Luggage: how much?

How much luggage can you check in with the airline?

Before we answer this question, let's make sure we answer the even more important question: how much can you carry? Remember, everything you take YOU must carry where ever we go.

That having been said, check out this link to see what Qantas says you can take.

What Can't I take into Australia?

Many have asked questions about what you can, and can't, take into Australia. Here is a link to the Australian government's web site specifically designed to help travellers answer that question!

http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/travel/entering-australia/cant-take

Waiver Forms

If you need to print off the Waiver forms, here is a link:

http://postenroll.peopletopeople.com/site/Communications%20Document%20Library/Program%20Waivers%20(AJ).pdf

If this doesn't work right away, log onto the People to People On-Board website first, then go to this link.

Very Important Message!

Our picnic Saturday has been moved!

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the location of our picnic/meeting Saturday has been changed. We will meet at Wapato Park, 6500 So Sheridan, Tacoma, WA. This park is located just east of I-5 at the 72nd St exit. Here is a link to the Tacoma Parks website for more information.

Everything else stays the same. We'll meet from 10:00 to 1:00, and still have our pot-luck.

I'm going to be calling everyone, but if I don't connect with you directly please e-mail me to let me know you've received this message. Here is my email address: charleshall@yahoo.com

Thank you, and sorry for any inconvenience.

Vegemite News

I just had to post this link to an article about a new Vegemite flavor.

Bon Voyage Picnic

As discussed our Bon Voyage Party will be on June 27th at Pt. Defiance's Owen Beach, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This will be a Potluck picnic. Delegates from all three delegations are being asked to bring dishes based upon their last name:
A-F, salads;
G-P, main dish;
R-Z, desserts.

There is no electricity available at the site so bring those coolers. We'll provide the paper plates and cutlery and you bring your beverages.

This is a great opportunity that blended delegations don't often get--to meet before travel. Often we meet at the final destination. Come with an open mind and that wonderful Ambassador spirit that you’ve already shown!

Not sure how to get there? Go to Google Maps and type in "5400 N Pearl St, Ruston, WA". That will get you to the entrance to the park; from there, just follow the signs to Owen Beach.

Our Accomodations list

The list of where we'll be staying has been posted at the On-Board website. I'm also posting the list here, with links to their websites so you can see pictures of where we'll be staying! There are some really cool looking places on the list!


Hotel Ibis World Square, Sydney

http://www.ibisworldsquare.com.au/

Australis Sovereign, Surfers Paradise

http://www.australishotels.com/australis/hotels?cid=70&pid=1102

Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort

http://www.tangalooma.com/content.asp

UnderWater World (Aquarium)

http://www.underwaterworld.com.au/education/Sleepovers.aspx

Rydges Capricorn International Resort, Yeppoon

http://www.rydges.com/hotel/0/RQCAPR/Rydges-Capricorn-Resort-Yeppoon.htm


Club Crocodile Resort Airlie Beach

http://www.clubcroc.com.au/


Wambiana Station

www.ageconomics.ksu.edu/DesktopModules/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=4143


Tropical Queenslander, Cairns

http://www.queenslanderhotels.com.au/tropicalqueenslander.html

i-Pod chargers, part 2

From an email from a delegate's family:

"The Tacoma Costco still has the pocket chargers, they are on the same isle with the batteries. They are $10 off right now, so it was only $10 for two chargers. I think the sign said the sale was good until August something. We are keeping both of ours, but I wanted to let you know in case you wanted to pass the info along."

There you go!

i-Pod chargers

At a recent meeting, I mentioned the i-Pod chargers being sold by Costco. They use two Duracell AA batteries, and can be used to either charge your i-Pod's interior battery, or can be used to run the unit when its battery goes dead.

They are great, but because it's Costco, they are sold in packages of two. Did anybody buy a package, but only wants one of them. Would you like to sell the second charger? If not, is anybody interested in buying one, but only wants one? If so, there is a delegate you wants to buy one. If you have one to sell, bring it to the meeting Sunday!

Are You Walking?

As I finished my one hour walk last Monday, I was wondering how many of you were keeping up with me? Remember, we will be spending a lot of time walking, and you'll want to keep up!

Roadways

None of us will be driving, but still it is important to know what side of the road vehicles travel upon. Why? Because you may have occasion to cross a street once or twice on our trip. When you approach a cross walk, should you look left, right, or what?

Of course, the correct answer is "or what," which means "both ways." Seriously, vehicles travel on the opposite side of the road compared to us here in North America, and that can confuse even pedestrians. So remember to look both ways before you cross!

Luggage

I recently received a message from a delegate asking about the "one-piece-of-luggage" rule. The delegate looked up an airline website saying passengers could check two suitcases. That may be true, however I'm not talking about airline rules. I'm talking about People-to-People realities.

