London Trip

email Mr. Doggett.

THERE WILL BE A MEETING FOR STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS GOING ON THE TRIP AND ANYONE ONE ELSE GOING ON THE TRIP -- THE MEETING WILL BE AT 7:30 PM ON THURSDAY, MARCH 10TH AT 7:30 PM IN MR. DOGGETT'S CLASS -- THE MEETING IS OPEN TO ANYONE GOING ON THE TRIP!!

Important Updated (3/10/05) Trip Information
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A few last minute Instructions:

1. Make sure you have your passport when you leave home to come to the high school or if you are meeting us at the airport in Houston.

2. If you are meeting us at the airport in Houston I need to know about it. I know about the Sabinal folks meeting us there but so far nobody else is planning to do that.

3. I will have luggage takes that you will need to fill out and attach to you luggage before we check our bags at the airport.

4. I will also have passport wallets for each of you, compliments of New Horizons Tour and Travel.

5. I understand that the departure time from Vanderbilt has change and I am sorry for it but the bus will leave at 11 AM so you all should be here and ready to go by about 10:30 AM on Sunday.

6. We will be flying Air France flight 33 departing Houston at 4:30 PM arriving in Paris at 8:45 AM and then depart from Paris at 10:00 AM on Air France flight 1370 and arrive in London at 10:20 AM. The flight to Paris will be 9 hours and 15 minutes.

7. We will depart Paris on Sunday, March 20th on Air France flight 36 at 10:15 AM and fly direct (non-stop) to Houston and arrive there at 2:05 PM. We should arrive back in Vanderbilt at about 4:30 or 5 PM. The return flight home will be 10 hours and 50 minutes.

8. It is a good idea to make a copy of your personal information in case something happens and you lose your purse or wallet and all your credit cards. Make a list of all the cards you have and numbers so you can quickly get them cancelled or replaced. Make sure you keep this information in safe place, because you will not want anyone to get hold of the valuable information. It is also a good idea to make a list of important phone numbers to take along with you.

1. There will be no boys in girls rooms or vise versa at anytime for any reason.

2. Students are not allowed to be without adult supervision at any on the trip. This means you may not leave the hotel without an adult chaperon.

3. All students on the trip without parents must stay with Mr. Doggett or Mr. Henry unless they give you permission to accompany another group with adults. Students will not be allowed to be on there own at anytime other than in their hotel room at night.

4. Mr. Doggett and Mr. Henry must know where student are at all times.

5. Mr. Doggett and Mr. Henry will tape the hotel doors of students and students that are staying in a room with their parents. Once the door is taped you are not allowed out of until the tape is taken off in the morning. If you need out of your room at any time during the night call Mr. Doggett or Mr. Henry and we will let you out. If tape is broken on any door there will be consequences.

6. If Mr. Doggett or Mr. Henry has any reason for suspension of illegal substances (even cigarettes) rooms will be searched in the presence of the students!

Emergency Contact Information

If you need to get in touch with someone on the trip you can all the New Horizon Tour and Travel Number at 1-800-327-4695 - this number has a person on call 24 hours a day.

You can also email Mr. Doggett at mdogit@aol.com I will try to check my email each day while on the trip - I will not have my computer but will try and check it at the hotel or at a cyber cafe near the hotel.

You can also call the hotel -- you can find the numbers to the hotels on the hotel links on this web page.

Our plane will have 9 seats across with two isles (3,3,3) - Each seat has its own video monitor for individual viewing of movies and more.

11:00 AM Chartered motor coach will pick you up at the Industrial High School and take you to George Bush Intercontinental Airport for check-in of you and your luggage.

4:30 PM Your overseas flight will include dinner, movies and breakfast snack in-flight, as you look forward to the next exciting week in Europe.

8:45 AM You will touch down at the Charles De Gaulle Airport and you have some time to stretch your legs before your connecting flight to London Heathrow.

10:45 AM After clearing passport control, collecting your luggage, and passing through customs, meet your local tour director, your motor coach and driver for the transfer into London.

12:30 PM After lunch (always at your own expense) transfer to your hotel, drop your luggage.

1:00 PM Meet a local tour guide for your half-day overview bus tour of the city. You’ll see such sights (exterior views only) as Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and Covent Gardens.

4:30 PM Your tour director will take you to the London Dungeon (5:30 pm is last admissions) via the London tube.

