Happy 30th baby bro! See you in 3 days!

Took the extended family to Shakespeare in the Park for a performance of Hamlet. Really bummed Daniela out. She thought Hamlet and Ophelia should have gone to a therapist after their parent died.

Happy Birthday Roman!

some 14yr old beat me at swimming. I quit.

It's past midnight here, happy Birthday Roman!

After an exclusive three year tour of Europe, Scandinavia and the sub continent, some Thursday morning music:

Tumbalalaika

RBO: I'd really, really appreciate a call from you soonest!

I signed up to use my credit card as a debit card in China and then ended up having problems with it because of the password, that's why I'm stressing over getting it right this time.

This website on ATMs for VISA was also useful.

I see... even better... get one, use it in Europe and then cancel it when she gets back.

I also used my debit card at an ATM in Mexico City's airport, no problem. I just called my bank first, so they didn't think it was weird. But my understanding of the problem was that mom doesn't have a debit card.

If I remember correctly Adrienne used her debit card while she was here two years ago without a problem.
The Czech republic is actually better equipped to take credit cards than the Netherlands. Most places in the Czech Rep. will accept credit cards, whereas in the Netherlands you'll be hard pressed to find a place that will accept them.
I suggest using an ATM to get out a sum of cash that you'll expect to use. If you need more you can always get more out and if you have some left over we can work something out. There'll probably be a fee for each time you use the ATM.
Four is the standard number of digits in your PIN here, I actually think it might be problem if you have more.
As long as your debit card has the maestro logo you should be fine.
I hope this clarifies everything a bit.

Sandy, bring a debit card and use it on the ATM, that will take care of the pin.

The hurricane preparedness animation on the entryway monitor at the office has had the hurricane spinning the wrong direction for the past 3 weeks. It was spinning the correct direction this morning. We are officially prepared.

I think so, but they said they need four digit pin numbers, which is funny because in China mine didn't work since it needed a six digit number.

Sandy will debit cards work then since they have a pin?

why do we need to bring money? isn't the bride's family paying for all of this?

I know I've talked to some ofyou about the fact that both
travel books I have (Amsterdam and Prague) mention that
American cards aren't always accepted there because we don't
use chip and pin technology. I called Master Card today and
was assured that my card has a chip in it. I questioned
that fact and the person really didn't allay my fears so I
went online to find more information. It seems the biggest
problem will be with automated kiosks -- train stations,
etc. So while my card may have a chip in it, it doesn't use
a pin number, just the signature so won't work on them.

the bear, did someone get a photo of the bear?

Daniela!!! I love you sooo muucchhhh!!!
Have fun!

hey thomas are there trees and mountains in the background of a beach in florida? i dont think so. so technically speaking no it is not a beach.and who wants to even think about swimming in THAT? by the way it is a geyser and NOTHING can live in a hot spring or a geyser like bacteria. so no i do not recommened swimming or thinking it is a beach with pretty sand.even though it looks like sand it is a thin crust right above the hottest thing with boiling water 1000 times hotter than a pot of really hot water. so ya that is what yellowstone is a HUGE gigantic volcano.

You bet I am!

I am so jealous, Daniela. Looks like you're having a great adventure.

posing with Old Faithful when a geyser went off immediately behind us