First, anything you take with you, you'll have to carry, where ever you go. That may be up two flights of stairs at a hotel. That may be 500 yards at an airport.

Second, we'll be travelling a lot by bus in Australia. There will be 40+ of us, and only so much room under the bus, in the cargo area, for luggage.

For these reasons, we say only one suitcase, and one carry on!

TSA regulations

Before we leave for Australia, please check out the TSA website for the latest information.


http://www.tsatraveltips.us

Our Schedule of Activities is posted!

This is when it really starts getting exciting. Our schedule of activities, what fun things we’re going to do, what days we’ll do them, and specifically where in Australia we’ll be, is now available!

To see the list, log on to the On-Board website, click on the “Travel Center” tab, then select the “Travel Information” tab. Once the page opens, click on the “Schedule of Activities.” It’s a PDF file, so it may take a moment to open depending upon your connection speed.

For those of you celebrating a birthday on our adventure, where will you spend your special day?

You can get out a map of Australia, and start plotting our course.

Have fun!

What Time is it in Australia?

Here is one way to find out; check out this traffic cam website for the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/trafficreports/innersydcameras/harbourbridge.html

You might also notice which side of the road the cars are driving on.

Food Drive is a Success!

Congratulations, delegates! You made a significant contribution to the foodbank, and it is appreciated. James and Austin got to stock the shelves with your contributions. The rest of us can thank them for their additional efforts when next we see them.

i-Pods

While on the topic of electricity (see my next two posts), I wanted to tell you about a product I recently "field tested." For years I had an MP-3 player I really enjoyed, if for no other reason than it ran off of AA batteries and didn't have to be plugged in to be recharged, like everyone else's i-Pod. Well, my MP-3 player finally gave uo the ghost, so to speak, and I broke down and bought an i-Pod.

I just worried that my i-Pod's battery wouldn't run out on me "mid-flight" when I couldn't plug it in to re-charge it.

Recently, I found an item at Costco which takes care of my concerns. It's called the Duracell "My Pocket Charger." It's an alternative battery pack for an i-Pod which uses two AA batteries to either run or charge your i-Pod. Costco's item number is 328370. It comes in a package of two for about $20. You'll only need one of them, so if you and a friend want to go in together, you can get a unit for about $10. I've used it, and it works.

Electricity!

No, I'm not referring to the excitement about our travel plans. At the last meeting many asked about the electrical requirements for Australian plugs. Australian electrical outlets use 220-240 volts, unlike our 110-120 system here in the U.S. That I had correct. Their plug configuration, which I had wrong, is similar to ours, but with two flat plugs that are not parallel, as ours are, but at 45 degree angles to each other, like this: /\

This link to the Radio Shack website will show you a picture of what the plug looks like:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2104182

Remember: you must also make sure your appliance can take 220-240 volts! If any item you want to plug into an outlet in Australia doesn't take 240 volts, you'll also need a transformer. No, not a toy figure that changes from a car to a robot, but a device which "transforms" the electrical current from 240 to 110 volts. Here is a link to a site selling them:
http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/elect.htm

While I like the name (walkabout is very Australian, if you don't know that by now), I'm not sure about the price. I remember paying much closer to $20 for a similar kit, but that was some time ago. Maybe I'm just living in the past. If anyone finds a similar product, on-line or in a "brick and mortar" store, please let me know and I'll pass the information along!

Not sure if your electrical item can handle the voltage difference? Check your owners manual! Many items, such as camera battery and i-Pod chargers can handle the voltage with just a plug adaptor. However, know that if your appliance cannot convert the voltage, the first time you plug it into an Australian outlet might be just AFTER the last time you use that appliance! Also remember that a unit which can accept the higher voltage will do you no good if you can't plug it in.

New Rules on Batteries

The TSA has announced new rules for batteries on aircraft. Here is a link to their site:

http://safetravel.dot.gov/tips.html

Please take a moment to read the information!

Tasks and Assignments for Meeting #3

Please complete the following tasks and assignments and be prepared with ideas to share at meeting #3.

Tasks:
1. Submit any outstanding paperwork
2. Bring your unsigned Success Contract
3. Increase your practice walking time until one hour is easy and comfortable

Assignments:
1. Student Ambassador Certification: On-line Chapters 1-8
2. Pre-travel Journal write: "What does it mean to be Ambassadorial?"
3. Global Awareness online education: Complete the Religion and Art chapter and Daily Life chapter for Australia
4. Clothing expectations: review the handout
5. Packing: read "Suzy's Story" and send the confimation message to Charlie.
6. Student Ambassador Protocol: read the Standards for Success
7. Reminder: prepare for the project fair during our May meeting.

