3 Most Frequent Questions from Travelers on Trips (FAQ)

Where are the restrooms or bathrooms?

You have the trip planned and now you are ready to go.  What are your questions during the trip?

I know it is fun to start reading your favorite blogs and websites for additional destination stories and information.  Yet, I wonder, why am I still asked the same, repeat questions from travelers during their trips?

I chose three of the most frequent asked questions from people to discuss today, regardless of whether the trips are for business or leisure.  I find the answers to these questions are not readily available by social media. 

And remember, if you arrive in the evening or over the weekend, those people working in tourism information centers will most likely be unavailable.

The first question, where is the toilet, bathroom, or restroom?

Don't get caught with your pants down...Picture taken at Gilroy Hot Springs, CA Courtesy of DW

 I did a Google search for  “how to ask where is the restroom internationally”  and received  about 4,830,000 results (0.38 seconds). 

A tip is don't forget the many variations in each language of “restroom” and “bathroom”. An example is Spanish may be different in Spain and Mexico.  And, the definitions of these words are different in each country.  

This is even true when you travel across the USA. I giggle as I mention, yes! Even New York City is very different from Los Angeles and San Francisco – and the cities in the north, south, east, and west. 

This is a list of how to ask in five of my favorite languages:

• German:  Toilette
• German = Wo ist die Toilette, bitte? (Vo ist dee toy-LETT-uh, BIT-uh?)

• Spanish:  Bano (North American Counrty)
• Spanish = Perdone/Disculpe, ¿Dónde está el baño?(Formal) (Per-DON-eh, DOHN-deh es-TAH el BAHN-yo?)

• Italian:  stanza da bagno
• Italian = Mi scusi, dov'è il bagno?

• Greek:  τουαλέτα
• Greek = Parakalo, pou ine i tualetta? (Πού είναι η τουαλέτα;)

• French : Salle de bain
• French = pardon, où sont les toilettes? (pahr-DAW, oo saw lay twah-LETT?)

Do you understand what I mean now? 

Gilroy Hot Springs, Gilroy, CA Courtesy of DW

 The next frequent question… 

Do you have wi-fi? And, how much does internet access cost, what is the code to use to connect?

I admit, I am spoiled living in Silicon Valley and Northern California where most cities offer free (complimentary)  wi-fi , or connection to the internet.  I take it for granted. This is not always provided for you or sometimes a challenge to find the code access.  Luxury hotels and resorts charge for this additional service.  Less expensive hotels usually provide this service, yet sometimes it is only provided in the lobby. 

I ask where the local public libraries, coffee shops, or internet cafes are located.  And, as I have mentioned before, I  get the additional benefit of talking with the local people by doing this. 

Where may I charge my smartphone?

This is a very active question now.  Even for people locally ask this question when they attend meetings and conferences.  There is not that many electrical outlets available.  And, if you are traveling internationally, you may not have the right plug-in connection.  

Modern airports now have more convenient outlets to use in the sitting areas, how many times do we see someone sitting in a chair next to an outlet yet not using it?  Should we add a sign on the chair saying, 'reserved for those wanting to re-charge'? Or add re-charge stations now?

I found this lightweight, inexpensive, emergency smart phone recharger which works for me. I can recharge my phone while on the plane or at dinner.  And, I keep my phone with me which eliminates a chance of someone stealing the phone.  



Please use my link above to purchase a couple to take with you. You do need to carry additional batteries – which I do because of my camera.  They are now available in assorted colors to match and blend with your fashion pieces or travel gear.  It does help me.

I hope this helps to get prepared for your next trip! Let’s go! ~ The Fun Tour Guru

Silicon Valley Where Past & Present Collides: Do You Remember National Semiconductor?

Early Silicon Valley History and our Semiconductor Industry 

I have been actively reading local articles in the Mercury News about our Silicon Valley history because of our new neighborhood center construction in Mountain View, CA, The Village at San Antonio Center.  On this land of the new neighborhood plan lies an old, neglected, one story building, which holds the story of a significant event of our technology history.
 
Today, Silicon Valley is a blend of companies.  Don't forget that our region was coined Silicon Valley from a journalist because of the many semiconductor companies created through 1940s to 1970s.  

I was on my way home from an event in San Francisco last week, when I looked at the time on my car clock, there was still time to make it, so I decided to go undercover to a city council meeting because I was curious of what was happening with these plans.  I went to the Mountain View City Council Study Meeting. I walked away with a new understanding of their plans.

I listened closely to the members of this City Council as they made valid comments, concerns, and approaches about how the building plans should go forward. They listened to architect planners and to the public.  Most of the members seem to want to keep the same quaint Mountain View flavor and with local retail businesses even as they enter into the new modern neighborhood.

