Birmingham, England ??

[KimDW]

I thought I'd post this here since I remember that some of the posters here are from England.

My husband has an opportunity to go to a Trombone Convention in Birmingham England and help market a new trombone valve. His portion would be paid for (not sure about food or spending money). The guy who invented the valve can't go and said Steve should check his schedule and think about it. I'm sure we'd have to pay for my airfare (with the convention code it's about $800 - if we can afford it). Neither one of us have been outside the US. I'm scared to death to say yes but then I think when are we ever going to get the chance to travel to England - especially at basically half the cost.

We haven't taken a real vacation in about 2-3 years (financial woes).

Anyway, can anyone give me any advice or tips on traveling to this area in case we do go? I know we'd both have to get passports (not sure where).

Thanks,
Kimbra

 

[luvtorun]

Kimbra, I went to the post office and picked up a form for my passport. It has a website on the form for the nearest post office near you that accepts the completed form. (you can pick up the form at any post office but only certain ones accept them for processing). You can have your picture taken there at the post office that processes these. All instructions are on the form as to what you have to send with it. This is my first passport. I am going to Italy and Spain this year.

HTH

 

[dogs2birds]

Hi Kimbra,

I hope you take the opportunity to go. I've never been to Birmingham, but spent a lot of time in London, a little time in Manchester and a lot of time in Italy in my previous job. If you have the opportunity to go so inexpensively, go for it! You may never get to go again and it's a great experience.

As for passports, I just heard that our main post office here no longer takes pictures because they have been inundated with people needing passports with the new passport law. When I got mine about 7 or 8 years ago, I got my picture taken at Kinkos - the copy place.

Good luck and let us all know what you decide to do!

Susan

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." - Anatole France

http://www.picturetrail.com/dogs2birds

 

[Miss Lee]

Kimbra,

GO! GO! GO! I've been to the UK many times and I just love it! I've never been to Birmingham so I can't speak to that specifically, but with the rail system, travel to other parts of England and Europe is so easy.

I don't know when your trip is, but I would get moving on the Passport. I think the process changed as of this month and it may take a little longer to get one. Even if you don't go to England, it's still good to have one just in case. I went to the post office for mine, but not every branch handles passports so call first.

England is a beautiful place and overwhelming in it's history and points of interest. There is so much to do and see that it would be nearly impossible to address on a message board.

Michele

 

[sparrow]

Hi Kimbra!

I lived in the UK for four years. England is a great country and I'm sure you will have a good time! You can also get passport photos at Wal-Mart.

Sparrow


Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow - what a ride!’ — Peter Sage

 

[icklemoley]

Birmingham... not sure what i can say to this as i live in south wales, UK, but its about an hour and a half away. its ok. good shopping, but not the best place to live. but well worth a visit if you can.

 

[truton]

I am going thru the process of getting a new passport myself. Below is a link to the State Department website. All you need to know about getting a passport is there. They even have the forms you need. They let you fill out the form online and then print it out so it's all nice and neat (a nice feature for those of us with bad handwriting!). You'll still have to take it to the postoffice for processing though.

http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/about/agencies/agencies_913.html

HTH!

PS: Your husband's job sounds interesting. A new trombone valve? Too cool. I was a music major in college but only worked in the industry for a short while. I miss it.