HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: poole@bnr.ca (Thomas Poole)
Subject: Re: Cuba Report.
Organization: Bell-Northern Research, Ottawa, Canada
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL6]
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 16:19:40 GMT

Writing that report yesterday got me thinking more
about Cuba and my upcoming return there. Just a few
more notes that may be helpful.

Tipping the people on the resort was not recommended
since it is illegal for Cubans to have American dollars
personally. Once they get enough US$ they can finally
get out of the country. We tipped but very discretely.
They like American or Canadian cigarettes, which we
can buy there but they cannot, so you can also give
them that. Soap is very scarce for the locals so
this makes a nice gift. Ladies like lipstick and pantyhose.
A few people we met said underwear was something they
needed so when I go back I will bring some extra to
leave behind.

When travelling on our own we were without any restrictions.
The only thing we were advised against was taking
pictures of the military. For some reason this upset 
them. :-) Taking pictures of museums was also forbidden.

They did have a museum near the resort. It was basically
a shrine to the 600+ men that died when the Americans
tried to land there and reclaim the island after having
been thrown out. Everything was in Spanish so we didn't
understand much except "CIA" and that they don't like
the U.S. a lot. They are quite proud of the fact that
a few hundred poorly armed men stopped and invasion
of one of the most powerful military forces in the
world. It's enough for a celebration every year on that
day. 

As I think more about the trip I will probably add more
to this thread. Stay tuned.

Tom...

P.S. It seems that all mail to me bounces so if you have
anymore questions you will have to post to the newsgrou
Newsgroups: rec.travel,rec.travel.air
From: wei@ifi.unizh.ch (Qing Wei)
Subject: Re: Touring Russia and Thailand
Organization: University of Zurich, Department of Computer Science
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 92 10:12:07 GMT

In article <1992Nov19.210739.5988@PA.dec.com> klee@wsl.dec.com writes:
>|> <*>  As far as Moscow goes:
>|> 
>|>     1).  try to get your rubles on the street and not in the regular
>|>          exchange circles (i.e. banks, hotels, etc).  When I got an
>|>          exchange at (below mentioned) the Hotel/bank, the exchange 
>|>          rate was 70 rubles to the dollar (this was last March).
>|>          I got 90 rubles to the dollar, when I exchanged them in
>|>          the 'black market'  (on the street).
>
>The ruble now floats (somewhat), so the black market is no longer as
>interesting.  When I was in Moscow in September, the official exchange
>rates (e.g., hotels, etc.) was about 200R to $1.  The black market was
>about 230R to $1.  Unfortunately, there is little to buy with rubles,
>so you shouldn't exchange very much.

Just read in s.c.s that the exchange rate NOW is 1$ = 403R and 
will reach 500 end this year. What's going on there?

-Qing

-- 
   Qing Wei                  |\  /||\  /||     Email: wei@ifi.unizh.ch  
   Dept. of Computer Science | \/ || \/ ||     Tel.:  +41 1 257 4317    
   University of Zurich      |    ||    ||____ Fax:   +41 1 363 0035    
  _Switzerland_________________________________Telex:  817 251 unii ch_ 
Organization: Doctoral student, Architecture, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1992 14:16:09 -0500 
From: Rudi Stouffs <rs6y+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Re: VAT refunds ?
	<1992Nov16.010818.1963@informix.com>

Excerpts from netnews.rec.travel: 16-Nov-92 Re: VAT refunds ? Paul
Roberts@informix.co (3378)


> For what it is worth, I had no problems getting a VAT refund on a
> shortwave radio I bought in London a few years ago. Got the form
> from the shop, had it stamped at Heathrow (they tale a look to see
> that you really are exporting the product), mailed it back to the
> store, waited, wrote to the store politiely asking them to get a
> move on after about two months, the store send me a cheque. I think
> I got about 25 pounds back.

> I was surprised that as a British citizen I was able to do this: I
> guess an export is an export, regardless of who is carrying it.

> Paul

I had the same experience as a Belgian citizen in Belgium, when
travelling back to the US. When I bought the item, paying by credit
card, they wrote two sale slips, one including VAT, and one excluding
VAT. They told me they would wait a few weeks to cash it, until I had
the time of sending back the stamped form. If I didn't send it back they
would cash it including VAT. I send it back as soon as I got to the US
and I did not have any problem whatsoever.