6:30 PM Enjoy a ride on the British Airways London Eye. This 450-foot-high observation wheel will show you all of London from above.

HOTEL: COMFORT INN KENSINGTON
22/32 West Cromwell Rd, London, SW5 9QJ
Phone: 011 44 20 7373 3300 Fax: 011 44 20 7835 2040

9:00 AM This morning’s excursion will take you into the heart of Old Worlde London, home of the famous Globe Theatre of Shakespeare’s time.

11:30 AM Visit the Hampton Court Palace, the magnificent State Apartments of Henry VIII, 60 acres of riverside gardens and the world-famous maze.

9:30 AM Be among the first this morning at the bloody Tower of London, where you’ll see the priceless Crown Jewels and other displays. Followed by a visit to the Christopher Wren’s majestic St. Paul’s Cathedral.

1:00 PM A motor coach will meet you at your hotel and take you to the magnificent Windsor Castle.

Upon arrival in Paris a guide will meet you and show you the highlights of this great city. Sights may include l'Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Elysées, Cathédral de Notre-Dame de Paris, Hôtel de Ville (City Hall), Hôtel des Invalides (Napoléon’s Tomp), and more.

After checking into your hotel, look for dinner on your own (A Euro 10 cashback is provided) followed by a visit to the Tour Eiffel for a night view of the city.

This morning a motor coach will take you out to Versailles. Spend the morning touring the magnificent Château de Versailles, built for the Sun King, Louis XIV. Return to Paris for an afternoon visit to the world’s largest palace and greatest museum – Musée du Louvre.

7:00 AM This morning transfer back to Charles De Gaulle Airport to check in for your return flight back to Houston and your coach transfer back to Vanderbilt.

10:20 AM Departure time. This will make for a long day but will give you enough time to reminisce with your friends about your time in Europe.

*** Visas may be required for holders of non-US passports to qualify for entry into England & France. Please be advised that it is the responsibility of the individual to obtain the necessary visa. Telephone New Horizons for assistance.

*** Tour group members are cautioned that city tours in some locations may involve a good deal of walking.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

1. If you need to mail anything to Mr. Doggett please do so at the following address:
Mike Doggett
Industrial High School
Box 399
Vanderbilt TX 77991

2. IF YOU HAVE NOT SENT OFF FOR YOUR PASSPORT YOU NEED TO DO IT NOW! it takes about 4 to 6 weeks for the government to process it. You can get it rushed but it will cost you more money. Click here for information on how to get a passport.

3. It is suggested that everyone get a money belt. This is something you wear around your waist and under you shirt. It allows you to keep your money out of sight and reach of pick-pockets. It is also big enough to keep your passport in at all times (Guys, you will not be able to put your passport in your wallet and is not suggested to put in your back pocket). It is very important to keep your passport with you at all time (if you have travelers checks you will need it to cash them). If you lose your passport you will not be able to leave the country until a replacement is obtained!

Here is a picture of a money belt -- you can get them at Wal-Mart and are pretty cheap.

THREE THINGS THE TOUR COMPANY NEEDS ASAP. 1). YOU NAME AS IS APPEARS ON YOUR PASSPORT 2). YOUR PASSPORT NUMBER 3). Your date of birth and country you were born in. NHTT will be sending you a mail out for this information. If you do not have your passport send it in to them as soon as you get it. This information is needed by Jan. 20th. If you will not have your passport by that time send in what information you have and then send in your passport number as soon as you get your passport in the mail. THIS IS THE LETTER THAT NHTT SENT OUT AND YOU SHOULD SEND IN ALL INFORMATION THAT YOU HAVE BY JAN. 20. LETTER

Also, If you have your passport please mail a COPY of the information page and send it to Mr. Doggett at Industrial High School. If you do not have your passport yet send this information to Mr. Doggett just as soon as you get your passport in.

You can fax the photo copy of your information page of your passport to:
Attention Mr. Doggett @ 361-284-3328

The New (and only playing in London) Musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber (Phantom of the Opera) Staring Michael Crawford (famous for his role as the Phantom of the Opera)

AND WE HAVE THE BEST SEAT IN THE THEATRE!
Or at least have the highest priced seats and should be in a great location - NO BALCONY SEATS!

