more packing, laundry info

So, after a few conversations with Eisleben natives, it seems that there is no laundromat available here. We are still working on checking the availability of the washing facilities in the place we will be staying, but I'm willing to bet they won't let us use them willy-nilly. Please, don't bank on finding a place to do laundry.
However, I will encourage you yet again to pack light! I walked from my apartment (which is in the middle of the city) to the train station the other day, without luggage, and it took me almost 20 minutes. The place you will be staying is a little further on the other end of town. This means, when you get off the train, and you are tired, you will still have a 30-minute walk ahead of you, if you move somewhat quickly, WITH your baggage. Yes, there are certain things you need. But, if you're really honest with yourself, there are many things you will want to pack that you will not need (I know I brought waaaaaay too much stuff with me). Keep that haul in mind as you pack a second suitcase.

On the up side, the weather here is much nicer than I, personally, had anticipated. Most days, I have been fine in jeans, a long sleeved tee, and winter jacket. It does tend to be kinda wet, though--not really rainy, but just soggy pants-legs (but, then again, I wear my jeans far too long) and a damp cold. So, you know, that means you'll fewer jackets and such.

Doing Laundry - Sheets and Towels

I was asked about doing laundry during the trip. We are checking to see if there is a laundry service in Eisleben. I will post that information if we find something. I do laundry in the sink. Generally (I haven't been to this particular hostel) there is a sink for such use at the hostels.

There will be sheets and towels provided. But, I do carry with me a super-dry backpacking towel and facecloth. I find the towel to be handy; not all places provide a facecloth. You can come with nothing and you would be fine. If you have an old towel and/or facecloth you want to toss in, you could.

re: packing and bags

I just had one brief comment about PC's earlier post. Although you might think a larger backpack style bag that you COULD (albeit somewhat uncomfortably) carry-on would be a good deal, anyone with inter-europe connecting flights will be quite unhappy with that decision. I took one with me, and it was by no means the largest I saw, even on my flight from Charlotte to Frankfurt. However, I got a lot of dirty looks from people on my flight to Berlin, had difficulty finding a space for it even though the flight was barely half full, and eventually got blessed out by a German flight attendant. In the end, it's also not worth it to have that much stuff with you in the airport. trying to lug that thing around made me even more tired than I would've been otherwise. Unless you can fit everything you want in a backpack you would carry to class, check bags.

Plugging in Electrical appliances

If you plan to use electricity while you are in Germany, you will need a converter. These are easy to find a rather cheap. You only need the standard "European" converter.

You can recharge batteries with no problem, or power up a laptop. One thing that doesn't work so well is hairdryers. They require more amps than typically can be supplied with an over-the-counter converter. Many American hairdryers burn out quickly. In the past, our groups have simply gotten there and purchased a dryer there. You can get one for around 17 euros and share it with the group.

Address for your Luggage Tag

Okay - something no one wants to think about - lost luggage on the trip over. In the event that this should happen, you need to have an address, in Eisleben, where you luggage can be delivered.

Here is that address:

Sts Peter and Paul Church
Petrikirchplatz 22
06295 Lutherstadt Eisleben
Germany

Make sure all your friends and traveling companions have it.

Packing and traveling

You can go to the Government website for official listing of what you are allowed to carry. Clemson folks are traveling on American Airlines, so you can go to AA.com, there is a link for what you are allowed to carry.

There are restrictions for your checked luggage, but those are rather easy to figure out - no explosives, that sort of thing.

As for your carry-on, the posters at Atlanta Airport tell you that you are not allowed more than 3 ounces of liquid. All carry-on toiletries must fit in a 1 quart zip-lock bag. If you have medications, it is a good idea to have them in your carry-on.

In my carry-on, I take one change of clothes. Luggage does sometimes get lost. I also carry with me a set of ear-plugs which help for sleeping on the plane. The other thing I carry is a water bottle. You can't carry liquid through the security gates, but you can re-fill it once you are in the gate area. Fill it and carry it with you on the plane. Carry your important papers with you, don't put them in your checked luggage.

Get on the plane, eat the meal, and go to sleep. As exciting as it is to be on a plane heading to Germany, the ride is not as exciting as what you will experience there. Sleep on the plane so you will be able to enjoy at least part of your first day in Germany.

What Kind of Luggage?

I have had a number of folks asking me about luggage. I carry a bag made by REI. It is small, but see my earlier notes about backing light. You can see the bag (and order one) off the web. Search REI.com for "REI Hitchhiker." I have pasted the link below, but such links are subject to change.
http://www.rei.com/product/754687

My first trip to Germany, I took a suitcase/backpack which had a zip off day bag. REI also has one of these. It is more expensive, but it is very versatile:
http://www.rei.com/product/747912?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&vcat=

The other option is to buy a backpack. These are very popular with American's traveling in Europe. I have an earlier version of the pack found at this link. It is currently at a great price.
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39277867&memberId=12500226&storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1

I check this suitcase when I fly and carry a book bag with me. When I get to Germany, I stuff the book bag in the suitcase. I also have a should bag, sort of an over sized fanny pack, which I carry with me daily. The suitcase with a zip off day pack has both. There are also a number of backpacks with a removable top. This also gives you the ability to carry everything as one bag, but then have a smaller bag for day trips.

Hope this helps!
Pastor Chris