I have posted this Tour Q&A around a week ahead of each of our three international trips. (We use a private Facebook group to spread information before and during the tour.)
It gets revised with pertinent information of course, but the intent and tone remains the same throughout. If you’re getting ready to travel, feel free to use whatever might be helpful!
Recent Questions And Their Answers
Q. Should I bring hangers?
A: You want to hang your concert attire, so yes bring hangers. You should be able to make it work with one nice jacket hanger (Dresses: hang the dress. Tuxedos: hang the tux pants, then the shirt, then the jacket.) Plastic hangers are the most likely to break in transit.
Q: Should I print the itinerary?
A: Either print the itinerary for your reference or save to your default device. Be very mindful of the timing of events but also that in a tour of this magnitude, timings may need to change at the last minute. Mrs. Scott has a stack of itineraries on the piano in the choir room.
Q: Should I wear comfortable shoes most days?
A: If you are not packing comfortable shoes, you will end the tour crying with blisters. Crying. One colleague recently went on a choir tour of Italy and averaged walking 10 MILES PER DAY.
Q: If I’m of legal age to drink in Spain can I go to the bar during free time?
A: Hahahaha! Are you serious?! I can’t believe you would even ask that question. The entire tour you’ll be operating under the rubric of the RHS Student Handbook. We have immense faith in all of you to behave appropriately but also won’t hesitate to send you home AT YOUR PARENTS COST for inappropriate behavior on this tour. (This also applies if there are any in-room minibars – the hotel will know if you take anything from them and you will pay for these costs PLUS be sent home if it’s not permitted.)
Q: Can we stay up all night playing cards?
A: If you choose to do that before April 4, you will regret it.
Q: How do I fold a shirt and suit to avoid wrinkles?
A: I’m so glad you asked! Check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDGWW7_O2sI
Q: How can I pack my clothes efficiently?
A: Here’s a video for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QyYgZ6Lrqg
Q: Will I have specific chaperones designated for this trip?
A: Yes, we have created “tour families” for the trip – primarily for check-ins and disseminating information quickly. You will not typically be required to be WITH your tour parents (or your real parents) for free time or on tours, but they will be your first point of contact with questions, for wake-up calls, etc. They’ll be watching for signs of fatigue, illness, homesickness, or other problems and making sure you’re doing well. If you think it’s likely that you are going to need a little extra help, let them know! We’ll begin this get-to-know-you process on Tuesday in the cafeteria.
Q: Can my boyfriend/girlfriend and I go off by ourselves during free time?
A: No.
Q: What is the call time on Tuesday?
A: 8:30am in the RHS Cafeteria for luggage checks. Be wearing your brand new tour shirt to travel in!
Q: Will I see any locals?
A: Typically in early-April 99.9% of Spanish people are in southern Italy, so you can mostly expect to see Australians. Repeat after me: “G’day, mate!”
Q: Wait, I’m confused. Was that a joke?
A: Yes, it was a joke. My humor is a dry wit.
Q: Should I bring food with me on the bus?
A: We depart around 10am and won’t have much access to food until after we get through security at the airport. I suggest you bring a snack or meal depending on how much you like to eat. There will probably be time to get some food in the airport after we pass through security.
Q: What about social media?
A: If you’re posting anything to Twitter/Instagram/Facebook/etc. about the trip, I encourage you to use the hashtag #RockfordChoirTour so people can follow along at home.
Q: Don’t you do anything besides plan this trip?
A: No, not really.
Q: Will you be glad when it’s over?
A: No. Yes. No. A little.
Q: You wrote both the questions and the answers, didn’t you.
A: …