Rather than carrying large amounts of cash or a sheaf of traveler's checks, use your ATM card to get cash at Cashpoints (what Britons call ATMs). Be sure to check with your bank that the card will work abroad (most do) and that they will not put a hold on your card when charges from London show up (some banks are panicky). You do not need to carry much cash -- you can charge almost anything in Britain. Just remember: almost every thing costs
twice as much as it does here.
Leave your
baseball cap at home -- nothing says "American tourist" like a baseball cap. Well, that and being loudly garrulous. Remember,
Homer Simpson is the quintessential American for many tv viewers across the world. Regardless of your political affiliations, many people expect Americans abroad to explain the shortcomings of the U.S. government. Be prepared to be blamed, grilled and ridiculed on the behalf of U.S. politicians. Take this with good humor and avoid heated debates (and if you're fairly conservative, you might want to avoid
Private Eye). You will find people in Europe more informed about politics in the U.S. than the average Saint Rose student (though perhaps my experience with Saint Rose students has not been broad enough yet for a fair indication).
Bring a travel umbrella and clothes you can layer -- at least one of which should be waterproof. English rain fills literature for a reason. While weather can be much like Albany's in the spring, it can change suddenly. It could be anywhere from 80 to 45 degrees F (that's
27 to 7 C).
Pack half as many clothes as you think you'll need; bring twice as much money (by way of your debit card/credit card -- don't
carry a lot of money). A beer will cost you about $6-8 on average in a pub and more in a club. There are no cheap pitchers and dollar nights. No one will be carrying your baggage for you and there are lots of steps, narrow corridors and very few lifts (elevators). A small wheeled case is ideal for keeping up with your instructor's speedy pace.
Wear comfortable shoes that are not new. If you must bring a pair of fancy shoes to go out to clubs at night, that's your choice. Pubs are much more less formal. While it is expected that people will dress a little nicer for the theatre, it has been less so in recent years particularly during matinees (perhaps due to most of the theatres being filled with American tourists).
The Globe will not require dressing well, but rather dressing for the weather as it is in the open air. Comfortable shoes are essential because you will stand through the entire performance when you attend as a
groundling.
More to come -- be sure to ask specific questions that will make the journey easier for you. This is a learning experience, but it will also be a blast.
Labels: clothes, money, politics, shoes, tips
