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

We were just wondering about arrival times - for those of you arriving on Thursday - as we were thinking of arranging a tapa dinner for everyone Thursday evening, as well as lunch on Friday after TC arrives.

Thought this might help you all get 'set up' (for doing stuff on your own) with maps, a list of favourite tapa bars and restaurants, places to see flamenco, interesting sights and walks, places for shopping, etc.

Group stuff to do (on Saturday) will include the Royal Palace and Gardens, Cathedral & Tower, the Wheel, but we thought with the maps, etc you could get started Friday morning with a bit of knowledge about places to go.

Also better give instructions for getting to the pensión as you'll have to walk a bit from where the taxi drops you off (Teuchter, your hotel can be reached by car, so no problem there). Probably the easiest thing to do is write this on a slip of paper and hand it to the taxi driver:

Pensión Vergara
Ximinez de Enciso no. 11
Esquina Mateos Gago y Meson del Moro

The pensión is only about 100 metres from the corner of Mateos Gago and Meson del Moro and you can ask the taxi driver to just point you in the right direction. We might be able to meet you on the corner if you give us a call from the airport/train station just before you get your taxi, depending on your arrival time (we'll be working Thursday morning). We'll send you our address and phone number by email in any case. In fact, it might be easiest to just get dropped off here (we can watch for the taxi from the balcony) and then walk 200 metres to the pensión.

Meanwhile the five-day weather forecast is for RAIN!!! But hopefully this means that by Thursday it will have cleared up and will be gorgeously sunny and warm.


az

All sounds good to me Az

Our flight is supposed to arrive c 10.45am - but we know you're working and don't want to cause any more disruption than necessary. It would be useful to have a phone number though - in case we get horribly lost

Well, I'll be finished working by 11am on Thursday. Not enough time to go out and meet you at the airport, but as I say, your hotel directions are much more straight forward than they are for those staying at the pensión.

If you send me a quick email - azaharh2g2 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com - I'll send you our address and phone number. As well as written instructions to give to the taxi driver - this is recommended as they sometimes 'misunderstand' and then you get taken on an expensive tour of the city while they try to find your street.

I finished making up the 'info packs' for everyone yesterday. These include a map, where I've circled where everyone is staying and where our house is. And also printed lists of favourite tapa bars & restaurants, shopping areas and places to see flamenco. The map itself (touristy map of the centre of town) also shows interesting places to visit, which I can explain further during our 'welcome dinner' on Thursday evening.



az

So okay, we have the Teuchter's arrival time sorted.

Ben and Z? Lucky and Dai?

az

>> az quothe

Next year?
How about June? <<

How about some time in a school holiday? Any school holiday?

Jez <mutters 'June!' and slopes off again...

Ben and Z are on the same flight as The Teuchters - so we'll be sharing a taxi into the city, methinks.

<>

How about any old time you feel like it and can make it, Jez?



az

Didn't realise that Teuchter. If you guys share a taxi and all go to your posh hotel then Noggin and I can meet you there and then take Ben and Z over to the pensión.

Presumably they won't have so much luggage for a weekend that a ten minute walk would be too difficult. Particularly with six people to help carry it!

And I'm sure MoG will also be keen to meet everyone. So that will make seven of us.

Sounds like an *almost* plan . . .


az

B and I are very resilent really.

I'll probably buy a street map at the airport and if it's only an 10 minute walk then we can walk there on our own. I've managed to succesfully find a hotel in every other European city I've visited without having to resort to a taxi because I didn't know the way! Er in fact in most cities I've had to find a youth hostel and a bed for the night.

We don't need looking after really, we'll easily be able to find our way around. I've not had any trouble in France, Itay, or Greece when it comes to navigating strange cities where I don't speak the language.

Obviously it will be lovely to see you, but don't come just on our accout.

For that, I'll get a new passport

Jez

PS, I have parties here, though unfortunately, here is Nottingham...

Not the most salubrious place to visit...

J

Not questioning resilience, Z.

Just that if everyone is getting in at the same time, then there is no problem at all if everyone goes to one hotel (cheaper for taxi fare) and then Peter and I can meet you there to show you where the pensión is.

Sound okay?

az

Ok - as long as you're not coming out just to show B and I the way from one hotel to another - I'm sure we can manage that bit on our own!

Well, it's only financial - and not health - matters that stop me from visiting you in Nottingham, Jez. Though I did worry about going all mouldy when I lived in Bristol . . .


az

Have just checked my 'Rough Guide to Europe' and it seems that Pension Vergara is one of the reccomended ones in Seville - so it's marked on the Street plan of Seville in the guidebook. Looks like it's fairly central and there's lots to see and do within walking distance.

Yes of course that's why we'd meet you, to show you the way from one hotel to another!


az

Well and to meet with everyone of course! But as we'll easily be able to find the hotel ourselves why don't we all meet up a bit later when we've had the chance to shower and things?

I'm open to suggestions of course... There's so much in Seville I just want to wander around I don't need to be occupied every minute- and I tend to get terribiliy croctety in big groups.

Sorry I should say - in big groups whilst travelling. Probably the heat I'm not good with anything over 24 degrees C

Well, never mind then Z. We'll just show up to meet the Teuchters and leave you to find your way to the pensión on your own if you prefer.


az

OOh that was all I wanted to check - that you'd turn up to meet us anyway! We'll sort things out once we get there.

I can't wait to meet you and Nog and everyone - and visit Seville!

Still there Jez?

June sounds just fine.

It's actually a nice time to visit Seville. Just before it gets really hot. Well, let us know.


az