The Woman in White - review

Jill Paice, Martin Crewes and Maria Friedman

THE WOMAN IN WHITE
Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1
Opened 15 September 2004
Tickets: £15-£50
Box Office: 0870 895 5579

review by Yvette Faris

The Woman in White, written by Wilkie Collins, was first published in 1860, but is still a cracking story today. With mystery, betrayal, greed, romance and twists, Andrew Lloyd Webber recognised that it was perfect for the stage.

If you’re expecting lavish Victorian sets however, then you’ll be disappointed. Instead there are huge white screens curving around the stage area and another that revolves centre stage, onto which are projected computer-generated images of each scene. This enables complex scene settings to be changed in an instant as the audience travels with the actors from inside the house, to the gardens, to the churchyard, to the railway and so on. It’s a little like being in an Imax Cinema, and occasionally detracts from the action on stage. Personally, though I appreciated the cleverness, I found it a little too modern for a Victorian drama and I missed the warmth and atmosphere that a good stage set can give.

Maria Friedman

Maria Friedman as usual turns in an outstanding performance. She plays the leading role of Marian Halcombe, who tries and fails to take care of her sister. As she flits about the stage in her long skirts she brings a warmth and humour to the role, and shows that some Victorian women refused to stay under the thumb.

Michael Crawford

Under make-up, wig and padding Michael Crawford (Count Fosco) is unrecognisable, but for his voice. His song ‘You Can Get Away With Anything’ has the audience laughing as he convorts among his caged birds and sings with a rat running over his shoulders, and some nights, into his clothes! A magnificent return to the West End after his long absence.

Americans Angela Christian (Anne Catherick) and Jill Paice (Laura Fairlie) both make their West End debut in excellent portrayals of how Victorian women often suffered at the hands of domineering men, in this case the merciless Sir Percival Glyde (played by Oliver Darly), who we all loved to hate.

Martin Crewes

The love interest for the two sisters comes in the form of Martin Crewes (Walter Hartright) their art tutor, who handles skilfully the character's changing circumstances from admiring tutor, to drunk, to rescuing hero.

Edward Petherbridge

Mention should also be made of Edward Petherbridge (Mr Fairlie) who from a wheelchair plays a feisty Guardian to the sisters, and raises a few chuckles with his song 'I Hope You Like It Here'.

The cast and the gripping story make it a show well worth seeing.

Orchestre de Radio France
(Symphony Orchestra Radio France - orchestra of 138 musicians)

Just 13 years separate the composition of Messiaen's L' Ascension, written in 1933, and Ravel's 1920 masterpiece La Valse. Yet they define the extremes of early 20th-century French orchestral music. This dramatic pairing made up the second half of Myung-Whun Chung's Prom with his Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France. The players proved as convincing in Messiaen's radical spirituality as in Ravel's spectacular secularism.

La Valse is a profound reflection on fin de siècle decadence. Ravel's waltz creates an atmosphere of nostalgia, before violently dancing itself to death. Chung and the players revelled in the music's luxuriousness, and captured the brilliance of Ravel's orchestration. But even more striking was the way they shaped the whole structure.

The performance began with half-remembered fragments of waltz tunes and rhythms. Out of this mist of memories the music coalesced into a sensual weave of melody. The effect of the final passage was overwhelming, as the tunes dissolved into a chaotic dissonance, and an excess of pleasure turned into an expression of horror.

There was another kind of decadence in the "Four Symphonic Meditations" of L'Ascension. The final movement was a luminous image of Christ ascending to God. The piece is scored for strings, but is symbolically weighted towards the highest register: the full first violin section plays against a reduced complement of violas and cellos. Chung drew a performance of rapt intensity from his players. But the orchestra's woodwind and brass were equally impressive in the first movement, as the music's ritualistic repetitions built towards a blazing climax. In between these imposing musical icons were two Alléluias, which celebrated their images of celestial perfection with full orchestral splendour.

The other French component of the programme was the glittering burlesque of Berlioz's Roman Carnival overture. But the highlight of the first half was the performance of Bruch's First Violin Concerto by Kyung-Wha Chung, the conductor's sister. There was a sensitive musical and emotional rapport between the two, and nowhere more so than in the slow movement. Taken at a mesmerisingly slow speed, Kyung-Wha's fluid phrasing was matched by her brother's delicate accompaniment. The finale was a joyous release of tension, as soloist and conductor took turns in leading the music's rustic, unabandoned dance.

Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004

Orchestre philharmonique de Radio France
directeur musical : Myung-Whun Chung

The originality of this orchestra of 138 musicians, are the very great flexibility and the variety of its repertory. The philharmonic Orchestra of Radio France can indeed be divided into two, even three formations, these sets being able to adapt to very different repertories: it is what one familiarly calls the " variable geometry ". The traditional concerts of symphonies or works for chamber orchestra presented by the orchestra are the proof of this adaptability, as well as the concerts of contemporary music which call upon specific instrumental combinations. This does not prevent the Orchestra from regularly interpreting the great repertory of XIXe and XXe centuries.

The philharmonic Orchestra of Radio France gives on average 50 concerts per year, so much in France than during its tours in foreigner country.

Maestro Myung-Whun Chung

(b Seoul, 22 Jan 1953).

Conductor and pianist, brother of (1) Myung-Wha Chung. He made his début as a pianist with the Seoul PO at the age of seven, and then studied the piano with Reisenberg and conducting with Bamberger at Mannes College in New York. After graduating from the Juilliard School in 1974 he worked with Sixten Ehrling from 1975 to 1978. He made his conducting début in 1971 with the Korean SO and won second prize in the Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow in 1974. Giulini appointed him assistant conductor at the Los Angeles PO in 1978 and two years later promoted him to associate conductor. He was chief conductor of the Saarbrücken RSO (1984–90) and in 1986 made his Metropolitan début conducting Simon Boccanegra. This resulted in numerous guest engagements, including performances with the Vienna PO, the Berlin PO and leading British and American orchestras. From 1987 to 1992 he was principal guest conductor at the Teatro Communale in Florence and in 1989 was awarded the Arturo Toscanini Prize. In the same year he succeeded Barenboim as director at the Opéra Bastille in Paris, following the latter's dispute with the government. Chung’s directorship led to a similar impasse; after conducting acclaimed productions of Les Troyens, Otello and Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District and directing the opera orchestra with great success on tour, he left the Bastille in 1994 amid strikes and lawsuits. He was subsequently appointed chief conductor of the Korean Broadcasting System SO and is active as a guest conductor in concert and opera. In 1994 he gave the première of Messiaen’s Concert à quatre, of which he is the dedicatee.

Chung often directs piano concertos from the keyboard, and has formed a piano trio with his sisters Kyung-Wha and Myung-Wha. On the podium, much of his technique is reminiscent of Karajan. He favours long singing lines, but is also a master of powerful dramatic effects. He has made eloquent, idiomatic recordings of French, Russian and Italian repertory, including several major works by Messiaen.

Performance at the Cité de la Musique

Free buss service
Throughout the season, after each evening performance given in the Concert Hall, the Cité de la Musique offers a free bus service to various destinations within Paris (Gare du Nord, République, Hôtel-de-Ville, Luxembourg and Denfert-Rochereau).
Access to the bus is for Cité de la musique audiences only, please present your ticket (subject to availability).

FAQ's
1. Will the x-ray machine damage my film?. It should not effect your film. It is advised to take your file in your carry-on bag and not your checked bag.

2. Should I bring nice dress up clothes? Casual dress will be expectable everywhere we go, only bring dress up clothes if you want.

3. What is the weather going to be like? Dress warm! Average temperature in London will be High of around 56 and low of around 40 -- In Paris the high will be around 61 and the low around 41. Bring an umbrella it rains often. I WOULD SUGGEST TO WEAR YOU COAT ON THE AIRPLANE -- THAT WAY YOU WILL HAVE IT WHEN WE LAND AND IT WILL NOT TAKE UP EXTRA ROOM IN YOUR BAGGAGE.

4. What should I do about exchanging money You can travel with Travelers Checks, There is a 2% fee on cashing all traverlers checks. You can use your ATM or Credit Card in any ATM machine in London or Paris and it will give you pounds or euros and will give it to you at the proper current rate of exchange. There is also something new called the American Express Travelfund Card (click link to see more) It is like have traveler's checks and a credit card/ATM card all in one. This new card has a $300 dollar minimum. Money can also be exchanged at all airports and there are lots of exchange locations and banks all over Paris and London. ANOTHER option NHTT gave us is to send them money and they will exchange it for you -- they get a better exchange rate (not sure how much yet and if it will be worth the trouble). If anyone wants to do this let me know and I will workout the details.

Exchange Update: I have been told by NHTT that if you send them money to exchange (like mentioned above) the exchange rate they can get is only .03 on the dollar -- sending money to NHTT to exchange for that little of a saving seems to me like to much trouble for what little saving you will get.

