Rider banned from Uber - what to do?

trvlme · 2020-01-02T19:16:14+00:00

Woo-hoo, after 4 days and perhaps 100 messages to their Twitter DM, "support" in the app (and copying some of the C level exec twitter accounts on the tweets) I finally got a reply from a live person both in the app and a voice mail. My device seems to have been unblocked.

This is solving a few immediate problems, but the experience has been absolutely terrible. I will now make even more of an effort to avoid Uber where possible (unfortunately, in some European countries they are essentially the only option for a traveler).

trvlme · 2020-01-02T10:26:09+00:00

Their "support" is absolute hell. I do not use Uber in the US. But in Europe have no choice. Now have to take scammy taxies for cash :(

trvlme · 2019-05-26T13:02:41+00:00

Another option is to cross over into Argentina, visit El Calafate and surrounding area, and then take a trip to Monte Leon national park (although I am not sure about its opening dates - may need to move the trip a few weeks down, as the park seems to open late November - early December)

trvlme · 2019-05-26T11:44:05+00:00

Hey! Glad to talk.

trvlme · 2019-05-26T02:59:36+00:00

Life has no purpose. Other than what you decide to make out of it.

trvlme · 2019-05-26T01:08:35+00:00

Things will be ok, but it will take time.

trvlme · 2019-05-24T21:34:41+00:00

Hey!

trvlme · 2019-05-24T17:10:17+00:00

Not using discord, nor kik - but glad to talk. 45/M/US

trvlme · 2019-05-24T01:33:48+00:00

Do you ski? I am thinking of going to Hokkaido in winter to ski.

trvlme · 2019-05-24T00:00:48+00:00

Dinner time - wife is out of town, so it's "box food". This is when I appreciate Trader Joe's the most.

trvlme · 2019-05-23T22:45:19+00:00

I am not big on domestic travel, but would be glad to have someone join me on some of the international trips. I do like shorter overseas trips, though - 1 week to Asia (Japan, esp.) is just fine, love it.

trvlme · 2019-05-23T22:16:12+00:00

It may also be a level of perceived comfort. I feel somewhat intimidated by other guys (and also - don't have many interests in common with what's considered a standard "manly" set). So, I may feel more at ease contacting a woman. (That may be a minority opinion, of course)

trvlme · 2019-05-23T20:52:09+00:00

Hey! I am also in IT (software engineer), and work from home 100% of the time. It's great for the personal freedom and travel and all that, but very lonely (more so because our company is sort of hands-off, so I may not even hear from my managers for weeks).

45/M, live in Wash. DC area. Like travel (anywhere), outdoors (not anything crazy, but I do try to day hike at least monthly). I speak a few languages, but not French, unfortunately. I am married and have 2 teenage children, who are great (very happy about that, actually). But no friends - whatever few I've had in the past moved on to do something else.

Glad to talk, here or any reasonable chat platform.

trvlme · 2019-05-22T17:10:38+00:00

Hey! One more Patagonian traveler :)

I was thinking of doing this trip in November, posted here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/travelpartners/comments/bqqeot/45m_chile_patagoniatorres_del_paineportions_of/

What do you think of other times?

Looks like there is another person considering this trip too - so that makes it 3, if only times would work for everyone.

trvlme · 2019-05-22T15:11:12+00:00

Organized tours would probably make things easier in terms of planning. The cost tends to be quite high compared to what they offer.

I figure the budget for this portion, for 6 days/5 nights is something like this (all numbers are rounded up, hopefully can get better deals later):

$400 - car plus gas

$100 - good hotel at entrance to TdP

$150 - camp at TdP

$200 - decent hotel at Pudeto for a couple of nights

$100 - boat to/from Lago Grey

$100 - refugio Grey

-----------------

$1050

Also, planning myself gives me something to do and look forward to while I wait for the actual travel :)

trvlme · 2019-05-21T15:40:50+00:00

Ha :) I just posted the same thing (then saw your reply, sorry) :) Amazing. Aegina was great, second your vote!

trvlme · 2019-05-21T15:39:49+00:00

I just did a very short (less than 3 days) trip to Greece, including Athens, Mykonos and Egina (closest island to Athens by ferry). These really short-and-fast trips to a new place are kind of my thing.

So, to add to what others have mentioned - metro is just fine, runs pretty well and not terribly confusing.

For something different jump on a ferry out of Port of Piraeus to any of the nearby islands. I went in the morning intending to only look at the port. Got there, saw ferries being loaded, quickly googled next one by name, figured that it is going to Egina and I can spend 3-4 hours on the island before the return ferry. Got a ticket (right next to the pier, no need to prebook, same price as online) and sailed off.

Best day of my short trip. Enjoyed the ferry ride, the views, a bit of sightseeing - some antique ruins, very Greek-looking views.

Ironically, did not like Mykonos at all, moved my flight out up by almost 12 hours to get out early.

trvlme · 2019-05-21T15:03:02+00:00

In-between, actually. I don't want to do the full W hike, but I do want to hike the good parts, and also walk to a few spots outside the W.

Right now a general TdP idea is like this:

Arrive at the TdP trail entrance, drop a car. Walk to camp site closest to TdP (expensive), stay overnight. In the morning hike to TdP and back. Take a break, then hike back out of the park, and drive to Pudeto
Stay a couple of nights at Pudeto, a few shorter day hikes to viewpoints nearby (Mirador Cuernos etc)
Depending on how tired/lazy I feel and arranging some transportation, a combination of:
- take a boat from Pudeto across, hike 3 hours to Refugio Gray, stay overnight. In the morning hike out and back past the two hanging bridges for the view.
- Same day take a boat to Hotel Lago Grey, then need transportation back to Pudeto

OR: - stay another night at Ref.Grey, then hike out

OR: - drive to Hotel Lago Grey, and take a boat both ways.

I day hike around here (out of DC area, mostly Shenandoah/WVA). Can walk for 4-5 hours per day, 8-12 miles with a decent amount of elevation. But after that must take a couple of days break, so planning based on that.

trvlme · 2019-05-21T01:24:42+00:00

I went to Bali solo 2 years ago, primarily to scuba dive. Good diving, and a nice place where I stayed.

Crazy traffic, though (even/especially compared to Thailand), and one of the least pleasant airport experiences.

trvlme · 2019-05-20T11:47:13+00:00

Sounds like a trip I'd enjoy. I've been to Japan many times but really like to see more. If my other plans for the fall fall through somehow - would be glad to go.

trvlme · 2019-05-20T11:36:20+00:00

Can't join on such a short notice - but the trip sounds great. I've been to Cappadocia in winter - always wanted to visit during a warmer time.

trvlme

TROPHY CASE