Rudi.
Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: john@aquarius.unm.edu (John Prentice)
Subject: How do you take medication into a foreign country?
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 92 06:05:47 GMT
Organization: Dept. of Physics & Astro, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

I will be visiting Chile and Argentina in January.  I will have with me
some precription medications, some I am taking and some for emergencies
(I am going climbing in the Andes).  Does anyone know what kind of
documentation I need in order to take these medications into these
countries?

Thanks!

John
-- 
Dr. John K. Prentice                      
Quetzal Computational Associates    
3200 Carlisle N.E., Albuquerque, NM   87110-1664  USA
Phone: 505-889-4543  E-mail: quetzal@pinet.aip.org -or- jkprent@cs.sandia.gov
From: steven.aves@travel.com (Steven Aves) 
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: ADD
Date: 14 Nov 92 06:59:00 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: Travel Online / St. Louis Online - St. Louis, MO
Reply-To: steven.aves@travel.com (Steven Aves) 

                                                                                                                                
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dog,rec.travel
From: klb@iti.org (Karen L. Boynton)
Subject: Traveling with a Pet
Organization: Industrial Technology Institute
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 20:51:10 GMT


Hi.    We have a WONDERFUL 7 month old yellow lab named Boeregard.
Currently however, we've run into a dilemma about traveling with
him.  We'd like to take him with us on trips, but finding places
that will accept pets is difficult.  He's a great traveler and
doesn't make messes or anything, but when they find out he's 66#
and about 20" tall... they really hesitate to talk to us any further.
  
Does anyone have experience with this type of problem?  What 
suggestions can you make?  Are there places to call that can give
you information about who will accept pets?  How about condo or
cottage rentals?  We are currently looking for a site to stay in
Northern Michigan - Traverse City/Petosky area.  But any basic
information would be useful for future trips.  

Please e-mail your replies to klb@iti.org.  Thanks for your help! 

Karen
klb@iti.org
From: cspas152@sus.edu.eur.nl (It's the one and only ... Edward van der Jagt)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Biking holiday
Summary: Biking spots in Europe
Keywords: bike ride summer
Date: 15 Nov 92 10:50:45 GMT
Organization: EUR


Hi there,

 are any bikers reading this ??

 I'm thinking of going mountainbiking this summer, somewhere in Europe. With
 mountainbiking, I mean mountainbiking. That is, climbing up a (rocky) trail,
 and then descending the mountain over any kind of ridable terrain.
 I don't want to take all my stuff (tent, clothes, etc) with me when going
 biking. I just want to make a lot of rides.

 Is there anyone out there who has done something like this, and can give me
 some information on where to go, if you liked it, etc.

 Some people told my they had liked it in the Pyrenees (mountains between
 France and Spain), but I was thinking of Switzerland or Austria.

 I also thought it would be fun going with a bunch of bikers. So if
 someone also wanted to go biking, maybe you could think of coming with us.
 It doesn't matter where you come from, ofcourse.


          &&&&&&&                 &&&&&        &&
    && &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&      &&&&&&&&&&&    &&&&      &&&  &
   &   ___   ___________ ________________________________________________
  II__|[] | |------->>>| | Edward v/d Jagt          cspas152@sus.eur.nl |
 /        | |------->>>| | Home Tel.   : +33-10-4502997                 |
 |        |_|------->>>|_| Erasmus University Rotterdam, Holland        |
< OO----OOO  OO----OO-OO  OO-------------------------------------------OO
From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- Brunei
Date: 16 Nov 1992 15:42:53 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Brunei
============================================================
Brunei - Consular Information Sheet
 November 13, 1992

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy is located on the third floor, 
Teck Guan Plaza, Jalan Sultan, in the capital city of Bandar Seri 
Begawan.  The mailing address is American Embassy, Box B, APO AP 
96440; telephone (673)(2)229-670.

Country Description:  Brunei is a small Islamic Sultanate on the 
north coast of the island of Borneo.  The capital, Bandar Seri 
Begawan, is the only major city.  Tourist facilities are good, and 
generally available.

Entry Requirements:  Passports and visas are required.  Visas must 
be obtained in advance.  A visa is valid for three months and 
requires a $7.50 fee, an application form, two photos, a letter 
stating the purpose of the visit, itinerary, onward/return ticket 
and proof of sufficient funds.  A yellow fever vaccination is needed 
if arriving from an infected area.  For more information the 
traveler may contact the Embassy of the State of Brunei Darussalam, 
Suite 300, 2600 Virginia Ave., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037, tel. 
(202)-342-0159.