5. Will my blow dryer work over there? NO. You will need a power converter -- more on this later - but you can pick them up a Wal-Mart for pretty cheap. Our hotel in London have hair dryers in the room -- so their web page say. Our Paris hotel also says it has hair dryers in each room. This is from our Tour Director: At Radio shack there is a world converter (plugs) it comes with difference once (one for each England & France) They will only need the the different plug IF their electric thing has a switch from 110 V to 220V. If they cannot switch the voltage they need a converter (translator) this means the part you plug in will change the voltage from 110V to 220 V - this way the curling iron won't blow up!!!!

6. What about my medicine, on the airplane? You will need to keep your medicine in the original prescription bottle even if you are taking vitamins and it is in a large bottle. Any type of pill that is in an unmarked bottle could get you in to trouble. If you are diabetic and have to take shots for it -- you might ask the flight attendants about it this -- I have been told that flight attendants have been known to keep it for you until you need it if you need it on the flight. The best thing is to have a note from your doctor if you have a unique medical situation.

7. How many bags can I bring and what size should those bags be? You are allowed 2 checked bags and one carry-on bag and one personal item (such as a briefcase or purse) I WOULD STRONGLY SUGGEST TO ONLY BRING ONE CHECKED BAG -- REMEMBER YOU WILL HAVE TO CARRY ALL YOUR BAGS EVERYWHERE WE GO.

A. Checked bags can weight no more than 50 lbs. (this has changes since I talked to some of you). The bag can NOT exceed a total of 62 inches with combined length, width and height. Baggage that exceeds these parameters are subject to excess baggage charges. These charges are the responsibility of the individual NOT the group.

B. Carry-on baggage may not exceed 40 lbs. or a total of 45 inches when adding height, length and width (9" by 14" by 22"). You may be asked to check larger carry-on bags if the over-head compartments are too full on the airplane.

C. Tag all bags with name/address/phone. NHTT will provide tags for easy identification. You might want to add additional identification by adding a colored tape, ribbon or sticker. Remember, you and 20 other people might have the exact bag and it will be difficult to identify you bag at the baggage clam area -- this will speed up your departure from the airport. BAGGAGE HANDLING IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS TRIP SO EACH PERSON IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN BAGS.

D. Remember to leave some extra room in one of your bags for things you buy and bring back. It is possible to have larger items shipped back to the US via mail.

8. What are some things I should not pack due to increased security in all airports? You may not bring anything in your carry-on bag that might be considered a weapon of any kind. Some example are:
*Knives of any length, composition or designation
*All cutting and puncturing instruments. This includes pocketknives, carpet knives, box cutters ice picks, straight razors, metal scissors, metal nail files and finger nail clippers.
*Corkscrews
*WEAPONS: firearms, ammunition, gunpowder, mace, tear gas, or pepper spray
*AREOLE SPRAYS: hair spray cans, deodorants, insect repellant, or butane fuel (such as in curling iron refills, scuba tanks, propane tanks, cartridges, and self-inflating rafts)
*EXPLOSIVES: fireworks, sparkers, or signal flares.
*FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS OR SOLIDS: fuel, paints, paint thinners or cleaners, lighter fluid, and perfume (no more than 16 oz)
*OTHER HAZARDOUS ITEMS: dry ice, gas-powered tools, wet-cell batteries, camping equipment with fuel, radioactive materials, poisons, and infectious substances.
*LEAVE GIFTS UNWRAPPED: Airline security personnel will open gifts if the X-Ray scan cannot determine the contents.
*IF IN DOUBT, DON'T PACK IT.

9. Are there any do's and don'ts while in the airport? YES. Here are the major ones:
*Watch your bags and personal belongings at all times and do not leave them unattended -- if you do airport security will snatch them up.
*Do not accept baggage from stranger -- or candy!
*Report any unattended bags or packages anywhere in the airport to airport terminal or parking area officials -- also report any suspicious activities or individuals to security.
*DON'T JOKE ABOUT HAVING A BOMB OR FIREARM. Don't even discuss terrorism, weapons, explosives, or other threats while going through the security checkpoint. The mention of these words can compel security personnel to detain and question you.
*Electronic items such as laptop computers and cell phones, may be subjected to additional screening. Be prepared to remove your laptop from its travel case so it can be X-Rayed separately
*Be prepared to take off your shoes at the security check point.
*Wear as little metal as possible to avoid delays when going through security metal detectors.

