h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi darling Fathom!

Did you email my personal email account or the h2g2 one?

Best happy new year wishes to you and yours from both of us.

Still thinking about making it to the mini meet? Really hope so.


az

Did you get our email to you now, Fathom?


az

For those who are interested in booking at the cheap & cheerful pension down the street, I was told they could accept bookings for March as of January 1st.

They told me the nightly rate per person was 20 euros, with shared bathroom (one on each floor). It's a small place, so there won't be a lot of people sharing each bathroom.

Their email address is: pensió[email protected]

The other pensión option - 50 euros for a double room with ensuite bathroom - is the Hostal-Restaurante Monreal. They don't have an email address. Bookings would have to made by telephone. (34) 954 21 4166.

So, I think that covers most options in the neighbourhood. From 20 euros for a single person to 50 or 80 euros and up for double rooms at other hostels/hotels.

If you have any questions about these places, feel free to ask. But I think it is a good idea to book accommodation as soon as possible.


az

I am nearly desperate. The Ryanair option Hahn-Jerez is about the cheapest. Except I have to get to Hahn which is so difficult. Anyway - I'm determined to get there somehow....

TC, you need to arrive in Jerez before 6pm - otherwise there won't be a connecting train to Seville. Good luck! Really hope you can make it.

az

Trains available Jerez-Seville seem to be 6.40, 7.45 and 8.30. But the schedule might change between now and then.

Still, the 7.45 one looks quite hopeful - you'd be in Seville before 9pm and eating tapas by 10.


az

eso me gustaría!

O damn - watch out for s

er.. that means: I'd like that.

Here are some photos Noggin and I took last night of the Christmas lights. Photo 187 shows the Hotel Europa on the left. The Marques Santa Ana is just around the corner, across the street from the building shown in photo 189.

http://public.fotki.com/azahar/sevilla/christmas_001.html

(photos 144-196)


az

I can't remember if I posted this link before but it has a lot of good info about Seville (and it's in English!).

http://www.exploreseville.com/

Also, some of you staying a bit longer might like to check out the Arab Baths that opened here last year (in the neighbourhood, near the cathedral). I can't remember what it costs - something like 22 euros for an hour and a half? I've never gone but friends say it's fabulous and very relaxing. Apparently you are taken through a series of baths, steam room, etc and then get a short massage at the end. There is also a lovely tea room for after.

http://www.airedesevilla.com/galeria.htm


az

Az, has anyone mentioned the possibility of a mini-meet in London after yours? It would be very convenient for those who are travelling say...9 time zones to get there...

Make it worth-while...

hi zoomer,

Well, I know that MoG is going to the UK after here - I think on the 28th. If you are going to be in London after the meet here it should be easy to meet up with a few others (especially those who live in/near London). Perhaps you could try organising a mini meet for the following weekend? Which I notice is April 1st - might be good for a laugh, an April Fool's Day hootoo meet.

How long are you planning to be in Seville? Longer than just the weekend, I hope. MoG is coming a couple of days before and I think blicky is staying for the week after, so you'd have other hootoo friends to hang out with. Also, you might be interested in taking a couple of day trips from here (Córdoba, Cádiz - check out photos in my Trips fotki album). As Mudhooks said, make the trip worthwhile.


az

Ben has graciously offered to organize the logistics of the flow of my travels in the UK after the Seville meetup, and we will definitely be spending a couple days touring London and hopefully meeting with some of the local researchers. I'm not sure whether we were going to do that on the way in or on my way out, but if you're going to be there for a while too, Zoomer, maybe we can coordinate. I'm flying back to the US on Apr.5.

Ah. I am crap crap CRAP at organising logistics. What I have done is booked the entire two and a half weeks off to provide an escort service. As it were. But I am the worst person in the world at organising trips. I can book hotels and tickets and stuff, but I am really bad at picking tourist attractions to see. When I went to Paris I got drunk instead of seeing the Eyeful Tower.

I suggest we get Z on the case, or someone who can organise things.

Ben

Ben, I use the term 'organize' rather loosely. We'll be fine. As long as we know where and when we're supposed to meet people the rest will just flow and be faaaaabulous. I've been watching for the perfect offer for an in-London hotel, haven't come across anything stellar on Travelzoo yet. I guess we should start thinking about the Wheres and Whens over the next week so we can give Z some guidelines to work with in his function of Organizational Guru and Maestro of Fine Details. (dontcha love how I bestow titles and job descriptions without making sure people actually *want* the job? )

I'm in a flight-booking mode, just got the NY branch of my expedition nailed down. Now onto the Seville leg. Is your itinerary still confirmed, or did they change it on you? I *definitely* want to fly back with y'all, am still partial to going direct from Heathrow so I can de-jetlag before things get busy.

Does anyone have suggestions for websites offering discount tickets over yonder or am I just best to go through British Airways and take whatever price they give me?

just in case... when is the meet? You never know...

March 24-26th.

The confirmed list so far is:

Teutcher & Mr T
Ben & Z
MoG
Lucky & Dai
blickybadger

It would be great if you could make it, Sho.


az

I'm working on it...

oh no... you didn't tell Blicky what I said, did you?

What was that, Sho? About him being scrumptiously gorgeous? No, don't worry, didn't say a word . . .


az

I think I remember using the words, "on the eye" and "easy"



well... it is true.

*digs hole and hides*

Blicky, I know you're out there...