Medical Facilities:  Hospital and medical services in Brunei are 
available, with good facilities.  Doctors and hospitals often expect 
immediate cash payment for health services.  U.S. medical insurance 
is not always valid outside the United States.  Supplemental medical 
insurance with specific overseas coverage has proved useful.  The 
international travelers hotline at the Centers for Disease Control 
can be reached at (404) 332-4559 for additional useful health 
information.   

Information on Crime:  The crime rate in Brunei is very low, and 
violent crime is rare.  Useful information on guarding valuables and 
protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in 
the Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad".  It is 
available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government 
Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties:  Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in 
illegal drugs are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail 
sentences and fines.

Registration:  Americans who register at the U.S. Embassy can 
obtain updated information on travel and security within the area.

 No. 92-093
From: morgan@socs.uts.EDU.AU (David Morgan)
Subject: Best Grand Canyon Tours
Organization: School of Computer Sciences, UTS
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 92 00:57:28 GMT

I'm intending to visit the Grand Canyon (South Rim) in January.  Can people
tell me if this is a good idea (how cold will it be?) and what might be a good
tour to go on (preferably from Las Vegas).

Regards
 David

-- 
 morgan@socs.uts.edu.au            Ph +61 2 330 1864  Fax +61 2 330 1807 
 David Morgan : University of Technology Sydney PO Box 123 Broadway 2007     
 "Creativity can be a curse.
  Ask Dr Frankenstein." - Calvin Miller
Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: lchow@mprgate.mpr.ca (Leslia Chow)
Subject: Layover in Bangkok
Organization: MPR Teltech Ltd., Burnaby, B.C., Canada
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 92 20:49:25 GMT


My husband & I will have a 3/4 day layover in Bangkok in mid-January. Neither of
us have ever been to Thailand.

On the way to our destination (India) we will be staying overnight in Bangkok -- does anyone have a recommendation for a hotel near the airport which is clean &
not over priced (budget to moderate)?

How about suggestions for what we should see in Bangkok if we only have 3 days,
places to stay, places to eat, places to shop, etc. We were thinking of going to
one of the nearby beach areas but I'm sure there's lots to do in the city.

Any recommendations/suggestions would be appreciated!

Leslia Chow
(lchow@mprgate.mpr.ca)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: klur@cbnewsb.cb.att.com (david.s.klur)
Subject: Trip to SF and Tahoe
Followup-To: dklur@attmail.com
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: ba
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1992 03:23:26 GMT

Hi,

I'm arriving in San Francisco on Nov 21 and will be staying
or one week.  We (two single hetero males) planning to spend 
a few days in San Fran, a day in Santa Cruz, a day in Napa 
Valley and a few days in Lake Tahoe.  Any advice on:

	1. Clubs/bars in San Fran (alternative/rave)
	2. Cool places to hang out in San Fran
	3. A good winery in the Napa/Sonoma valley
	   that has good wine and a good tour
	4. Cool things to do in San Fran
	5. Cool things to do in Tahoe
	6. A good place to stay in Tahoe (not too expensive)
	7. A good place to stay in San Fran, close
	   to where we'll be going out (see #1, #2).

Thanks!  Please follow up to dklur@attmail.com

--
David Klur 	           | "There are two types of people in this world... 
AT&T			   |  Those that think there are two types of people,
dklur@attmail.com 	   |  and those that know better."
Me? Speak for AT&T?!?      |    -- Tom Robbins, "Still Life with Woodpecker"
From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: y
Date: 18 Nov 1992 12:45:11 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Western Samoa
============================================================
Western Samoa - Consular Information Sheet
 November 13, 1992

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy in Western Samoa is located in 
the John Williams Building, fifth floor, Beach Road, Apia.  The 
Embassy is open to the public from 9:30 to 12:30 every morning and 
by appointment at other times.  The Embassy can be reached from the 
U.S. c/o P.O. Box 3430 in Apia.  The telephone number is (685) 
21-631.