10. DO NOT FORGET YOUR PASSPORT -- YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BOARD THE PLANE WITHOUT IT!

11. I am an adult on the trip will have any chaperon responsibilities ? NO, Mr. Henry and Mr. Doggett are in complete control of all students traveling without a parent on the trip. The only time where you might have to chaperon a student is if you choose to do so. There will be times when the group goes in different directions (to eat lunch or during free time) and you allow a student to go with you or your small group. JUST REMEMBER, THAT MR. DOGGETT AND MR. HENRY HAVE FINAL SAY AND AUTHORITY OVER THE STUDENTS WITHOUT PARENTS .And, remember, if you are not comfortable with having students with you at anytime please let me know. Mr. Doggett or Henry must know where the kids are at all time and approve for them to leave with another group that does not include Mr. Henry or Mr. Doggett in it.

12. I hear Mr. Doggett tapes hotel doors at night, what's up with that? YES. I do. I will be taping all doors that have students in a room, even if there are parents in that room. Let me explain. Taping hotel doors is something I have been doing for years, it helps to insure that a student does not leave the room after I go to bed. If for any reason the student needs to leave the room they must call me and I will let them out. I always get up early, before anyone else, and take the tape off the door before anyone gets up. I also tape the doors of students who are staying with their parents because I have kids sneak out of the room after their parents go to sleep and returned before they got up and the parents never knew about it. THIS IS ALL FOR SAFETY OF THE KIDS -- WE DO NOT WANT THEM OUT ON THE STREETS OR EVEN IN THE LOBBY OF A HOTEL IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY!

13. I am an adult and traveling with other adults on the trip do I have to do and go everywhere the group does? NO. You have tons of freedom. If you decide that you don't want to go on one of the planned activities you have the option of doing whatever you want or not going. You have paid for this trip and I want you to have the time of your life with the group or on your own.

14. Will I have free time to shop? YES. Now what kind of trip would I plan without some good shopping time. There will be many times that we will be in areas that have thing to buy -- our hotel in London is near a very popular market area. Check the itinerary for other times in London that you might shop. While in Paris you will notice that the day before we fly home we have up until 7 PM before we have anything scheduled. You should take a guide book with you and make plans to use your free time. I will have several travel videos on the charter bus to the Houston airport that I will show. These video have tons of thing to do in both London and Paris, bring something to write with on the bus as you will see things you might want to check out during your free time.

15. What should I do about locking my bags, I understand that security might want to open and check my bag and I don't want them to break my lock off? http://www.ebags.com/. To order TSA approved Locks for your bags. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY NHTT THAT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT EVEN A SPECIAL LOCK WILL NOT BE CUT OFF BY THE AIRLINE -- IT IS BETTER TO NOT LOCK YOUR CHECKED BAGS. Do not put valuables or breakable items in your checked bags -- put those items in your carry-on bags.

16. What kind of shoes should I bring? Bring shoes that you can walk in and ones that do not hurt you feet. I made the mistake of buying new shoes on my first trip to New York and couldn't hardly get around because my feet hurt so bad because the were not broken in.

17. What is the time difference in London and Paris? Both London is 6 hours and Paris is 7 ahead of us. So if it 7 PM in Vanderbilt it is 1 AM in London and 2 AM in Paris.

18. I need to contact my child how do I do that? There are several ways. Have you child buy an international calling card when we get to London -- I have been told that many of the cards here in the States are not as good as the ones you get in London or Paris -- many hidden charges and you don't get as many minutes as you think you are paying for along with being more expensive here. Most cell phones will not work unless you have a special phone which you can rent that will work world wide. The best thing to do is have your child call you from the hotel (make sure they understand the time change) and you can call them back if they do not have lots of minutes on a calling card. You can also leave a message at the hotel for you child -- see numbers above.

In restaurants and cafés, a service charge of 15% is included in prices by law ("service compris" should be written on the menu). Tipping in not necessary unless you are very satisfied with the service.

People usually tip taxis drivers (10-15%), porters, concierges, hairdressers (10%) and ushers. It is common practice to tip coach driver and tour guides after an excursion.

