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

Er, I sometimes sleep on the floor at airports the ngiht before a flight, they tend not to chuck you out.

I have to say Az, you do make Seville sound a bit special. And that photograph of the cathedral is gorgeous.

It's all so white, compared to this grey city!

Sadly, flights from Canada range betwen $896 CDN and $4724 CDN

The cheapest I can find is $2470 (Australian), which is about 1000 pounds. Don't think I'll make it this time.

The least expensive flight from Chicago to Seville is $589 US per. The most expensive is $2,197 US per. I wonder why the enormous difference? The first is United , the second Virgin Atlantic.

We'll start saving ASAP!

I've just found a cheaper flight, for $2446. What a saving! I'd be travelling via Sydney, Bangkok and Heathrow. 26 hours of flying... Geography really is inconvenient sometimes.

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We happen to live somewhere in that photograph, Bouncy! And the pension I mentioned is just beyond the lower left-hand corner of the photo.

As for the dates, I doubt there would be much difference weather-wise between those two weekends mentioned as they are just a week apart. When blicky was here last spring he came at the end of March and it was quite warm and pleasant - *and* the orange blossom was out. Though of course these things vary from year to year. So perhaps the 24-26th?


az

Mudhooks, a friend of mine once flew Toronto-Malaga for about $300 return. It was a charter flight, I think, not a regular airline. From Malaga the train is about 30 euros ($50?)return and takes about 2 1/2 hours.


az

I think it's worth pointing out that the point about language in Seville is that unlike a lot of Spain, this is still a relatively 'local' place, inasmuch that they are not inundated with tourists.

They are undoubtedly some of the friedliest people I have ever met, and they want you to enjoy their city as much as they do, but don't expect them to have a brilliant grasp of English - though as FB (?) suggested, making the effort goes a long way.

Though you will find they regard some of us as loonies. I've still not got over the look on the barman's face when he realized the 'large beer', ie the pint, was for SLG and yours truly was still drinking the usual halves.

Why don't you just dig a hole, Ivan? You can charge people to go through it later, so you can pay for a new drill bit

That's rather a good idea. I must get a shovel and make a start on it...

You might even find something interesting to bring along! A petrified t-rex or something, who knows!

That's possible.

I would love to come.

Not sure about money or kids and depends whether it's in the school hols. If not I wouldn't get there til late on Fri because I can't have a day off.

Have you come up with a date yet?

Alex.

It's a shame that a good 'one-date-suits-all' is always so hard to find.

The main reason I suggested the end of March is because I know that it's a very nice time to visit as it's (usually) quite sunny and warm. And April is just too crazy here because of Semana Santa and Feria. But the end of March date is not 'written in stone' or anything - we could change it to another time if everyone could agree on a different date.

Or, as I suggested before, perhaps for teachers and parents who can only come out during school hols we could arrange a second mini-meet. Master B said half-term for him was mid-February - is this the same for everyone? Or do universities, secondary and primary schools all have their breaks at different times?

I think we already have about 10-12 people as 'possibles' for March 24-26. So maybe a second mini-meet during school hols would end up with a similar number of people if a second date could be agreed on.

I wouldn't want to limit the amount of people but, as Blues and blicky can also tell you, most of the best tapa bars are 'smallish' and it might prove difficult to just drop in with, say, a group of twenty or more people. Though I do know of a couple of places that I could reserve a table for a large-ish group.

So, what does everyone think about maybe organising two mini-meets that would suit everyone 'date-wise' and also allow for two smaller groups rather than one large one?

Noggin and I are really very pleasantly surprised that we got such a great response to our idea so quickly. And well, if we *have* to go out and have fun with visiting researchers TWICE I reckon we could deal with that. . .

And so, shall await further input from you guys.




az

The later date in March suits Mr T and I slightly better - but there isn't much in it.
We're probably going to try to tie up with B and Z, metaphorically speaking

to Az and Noggin for coming up with such a brilliant idea.

You kiddin? We love this idea! We've been trying to get to one of the big London meets since last January but each time something has come up - well, usually financial constraints.

Thing is, since most people don't live in London they have to travel anyhow, and even though airfare to Seville might cost a bit more I think those costs are balanced out by the inexpensive accommodation and how cheap eating and drinking out is here. And also, you'll all get to see Seville!

Been thinking about the dates and since we already have a few people interested in 24-26 March why don't we leave that one as 'for sure' and then leave it open if others would like to find another date for a second mini-meet?

The possibles for 24-26 March are (so far):

Blues & SLG
Kerr & Bruce
FB
blicky
Tavaron
Ben & Z
Lucky & Dai
Teuchter & Mr T.

I've already been talking Noggin's ear off about where we can take you guys to eat and see the sights. If blicky comes he can end up being the 'social coordinator' for anyone who wants to go out late (after 1am) to the clubs and stuff.

Which is the other nice thing about having a group here. I won't 'organise you all to death' or anything like that, but I would like to take you to some of the more typical 'non-touristy' tapa places and maybe to see a bit of flamenco. But since it will be a couple of days, perhaps some might prefer going off on their own exploring the city.

Quite looking forward to it.


az

Maybe Ivan and I could meet somewhere in the middle and share the digging on the last leg?

On the other hand, perhaps I could invest in some inner-tubes and float myself to the coast. I'm sure if I started sometime soon, I'd be there by March.... I'd only have to find a ride from there to Seville!