Weather Update

Munich is experiencing higher than normal temperatures this week and they're going to have a fantastic Friday but by Sunday a twenty-degree drop is forecast, just in time for our arrival.  I'm afraid we're going to get a little wet next week, so pack accordingly.

Weather.com forecast here

Carry-on Baggage

United carry on maximum dimensions

You may bring one carry on bag and one personal item on the flight with you, anything else (other than the list of exceptions under the + sign below) must be checked (remember that one checked bag is free).

The maximum dimensions for a carry on bag can be found on the picture above and these dimensions include the handle and wheels.

Now for the "personal item".

United personal item maximum dimensions

Your personal item is meant to fit under the seat in front of you and it can be a purse, backpack, briefcase, shoulder bag or other small item.  The maximum dimensions for this item are on the picture above.

The following items may also be carried on board and do not need to be crammed into your carry-on bag or your personal item:

• Jacket or umbrella
• Reading material
• Food or merchandise purchased in the airport
• Assistive devices (collapsible wheelchair, cane, one set of crutches, medical devices needed to administer prescription medications, portable oxygen concentrator, etc.)

For more information see the United web page on carry-on baggage here.

Getting Through Airport Security

As you get dressed on Saturday remember that airport security is one of your stops that afternoon.  Keep the following rules in mind as you decide what to wear, to make your trip through security easier:

• Jackets and bulky sweaters must be removed
• Belts and shoes must be removed; if you are over 75 you can leave your shoes on
• Laptop computers must be removed for screening and placed in a bin by themselves
• Allowed liquids must be in a one-quart, re-sealable bag and removed for screening
• Each liquid must be 3.4 oz. (100 ml) or less

Avoiding Pickpockets

If you spend any time at all perusing travel web sites and message boards such as Trip Advisor, Fodor's, Rick Steves, Lonely Planet, etc., you know that two of the most discussed topics are pickpockets and tipping. 

It's a sad fact of travel today that professional pickpockets of every age (including young children and the elderly) are active in most major cities.  You can run into them anywhere, particularly on mass transit and at key tourist sites.  These are crimes of opportunity, so your best defense is to minimize their opportunities by (1) being alert to your surroundings, (2) only carrying the valuables you need for the day, and (3) securing your cash and credit cards in a fastened inside pocket or money belt.

A healthy dose of skepticism is a valuable, if uncomfortable, asset for the modern traveler.  It's not natural for me to assume the worst about a stranger so this is an attitude I wear consciously, especially when I travel alone.  Like many others before and since, I was targeted on a crowded bus in Italy.  I foolishly left my cheap, old cellphone in an outside pocket of my bag for all to see.  Someone did and they took it; fortunately for me my lesson was learned with an item that wasn't valuable and was easily and quickly replaced.

Rick Steves has a good, short article on the topic on his web site:  Rick Steves Article

Meet Simone

Simone Brokmeier will be our tour director in Munich.  She'll meet us at the airport and stay with us until we head home.

She was born in Munich, lived in California for two years as a teenager, and she's also an English teacher.

You can read more about her on her web page here.

What's on your last minute list?

• Alert credit card companies and banks (if you will be using your ATM card to get cash) that you will be using the cards in Europe
• Make a list of numbers to call if credit cards are lost/stolen, carry one copy with you and leave one with someone you trust
• Send itinerary and flight info to family, put a copy in your checked luggage as well as carry on
• Send a link to this blog to family and friends
• Add international calling to cell phone plan
• Check the long-range forecast (www.weather.com or www.wunderground.com) and make sure you have appropriate clothing
• Check the camera batteries; put the camera manual in your bag and pack extra batteries or a battery charger
• Update voice mail and e-mail auto-reply message
• Charge device batteries (pda, iPod, mobile phone) and spares
• E-mail critical documents to your webmail account (for example, make a pdf file of your passport information page and mail it to yourself)
• Remove unnecessary cards from wallet (library, Metrocard, punch cards, extra credit cards 

Household stuff:

• Set heat and water heater at minimum
• Set lights on timers
• Turn off coffee pots or other appliances with automatic turn on
• Turn off ice maker
• Get rid of perishables in refrigerator
• Water plants
• Empty trash and clean kitchen
• Lock all windows and doors
• Power-off computer and other sensitive electronic equipment
• Return library books

Countdown to takeoff