Employee 1.1 has never been overseas - he's about to leave for Sopot, Poland - travel tips needed

Make sure he keeps a cork in that A.

Did you send him there as a war correspondent? Stay safe, but we could use video and photos of the warships in the Baltic Sea.

Learn a few key phrases in Polish. Everyone in Poland speaks English, but they appreciate it if you make an effort to say a few basic things in Polish ("excuse me"; "do you speak english?"; "please/thank you"; "good afternoon", etc.).

Do not look like a tourist. Do not carry a back pack everywhere. Don't wear running shoes everywhere. Do not eat or carry a drink when you are walking around. The less you look like a tourist, the less you will be a target for pick pockets.

Do not use your smart phone for internet/email unless you are logged into a wireless network. International charges are outrageous.

Many restaurants and stores outside of heavily tourist areas may not take magnetic swipe credit cards. Go to an ATM every morning and get just enough money to get through the day.

Do not trust anyone who seems overly friendly or hospitable. There are a lot of people who prey on trusting tourists with different scams.

Do not eat any food you can get in the US. Go native and look for restaurants with other authentic Euro foods (French, German, Italian). Search out places that are off the beaten path. Owners will be tickled to have tourists and will want to make a good impression.

Precious Roy wrote:

Do not eat any food you can get in the US. Go native and look for restaurants with other authentic Euro foods (French, German, Italian).

Maybe even Polish?

hydrate on the plane flight and get up and move around as much as possible to avoid DVT's

This is all really good advice. In my experience, learning 'Excuse me do you speak English' in the native language is the single best thing you can do.

Bring a flashlight. Pollacks are notorious for their inability to change light bulbs.

Take a nap immediately upon arrival in Poland... it'll help with sleep for the remainder of the trip. ;)

Call your mobile phone provider and see what they recommend. They might suggest a different SIM card or let you buy 200 texts for $20 or whatever. My phone was useless on a recent trip to Panama/Costa Rica while a friend was able to text inexpensively and call when needed. Download any maps you might need because you might not be able to do so overseas.

Get a skype premium account. Stay in a hotel with free international calls. Take common OTC meds... ibuprofen, etc... you might need. I had to pay 40 cents a tab for ibuprofen in Panama. Take an adapter that will work on your phone. Download books, videos, movies, etc before you go for reading on the flight or during downtime or take a Kindle/Nook/ereader.

Don't look like a tourist.

Pack light. No one cares if you wear the same thing every day. Wash it in the sink or shower. Take some small bills ones and fives for tips, etc. Carry a photocopy of your passport and visa stamp with you at all times. You can usually leave your passport in the hotel safe.

Don't look like a tourist.

Get a waist band security pocket for important documents (passport, credit cards, cash).

I also recommend bringing a fleshlight. It's very useful at night.

Mr. Obvious wrote:

Precious Roy wrote:

Do not eat any food you can get in the US. Go native and look for restaurants with other authentic Euro foods (French, German, Italian).

Maybe even Polish?

I hear Polish Doughnuts are delicious.

fisky wrote:

Call your mobile phone provider and see what they recommend. They might suggest a different SIM card or let you buy 200 texts for $20 or whatever. My phone was useless on a recent trip to Panama/Costa Rica while a friend was able to text inexpensively and call when needed. Download any maps you might need because you might not be able to do so overseas.

Get a skype premium account. Stay in a hotel with free international calls. Take common OTC meds... ibuprofen, etc... you might need. I had to pay 40 cents a tab for ibuprofen in Panama. Take an adapter that will work on your phone. Download books, videos, movies, etc before you go for reading on the flight or during downtime or take a Kindle/Nook/ereader.

Don't look like a tourist.

Everything you wrote in the first two paragraphs will MAKE YOU LOOK LIKE A TOURIST.

You're one of those idiots who travels thousands of miles and then spends his time sending texts and buried in his phone, aren't you? God you people are insufferable.

Precious Roy wrote:

Do not use your smart phone for internet/email unless you are logged into a wireless network. International charges are outrageous.

We have given him a tmobile which means he can do basic internet for free over there and text people for free. Phone calls only 20 cents a minute.

When i was in Poland last year for xc, we purchased a Play SIM card which was great and gave us stuff for pennies a minute. But it's not your normal number and you have to change out the SIM, etc.

We have purchased adapters for him as well.

As for naps, he gets there at 4 pm. I thin he should just stay up.

What about me though? I get there at 9 am and have a 12 noon press conference. Should I nap after that or just force myself to stay up?

Well, Employee 1.1 is screwed if these are the main tips.

-He can only speak english.

-He wears a backpack and running shoes everywhere.

-Solid chance he will always have a gaterade on him.

-Will befriend a scam artist.

-Will only eat McDonalds McRibs.

Obviously tell him to limit the Polish jokes...

Also the expression pronounced roughly "Korva Masch" is the polite way of greeting women in Poland. The guys will also love it if you point at their female companion and use this expression. Trust me.

Standard advice: take half the clothes and twice the money you were planning to spend.

Rojo, yes, you definitely should stay up. Going to bed dead dog tired at 6 or 7pm that night will be far, far better for your trip than trying to sneak a nap in between arrival and press conference.

Where is he going in Poland?

If he is sticking to the main tourist areas/attractions, he won't have any language issues.

Lonely planet says it's a pretty safe but that there is some pick pocketing in Warsaw

If there is a concierge, he should ask him about no go areas and good running routes.

http://www.walkjogrun.net/running-routes/Poland/Masovian%20Voivodeship/Warsaw/

Tell him to be careful in case Russia or Germany attempts to annex Poland while he's there.