My only focus is to save this one building. I learned a great deal about this awesome new neighborhood transition that is coming and that there were many other concerns too.

I do know there is a way to save and protect one piece of Silicon Valley history, and revitalize the old building of Shockley Semiconductor - keep as a museum where people may learn essential ingredients of how this Valley began - and still build our new neighborhood around our history.  Let people walk and ride their bikes past it everyday. (See photos and video of this site in link above)

The activities on this site led to several developments in the semiconductor industry.  Workers left Shockley Semiconductor and created Fairchild Semiconductor as the second generation of this industry.  Several familiar corporate companies were created from business people who worked at Fairchild.  Three significant companies were Advanced Micro, Intel, and National Semiconductor.

A company I recently watched transition the last two years is National Semiconductor. It was acquired by yet another company.  I took pictures to remember this. 

From National Semiconductor to Texas Instruments - Image by D West

The National Semiconductor corporate campus is still the same, only with new paint and fresh updates, and now a new sign change. 

Do you know about the Early Days? 

National Semiconductor actually started in 1959 in Danbury, CT, to provide transistors for second generation computers.  They moved to the west coast because of an acquisition of a small integrated circuit company, Molectro. 

A year later, a former executive of Fairchild Semiconductor, Charles Sporck, became CEO and moved into a single-building with a leaking roof in Santa Clara.  Sporck led the team through this early period which made him the CEO with the longest tenure (during this period). 

National Semiconductor on Kifer - Image by D West

Hightlights of 1968 - 1983 period

• Increased revenues to $1 billion by 1983, making National Semiconductor the first Silicon Valley company to surpass the $1 Billion milestone
• Expansion in Europe and Malaysia
• Move to the current site on Kifer Road, Santa Clara

Insiders interest: 
National Semiconductor acquired Fairchild Semiconductor sites located in Maine and State of Washington in 1987 

The company was reorganized and transformed in the 1990s.  Today: National Semiconductor was acquired by Texas Instruments in 2011.   

Will our Past and Present get to collide and stay together
 in Silicon Valley? ~ The Fun Tour Guru 

Comments are welcome... 
 

Silicon Valley history dates and stories are from "The Making of Silicon Valley : A One Hundred Year Renaissance"

Still Remembering Santa Cruz, CA: Just Because I Can

I drive over the hill to Santa Cruz to escape.  I don't think of Santa Cruz as a tour destination for myself. 

I think of Santa Cruz as a different, fun region where I go to explore all of the unfamiliar nooks and crannies that I can find as I escape from my own daily life. I have done this for ... well...let's say for many years.  (Remember, I am not a day over 39, and yes, for those of you that know me I am borrowing this line from Jack Benny's famous joke, as I am not yet ready to admit to anything yet).

On my last trip over to Santa Cruz at the end of March, I followed my own advice, and I stepped off my own beaten path or route of my favorite things to do.

On this day I found the streets congested with traffic as it was the Friday before Easter weekend.  I know this community grows beyond its 60,000 residents and happy to share with any of them their fun activities on days like this.  

What I did, I stop and ponder, how many other people might do? 

I have followed the local news stories of the passing of our two Santa Cruz police officers, and heros, and there is something which spoke to me of this special region.  I don't recall any incidents like this through the years I have been going to this small community of Santa Cruz.  I always feel safe on these streets.  Even though I may not know everyone directly - I feel welcome to stop to talk to all of the locals.   

I saw reminders during this trip.  I took the time to stop at the Santa Cruz Police Department and found these reminders that are still being shared by the public in front.

Santa Cruz Police Dept Tribute

Flags were still lowered ...

Santa Cruz Police Department

Surfers Lighthouse

Would you, as a stranger who is unfamiliar of visiting this region, know what had happened and think to ask someone about this?

What made this trip so different for me this time?


"Remember, we only have today, tomorrow is not here, and yesterday is gone.  I believe we should enjoy every moment and experience that we can.  We have choices, I choose to be happy everyday," as spoken by Jean Jennings Bartik, Eniac Women Pioneer, at the Computer History Museum.

I will share later some of the other fun things I did it did, ~ The Fun Tour Guru
 

Foggy Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco

Fun Friday Picture

 

Bridge to no where?  Do you really want to cross this bridge when you come?

Do you ever have the kind of day where you just do not know what lies ahead or on the other side?  (Disclosure: This picture was not taken today.)

Travel tip:  Be prepared for all weather conditions when in San Francisco. 

