-
Try not
to stand out as an American. Blend in as best you can. Do not wear logowear that
might indicate you're an American (except Coe College stuff!). Don't wear
anything with the American flag. Backpacks
and fanny packs signal foreign tourists.
-
Make sure
people back home know how to reach you. Make sure you have a
cell phone, 
(it
is VERY unlikely that your cell phone will work overseas – even if your
company says it will) calling card, or other method to reach home.
I just got a cheap calling card at Target.
-
Avoid
places where Westerners are known to congregate, such as bars and nightclubs.
-
Move in
and out of hotel lobbies and unsecured airport areas as quickly as possible.
-
Know
where the nearest US Embassy or Consulate is.
-
Keep
copies of your passport and passport photo in a separate place from your actual
passport (this will help if your passport is lost or stolen). Dr. Carson will
also have a set of copies.
-
If crowds
are forming for any reason other than our concerts, stay clear of them.
-
Wash
your hands often – maybe carry antibacterial lotion or wipes.
-
Drink
lots of bottled water or juices, especially during the flights.
-
Get
rest when you can. There will be
lots of exciting things to experience, and you won’t want to miss them in
order to take a nap. Be sensible
about bedtimes. I do not plan to
impose curfews, but the hotels and hostels may have some limits.
Please respect them.
-
One carry-on instrument (small instruments
– unless you can fit it in your backpack), one personal carry-on, one checked
bag, one piece of band equipment. Carry-on
size: 32”
L + W + H. Checked luggage:
58” L + W + H.
Please make sure your name and address (be sure to include USA) is on
each case you bring, even if you put your instrument inside your backpack.
-
Passport – and a safe way to carry (inside clothes is best). Do
NOT pack your passport – you will need it with you.
We will check passports often to make sure that no one has left theirs
behind. As you might guess, this is
crucial. Some people like fanny
packs rather than the around the neck document safes.
They are easier for you to access, but also more obvious. Your choice. You
will also be responsible for your plane tickets once they are issued.
-
Pound sterling – expect to spend about $200
for meals. About £120. You can
change your money at US Bank in Cedar Rapids.
Make sure you have
Pound sterling with you when we get to London so you don't have to run
around looking for a good exchange rate. Better to change most of it at once rather than to change a little bit at
a time and pay the fee again and again. Keep
your money is several different places, and use credit cards for larger
purchases so you don’t have to bring lots of cash.
Some credit cards have a big fee for foreign currency.
Check yours before you use it overseas. Traveler’s checks are not too
easy to cash in England. I would
not recommend using them.
-
Travel
Alarm Clock.
-
Guide
books and maps or money to buy them. You
can find LOTS of good stuff on the internet for free.
-
Warm
and cool weather clothes – don’t plan
on making any fashion statements – plan on whatever will take up the least
room. Plan to mix and match shirts
and pants or shorts and only bring a few outfits.
You do need to bring enough clothing for every day unless your clothes
are of a material that will dry very fast.
Because our only multiple-day stays are in London and Edinburgh, we will
not have much opportunity to wash clothing that takes more than a single day to
dry. Do plan to dress neatly – we
represent Coe and the United States. Please
no cutoffs, halters, or muscle shirts. Please plan to wear long pants on the plane – you never
know who you will sit by, and it can be very close quarters.
-
Laundry soap (in a plastic bag). Extra
plastic bags for segregating wet clothes after a rainstorm or if clothes fail to
dry after they are washed. A small
clothesline might help, too.
-
Clothes pins are good for laundry and for music in the wind (we have
these and will pass them out during camp)
-
Those of you who are staying on campus before we leave can pack a
separate bag for camp and leave it behind while we are gone.
That way you don’t start the trip with three days of dirty laundry!
-
Rainslickers
and umbrellas (ever hear of London Fog?)
-
Any
Clothing with Coe Logo, especially Coe Band Shirt(s) If you do not yet have
Coe Band shirts, we can provide a couple when you arrive for camp.
-
Instrument,
neck strap, mutes, stand, extra reeds, mouthpieces, sticks, etc.
