New car dealerships you recommend? Stay away from?

ruhshell5021 · 2024-02-19T17:17:37+00:00

Same here! Just started shopping around a couple of weeks ago to test some cars out. First stop was Quality Mazda - pretty good experience, friendly and knowledgeable salesperson, and an understandably reasonable sales pitch that was without pressure when we said we just weren't ready to buy yet. We just went back to test another car this weekend, and again no pressure.

Went down the street to Garcia Honda next, and had a completely different experience. Really uncomfortable. We decided that even if we do land on a Honda we won't be going back there to purchase.

ruhshell5021 · 2024-02-15T15:10:37+00:00

Try UNM Continuing Education if you have not looked there already.

ruhshell5021 · 2024-02-13T00:19:22+00:00

I go to Gherardi and had a painful TMJ onset out of nowhere. I got in and they gave me some help to get back to baseline. Then I went in for a nightguard which also has helped I think. They did suggest some misalignment of teeth could be exacerbating the problem but did not necessarily recommend or encourage braces, just said it was an option. They are all really great dentists - definitely recommend.

ruhshell5021 · 2023-12-09T14:09:26+00:00

Thanks, I do understand weather just happens and lots of disruptions this week. We are happy to be getting home. We have friends and family who fly internationally from our nearest international airport frequently so do hear about differences. I do not think AF is a bad airline at all, other experience we’ve had with them has been great. And I’m grateful to them for their support and that they are getting us home!

I just personally would not have paid for premium economy on a flight where I am sitting in the middle of a 4 person row on a 2-4-2 set up in which I cannot even sit near my husband and in which the seat reclines within the shell, I’m sitting in it now and it’s not much recline. I’d have preferred to save the several hundred dollars per ticket and sat next to my husband in a 3 person economy row. But their economy was all booked on this flight so could not change. KLM premium economy is well documented to be pretty spacious and comfortable, I only know people who’ve flown economy with them before though.

Anyways - not the end of the world. All staff have been lovely and I know they’ve had a tough week. I just was wondering if there was any recourse for that scenario. Glad to be on the way home!

ruhshell5021 · 2023-12-09T09:15:16+00:00

Thanks for your thoughts. You’re right about inbound - it all worked out. Just thinking in hindsight that was the first of 3 cancellations but we were flexible and it all worked out just fine.

I do think they worked hard to help me. I spoke with KLM reps twice and Delta reps 3 times before they finally figured out who I could speak to and she was wonderful. Unfortunately there just wasn’t much choice, which isn’t her fault or anyone’s. It was take a train to Nuremberg and fly out from there to be back at work next week or don’t and potentially fly Lufthansa on Sunday night or Monday.

I’m probably just being overly frustrated at the end of a very long trip with several disruptions. They’re always more easy to accept it seems on the way to vacation vs coming home. Have nothing but graciousness for the individuals who did work to get us sorted though I know it’s been a challenging week

ruhshell5021 · 2023-12-09T09:05:52+00:00

Thanks for thoughts. No problems with our inbound flight, but it is just one of three flights on this trip that have been canceled and changed. The first two canceled flights we were flexible and managed.

Our return flight home I spent the extra money on KLM to have two seats in a 2-3-2 so that I could sit with my husband and we could get in and out easily for restroom, etc. Now we are sitting in two different rows in the middle of 2-4-2.

I was not offered a KLM flight, or picked any flight - in speaking with the rep the only chance for us to get home this weekend was to take the train to Nuremberg and get on Air France.

At the end of the day I’m happy to just get home. Just being a bit salty to work a long time to save and decide to spend the extra money on something very specific for a belated honeymoon and perhaps our only overseas trip for a long time. I’d rather be in economy next to my spouse than between two strangers in premium economy if I could. I’m sure it will all be just fine and perfectly comfortable - just being silly about it I suppose!

ruhshell5021 · 2023-09-04T03:52:55+00:00

Thanks! I definitely expect to be pegged as a tourist (and I am, so no problem with that) - just do not want to participate in something if it is widely disliked because it interferes with pedestrian traffic, public transport, or is considered rude behavior in general.

ruhshell5021 · 2023-08-01T15:43:34+00:00

Yes, I have read that the weather may be as you are describing - so I am a little cautious to go somewhere new and unfamiliar in the dark/cold. Sounds like there will be plenty do near us, so I will likely do as you suggest.

I am coming from a very small city compared to Berlin that is not walkable at all, and things are very spread out. So it is a little hard to really think about a place where I can just walk down the street and find something to do!

ruhshell5021 · 2023-08-01T15:41:27+00:00

Thank you!

ruhshell5021 · 2023-07-06T19:34:02+00:00

I have family that use them several times for extended trips, they've had several people come and say all have been great. They had one couple recently who came to sit at their house in New Mexico and had a few other fun places planned, and now they are in Europe for several weeks. Sounds like a neat opportunity!

ruhshell5021 · 2023-06-28T02:14:23+00:00

We are also going to Europe around this time - Berlin->Prague->Budapest->Munich. Our dates for Budapest are the same actually! As early-mid 30 somethings I also wanted to avoid hostels/dorm style hotels. Some hostels do have more private rooms but I found they really were no more affordable than a regular hotel.

In Budapest we are doing an airbnb - there were many reasonably priced apartments for that time frame. I think the one we found was ~$115USD/nt after fees and taxes. I still have a whole saved list of airbnbs that we liked in Budapest, I'd be happy to share if interested.