One of my favorite quotes: 

"Happiness is found along the way, 

not at the end of the road" ~ The Fun Tour Guru

Art is the New Gold Found in Our Sierra Hills,CA

Travel tip:  
As I remind you to remember to step off the beaten path in Northern California (again and again) ~~ this time I recommend for you to go visit some of our fabulous local artists.  I must say there still is 'gold' in our hills with artists like this one (below). 

This artist's work (drawings, paintings, and sculpture) may be found at Hanford St. Gallery, in Amador County through March.  Please direct your interest and questions to the Gallery. 

David Camardo

From Horse Shoeing to Art

 

Picture credits to Hanford St Gallery website and you may read more in an article in Sierra Lodestar 

So much to discover locally ~ The Fun Tour Guru 

Happy St Patricks Day!

Women and Classic Cars Start in Germany

This is month's travel tip is in a fun story...

I enjoy the pre-planning of my trips because I am obsessed with the research to get acquainted with the region before I go.  I love my new technology tools which makes it easier to connect to new friends and learn stories about history in communities in far away lands before my travels.  

I am not sure whether it is discovering my own German roots or simply that my brothers always tease me about my own driving - I really connected to this special story I want to share with you.

Women and Cars Date Back to the 1800s

I have seen many articles this month about Danica Patrick, NASCAR driver.  As I dig deeper into my research of German history, I uncovered a fun story I want to share about another woman driver – the first woman driver many years ago.  I chuckle as I write this because it may even be the first account of a stolen car too. 

I know almost everyone is familiar with how Mercedes-Benz started.  There is a hidden story that recently caught my eye.  Carl Benz invented the first patented car in 1886 (Reich Patent No. 37435, information from the southwest Germany tourism website). 

There are many questions that surround this invention during the early years because Carl would only travel short distances around town in the car.  However, Carl continued to tinker around with his invention for a couple of years.  And no one paid much attention to what he was doing.

Except one person. A woman who wanted to see her mother.

Bertha Benz - Courtesy of Daimler AG

It was Carl’s wife, Bertha, who was getting rather anxious and tired of how long Carl was taking with his darn invention. And, because she wanted to go somewhere – take a trip to visit her Mother – she started planning out her idea.  Bertha knew this trip idea would not be well received if she approached  her husband about it and he would never permit her to take one of the cars out for this distance.

So instead of asking in advance, Bertha sneaked out early one morning along with her two sons and took the car for the 60 mile round trip to visit her mother.  She made the 60 miles without complications. 

Can you imagine the look on Carl's face when he went to his shed that morning, opened the doors, and found his invention missing?

From Mannheim to Pforzheim in Southwest Germany

Remember the road conditions are not as we know today. Bertha probably traveled over a one-lane dirt road.  Where does one fill up with fuel?  

Bertha stopped at a pharmacy - the first known filling station - in Wiesloch to fill up the car about half way along the route – because she knew Carl used ligroin, a solvent-like petroleum only sold by pharmacists. 

The car Bertha actually chose to drive was a model 3 which Carl had designed with an extra seat and it had an extra place for her sons to sit.

This trip is the one that received attention from the public of Carl’s invention, the horseless carriage invention. Although Bertha did pre-plan the trip, I am not sure she thought about the results it would have in the future. 

Is Bertha a courageous woman?  I do think she is.  I also believe she went on the trip simply because she wanted to getaway to visit her relatives. 

1888 Model III Motorwagen Courtesy of Daimler AG

Remember not to fret about opinion differences between couples (and friends and family) as they may turn out to be million dollar ideas. 

Travel Tip:  We may follow this fun trip when visiting Germany and retrace the famous memorial route from Mannheim to Pforzheim in southwestern Germany. 

Hint:  Don't forget to visit the Carl Benz Museum just outside Mannheim.  

Cäcilie Bertha Benz (maiden name Ringer)
born on May 3, 1849 in Pforzheim,
deceased on May 5, 1944 in Ladenburg

Credits:
Images courtesy of Daimler AG

I am grateful to connect to ~ and thank you to my new friends at TourComm Germany on behalf of the State Tourist Board Baden-Württemberg for sharing much of this information which I assembled and used in this story! 

You may find additional information on the Bertha Benz website.

Women and Classic Cars ~ another fabulous story for

 Women's History 2013 ~ The Fun Tour Guru  

Remember Santa Cruz CA

There are no words today while I watch the the coverage happening in San Jose CA at the HP Pavilion ...somber day.  Santa Cruz Police good byes. Communities come together....

Santa Cruz, CA (Courtesy of DW)

Remember our Santa Cruz community today ~ The Fun Tour Guru