringing my backpack which will have have my laptop, my mp3 player, headphones, and some books. Lastly there is the one personal item, which must be able to fit under the seat. The personal item is usually a purse or very small laptop bag. For those of you who are in the band, this would also be like a piccolo or a clarinet.
Money:
If we are talking about how much cash to bring, then that should be minimal. Dollars = $ would really only be needed/ used in the U.S. airports. Euros = € can be retrieved when you get to Rome. You shouldn't need to get this ahead of time. There are ATM's in the airports and all over the city of Rome (just like in U.S. cities). That's where you should pull out money. Now this means you will probably be using your credit or debt card while overseas. You must, must, must call your bank or credit card company before you leave. They need to know when you will be travelling, for how long, and where. This will not only help them prevent fraud, but it will also help make sure you are not unable to use your different card(s).
Flight Seats:
With your confirmation number in hand, you can pick out where you want to sit on your flights. Simply use your confirmation number and go to either Delta, United, or US. Airways website. From there you can pick your seats for your flight there and back.
Cruise Extras:
Costa lets you customize your cruise experience, but it's going to cost you. From excursions, fruit baskets, all-inclusive drink deals, etc... You can do a lot from the costa cruise website. I decided to do an extra excursion paid for through Costa, and that is the only customization I am going with. I will be doing the Ephesus excursion in Izmir, Turkey.
Items Checklist:
It is important to think about different things you will definitely need for this trip. It is good to make a list for yourself before you leave. Mine is the one below...
Packing:
You can basically bring along three items - One checked suitcase, one carry-on, and one personal item. For the one checked suitcase you need to pack all the clothes for the trip, any toiletries, uniform (if in band), etc... stuff you won't need until you get to Rome and into the Hotel. The checked suitcase needs to also weigh AT or UNDER 50 lbs. otherwise it will cost you extra. Personally I am going to be packing a bunch of t-shirts, a couples pairs of jeans, 3 pairs of shoes (one is my marching shoe), and my toiletries. I will probably roll much of these items before I leave just to see how well all of this packs into the suitcase. I am hoping to buy some souvenirs while I am overseas, so I do not want to over-pack. For my one carry-on this should be like a backpack or a small duffel bag. This must be a specific size - it cannot exceed 45 linear inches in combined length, width, and height and must fit inside the carry-on baggage check. I am bringing my backpack which will have have my laptop, my mp3 player, headphones, and some books. Lastly there is the one personal item, which must be able to fit under the seat. The personal item is usually a purse or very small laptop bag. For those of you who are in the band, this would also be like a piccolo or a clarinet.
Money:
If we are talking about how much cash to bring, then that should be minimal. Dollars = $ would really only be needed/ used in the U.S. airports. Euros = € can be retrieved when you get to Rome. You shouldn't need to get this ahead of time. There are ATM's in the airports and all over the city of Rome (just like in U.S. cities). That's where you should pull out money. Now this means you will probably be using your credit or debt card while overseas. You must, must, must call your bank or credit card company before you leave. They need to know when you will be travelling, for how long, and where. This will not only help them prevent fraud, but it will also help make sure you are not unable to use your different card(s).
Flight Seats:
With your confirmation number in hand, you can pick out where you want to sit on your flights. Simply use your confirmation number and go to either Delta, United, or US. Airways website. From there you can pick your seats for your flight there and back.
Cruise Extras:
Costa lets you customize your cruise experience, but it's going to cost you. From excursions, fruit baskets, all-inclusive drink deals, etc... You can do a lot from the costa cruise website. I decided to do an extra excursion paid for through Costa, and that is the only customization I am going with. I will be doing the Ephesus excursion in Izmir, Turkey.
Items Checklist:
It is important to think about different things you will definitely need for this trip. It is good to make a list for yourself before you leave. Mine is the one below...
- Passport (Make a photocopy of this and leave it in your suitcase)
- Driver's license
- Costa Boarding pass
- Credit/Debt card
- One suitcase - casual clothes, dress clothes, BMB uniform, toiletries, dress shoes (wearing tennis shoes to airport),
- One Carry-on - My backpack cleared out of any sharp objects or things I will not need on this trip. It will have a couple books, headphones, mp3 player, laptop, laptop cord, ear plugs, Advil, GUM, Camera, memory cards, batteries,
- Airplane ticket (I will be boarding not with the group, so I won't be doing the group check-in at Minneapolis)
- Victor the Velociraptor - to take pictures with for my dear friend Holly Dow
What kind of things are on your checklist? I am probably missing something... leave comments below!
Monday, December 26, 2011
So in 8 days the BMB will start their Journey
The Blugold Marching Band will be going on a Cruise of the Mediterranean during January of 2012.
This blog has been made so everyone involved can post about their experiences and maybe even some pictures! This blog will also give those people not going on the trip a chance to see what the BMB is up to while on this trip.
Let's begin with the Itinerary.