Finally:
Before the next meeting, practice your powers of observation. Focus on the senses. What do you see, hear, feel, smell, and taste in your everyday world? Attention to your senses will help prepare your for your next journal activity.

Suzy's Story (a must read for all delegates!)

Warning: What you are about to read is a true story. But it’s not just Suzy’s story. It’s every unprepared traveler’s story. Don’t let it be your story.

Suzy was 14 years old when she was honored with a nomination by a teacher to be a Student Ambassador. Like all People to People Student Ambassadors, Suzy was chosen to represent her community because of her maturity, responsibility, and strong moral character. To make the most of her Student Ambassador experience, Suzy participated in every orientation meeting with enthusiasm and interest. She listened to her leaders’ advice, took notes, and read all of her materials carefully.

When it came time to pack her suitcase, she followed the packing list diligently, packing only clothes appropriate for a Student Ambassador. Full of excitement, Suzy showed up at the airport with bags packed full and labeled, an extra outfit in her carry-on (just in case), and a deck of cards and a book to help pass the time when there were long waits. The moment she’d
been waiting nearly a year for was finally here! Suzy was on her way to Australia!

Australia was everything she had dreamed of and more! The Great Barrier Reef! Kangaroos and Koalas! Sydney Harbor with the Opera House! Plus the great people she got to meet!

But alas, on day five of the program, as Suzy was packing her suitcase, she experienced a disturbing situation. While she had not bought any new clothes nor any large souvenirs, her clothes would not fit back in her suitcase! She tried rolling, folding, stuffing. Nothing could make the suitcase shut. The clothes had expanded!

At breakfast she approached her leaders. “My suitcase! I can’t get it shut! I don’t have anything extra in it. My clothes have gotten bigger since we arrived. That’s the only explanation. My clothes have magically expanded.”

The wise leaders nodded knowingly. “Oh yes, Suzy. That’s what happens when you travel. Remember when we learned about how to pack at our orientation meeting? That’s why we told you to leave extra room in your suitcase. Not only would you need room for souvenirs, but clothes do magically expand when you travel.”

The leaders instructed Suzy to choose some items she could leave behind. Finally, she got the suitcase closed.

At least until she bought souvenirs...

The Moral

Can clothes really “magically expand” when you travel? The research has not been able to prove if they do or don’t. But we do know that Student Ambassadors often experience difficulty fitting all of their items in their suitcases after they’ve been traveling a few days. Not only is there no room for souvenirs, there is not enough room for the clothes they originally brought!

Don’t make Suzy’s mistake. Leave plenty of extra room in your suitcase. You can always wash clothes by hand if needed. Travel with the peace of mind that when your clothes magically expand, you’ll still have extra room!

The message you should email back to your leaders at charleshall@yahoo.com: "Don't be Suzy!"

Photo album

Interested in seeing some of the fun times we had with our People to People delegation to Australia in 2006? If so, then follow this link to my on-line photo album. Remember, this was a different program, so you'll see activities in the pictures you won't see on our trip.

Here's the link: http://charleshall.myphotoalbum.com/view_album.php?set_albumName=album03

Video

At our January meeting, many of you commented about how the videos we viewed could be helpful in explaining the program; especially when requesting financial assistance. I'm sorry it took so long, but I finally have the answer. While these are not the exact same videos, they are very similar and I think will work just as well. To view them, or to share them, please follow this link: http://www.ptpmeeting.com/videos.php?v=history

Once there, you'll see five thumbnails across the top. Three of them are videos:
1. Introductions
2. Programs (you'll want to select South Pacific when asked which one to open)
3. History

I hope this helps!

Final Sunday Report

My weather and traffic observer in Eatonville tells me the roads there are passable. As that is the highest elevation for any of our delegates, the meeting is on! However, everyone's safety is more important than meeting attendance, so if your roads aren't safe please let me know. Otherwise, we'll see you just before 1:00 P.M.

A reminder, please don't be late. We'll be meeting upstairs in my room, and the front doors must remain locked.

The address is: 3701 38th Ave. N.W., Gig Harbor, 98335.

Sunday meeting update

As of Saturday afternoon, the weather reports now indicate it will be cold Sunday, but free of snow. So as of right now, the meeting is on. Feel free to call me before 10:00 A.M. Sunday of you want to verify, if the glare of ice or snow causes you to have doubts, but I really think we are a go.

Meeting Sunday

This is where I'll announce whether we'll have our meeting Sunday, due to the weather. Sunday morning I'll post the status, regardless. If there is nothing here by 10:00 A.M. and there is a lot of snow outside, that probably means my power is out so call me.