.Org German Invasion 2003

[tberk@mindspring.com (T Berk)]

Josh Able wrote:
> 
> Here are some costs Dirk sent me
> 
> average hotel : 60-70 Euro/night/room
> average dinner ( restaurant ): 25 Euro / person
> fast-food : 10 Euro/meal & drinks
> 1 euro = 1 USD.
> 
> even if we spent every night in a hotel, with 2 people per room that would
> be about 1470$ (at 70$ per night/21 days), or 735$ per person.


There are a number of various ways to reduce costs on a trip like this,
esp based on a party vs single of a couple. Security is one of the main
reasons one would travel in a 'better' hotel, but if there are a few
folks to contend with then this opens up a number of lower cost
possibilities. Hostels and campground type situations (not on the raw
dirt, just not a 5 star hotel either) come to mind. [AM I the only one
watching Rick Steves on PBS?]

Consider too the recent lack of flying means folks in the tourist
industry, worldwide, are trying to not let on how they want to put food
on the table and travelers have been petering out. All this works in our
favor.

$1600 round-trip from SFO to West Coast of the Atlantic and back for my
Roc sounds like the biggest headache is taken care of. This is what
containers and train tracks were made for.

Hmmmm, gas @ $1.50 to $2.00 sounds like such a bargain these days.  I
suppose this is why we want to fight the Middle East.   ;])  


As far as importing a car there are these basic considerations to look
after, and this is without any yet research:

- Bumpers and side collision issues.

- Lights and signal retrofits to (crappy) DOT requirements.

- Smog & emission testing to pass local laws.

Window glass shouldn't be an issue but needs verifying, but on the
better side of things we in the US don't have the TUV to contend with.
Also the fact that all Sciroccos were built in Germany helps a great
deal.

Getting Sam to part with any of his charges is another matter.  8])

TBerk