European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 13, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Hints for the bus bound travel Europe 1992 the Road to Budapest is marked by rest stops. From left Eileen Fukunaga Eleanor Kondo Ream and Carolyn Phillips take a break along a Highway in Czechoslovakia. By Ron Mckinney staff writer the Best approach to a bus tour requires a sense of humor and an ability to Roll with the punches seasoned veterans say. Quot i think if you expect the bus trip to be perfect you re going to be disappointed Quot said it. Col. Phil Reed of Darmstadt Germany a Veteran of numerous bus Tours during his four years in Europe. Reed said a Little Luck also comes in Handy especially in getting a Well behaved crowd. Quot some of our groups we be had some obnoxious people Quot he said. Quot that kind of spoils it for everyone else but most of our trips have been  Quot realize you re going to be on the go a lot Quot said Reed s wife Karen. Quot you re not going to have a lot of  the trip May be in the capable hands of an experienced tour guide but there still is much to prepare for before stepping on the coach. The tour guide will provide detailed information on the areas to be visited but a Little research will Lead you to Points of interest other than the often expensive Side trips pushed by the tour companies. There Are some obvious on Board necessities snacks Reading material a Pillow and a sweater in Case the bus is Chilly. It s Best to carry a Knapsack or a Small travel bag to store those snacks a sandwiches fruit crackers and drinks a As Well As those vital time killing devices such As a Walkman playing cards or hand held electronic games. When it comes to clothing you re basically on your own. There does t seem to be a consensus among experienced bus tourers on whether one should pack lightly or prepare for any possibility. On some Points though there is near unanimity bring a rain jacket comfortable walking shoes and be prepared for sudden temperature changes. Carolyn Phillips a sixth Grade teacher at Hahn american elementary school even takes into consideration where she will sit on the bus. Quot i Don t like the Back of the bus Quot said Phillips. Quot it s been my experience that the people who make the most noise sit in the Back of the bus. So i usually sit in the  As for clothing Phillips suggested that people should take mix and match tops and Bottoms thus reducing the number of clothes one would need for a week Long trip. Another nifty suggestion this one from Carrie Dale a first Grade teacher at Mainz american elementary school is to Jot Down the Exchange value of the country s currency say in increments of a $5, $10, $25, $100, Etc. A on a Small note pad. That Way one Brief glance will help quickly determine the Cost of an item in american dollars. Once the tour has begun there is no guarantee that All your sightseeing desires will be met. You May crave pasta in Rome but the group May vote for chinese food. Or you May want a Side trip to eur Disney and the group May vote for an extra Day at the louvre museum. Quot have an understanding that the schedule is not always up to you Quot said Dale. Quot you have to be flexible and you have to have a sense of humor Quot said Jean Gaittens a Pitburg Middle school librarian. Finally be wary of Quot express  if you want to get a sense of a City then opt for the two or three Day Tours. Express Tours can be worthwhile provided you know what you re in for. The Pace is generally fast and furious with Little time to catch your breath As you move from one sight to the next All sandwiched of course Between hours on the Road. Quot it s so tiring Quot said Julie Breidenbach a computer and math teacher at the Heilbronn american elementary school who has taken six bus Tours including one express ride to Holland. Quot you get to the City in the morning and you re just too wiped out from the bus ride. By the time you be recovered you re Back on the bus  Eleanor Kondo Ream left and Lanny Spencer play cards to pass the time. Guide Iveta Horvit Thouk Points to the location of the Karlstein Castle on a medieval map one of the obligations of taking a bus tour Eleanor Kondo Ream photographs Karen and Phil Reed in Budapest. May 13, 1992 travel Europe 3 9