The Itinerary:
Tuesday January 3 BMB Meets in Eau Claire
9:00am - 12:00pm Concert Band rehearsal
1:00pm - 4:00pm BMB rehearsal
4:00pm Final instructions and dismissal
Wednesday January 4 Fly from Minneapolis to Rome, Italy
All flights leave MSP between 10:05am and 1:50pm
Thursday January 5 Arrive in Rome, Italy
All flights arrive in Rome between 7:10 and 9:15am Motorcoach from Fiumicino airport to Rome city center. Panoramic tour of Rome. Check into Hotel Universo. Free afternoon and evening in Rome. Our hotel is within easy walking distance of the Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. There is also a Metro station about a block away if you choose to go to the Vatican or other, more distant areas. You are free this evening to explore central Rome on your own. There will be guided tours of the main attractions on Jan 6 and 7.
Friday January 6 Tours and Free Time
Morning tours of Colosseum, Forum, etc. Free afternoon and evening
Saturday January 7 Tours and Free Time
Morning tours of St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel Afternoon performance to be arranged Free evening for you to wrap up your visit to Rome.
Sunday January 8 Transfer to Genoa, Italy and Board Ship
Check out of hotel. This will be an early morning.
Motor-coach from Rome to Genoa (approximately 5 hours not including a stop.)
Arrive at Port Savona (Genoa)
Check in and board Costa Serena
3:30pm Full group meeting in Luna Lounge
Monday January 9 Day at Sea
1:00pm Concert Band Performance
5:00pm Marching Band Performance
Tuesday January 10 Free Afternoon in Katakolon, Olympia, Greece
(1:00pm - 6:00pm)
Explore Katakolon/Olympia on your own. Katakolon is the gateway to Olympia, where the ancient Greeks flocked every four years for more than a millennium to celebrate the sacred games dedicated to Zeus. Visit the ruins of the Sanctuary, with its athletic quadrangles, stadium,temples and treasuries; then browse in the modern Archaeological Museum, a treasure house of Archaic, Classical and Roman sculptures, including the famous Niki Winged Victory.
Wednesday January 11 Day at Sea
1:00pm Concert Band Performance
5:00pm Marching Band Performance
Thursday January 12 Tour of Jerusalem, Israel
(9:00am - 9:00pm)
All of your tour accomodations today will be handled by BMB.
Guided Tour of Jerusalem
Return to ship.
Friday January 13 Free Day in Haifa, Israel
(9:00am - 9:00pm)
Explore Haifa on your own. Israel’s third largest city and one of its prettiest, Haifa has a lot to offer visitors. It has the country’s largest port, a particularly active beach and is the home of the World Center of the Bahai Faith. Surrounded by abundant nature sites, the city contains an interesting mix of modern neighborhoods and older districts; churches and mosques; mountain and sea.
Optional excursion possibilities from Haifa:
Nazareth (Costa excursion or taxi)***
Sea of Galilee (Costa excursion or taxi)***
***= Recommended as good possibilities by Dr. Dickerson
Saturday January 14 Day at Sea
1:00pm Concert Band Performance
5:00pm Marching Band Performance
Sunday January 15 Free Day in Izmir, Turkey
(8:00am - 6:00pm)
Explore Izmir on your own. Izmir has almost 3,500 years of recorded urban history (see Timeline of Izmir) and possibly even longer as an advanced human settlement. Lying on an advantageous location at the head of a gulf running down in a deep indentation midway on the western Anatolian coast, the city has been one of the principal mercantile cities of the Mediterranean Sea for much of its history.
Optional excursion possibilities from Izmir:
Ephesus (Costa excursion)***
House of Virgin Mary (Costa excursion)***
Pergamo (Costa excursion)
***= Recommended as good possibilities by Dr. Dickerson
Monday January 16 Free Day in Athens, Greece
(8:00am - 5:00pm)
Explore Athens on your own.
The oldest known human presence in Athens is the Cave of Schist which has been dated to between the 11th and 7th millennium BC. Athens has been continuously inhabited for at least 7000 years. By 1400 BC the settlement had become an important centre of the Mycenaean civilization and the Acropolis was the site of a major Mycenaean fortress whose remains can be recognised from sections of the characteristic Cyclopean walls. Unlike other Mycenaean centers, such as Mycenae and Pylos, it is not known whether Athens suffered destruction in about 1200 BC, an event often attributed to a Dorian invasion, and the Athenians always maintained that they were "pure" Ionians with no Dorian element. However, Athens, like many other Bronze Age settlements, went into economic decline for around 150 years following this. The following optional excursions are recommended ONLY if you have already visited all the major sites in Athens.
Optional excursion possibilities from Athens:
Ancient Corinth
Cape Sounio and Temple of Poseidon
Tuesday January 17 Day at Sea
Last day to enjoy the Costa Serena.
Wednesday January 18 Arrive in Rome (Civitivecchia), Depart for MSP
(8:00am)
Arrive at Port Civitivecchia Disembark very quickly and load buses.
Transfer to FCO Depart for MSP.
All flights leave FCO between 10:20 and 1:05 am.
Those with early flights must hurry off the ship and onto the bus. We have not yet established the bus schedule for the trip from MSP to Eau Claire.
Let's begin with the Itinerary.
