Jeans and a Sweater

by | Jul 8, 2008 | Culture & Customs, Destinations

Maybe I need to modify my European wardrobe.  For years I’ve preached that guys wear solid shoes, khaki pants, and collared shirts.  They are easy to care for, blend in, don’t yell “American”, and are comfortable.  Now maybe I’m not so sure.  Fashion in Europe is a big deal and I’m beginning to notice changes.

This article is for the guys, but you ladies can take note too!  I bet if you look around in Paris or Rome you’ll see the same trends in your fashion as well.  I’m not Clinton and Stacy from “What Not to Wear”, but I do have a little fashion sense!

Siena – A couple of weeks ago….
Although it was dreadfully warm earlier, the afternoon rain ushered in a cool front across the hills of Tuscany.  Earlier, I had dined with my tour group and walked back to the hotel afterwards.  I went to my room, but found that I was restless and not really ready for bed.  I decided not to waste a night sleeping when I could be on Il Campo, the main town square.  Because it was chilly I changed into a pair of jeans, threw on a sweater, and headed out.

As I exited the hotel doorway and walked toward Il Campo, a car with a guy and a girl drove by.  Soon they realized they were in a pedestrian area and made a U-turn back towards me.  As they were driving by, the girl leaned out and asked, “How do you get to Il Campo?”  She spoke only in Italian and I was amazed that I understood it all.  Without thinking, I told them they could not drive to Il Campo, they must park here, outside the walls, and walk.  I said all this in Floridian-Italian and got the funniest look from the girl.  It was like she realized she was hearing the right answer, but it was from the wrong person.  After a couple of seconds we both laughed.  I said in English, “I’m a tourist” and she responded in English as well, “You don’t look like it.”  Then, off we went in opposite directions.

A few weeks before, I was in Florida leading a tour preparation and orientation meeting.  When the subject of packing and clothing came up, I gave my ususal spiel about how Europeans generally “dress up” more then we Americans.  You don’t see them in shorts or flipflops unless they are at the beach.  You’d never catch them in a “warm-up” suit unless they were in a sporting event, and most often they don’t wear jeans.  I was challenged on that last statement by someone who had been to Europe the previous year who said, “They wear jeans all the time!”  That got me to thinking…

So, now I’m making it a point to notice the fashion this season and see what changes I should make to my packing list.  I’ll keep you updated and give you a new list if needed.
-David

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It could never happen to me

by | Dec 20, 2007 | Uncategorized

David’s notes:  This was originally posted in July 2007. 

I always thought I was good at watching and protecting my stuff when traveling…but a few weeks ago I had a lot of stuff stolen from me.

It all started when I set my backpack on the front seat of my tour bus.  That normally is not a problem, but this day it was the wrong thing to do.  Soon I began helping people load their luggage and was busy with the hotel checkout for the group.  At some point (which no one in the group of 35 people can determine) someone walked onto my tour bus and grabbed my bag off the front seat.  I did not discover it was gone until we were ready to roll out of the parking lot.  Then it hit me that I’d been had…ughhh.  That was a terrible feeling and it took me over a week to get over it.

The only positive thing about this experience was that I was wearing my money belt (tucked safely under my pants) and all my cash, credit cards, and passport were still safe.

Theft is a real thing, keep a watchful-eye and don’t get to feeling so cocky and think it will never happen to you.

During the last six weeks there have been two other people who have lost money and credit cards due to theft.  Both events were in Rome. The first happened to a lady who, on her last night in Rome, was riding a crowded bus.  She had her billfold in her “fanny-pack” in front of her, supposedly safe and sound.  When she arrived at the hotel her billfold was gone! 

The other theft happened when a lady left her billfold, containing credit cards and cash, on a bed in a hotel room.  When she returned it was all gone.

The moral here is don’t trust anyone.  Guard your stuff all the time.  By all means tuck your most essential valuables under your clothes in a moneybelt.  But hey, don’t worry, I still think Europe and travel are great..however I’ll always be more on the lookout for those people everywhere that cannot be trusted.