On Fri, Jul 11, 2008 at 3:20 PM, Filip Maljkovic dungodung@gmail.com wrote:
Al Tally wrote:
Hi, I have some questions I really need answering.
- How do we catch the free shuttle that is being provided for us? Do
we need to buy a ticket from anywhere, and get refunded? Or do we just catch the one marked Alexandria without paying anything? Also, whereabouts is it located in relation to the airport? Directions would be nice.
Well, it's a free shuttle, so no need to buy anything. I assume you just have to find the vehicle and say "I'm going to Wikimania" or something along those lines. Or maybe just show your passport.
But the exact location of the shuttle is something I'd like to know as well. Also, will we be able to catch the next shuttle, should we miss one we "reserved" (because of unforeseen reasons, such as plane delays and customs/visa arrangements)?
- When we arrive in Alexandria, how far is the station from the
accommodation (the College)? Would we need to get a taxi? Again, directons would be good.
IIUC, the shuttle will drive to the College, so no need to catch any other ride.
- When we get to the accommodation, how do we identify ourselves?
Just with our name, or do we say "We're with Wikimania"?
That's what I'd like to know as well.
I asked some of the organizers about what should we do, and they said it'll be ok to arrive at the college and just say that you're with wikimania
Also they said it's a good idea to print the latest email that confirmed your registration which contains your name, and you registration number, anyway, if you fail to communicate with them there, you'll be able to find lots of egyptian wikimedia contributors who are registered too and, they could speak many languages and they'll be able to contact any of the egyptian organization team if anything happens
despite the fact that there should be someone allready at the college waiting for "wikimanians" to arrive and guide them
On getting back:
- See question one. Which station do we go from? How do we board it?
That could be determined at the conference.
These are basic things that should be on the wiki, in my opinion. I shouldn't have to be asking about stuff like this. Other basic info not included on the wiki is the address of the College Saint-Marc. Why is it not there, and why when ever I ask anything does no one know the answer?
I found the address by googling (from my cell phone, while at the embassy): 21526 Alexandria, Egypt. Also, take a look at this: http://wikimapia.org/10225/
I've never been to Egypt before. I've never travelled on my own. I have this awful feeling I'm going to get to Cairo, and be basically stranded because of the lack of information provided by this year's team. Please provide it. Call me paranoid, but I like to know what I'm doing, and I'd rather plan well ahead for something like this. Thank you.
Two years back, it was the first time that I traveled alone (and it was abroad). It was to Wikimania 2006, Boston. Effeietsanders and me agreed to wait for each other at the airport and go to Cambridge together. Of course, the USA can't compare to Egypt (in terms of language, culture etc), but I'm just saying that you can always try to find someone that shares the same/similar plans with you. In the end, everything usually works out fine :)
Or you can bring your cell phones, PDAs, laptops, blackberries and whatnots and scream for help should you need any :)
Cheers, Filip
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