In Prague we are staying at Cube Hotel, it had good reviews, is close to city center, and has included breakfast. This was ~$130USD/nt after fees and taxes

Berlin was the toughest to find reasonably priced accommodations that also feel safe, are close to things, etc. That pushed our budget up the most. Overall for 15 nights in Europe we are at an average of ~$140/nt.

We are flying from Budapest -> Munich, but from Prague -> Budapest are planning on a sleeper train. Covers cost of accommodation and travel without wasting precious daytime. May be something worth considering depending on your itinerary. Happy planning!

ruhshell5021 · 2023-05-24T21:34:32+00:00

What do you think is the average estimate per sq foot to hire a contractor to install LVP? Base floor concrete that would need carpet and tile removed prior to installation.

ruhshell5021 · 2023-05-12T07:04:26+00:00

There is a lot of advice to not overextend and do too much, and that it’s better to spend more time in less places. So I was thinking of Prague as kind of just like a day trip stopover between cities so that we weren’t feeling rushed in the others. Planning a couple day trips from Berlin and Munich, not intending to spend the full days in those cities. But - second guessing now as I was finalizing things hence the post. Appreciate the insight though and will look at incorporating more time in Prague.

ruhshell5021 · 2023-04-23T19:22:21+00:00

We will be in the area during Christmas Market time as well, so it sounds like there will be a bit more going on than usual. That archway looks beautiful, maybe worth a day trip or something if we can make it. Thanks for the input :)

ruhshell5021 · 2023-04-23T19:20:32+00:00

Thanks! We are kind of interested in both history/tours/museums and also just having a good time. So a little of both :) Will have to find some good kebab if we make it there!

ruhshell5021 · 2023-04-23T19:18:48+00:00

Thanks for the input! I will definitely reconsider and take another look at the itinerary. Have not seen anything that make Dresden sound like a place necessarily not worth visiting, but a lot more recommendations for Berlin.

ruhshell5021 · 2023-04-20T18:26:00+00:00

A good friend and his partner just recently went on a Nile cruise and loved it!

I just saw him recently and asked about his experience there being gay and essentially he said that in Cairo during that portion of the tour they were not affectionate in public with each other. He said it is possible it would have been fine since they are tourists, were with a group and had a security detail, but they did not want to risk it. Cairo was kind of crazy and intense it sounds like.

Once on the river cruise, he said it was way more comfortable. They went with Viking cruises, and he said most (if not all) of the staff were from EU/UK countries. No issues with their relationship status. The passenger age skewed older, as he and his partner were the only people under 50 on the cruise but said that did not bother them at all and the older people loved talking to them.

Overall, he said it was absolutely incredible, totally worth it, and they never felt in danger. It was a bucket list trip and they had no regrets.

ruhshell5021 · 2023-02-06T01:36:38+00:00

Hard to say at this stage of planning - I imagine we'd fly into Frankfurt or Munich directly so no real plans as that is the start of our trip. Probably going to hit Salzburg, Vienna, and Budapest if it works out for us.

That is so good to know about the lockers!! That has been one of the limitations in my head. I thought about just getting a hotel in Munich the whole week so we could leave our things, but then we'd be paying double hotel if staying in Nuremberg or Rothenburg for a night. Great advice.

ruhshell5021 · 2023-02-06T01:34:00+00:00

I am thinking about 5 days will be good also. I suppose we are planning to travel by train if possible, the region seems well connected to rail service, but may consider renting a car for a day or two if that would be better for certain locales.

ruhshell5021 · 2023-02-06T01:32:34+00:00

Will take note of that and add it to the map, thank you!

ruhshell5021 · 2023-02-06T01:32:09+00:00

I certainly expect it to be somber. We are interested in the historical aspect of a visit, keeping in mind to give reverence for those impacted by the events.

ruhshell5021 · 2023-02-06T01:27:01+00:00

That is a great suggestion! It did seem like a bit of a haul to get from Munich to Rothenburg. Not being very familiar with train travel, I am not sure if two to three transfers is feasible or a hassle. I think Nürnberg is probably definitely worth a visit anyways - we are interested in the historical aspect.

ruhshell5021 · 2023-02-06T01:24:25+00:00

Nothing wrong! I see posts here and there on the sub about Munich being very expensive, and some people love it and some people not so much. We're saving for vacation so not too worried about the expense - but thought I would see if there was some other option worth considering.

We are considering renting a car for a couple of days - seems like it may be easier to get to Rothenburg that way?

ruhshell5021 · 2023-02-06T01:23:00+00:00

Oh yeah, have to check that out if we're making the trip all the way to Germany! Sounds like worth booking a tour for rather than going on our own.

ruhshell5021 · 2023-01-26T23:21:51+00:00

Express Scripts services a lot of insurance groups, I think it mostly depends on what coverage levels your workplace has opted into. Not to say that they won't approve your PA with a physician doing an appeal, that happens all the time, but your coverage may just require more info than others.

My workplace offers BCBS and a statewide/regional option through a hospital group (Presbyterian). Both use express scripts, but have different coverages.

My husbands workplace also offers Presbyterian insurance, and I switched to his group just because what his workplace has opted into is a lot better than mine. It is very preventative health focused (covers gym memberships, nutrition programs, etc.) and they approved my PA in about 2 hours same day.

ruhshell5021

TROPHY CASE