-
You
each need to bring your own folding music stand.
-
Spending
money: Be prepared to buy
souvenirs, pay for meals, etc. I
suggest that you bring a little extra in case you see something interesting, or
in case of emergency. Traveler's
checks would be even better. You do
need to be careful about the amount of money you bring:
treat it like Las Vegas - don't bring any more than you are willing to
lose! But make sure you bring enough - I will not loan anyone money.
Don’t forget $40 or $50 for tips to drivers, guides, etc. This
is expected – not optional.
-
Suntan lotion and sunglasses – who knows – it is August, after all.
-
Your
uniform - ALL BLACK – long sleeves for
men. Women will need some sleeves
available for when we perform in churches.
-
Bus and
airplane food to share (with me!)
-
Camera
and film (anyone have digital camera or
digital video?). Make sure you keep the camera with you.
Don’t leave it on the bus or in the hotels or hostels. Film is more
expensive over there. Bring it with
you.
-
Film
MUST be in CARRY-ON. The new
security screening equipment will ruin any film – exposed or not – inside
your checked baggage.
-
Medications
and vitamins (Dramamine for the plane if you need it, too)
-
Please bring a signed physician’s prescription for each prescription
medicine you bring.
This may come in handy if you lose your medication, or if there are any
questions at customs.
-
Please
bring any over-the-counter medicines you think you might use (ibuprofen,
Tylenol, Claritin, tums). You
don’t want to spend your valuable time in England and Scotland looking for a
pharmacy.
-
Plan to
share items
-
Swimsuit
-
Please plan to bring a small towel and washcloth that don’t take up
too much room and don’t take too long to dry.
Maybe you can also use them to pad your instrument case.
-
Slippers to wear to the bathrooms – in several places we stay,
bathrooms will be down the hall.
-
Calling
Card – last time I went to London, I bought one at Target here in CR.
It was cheap and rechargeable. I
had no trouble with it in London. I
can’t vouch for the outlying communities or Scotland.
-
If
you have credit cards, please have your credit card numbers and telephone
numbers written down, and store this information separately from your cards.
-
Do
not carry all your money in one place. It is best to split up your money or your
cards, so that if one item (purse, wallet, etc.) is stolen, you still have some
money or credit cards to fall back on.
-
Budget
10% (or more) extra for getting cheated, lost, or simply overpaying. That way you won’t be upset if something like that happens.
-
Do
not remove airline luggage stickers until you have checked the condition of the
contents. Make sure you remove the
tags before we return to the airport.
-
Don’t
lose your passport or plane ticket!
-
Have your
belongings well marked.
-
There may
need to be quiet hours. Please
respect them.
-
Please
respect individual requests for quiet or privacy (but don't allow someone to
wander off alone).
-
Always
consult your tour book for times, emergency phone numbers, and information.
-
Be on time!
(To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late!)
-
No consumption of alcoholic beverages on show days prior to performance
time. And I’d better not hear about any underage drinking!
-
Obey all
laws. Remember, you represent Coe College. I won’t have enough money with me
to pay bail.
-
Be
responsible for your own belongings, and look out for those of others -
double-check before leaving concert sites, bus, hotel.
-
Don’t
do anything you wouldn’’t
want me, your parents, or the Dean to know about.
-
Use
common sense, courtesy, and teamwork: we will have a lot of fun, but we will
also work hard and try to accomplish a lot in a short time. Help each other out,
and get some rest when you have the chance!
-
Have fun
playing in these different places. Take care of your health - there is time for
relaxation, but, all told, this is a strenuous tour. I will not be sympathetic
with anyone who has fallen ill because he or she failed to get enough rest or
who has eaten or drunk improperly. Coe has spent a lot of money on this tour,
and I have made a major investment of time. You have an obligation to be at your
best at all times when in public. Keep this in mind, and make us proud of
everything you accomplish on this trip.
-
You know
that I will treat you as adults - as long as you act like adults. Be
responsible, represent us well, be on time, and have a great trip!
