
kate
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i went to greece, italy, and france two years ago. this is my grand list of everything that went wrong:
1. i lost my plug converter, so i was electronic-less for two months. that was okay, because i don't rely on electronics that much, but if it were a business trip, you'd be screwed without your laptop.
2. language barriers are difficult. i got the wrong food, went to the wrong room, arrived at places too late or too early. france was the only country where there was almost no language barrier. french students learn english very early. i'm pretty sure the same is true for spain and germany.
3. locals don't like american tourists. nobody wanted us there, we got nasty looks and were verbally abused frequently.
4. theft is very common. especially pick pocketers. they are everywhere that tourists are common. the problem was the worst in Italy, particularly Rome.
5. airlines lost some luggage
6. hotels overbooked, leaving us to sleep in the lobby
7. we got lost
8. our bus driver refused to work
9. they're bad drivers in europe, worse than in america. three kids in my group were hit by cars. another kid broke his ankle climbing mount vesuvius. europe is not well-equipped for anybody with a physical problem. there are no ramps into buildings like there are in america. if you're injured, you're screwed. |