The custom of tipping is well established in the U.K. Many restaurants clearly include a service charge, and in this case there is no need to tip. Otherwise tip between 10 and 15% if the service is acceptable. Like most restaurant personnel elsewhere, their wages in the U.K. are low, based on the assumption that they will earn tips.

Taxi drivers are commonly tipped 10%. Pocket change is usually proffered to theatre, and public lavatory attendants. Hotel porters that assist guests with bags also expect to receive a gratuity - from between £1-5 depending on how many bags there are.

20. Will my valuables be safe in my hotel room? There should be a safe in each room -- it is suggested that each person keep your passport (unless you need it to cash travelers checks) and extra money along with any other valuables there. It is not wise to carry large amount of money on you while you are out and about in either London or Paris.

21. I hear that the rooms will not have a bathroom that we will have to use a community bathroom down the hall? NO! Each room has it own private bathroom along with hairdryer. Go to the hotel link on this page and check out what each hotel offers -- you will find that they offer many of the same things we are used to here in the States.

IMPORTANT DEADLINES:
IF YOU HAVE NOT SENT IN YOUR PASSPORT NUMBER TO NHTT PLEASE EMAIL IT TO CARO AT caro@nhtt.com AS SOON AS YOU GET YOUR PASSPORT IN.

Trip Highlight Sheet
Something to give a friend that is interested in going on the trip.

Travel Insurance
this policy will pay money back if a person can’t make the trip due to medical, death, or family emergency. The price is $62.00 per person not included in total price of trip – this is optional). Payment due within 7 days of first deposit if there is a per-existing medical condition or anytime before the final payment. Call Mr. Doggett if you have any questions about this.

Call or Email Mr. Doggett if you have any questions.
MDogit@aol.com
361-284-3216 school main phone
361-284-3641 theatre/band office
361-284-3131 home phone
361-676-6100 cell phone

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( (more detailed trip information coming soon)

LONDON Travel tips:

Getting Around

London is a massive city, and it is difficult to truly see all of it. The city is famous for its winding roads, dead-end alleys, and streets that constantly change names. The best way to explore London by far is by walking. Most of the sites you will want to see are in Central London, which houses the theater district, the major shopping areas, most major museums and other tourist attractions, and the best nightlife and restaurants. But there are other parts of London outside of the center that are worthwhile such as parks, residential areas, and cultural neighborhoods. Try to explore as much as possible. You will need a street atlas to keep with you just in case; buy "London A to Z" (pronounced A to Zed) to find those obscure streets or landmarks. But don't rely too much on maps; allowing yourself to get lost is also a great way to see London.

London also has an extensive public transportation system. Sometimes it is more convenient to use this instead of walking. The train system, called the Underground, or "the Tube," is divided into six concentric zones. Zone 1 encompasses Central London, and each successive zone reaches farther out into the suburbs. Fares increase as you travel farther. The Tube is fairly clean and safe, although there is always the danger of pickpockets at crowded times. Trains stop running around midnight, so buses are sometimes a better option, since they run 24 hours a day. There are many different bus lines that travel throughout the city and its outer areas, most of them originating from Trafalgar Square, the unofficial center of London. If you use public transportation regularly, you can buy weekly and monthly discounted Travelcards for unlimited use on the bus and train. In London and throughout the UK, a one-way ticket is called a "single," and a round-trip ticket is called a "return." If you need to take a cab because it's late or you have luggage or something, try to take the plain black ones. The ones with colored advertisements tend to be more expensive.

London Underground: This is the quickest way to get around London (North American visitors note: The British don't call the Underground the "Subway", in the U.K. a subway is a pedestrian underpass!). Maps of the Underground are widely available in London. There are eleven different color coded routes and trains stop at every station, unless otherwise indicated. Services run every few minutes from 05.30 to midnight (Sundays from 07.30 to 23.30). Tickets are available from the manned kiosk in the station or from the automatic ticket machines. The machines also take paper currency when the "Change Given" sign is lit.

The Underground is divided into six zones. The more zones you travel across, the more expensive the ticket. One Day Travelcards (or LT Travelcards before 09.30) offer great value for unlimited multiple journeys on one day. These are valid on busses. Look out for the weekend Travelcard for great value if you're staying on Saturday and Sunday. A Travelcard for Zones One and Two covers virtually all the important attractions in London.

Taxis: London's black Taxis are familiar the world over. (They are increasingly no longer black, but still the same distinctive shape) They can be hailed when the yellow "For Hire" sign is illuminated o


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