Country Description:  The island country of Western Samoa has a 
stable parliamentary democracy with a developing economy.  Tourist 
facilities are accessible by bus, taxi, and car and are within 
walking distance of access roads.  Daily air and ferry service is 
available between Apia, on the island of Upolu, and the larger 
island of Savai'i.

Entry Requirements:  A passport and onward/return ticket are 
required.  A visa is not required for a stay of up to 30 days.  The 
Western Samoa Mission to the U.N. can be contacted for information 
concerning longer stays.  The address is 820 2nd Avenue, Suite 800, 
New York, New York 10017, tel., (212) 599-6196. 

Medical Facilities:  Health care facilities in Western Samoa are 
adequate for routine medical treatment, but limited in range and 
availability.  A national hospital is located in Apia and district 
hospitals are available on Savai'i and Upolu.  Doctors and hospitals 
often expect immediate cash payment for health services.  U.S. 
medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States.  
Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has 
proved to be useful.  The international travelers hotline of the 
Centers for Disease Control at (404) 332-4559 has additional useful 
health information.

Information on Crime:  Crime in Western Samoa is low.  Useful 
information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security 
while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State 
pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad".  It is available from the 
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 
Washington, D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties:  Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in 
illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail 
sentences and fines.

Registration:  Americans who register at the U.S. Embassy can 
obtain updated information on travel and security within the area.

 No. 92-120

Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: kester@mte.ncsu.edu (Dan Kester)
Subject: Re: Need Info About Africa
Organization: North Carolina State University
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 17:12:03 GMT

In article <lgnqnhINNdbv@appserv.Eng.Sun.COM> sebring@daehall7.Eng.Sun.COM
(Nancy Howes) writes:
>
>
>I am planning a trip to Africa. Can anyone recommend any books
>that refer to the continent as a whole? I am just starting the
>research, have no idea where I want to go, when a good time
>to go is, etc. I'd be interested in hearing from anyone about
>must sees or countries that are more interesting than others,
>or countries to stay away from. 


Books: The Lonely Planet book.

Countries: For animals: Kenya and Tanzania. For people and culture: west
africa. People spend weeks in Kenya without meeting a local person in any real
way. In west africa you can't help but meet them: there is almost no organized
tourist business in most places, and relatively few tourists. In east africa it
is tough to "get off the beaten path" (the tourist route). In west africa there
is no beaten path.

Stay away from anywhere that is having any kind of military situation such as a
war or recent coup. It can be unpleasant. Stay away from famine areas too, of
course.

Countries I found most interesting: Kenya, Zaire, Ghana, Mali. 
Also interesting: Ivory Coast, Tanzania, Algeria, Niger, Cameroon.
What I found interesting is partially a function of how much time I spent
there, what I did, who I met, etc.

Countries that were easy to travel in: Kenya, Ivory coast, Cameroon, Tunisia. 
Not too difficult: Coastal west africa, Tanzania, C.A.R., Rwanda. Somewhat
difficult: Algeria, Niger, Mali. A real challange: Zaire.

Dan Kester
kester@mte.ncsu.edu





Newsgroups: rec.travel
From: dunbar@boulder.Colorado.EDU (S Dunbar)
Subject: Re: Colorado
Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
Distribution: usa
Date: 17 Nov 92 20:50:21 GMT

linda@wendy.net.com (Linda Hill) writes:

>In article <6964@taurus.cs.nps.navy.mil> grre@hp850.mbari.org (Rebecca Gross) writes:
>>I would like to know if anyone on the net is from Colorado.  If so, I
>>would like information about living there.  I am getting desperate for
>>information.  Only thing I've heard is that it is a beautiful state.
>>
>>I basically would like information on jobs, wages, cost of living,
>>weather year round, etc.
>>
>>Please e-mail me at grre@mbari.org

>What about the political climate of the state?  I obviously don't
>know what your politics are, but you don't appear to have heard
>news about Colorado.  From an email group for women in computer
>science that I read:

>>As many of you probably know, on Tuesday, Colorado voted in an
>>ammendenment to their state constitution which revokes any existing
>>gay/lesbian/bisexual civil rights legislation and prohibits the
>>drafting of any new legislation.

>>This is a repressive, regressive win for a right wing fascist-like
>>organization inappropriately self-named Colorado Family Values (CFV).
>>It is my understanding that they have no intention of stopping their
>>hate campaign here; they intented to push for legislation with a
>>stronger discriminatory flavor here in Colorado and surrounding states.

