Foreign Travel?

[WinterDeere]

I find Lufthansa is very punctual on time...

American would require change of plane for same destination.

My best flights ever were Swiss and PanAm...

I used to fly to Europe every year, mostly Germany. Used Lufthansa, American, British Airways, Continental / Air France... probably a few others. There was no "best", all had one advantage or another over the others. Air France had the best food, hands down. British Airways had the best entertainment systems, at least back then. Lufthansa's fleet was not exactly the latest and greatest, back then, but they were punctual and courteous, with decent food for an airplane. American was our best option for Philly, since it's a main hub for them, and many more direct flight options.

 

[ultrarunner]

Swiss first class was hands down best in my limited experience.

I don’t often hear US Carriers as overall their top pick…

Often depending on location travel options may be limited.

 

[oosik]

Ever since I saw the mini-series - Band of Brothers - Austria would be my choice.

 

[ultrarunner]

Ever since I saw the mini-series - Band of Brothers - Austria would be my choice.

I’ve never seen it but rabbit ear TV is limiting.

Austria is like a second home having spent so much time there including my stint working there after graduation.

That said I’m always amazed how much change happens even being away only a couple of years.

Last visit for me 2015…

 

[tradosaurus]

Locked in our flights last month from Dallas to Frankfurt for late December.

I didn’t think I would get a better price for non stop.

 

[ultrarunner]

Locked in our flights last month from Dallas to Frankfurt for late December.

I didn’t think I would get a better price for non stop.

Christmas Markets and holiday faire...

Only one Christmas spent in Europe and enjoyed it...

 

[WinterDeere]

air france was always my favorite, can't even say why

I used to fly a lot of Air France in the 1990's. They were affiliated with Continental, back then. I liked them as well, mostly because they had much better food than British Airways, Lufthansa, or US Air, which were our other options for getting to Europe, back then. Air France also usually had the most attractive flight attendants.

But British Airways had the best infotainment systems and movies, which was a huge deal back in the days before watching your own content on iPhones and iPads.

 

[dmccarty]

Just saw this story about an American kidnapped on Mindanao, US YouTuber kidnapped in Philippines after marrying local woman

A US Youtuber has been kidnapped from a remote Philippines village by machine gun-wielding men dressed in black - months after moving to the community and marrying a local woman.

The Philippine police said Friday it has launched a search after gunmen reportedly abducted the American national, who they identified as Elliot Onil Eastman, 26, from Vermont.

Eastman was reportedly shot in the leg as he tried to resist before being spirited away from a southern Philippine coastal town in a speedboat.

If confirmed to be a case of kidnapping for ransom, it would be the latest reminder of the long-running security problems that have hounded the southern Philippines, the homeland of a Muslim minority in the largely Roman Catholic nation.

Philippine authorities did not immediately provide background details of Eastman, but a person with a similar name has posted pictures and videos of himself on Facebook saying he had married a Muslim woman in Sibuco.

He was taken to an area where many of the kidnapped people were taken years ago. I really had hopped this s...t had stopped, but an American or Westerner, is a target, if for nothing more than being viewed as a lottery ticket.

One of the gunmen shot Eastman in the leg before dragging him into a speedboat then fled by sea further south toward the provinces of Basilan or Sulu, the police reports said.

 

[2manyrocks]

I saw that story this am. First thought was it could have been Ultrarunner but for the grace of God.

 

[ultrarunner]

With all that was going on the decision not to go was the right one for me.

My coworker and her family returned from 4 weeks and had a great time and no one got sick or anything negative except the trip was a budget buster…

She went on to say that everyone in the village visited and her mom made so many donations to the kids from the village for school supplies and to the school the daughter had to speak up.

Her mom said the need is so great and they have so little…

I’m also learning about the difference in culture…

When I go back to visit friends and distant relatives in Europe my money is no good… and other than a California bottle of wine or a tin of California nuts for my host I’m out of luck as far as paying for anything.

I’ve learned that it’s the opposite from my friend when coming to the Philippines from the West… gifts are expected and events like parties or festivities, even in your honor, you are expected to cover the costs which even being a bargain by Western standards adds up.

My coworker brought it home saying she earns in a single shift at a SF Bay Area Hospital what she earned for the entire month in a rural hospital in the provence.

A person with a 2k a month income is easily in the 90+ percentile… enough to rent a beautiful western home with domestic help…

It helps that English is taught in the public schools and Americans in general well thought of…

I’ve had several here reach out that have traveled extensively and say the risk is minimal but as always there are things you can do to make yourself a target…

I was more afraid of getting sick on a 2 week vacation than kidnapped…

The owner of a large and expanding California fire sprinkler and monitoring company is a friend who opened a branch in the Philippines and travels back and forth all the time… he has adapted quite well but he is in the 5 star resort country club lifestyle there and well connected through his wife’s family…

Update: I did get a small refund on my unused ticket which is more than I expected…