Still Kicking

Someday, I do hope to maintain this blog with regular updates. For now, however, I am spending time experimenting with putting advertising on my blog to see how all this works. Feel free to click on an ad or - ah hem - our wedding registry link. There are still some items on there!

So here is the brief update. Married life so far has been awesome. All that is left now is to improve my career path. Amazon has been an interesting ride so far but I don't see a clear path to upward mobility here or even an interesting job description in my future. Perhaps all my lobbying efforts will lead to something soon.

I'm MARRIED!

I realize there are only about 2 people in the world that ever read this blog, but in case you stumble upon it:

1) I am now an expert in planning weddings in the countryside of France. I can say that because my wedding was perfect! I couldn't have done much better if I had planned it for 4 years. So if you're looking for help planning a wedding where your friends all stay in a castle and you take your vows (in French) in a 12th century church, contact me!

2) I want to thank my new brother-in-law for his awesome post about our wedding. He has included a bunch of photos from friends: http://paulkroll.blogspot.com/2007/07/wedding-to-remember.html

3) Ignore my last post on transformers, etc. After all my research, the first thing I did was to melt my flat iron.

Bisous!

Adaptors vs Converters vs Transformers

I was doing some research on what converters / adaptors / transformers are needed for Europe. Note that most newer computers, cameras, phones, etc. are compatible with European voltage and don't need a converter (you'll only need the adaptor) so check your equipment before you leave. Adaptors are only $2-$3 vs. converters which are closer to $30. Hopefully I summarized this right.

There are two distinct types of appliances: Electric and Electronic.

Converters are for single volt Electric products with simple heating devices and/or universal motor products such as garment steamers, irons, curling irons, etc. These products are generally used for short periods of time. Step-down converters convert 220/250V foreign electricity down to 110/125V domestic electricity by cutting the number of volts flowing into the appliance in half. The wattage of the appliance being used determines which Travel Smart by Franzus converter should be used. Check your appliance’s rating label for the wattage.

• Adaptors change the prongs for both electric and electronic appliances so they fit into a European outlet.
• Converters are for single volt Electric products with simple heating devices and/or universal motor products such as garment steamers, irons, curling irons, etc. These products are generally used for short periods of time. Step-down converters convert 220/250V foreign electricity down to 110/125V domestic electricity by cutting the number of volts flowing into the appliance in half.
• Transformers are for single volt appliances with Electronic circuitry (computer chips or integrated circuits) such as computers, fax machines, answering machines, T.V.'s, power tools, cameras, phones, etc. Like converters, transformers can either step-down the voltage or step-up the voltage. Do not use a converter with these products.

After reading customer reviews for multiple converters, it sounds like if your appliance is marked 60 Hz, and not 50/60 Hz, you run the risk of burning up something inside regardless of whether or not you use a converter. Every single adaptor had a least one customer with a mishap.

The highest ranked kit on Amazon (although it only has 13 reviews) was the Samsonite Converter/Adaptor Plug Kit.

Using Your Cell Phone in Europe.

If you have a G3 phone and use ATT / Cingular or TMobile, you can use it in Europe. All you need to do is enable international roaming on your phone by calling your carrier customer service. It's not cheap, but it's not too expensive either. Prices will vary on your carrier, but if you use Cingular, here is the link to check if you have a G3 phone and the prices per call / text:

http://www.cingular.com/learn/international/roaming/international-roaming.jsp

Cingular Standard International Roaming in France is $1.29 per minute and $.50 per text message. My guess is that most other carriers are about the same.

If your phone is not G3, you can buy a new phone from your carrier or buy a phone from a Mobal (see my earlier posting).

Les balades aux flambeaux

Another activity for those of you who arrive early -- at night, they have walking tours by torch light in some of the nearby medieval towns. It's disney style walking tour with a tour guide in costume telling legends and stories from the middle ages. On Thursday night, there is a tour at 9PM in Limeuil.

If you can read French, there is more info here: http://www.perigord-patrimoine.com/anim_est.htm.

$279 to London

Great summer fares to London on sale now for only 3 days! Plus receive a complimentary British Airways London Eye Fast Track ticket with the purchase of a round-trip ticket on BA. If you wish to see London by land or water, exchange the bonus offer for either the Big Bus Sightseeing tour or the Thames Circular Cruise. It’s your choice. Hurry, sale ends April 26, 2007.

