Getting ready for a two week tour overseas.

[bassicmelodies]

Wow, thanks so much for all of the responses. I will definitely try to keep a record of all that happens. We've sold out our two shows at Ronnie Scott's in London. It'll be interesting to see what the turn out is like I. The other cities. Thanks again for all the effort to smooth this out for a newbie!

 

[Bassamatic]

These are all great advice. For security of your passport and money - I would get either a neck pouch that hangs around your neck on a string under your clothes or one that goes on your waist under your clothes. Pickpockets are rampant in Europe. Just keep a few $$ in your front pocket and NOTHING in the back. Really. They are available online and at travel and luggage shops, etc. ricksteves.com is a great travel resource.

You can use converter plugs ONLY if your gear is dual(120/240) or multi-voltage (usually marked 100-240). If your amp is not dual or multi-voltage you will probably need to arrange to get one there - it is not easy to find voltage converter transformers for that amount of current. Check with your tour arranger.

Some melatonin from the drug or health food store will help you sleep at night.

When you talk to people - try to NOT use any slang terms. They will probably not be understood, and may be mis-understood.

Have a great time - this will be a marvelous experience. Try all types of local foods - get out of your comfort zone.

 

[interp]

Always keep an eye on your tickets, passport, and money. These can't be easily replaced. Everything else you have, generally speaking, can be easily replaced.

Always take your wallet onstage with you!

Be prepared for the possibility of having to check your bass on the airplane, instead of carrying on.

Actually, a U.S. passport can be easily replaced in any city that has a U.S. embassy or consulate. Sometimes the same day. Out in the sticks you may be out of luck.

 

[Leo Smith]

Actually, a U.S. passport can be easily replaced in any city that has a U.S. embassy or consulate. Sometimes the same day. Out in the sticks you may be out of luck.

Of course, but you'd have to find the embassy / consulate and get there first. They aren't in every major city. At best, there are two in each country (Germany amazingly has four). And then you have to fill out all the paper work, have proof of citizenship, get the police report, have new photos, and.... and.... and....

The point is - don't loose that stuff to begin with! I lived and travelled over there for a few years. Something happened to one or another band members on every single trip. It was always a problem.

 

[interp]

Of course, but you'd have to find the embassy / consulate and get there first. They aren't in every major city. At best, there are two in each country (Germany amazingly has four). And then you have to fill out all the paper work, have proof of citizenship, get the police report, have new photos, and.... and.... and....

The point is - don't loose that stuff to begin with! I lived and travelled over there for a few years. Something happened to one or another band members on every single trip. It was always a problem.

Of course you're right, Leo. The best thing is not to lose any important documents--one way or another it's always a hassle. In over 40 years of traveling/living abroad I've never lost a passport. I used to escort American tourists around the Soviet Union; the practice in those days was for the escort (me) to carry the passports and visas for the entire group (15-16 people) while moving between cities. I was so terrified of losing one that I got in the habit of watching over them VERY carefully ALL the time.

That said, it's a good idea to have at least one photocopy of your passport/visa and leave the actual document in the hotel safe when moving about a city.

 

[AndyPanda]

Some melatonin from the drug or health food store will help you sleep at night.

+1 Melatonin is fantastic for helping you get your sleep cycle sorted when you are travelling.

 

[Slough Feg Bass]

yeah, as much as you are tempted to sleep in when you get there, try your best to stay awake the whole day so you can adjust.

Also, get a money belt thing for your passport & cash, and never take it off.

http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Hid...id=1412019840&sr=1-20&keywords=passport+pouch

And as far as language goes, a simple, "excuse me, do you speak english?" is all you need.
Most metropolitan areas will know some english, but if not, figure it out.

take a small digital camera and use that instead of your cell phone for pics.

get an electrical adapter, and make sure it has a USB port on it.

don't take too many clothes, just buy some clothes there, and bring them back with you! then you'll have some fancy threads upon your return.

make sure you have comfortable walking shoes.

 

[Slough Feg Bass]

oh, and if you are leaving your partner/wife/girlfriend/boyfriend for the trip, then contact your local florist to deliver some flowers a couple days after you leave. make sure you include a nice card.
They will appreciate it.

Call your cell phone company to see if you can get a temporary international calling plan for talk text & data.
if not, then just get a SIM card at the airport with some minutes preloaded.

carry a paper map of europe so you can pinpoint where you are. google maps doesn't always work, and it's nice to have a map.

 

[jking138]

Some good advise here. Which countries are you visiting?
DrayMiles made some excellent points in the first few posts for a personal level. Europeans (I'm not including the UK so much here) are generally curious about the USA and love to talk about the country, music, society and politics as long as you don't play the gun toting, yehawww, we're better than you, shut up or we'll liberate the shag out of your country, American stereotype.
Hope you enjoy it and good luck.

