ELOHIMFEST June 21st 2014 the official thread

[lucimay]

creator and I and our dog harry are driving from Virginia and so have not firmed up exactly when we will arrive in Albuquerque. I'm guessing Wednesday or Thursday at the latest. we will probably stay through sunday and leave Monday because we're probably stopping in Kentucky on the way home to Virginia. but we have sort of left it open to fly by the seat of our pants. ROADTRIP!!!! travels with harry!

will let you know when we've firmed up the arrival date.

[Menolly]

I'm off to Kentucky after 'fest as well. Beorn's barrel of Makers Mark is ready, so I'm off to the distillery to dip two bottles to put away for his wedding (whenever that should be).

[danlo]

I'll get the serious, finalized, details on the board tomorrow. I talked to Dukkha on face book, he was iffy--is he on the list? And are there reasons that Waddely, Av and Jay can't come? Sea and Cov Jr aren't coming are they? Do we need to get funds together for anyone or help anyone else get out here?--I did try to get the word to Bird and Leper Messiah by other means, but haven't heard back...

[Menolly]

Has anyone heard from balon! or Rigel?

[Cameraman Jenn]

I talked to Rigel and I told him his attendance was mandatory but I don't think he's going to make it.

[dlbpharmd]

Updated list:

Confirmed:
1. Danlo
2. Lady Tam
3. Aliantha
4. dlb
5. Iolanthe
6. Lorin
7. Wayfriend
8. Creator
9. Lucimay
10. SD
11. Menolly
12. Dam-sel
13. Dam-et
14. Rdhopeca
15. Sarge
16. Mrs. Null
17. Ussusimiel
18. Duke
19. Damelon
20. Frostheart
21. Lurch
22. Jenn
23. Bungleman
24. Cag
25. Bossk
26. Cord Hurn
27. Bob Vardeman
28. Romeo
29. Lisa
30 & 31. kvickie and guest

Tentative:
Lord Zombiac
Phyllie
Zappa
Cag's friend Nathan
Scott Brick
Danlo's 2 guests
HLT
DukkhaWaynhim

[Iolanthe]

Right, I'm getting sorted. My dear friends who I saw at the weekend, and who seem to hop about the world endlessly, have advised me to get a card (Mastercard) that I can put money on here and use to pay for things in the USA. I can get one at the post office. It can be used without any charges to pay for purchases, in shops, restaurants etc. but there is a small charge if I make a withdrawal from a cash machine. Could someone suggest roughly how much I will need per day for food, excursions etc? I have already sent 100 dollars to Danlo, and have paid for my accomodation at ABQ (not sure about Santa Fe).

It also seems that I am going to have to get one of those fancy phones with internet on so that I can keep track of how much money is left on my card, and top it up if necessary. Also it will enable me to let hubby know I have arrived safe and well, assuming that I do! I'll sort that out during the week. I suppose it will save me having to bring my camera as well.

Thanks in advance for any advice coming to hand.

[Frostheart Grueburn]

Ääääh voi hemmetti, one more issue to worry about. DX I've never had significant problems with my cards even in places like rural Hungary or Lithuania, but America... Yeah, I'd appreciate some kind of budget estimate as well.

Would be nice if I could get the phone numbers of a person or two and do some tests beforehand. Did that with Io last December.

[wayfriend]

Just bring a couple of million US, cash. Then give it to me and I will get what you need.

Seriously, figure $20 per meal to eat casual food brought by a waiter. Then adjust by personal frugality and/or extravagance. You can eat for 5$ if you don't care about anything except the price. You can spend $50 on a nice steak dinner with several drinks. And remember to ask if it comes with salad!

[Iolanthe]

Thanks Wayfriend, that helps. 20 dollars is about 12 pounds sterling. I will err on the side of safety and bring more than I think I will need. I can get it back off the card if I have some left.

[I'm Murrin]

When I travel abroad I use a Caxton FX worldwide currency card. Load up some cash in advance, can top up online from your account whenever you need to. Can pay as debit, or use to withdraw from most cash machines.

With the "worldwide" card you get your money stored as your home currency (£), and when you use it you're charged market exchange rate +2.5%, which tends to still be better than most other places you can exchange cash. There's also a US dollar version of the card, though, which gives a better rate (it works exactly the same way, but the cash on card is stored as US$ so no 2.5% when spending in the US).

[lorin]

Just bring a couple of million US, cash. Then give it to me and I will get what you need.

Seriously, figure $20 per meal to eat casual food brought by a waiter. Then adjust by personal frugality and/or extravagance. You can eat for 5$ if you don't care about anything except the price. You can spend $50 on a nice steak dinner with several drinks. And remember to ask if it comes with salad!

It may just be the New Yorker in me but I would estimate 30/meal.

[Menolly]

When y'all say "meal," do you mean breakfast/lunch/dinner? So $150/day for meals? Or are you mostly meaning dinners only?

[Damelon]

I think you could get by with breakfast and lunch for under $15 and if you find a good place, under $10 isn't out of the discussion. Some hotels have breakfast included. It's often not more than a muffin or a single serving of cereal, but it's enough to get by. It depends on how much you like to eat in the morning. Dinner probably around $15 or $20 depending on the quality of the restaurant. It also depends if you like wine or beer with your meals, that can be $4-$7 a glass extra. Usually wine is toward the more expensive end.

[Cameraman Jenn]

Also keep in mind that American portions are really big so often I split and entrée and appetizer with a friend to cut down on the cost and so we don't overeat. It works with an entrée and dessert too... Also, it's a good idea to ask the locals for a good place that's reasonably priced.

[lorin]

Also keep in mind that American portions are really big so often I split and entrée and appetizer with a friend to cut down on the cost and so we don't overeat. It works with an entrée and dessert too... Also, it's a good idea to ask the locals for a good place that's reasonably priced.

Or you can find a loaded ( loaded in all senses) fester and convince them to pay.

[Iolanthe]

Also keep in mind that American portions are really big so often I split and entrée and appetizer with a friend to cut down on the cost and so we don't overeat. It works with an entrée and dessert too... Also, it's a good idea to ask the locals for a good place that's reasonably priced.

Or you can find a loaded ( loaded in all senses) fester and convince them to pay.

Ha ha! I've been warned about the size of American portions. I have never been a big eater and am quite willing to share. I love Salad, it is the mainstay of my diet at the moment. I'll work something out and load the card appropriately; I can always get the money that is left over off again.

Murrin, there are no charges for any currency on the post office card, except for sterling! No charges for using to pay for things either, just for using ATMs.

[Frostheart Grueburn]

I expect the dreadful heat to affect my appetite as well, and the fact that I'm not going to do any record-breaking hiking like the recent 45-km-in-two-days (öäägh my legs...) due to the same reason. I hope to find salads, fish foods, and other healthy options as well. My hotel has a breakfast included, but very likely will lack the typical Scandinavian porridge. Fast food may be cheap, but my stomach cannot...stomach that stuff.

[Damelon]

You still have to watch portion size with salads. A main meal salad can fill up a dinner plate. If you don't eat that much order a side salad. One way for smaller portions is to order off the appetizer or side portion of the menu. 2/3 of a typical appetizer selection are deep fried junk food, but a lot of times there are items like bruchetta, or quesadillas which aren't.

[Iolanthe]

Never heard of those, John. Looked them up. Bread is a no no, but the Quesadillas look nice. I gather that pancakes are popular for breakfast too.