Sample one-way fares based on round-trip purchase excluding government fees and taxes. Travel valid May 28 - September 5, 2007:

New York JFK
from $279**

Newark
from $279**

Boston
from $299**

Philadelphia
from $299**

Washington-Dulles
from $309**

Miami
from $379**

Los Angeles
from $379**

San Francisco
from $379**

Link:
http://www.britishairways.com/travel/offerus103/public/en_us

Toulouse

Claudia had a great suggestion for those of you taking inter-european flights. She found that Toulouse had cheaper flights than Bordeaux AND one gets to see more of the French country side (3 hour drive from Toulouse, 1.5 hrs from Bordeaux).

If you're coming from Paris, you're probably better off flying into Bordeaux (58 Euros each way on Air France) or driving the 5.5 hours. From Germany, Spain or Portugal, however, I would check both.

Come Dancing!

I have to say, I was pretty surprised when Kevin turned to me last week and said, "do you want to take dance lessons for the wedding?" The surprise of course, is because Kevin is already such an excellent dancer (in his mind that is).

My next surprise were how many companies specialize in "Our First Dance." Every dance company out there has a wedding crash course. So yes, we're planning to blow you all away with a spectacular cha cha for our first dance. Any of you all who are in Seattle and would like to practice with us are more than welcome. I haven't enlisted a dance expert yet, but as soon as I do, I will let you know. How this whole thing will work with a long, flowing dress, I'm not sure, but I will figure it out. If you haven't caught on, I'm already developing my excuse why other couples may perhaps be a wee bit better than me at dancing at my wedding.

Oh yeah, I paid a good deal of money to actually rent a dance floor so you all had better bring your dancing shoes! My original plan was to buy everyone flip flops at Old Navy, but they might be a bit bulky to ship so be sure to stick some slaps in your purses or under a table for later. There will be no excuses!

Car Rental Companies in Bergerac

If you need to rent a car in Bergerac, this site lists all car rental companies in Bergerac and their phone numbers:

http://www.bergerac-tourisme.com/fr/adresses_pratiques.htm

Cars are expensive in France - especially if you need an automatic. I would recommend renting in groups of 4 or more if you can. (They have 7 and 9 passenger vehicles for rent as well.)

Mobal® World Phones?

Does anyone know anything about Mobal® World Phones? I think we should have at least a handful of phones so we can easily communicate once we are in Europe. I'm trying to figure out if it's better to buy or rent phones.

The Mobal phones are only $49 (covers phone and the SIM card) but the rates seem high for France:

Incoming calls $1.25/min
National calls $1.25/min
Calls to USA & Canada $1.50/min
Calls to other countries $2.95/min
SMS text messages $0.80/message

What Kevin Will Wear?

Honestly, I'm a bit undecided. Originally I was thinking a standard tux. But after dusting off my summer linens for the INCREDIBLE weather at Seth's Party last week - now I'm thinking that a light colored linen suit would leave me feeling cool, comfy and very European...

What is Susie and Kevin Formal

I've been asked a lot what people are going to be wearing. What are your colors? Should I wear a big hat? What is Kevin wearing? Is this event formal, semi-formal, "Susie and Kevin formal" or what?

So I decided to look at pictures of French weddings, starting with the website of the photographer I hired. Looks like most women are wearing nice sundresses -- often with a hat -- and the guys wear light colored suits or sport coats. Honestly, wear whatever you feel comfortable in although my mom frowns at flip flops.

And our wedding colors are Kiwi and Violet. Oooooh.

Air Tickets to... Bordeaux? Paris?

In the end, it may be best just to fly into Bordeau. Ryan Air into Bergerac is great if you're British, but coming from the US it means you probably have to spend a night in London and at a minimum, you'll have to transfer from Gatwick to Stansted airport (about 2 hours apart).

Flights to Paris are much cheaper, but then you have to pay $150 round trip for the train. And transfer all of your bags to a cab to get to the train station.

If you found a great deal (Tysen - didn't you find something from Seattle to Lisbon for $780?) or are motivated to link up with a few others to try to get a group rate, please post a comment!