The Itinerary:
Tuesday January 3 BMB Meets in Eau Claire
9:00am - 12:00pm Concert Band rehearsal
1:00pm - 4:00pm BMB rehearsal
4:00pm Final instructions and dismissal
Wednesday January 4 Fly from Minneapolis to Rome, Italy
All flights leave MSP between 10:05am and 1:50pm
Thursday January 5 Arrive in Rome, Italy
All flights arrive in Rome between 7:10 and 9:15am Motorcoach from Fiumicino airport to Rome city center. Panoramic tour of Rome. Check into Hotel Universo. Free afternoon and evening in Rome. Our hotel is within easy walking distance of the Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. There is also a Metro station about a block away if you choose to go to the Vatican or other, more distant areas. You are free this evening to explore central Rome on your own. There will be guided tours of the main attractions on Jan 6 and 7.
Friday January 6 Tours and Free Time
Morning tours of Colosseum, Forum, etc. Free afternoon and evening
Saturday January 7 Tours and Free Time
Morning tours of St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel Afternoon performance to be arranged Free evening for you to wrap up your visit to Rome.
Sunday January 8 Transfer to Genoa, Italy and Board Ship
Check out of hotel. This will be an early morning.
Motor-coach from Rome to Genoa (approximately 5 hours not including a stop.)
Arrive at Port Savona (Genoa)
Check in and board Costa Serena
3:30pm Full group meeting in Luna Lounge
Monday January 9 Day at Sea
1:00pm Concert Band Performance
5:00pm Marching Band Performance
Tuesday January 10 Free Afternoon in Katakolon, Olympia, Greece
(1:00pm - 6:00pm)
Explore Katakolon/Olympia on your own. Katakolon is the gateway to Olympia, where the ancient Greeks flocked every four years for more than a millennium to celebrate the sacred games dedicated to Zeus. Visit the ruins of the Sanctuary, with its athletic quadrangles, stadium,temples and treasuries; then browse in the modern Archaeological Museum, a treasure house of Archaic, Classical and Roman sculptures, including the famous Niki Winged Victory.
Wednesday January 11 Day at Sea
1:00pm Concert Band Performance
5:00pm Marching Band Performance
Thursday January 12 Tour of Jerusalem, Israel
(9:00am - 9:00pm)
All of your tour accomodations today will be handled by BMB.
Guided Tour of Jerusalem
Return to ship.
Friday January 13 Free Day in Haifa, Israel
(9:00am - 9:00pm)
Explore Haifa on your own. Israel’s third largest city and one of its prettiest, Haifa has a lot to offer visitors. It has the country’s largest port, a particularly active beach and is the home of the World Center of the Bahai Faith. Surrounded by abundant nature sites, the city contains an interesting mix of modern neighborhoods and older districts; churches and mosques; mountain and sea.
Optional excursion possibilities from Haifa:
Nazareth (Costa excursion or taxi)***
Sea of Galilee (Costa excursion or taxi)***
***= Recommended as good possibilities by Dr. Dickerson
Saturday January 14 Day at Sea
1:00pm Concert Band Performance
5:00pm Marching Band Performance
Sunday January 15 Free Day in Izmir, Turkey
(8:00am - 6:00pm)
Explore Izmir on your own. Izmir has almost 3,500 years of recorded urban history (see Timeline of Izmir) and possibly even longer as an advanced human settlement. Lying on an advantageous location at the head of a gulf running down in a deep indentation midway on the western Anatolian coast, the city has been one of the principal mercantile cities of the Mediterranean Sea for much of its history.
Optional excursion possibilities from Izmir:
Ephesus (Costa excursion)***
House of Virgin Mary (Costa excursion)***
Pergamo (Costa excursion)
***= Recommended as good possibilities by Dr. Dickerson
Monday January 16 Free Day in Athens, Greece
(8:00am - 5:00pm)
Explore Athens on your own.
The oldest known human presence in Athens is the Cave of Schist which has been dated to between the 11th and 7th millennium BC. Athens has been continuously inhabited for at least 7000 years. By 1400 BC the settlement had become an important centre of the Mycenaean civilization and the Acropolis was the site of a major Mycenaean fortress whose remains can be recognised from sections of the characteristic Cyclopean walls. Unlike other Mycenaean centers, such as Mycenae and Pylos, it is not known whether Athens suffered destruction in about 1200 BC, an event often attributed to a Dorian invasion, and the Athenians always maintained that they were "pure" Ionians with no Dorian element. However, Athens, like many other Bronze Age settlements, went into economic decline for around 150 years following this. The following optional excursions are recommended ONLY if you have already visited all the major sites in Athens.
Optional excursion possibilities from Athens:
Ancient Corinth
Cape Sounio and Temple of Poseidon
Tuesday January 17 Day at Sea
Last day to enjoy the Costa Serena.
Wednesday January 18 Arrive in Rome (Civitivecchia), Depart for MSP
(8:00am)
Arrive at Port Civitivecchia Disembark very quickly and load buses.
Transfer to FCO Depart for MSP.
All flights leave FCO between 10:20 and 1:05 am.
Those with early flights must hurry off the ship and onto the bus. We have not yet established the bus schedule for the trip from MSP to Eau Claire.
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