Interview: First Time European Visitors

For the last three weeks, my parents have been visiting and we've traveled through several countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and Norway). In the following interview, my parents will answer the questions that I was ever-so curious to ask. Also, in the month ahead, I will provide more detailed posts about the individual places that we visited.

Ready, set....

What about your visit to Europe was the most unexpected?

Mom:  How 'unforeign' Europe really is and how beautiful I found Poland to be.

Dad:  That the toilets are controlled by a two-button flush mechanism - a big button and a little button - depending on the size of flush necessary. Also, the typical placement of the light switch on the wall entering into the bathroom so that the light is turned on before entering the room helps to make for a pleasant experience.

Editor's Note: I only ask the questions - I cannot help the answers... But along these lines, a further note that WC stands for water closet and a triangle on the door means that it is a men's room and a circle means that it is a ladies room.

Where was your favorite place?

Mom: The scenic roads from Mikulov, Czech Republic to Vienna, Austria and from Vienna to Budapest, Hungary. Dropping down into Budapest at night with the city aglow was beautiful. Also, arriving into Sogndal, Norway was a wonderfully picturesque sight that I won't soon forget either.

Dad:  Norway. Especially Sogndalstrand - I appreciated the beauty of the area as well as the closeness of family.

Main Street of Sogndalstrand

 Favorite event on the agenda?

Mom:  The bike ride through the vineyards of Mikulov, Czech Republic and peddling through the small villages along the route.

Dad:  The bike ride.

Bike Ride through Mikulov

Most incredible sight?

Mom:  Everything as it is so diverse. My first castle sighting in Czech, the lights of Budapest, and the fjords of Norway - they are all incredible.

Dad:  The grounds of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna.

Castle Ruins

Most memorable moment?

Mom:  Getting slapped in the face by a rosebush while bicycling through the vineyards on a trail that more or less became a slightly non-existent foot path through a hilly grove of thorn-covered rose bushes. Then laughing as blood induced from the roses dripped down my arms as I recalled bragging to my friends about how my daughter was taking us all for this beautiful bike ride...

Dad:  Viewing the North Sea for the first time from Bjorn's house (the house of family that graciously hosted us on our visit).

North Sea

Best eat:

Mom:  Little Hanoi (the Vietnamese restaurant in Katowice). The spicy fish soup, the wine, everything ... It was delicious.

Dad:  The mackerel in Norway.

Least favorite thing?

Mom:  How pushy the people can be when it comes to lines and crowded areas.

Dad:  How far behind the GPS maps are...

Most emotional moment?

Mom:  Auschwitz.

Dad:  Saying goodbye to relatives upon visiting Norway.

Best piece of advice to other European newcomers?

Mom:  Not to be afraid of the language barrier. I was surprised by the amount of English spoken along our travels and if English wasn't spoken, how easy it was to still get by.

Dad:  Don't sleep - you've got a lot to see!

Troy:  Do not travel with Traveler's checks or cash. You'll end up spending most of your money on fees and exchanges and have little left for enjoying. Instead use your debit and/or credit cards (Visa, Mastercard or American Express - no Discover). You'll pay no fees on European ATMs - only a 2 or 3 percent foreign transaction charge through your card company. Be sure to give your card company a heads up first that you'll be using your card out of country.

Well, that concludes my interview with two people who are no longer European first-timers and whom have conquered six countries in three weeks (seven countries if you count the Frankfort airport..). Zawsze przygoda!