I am from colorado, true amendment #2 is a little of a disappointment
for the state, but on the other hand, if that amendment doesnt effect
you, Colorado is an excellent state to live in, i love it here, Boulder
is a great city to live in, I do miss the diversity that i had living
previously in boston, but boulder is fun and a great city to live
in.  Depends what you want for jobs, biotech and computer tech is
pretty good in boulder.  

Dont anyone flame me on what i said about question #2, I did vote no
on #2, but i dont think that discussions about colorado's politics
should be discussed on this newsgroup, this is a travel group
that discusses travel and locales, like the great ski areas that
colorado has to offer, i grew up skiing NH and VT, believe me
nothing compares to colorado as far as the east coast is concerned.

South western colorado is beautiful too, especially in summer and fall.

So feel free to contact me if you want to discuss colorado's beauty


Scott
 
Scott\      /\/\  /|email: dunbar@boulder.colorado.edu
  /***\  /\/*/**\/*|Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
 /  /\ \/**\/    \ |University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO  80309-0347
From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- Nauru
Date: 17 Nov 1992 11:48:46 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Nauru
============================================================
Nauru - Consular Information Sheet
 November 13, 1992

Embassy Location:  There is no U.S. embassy or other diplomatic 
post in Nauru.  Assistance for U.S. citizens is available at the 
U.S. Consulate General at 553 St. Kilda Road, P.O. Box 6722 
Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia - Telephone: (61-3) 526-5900.

Country Description:  Nauru is a constitutional republic with a 
parliamentary system of government.  Its economy is based on the 
export of phosphates.  Tourist facilities are available on a limited 
basis.  Yaren, the capital, has an international airport.  Taxis and 
rental cars are available, and bus service runs throughout the 
island.

Entry Requirements:  Passports, visas, and onward/return tickets 
are required.  Further specific information is available through the 
Consulate of the Republic of Nauru, first floor, ADA Professional 
Building, Marine Drive, in Agana, Guam.  The telephone number is 
(671) 649-8300, with the mailing address P.O. Box A.M., Agana, Guam, 
96910.

Medical Facilities:  Health care facilities in the Republic of 
Nauru are adequate for routine medical problems.  U.S. medical 
insurance is not always valid outside the United States.  
Supplemental medical insurance which specifically covers overseas 
treatment has proved to be useful to travelers.  The international 
travelers hotline of the Centers for Disease Control, telephone 
number (404) 332-4559 has additional useful health information.

Information on Crime:  The crime rate in the Republic of Nauru is 
low.  Useful information on guarding valuables and protecting 
personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the 
Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad".  It is available 
from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing 
Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties:  Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in 
illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail 
sentences and fines.

Registration:  Americans who register at the U.S. Consulate General 
in Melbourne can obtain up-to-date information on travel and 
security in Nauru.

 No. 92-106
Organisation: European Space Operation Centre (E.S.O.C)
Date: Friday, 20 Nov 1992 13:41:20 CET
From: <ISIMMOND@ESOC.BITNET>
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject:    Import restrictions for Germany?

I am off to Thailand in December and, as most tourists there, intend to spend
a lot (eg 500 - 1000 UK pounds) of money on goods to bring back (to Germany).

Does anybody know how much I can import before I have to pay tax?
Is the tax 14% (ie the same as Mehrwertsteuer - VAT)?

Replies by e-mail please. Thanks in advance,

Ian
From: ap25+@andrew.cmu.edu (Antoinette Powell)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Cash machines in Italy
Date: 18 Nov 92 17:36:25 GMT
Organization: University Libraries - Public Services, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA

For everyone's info:  Just got back from a 2-week tour of Italy, where
we were looking for bank machines which would take Plus cards.  We
didn't find ANY machines with Plus stickers, and very few that would
take a Visa, etc. card for a cash advance.  We hit Rome, Florence,
Lugano (Switz.), Pisa, Padua, Verona, Venice, and Assisi.  But, I'll
tell ya, you can pay for just about everything with a Visa or MC,
provided you spend enough.  Some places won't charge anything under $20,
or they'll give you a hard time.


Antoinette Powell (ap25+@andrew.cmu.edu)
Music and Rare Books Cataloging Librarian
Carnegie Mellon University
Hunt Library
Pittsburgh, PA  15213
(412) 268-7267