 

[paulears]

Fags? Perfectly fine here, but only outside remember. No fags indoors, or in taxis. Bumming fags is very common here from people who smoke. Most people in Europe speak English, but in France, it's etiquette to at least try to speak French to them - they will immediately respond in English. In Germany, young people don't talk about WW2, but in Berlin, WW2 is very important to them, and the attitude there is different.

The UK and European airports are not as unfriendly as US ones - and US visitors get treated with respect, unlike when a European enters the states when the process is rigid and unpleasant.

Remember that we queue (wait in line) automatically. If a number of people converge, they automatically form a single line, and queue. Germans tend to not do this, and walk to the front which annoys the French and English. Everyone in Europe hate any American who follows the stereotype of always being right, re-writing history and being superior. We don't take this personally, but it's kind of normal, and it just takes a bit of lower-key-ness to blend in.

It's kind of thought to be a stereotype, but it's really just a cultural thing, and my American friends are fine - just a bit, er, loud. That doesn't go down well with strangers - so you just need to be aware that people may not respond like somebody in the US would.

EDIT to add - US Embassies - the most unpleasant and restrictive place I've ever been. Simply unpleasant. Trying to get a US work visa for a UK resident is like being in court faced with a murder charge. Oddly, US citizens simply stroll into the UK .........

 

[One Drop]

Wow, thanks so much for all of the responses. I will definitely try to keep a record of all that happens. We've sold out our two shows at Ronnie Scott's in London. It'll be interesting to see what the turn out is like I. The other cities. Thanks again for all the effort to smooth this out for a newbie!

Great gig! What nights will you be there? I'll be in London for work the beginning of the week.

 

[DrayMiles]

Ronnie's ain't that large a venue.. But, you'll love it.. The area has tons of good eating locals, check up the street for the Pizza express jazz club as a future venue. BUT BE CAREFUL in that area at night... For sightseeing, remember Abbey Rd. studios is basically in Kilburn, Kensal Rise area.. There was a bar called the Paradise bar owned by the Sax player on Baker Street, but It might be gone.. Oxford street is within walking distance and you HAVE to walk one block over to Denmark Street during the day. That's where the music stores are..

Good Luck Mate!

 

[bassicmelodies]

Again thanks so much for the input. We're in London currently. We're having a blast. Going from staying at a five star hotel to a 8 beds to a room hostel.

People are so appreciative and kind!
The second set from Ronnie Scott's is streaming on

Link Removed

There were interviews and recordings done today that will be on three BBC shows, Jive Petersons, Jamie Collum and BBC Music 6.

We're headed to Leeds, and Manchester. After that we're headed to Stockholm Sweden for the Jazz fest. Then off to Brussels. After that North Sea Jazz Club in Amsterdam.

I'm taking pictures, but I'm going to wait to upload those till I return.

Please check out the video above. The video and audio quality is great! Gaz and Charlie up at Ronnie did a fantastic job.

Thanks again for the input! Feeling blessed to have this community!

 

[Auguste]

yeah, as much as you are tempted to sleep in when you get there, try your best to stay awake the whole day so you can adjust.

Also, get a money belt thing for your passport & cash, and never take it off.

http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Hid...id=1412019840&sr=1-20&keywords=passport+pouch

And as far as language goes, a simple, "excuse me, do you speak english?" is all you need.
Most metropolitan areas will know some english, but if not, figure it out.

take a small digital camera and use that instead of your cell phone for pics.

get an electrical adapter, and make sure it has a USB port on it.

don't take too many clothes, just buy some clothes there, and bring them back with you! then you'll have some fancy threads upon your return.

make sure you have comfortable walking shoes.

What he says plus enjoy the people and cultures of the countries you visit

You are not un the USA . . . Respect their. Country and their customs

Enjoy and appreciate their cultures and the experience

Happy for you

 

[Auguste]

Again thanks so much for the input. We're in London currently. We're having a blast. Going from staying at a five star hotel to a 8 beds to a room hostel.

People are so appreciative and kind!
The second set from Ronnie Scott's is streaming on

Link Removed

There were interviews and recordings done today that will be on three BBC shows, Jive Petersons, Jamie Collum and BBC Music 6.

We're headed to Leeds, and Manchester. After that we're headed to Stockholm Sweden for the Jazz fest. Then off to Brussels. After that North Sea Jazz Club in Amsterdam.

I'm taking pictures, but I'm going to wait to upload those till I return.

Please check out the video above. The video and audio quality is great! Gaz and Charlie up at Ronnie did a fantastic job.

Thanks again for the input! Feeling blessed to have this community!

If you are able to experience all that and do it on someone else's coin . . . Happy for you !