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[info]yuki_onna

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National Day of Unity??
Lost Girl
[info]yuki_onna
November 3rd, 14:25
This is getting to levels of awful I can't even describe.

We got a visa invitation. All we need is to take it to the Consulate.

Which is closed tomorrow for a holiday. Meaning the earliest we could get to Russia would be Thursday night. Giving us at most three days.

And we're out of money. This has cost more than half of what the whole trip cost, and we've been penalized severely for changing our flight, on top of it all.

Both of us are just sitting here with our heads in our hands. We don't know what to do. We just wanted a honeymoon and now we're stranded, with no money, in a strange country, and fucking Expedia refuses to help us. Do we just turn around and go home? This hotel is so expensive, and we can't afford another night. I just don't know how to Pollyanna this.

Fuck. Everything seems pretty fucking dark right now.
( 111 comments — Write On My Skin )
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I can offer you a rescue. Wolfgang and Sandra would be happy to host you in their lovely home and show you the sites of Bavaria, which are marvelous. If you want their number, IM me.
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Who ever just offered this TAKE THEM UP ON IT AND DO IT!

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Jesus christ, that's terrible. I'm so sorry. :(
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Are you comfortable setting up a tip jar?
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My heart is breaking for you both. I'm so sorry.
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yikes. that is hideous and so unfair.

I have a friend who works in Frankfurt - she speaks excellent english and might be able to help in someway.
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Signal boosted to a friend in Cologne; he might have friends near you who you could stay with, or suggestions for cheap digs. In the meantime, will you post a donation button? I bet lots of people would be happy to chip in a little towards making the rest of your trip wonderful.

My advice: get your three days in Russia and make the most of them. You're far more likely to regret going home than to regret going on.

*love*
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What bastards. I agree with this -- you've come so far, take what you can make of it. I hope that people do hook you up with tribe in Germany, that you can enjoy your time there regardless, that you get to Russia when you can, and that you discover magic unexpectedly (after you've had a chance to have a good night's rest).
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I'm so sorry to hear that. I can't imagine how frustrating that must be.
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oh honey.
we all love you.
IM Gini, quick.
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Can you enjoy Germany for the rest of the time you have left, instead of trying to go on to Russia? You're there, you may as well see the place.
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IM Gini. See Bavaria. Russia will be there.

While you have internet access, report Expedia to the Better Business Bureau. You can do it online. You may get some resolution.

I'm so sorry this is happening.

N.
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I'd take someone up on their offer to host you there in Germany, and try to enjoy the time you have left there.

And when you get home, I'd see if you have a court case against Expedia.
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Obviously you are not meant to go to Russia AT THIS TIME. Take up the myriads of offers of friends here who have friends where you are, and go with it for now.

Stop stressing and try to enjoy what you can, where you are. And when you get to go to Russia, it'll be all that much sweeter for it.

Deep breaths, it'll all work out. You know too many people willing to help for it not to.}:)
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Oh this is maddening.

What hotel are you staying at? Rates of approximately $115/night seem to be the baseline with no advance reservations and so forth.
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A friend in Cologne suggests: http://www.frankfurt-hostel.com/en/ if you're looking for a hotel for a little less cash. Still roughly $75/night, though.
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I know other folks are offering help, but do youse know [info]halbtrocken? She owns a bookstore in Dusseldorf, might be able to be able to be helpful?
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What airline are you on? Yes, I'm circling wagons.
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Lufthansa for Frankfurt-St.P (they are the ones who charged us $500 to change our flight) and United for US-Frankfurt.
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Drat...I just moved to Chicago from Frankfurt in June, else you would have had a place to stay right in the city. Drat drat drat!

Have you found lodging in the city?

Contact me ASAP. Send me a message or email.

Valya (friend of Kyle & Trillian)
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I'm so sorry -- what a nightmare!

I think it might have come to the point where threatening Expedia would be a good and useful thing. Escalate as high up the chain as you can get (keep asking to speak to the person's supervisor as many times as necessary). Tell them 1) you're initiating legal action the second you get home, and are looking forward to talking to reporters about how Expedia's incompetence and subsequent unwillingness to make things right ruined your honeymoon; and 2) you're a published author with close to 2,000 registered readers on your blog alone, *every one of whom* is now already aware that Expedia has screwed you over.

I don't know that it'll help at all, but maybe... Good luck!
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This. I'll certainly never buy from Expedia again unless they give you one heck of a "we're-so-sorry-we-had-our-heads-up-our-asses" present.
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Do you have a PayPal account? Can we send you money?
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I do have paypal, though I'd rather it be a Fairyland donation or at least something where you got something in return.
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I know throwing money at the problem will not save you the frustration and awfulness that you have suffered and are still suffering -- but you've got a bunch of people willing and able to throw money at the part of the problem that it can help with. Me too -- just let us know if there's a way to get it to you.
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Come back, Little Sheba -- sauve qui peut! Russia will be there forever, on an anniversary or on a whim. Put the ugly behind you and have uncomplicated peace for a while.

And when you are ready to lay siege to Expedia, sound the horn.
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I'd be willing to throw some money in with the other money throwers...just tell me where...

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*shakes head* I for one can't believe the crap advice that was given on Visas. True, you can travel around much of the EU without one these days - but that's NOT the case for Russia (or the rest of the world for that matter).



1) Get out of the expensive hotel and find a hostel for the night.
2) If you need to travel go by rail - whether locally or cross county. In Germany the trains are clean and *on time*.
3)It's not the end of the world. Life is an adventure. Adjust your plans and try to salvage the situation. It's a beautiful country - enjoy it.

Remember - you are loved by many on your f-list - we will help.
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Cat, if we start a campaign to pressure Expedia, what details can you give us? Whose name the reservation is in? Reservation number? I think they can be made to make this right, including the $$. <lj user=rozk" and I are working on it. (Debbie Notkin)
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Related to this, maybe it's worth pointing a site like The Consumerist to this post? If they choose to cover this, it might help shame Expedia into taking responsibility and fixing their screw-ups.
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Gahhhhh. I am so sorry to hear how the trip has become a disaster. Hopefully it will be a fun story to talk about later on, but ZOMG not cool. Expedia needs to be taught a lesson.

I have a friend/'other' sister in Berlin that I'm trying to get a hold of for you to see if she or some of her friends can help you out in any way/put you up somewhere for the night. I'll let you know ASAP when I get in contact with her.

*shakes fist @ Expedia*

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I'm so sorry to hear all this. :( Hugs.
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( 111 comments — Write On My Skin )
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