Tag: February 2003

Maggie wrote in to say: “I enjoy reading all the
stories of travelling around the world. I am planning on walking the pilgrim
route to Santiago De Compostela starting in France at the end of May 2004.
Has anybody done this journey? Any advice would be more than appreciated”.

If you can have walked all or part of the pilgrimage
route to Santiago de Compostela and can help Maggie, please e-mail her
on: mechthild@InfoAve.Net

~~~~~~~~

Gary wrote in to say: “I'm going to be touring
England and Scotland on a recumbent bike later part of May and June '03.
I'm going to stay in B&Bs' and youth hostels. I'll be
flying into Heathrow Airport. What's the best way for me to get to
Colchester from London airport? 1) Bike from airport and figure out a
way to stash my bike box. Or….

2) Catch a train from the airport and unbox my bike
in a B&B in Colchester and hopefully store my bike box their for my
return trip. My plan is to bike up through the Shetland Islands and then
return back to my bike box in late June. If there is anyone who would
like to visit with me or ride part of the way, drop me an email on: garyleffler@hotmail.com

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Need help?
Want a travelling buddy or advice about a place or country – want to share
something with us – why not visit our Mutual Aid section of the Website:
Mutual Aid

Another global warning on terrorism has been given to
Americans travelling abroad by the US State Department. This one is dated
7^th February.

The worldwide caution replaces a similar warning made
in November and reminds people to be aware of the dangers of a terrorist
attack.

It asks travellers to remain vigilant due to a heightened
threat of terrorist actions that may target civilians, including the possibility
of attacks by non-conventional weapons. It also reminds American citizens
travelling or living overseas to avoid demonstrations.

US citizens and interests are vulnerable to attacks,
including those by groups with links to Al-Qaeda, says the government.
Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited to, suicide operations,
assassinations or kidnappings.

The State Department goes on to say that while conventional
weapons such as explosive devices pose a more immediate threat in many
areas overseas, terrorist use of non-conventional weapons, including chemical
or biological agents must be considered a growing threat.

These individuals and groups have proved that they do
not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Because security
and security awareness have been elevated within the United States, terrorists
may target US interests overseas. Private Americans should remain vigilant
with regard to their personal security and exercise caution.

Attacks on places of worship and schools, and the murders
of private American citizens and other westerners, demonstrate that as
security is increased at official US facilities, terrorists and their
sympathizers will seek softer targets.

These may include facilities where Americans or possibly
other foreigners are generally known to congregate or visit, such as residential
areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels, outdoor
recreation events or resorts and beaches. Americans should increase their
security awareness when they are at such locations, avoid them, or switch
to other locations where Americans in large numbers generally do not congregate.
There is a possibility that American citizens may be targeted for kidnapping
or assassination.

Demonstrations in many parts of the world may have an
anti-American character. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can
turn into confrontational situations and possibly escalate into violence.
US citizens travelling or residing abroad should avoid demonstrations
and take commonsense precautions.

The warning is due to expire on May 4.

Here’s a little Beetle quiz based on airport codes.
See how many you get right! Go on, have a guess!

Which cities are served by airports with the following
codes:

1. DEN
2. OSL
3. SIN
4. GIG
5. KIN

For the answers, see at the end of the e-newsletter.

A travel warning to American citizens in Zimbabwe urging
them to leave the African country has been issued by the US government.

The US State Department says that Zimbabwe's current
political, economic and humanitarian crises have serious implications
for security and it recommends that people should consider leaving.

The warning says: “All US citizens in Zimbabwe
are urged to take those measures they deem appropriate to ensure their
well being, including consideration of departure.”

The Zimbabwe government's appropriation of land
from farmers and suppression of political opposition has helped to fuel
a crisis, raising the possibility of violent protest.

The London Meetings co-ordinator sent notice of this
wonderful exhibition to the Beetle: a major exhibition of internationally
acclaimed Brazilian photographer, Sebastião Salgado, chronicles
the human cost behind major political events. Featuring 350 haunting black
and white photographs taken from Salgado’s renowned Migrations
and Children series, it is a moving account of those displaced
by conflict.

Venue: Barbican Gallery Location: Gallery
floor, level 3 Open: 13 February – 1 June 2003
Mon, Tue, Thu-Sat 10am – 6pm; Wed 10am – 9pm; Sun
& Bank holidays 12 noon – 6pm Tickets £7/ £5Please
support Amnesty International’s work. Purchase a special ticket
and £1 will be donated directly to Amnesty International. Tickets
£8/£6 Full price tickets can be booked online,
To purchase discounted tickets, please contact the Box Office on 020 7638
8891.

USA:
New Orleans Mardi Gras 4 MarchThousands take to the streets of
The Big Easy in a virtuoso display of fabulously colourful costumes and
magical floats.

Winter Party March 1^st
to 10^th March, Miami

1-10 March 2003 (every year) is the gay mecca that is
South Beach, Miami; this famed party benefits the Dade Human Rights Foundation.

Source: What’s
On When

French-Australian Chateau owner, M Norbert-Andre is
offering a special offer till end March 2003: third night free if two
nights with evening meals taken at the Chateau. Meals from 28 Euros per
person incl. wine, 43 Euros per person incl. wine, champagne. There are
golf facilities at 10 km, equestrian facilities on site plus car racing
ring near Abbeville just 10 km away.

For more info, contact: Email: norbert-andre@cuvelier.com
or take a look at http://www.cuvelier.com

If you have a travellers tale that your aching to tell.
Then why not visit the “Travel Sized Bites” section of the Website
and share it with the world. Travel Sized Bites