World Beware

Last night I applied for a travel visa for the United States of America for my two weeks there in October. Now I can understand the importance of security for our American friends, but there is a point when you look at what they are doing and say 'WTF!'.

The Visa in question is a program designed to make to easier for American allied countries citizens to get into the States for brief stays of work or pleasure. You give them you information and they put you on a database that says that you filled out a form with information to help process you quicker when you step off the plane. Seems reasonable.

But it the information they ask for is what does my head in; after the usual name, country or citizenship and passport stuff its a short questionnaire. This is when it gets bazaar; a series of yes/no questions asking for you to freely answer questions relating to sex crimes, violent crimes, war crimes including genocide. Yes the application asked me if I have collaborated or participated in act of genocide. Not to mention the question of whether I was a member or collaborator of the Nazi party between 1933 and 1945.

Hopefully America will yet me in, so I can enjoy there food, booze and sights in spite of the inane entry Visa process.

Well the surprisingly arduous task of booking every flight, train and goat drawn cart for travel between European countries is done.
Internet served me relativity well, even if my credit card nearly turned to dust from the shock.

With a sleeper train between Berlin and Munich and the train back to London from Paris.

Flights I think are now being taxed more then booze and cigarettes, Flight from London to Dublin, 7 euro, taxes 84 euro.
Anyway flights around the old world are now booked and paid for. This holiday just became very real.

Next preparation adventure... accommodation.

We have hit the four month mark, it seemed like only yesterday that we were booking the plane tickets.

Anyway Oktoberfest has been booked and paid for, thanks to the good people at The Fanatics. Saves us the trouble of booking hostels and beer tents.
Ireland Contiki tour has also been booked and paid. Visiting the finest establishments Ireland has to offer; Kilkenny, Guinness, Jameson.

Here we are again, planning another trip overseas. This one is going to be the biggest one yet. Myself and my friend/'person I drink with' Simon are heading over to the fine Continent of Europe.
Our journey will take us to the 'depressing' city of London, Ireland and Scotland, Germany for Berlin and Munich's Oktoberfest, then to France's cites and countryside (and wine), finishing across the Atlantic with New York and Las Vegas.
All said and done 6 weeks of travel.

Plane tickets have been acquired, and we fly out from Sydney (long story for later) on the 30th of August 2011, returning on the 8th of October 2011.