> We, Beverly Doucette ( USA ) and Mary Pomroy ( Canada ), are sharing
> information which we have put together as a resulted of our trip to
> Duisburg, Germany for Mary's adhesiolysis, with Dr. Matthias Korell as
> her surgeon.
>
> If you are interested in contacting Dr. Korell about the possibility of
> having an adhesiolysis ( surgery for adhesions ) in Germany, please
> contact Bev at: bnb@cybrzn.com . or Mary Pomroy at mpomroy@home.com
>
> 1 A.) PASSPORT : You will need a passport - NOT a visa - when going to
> Germany! You will find all information - as to how to secure a passport
> - at the following web site :
>
> http://travel.state.gov/passport_easy.html
>
> To secure a passport, you need to provide a certified copy of your birth
> certificate - which you can secure at your county court house.
> It may take up to two months to secure your passport. If you need a
> passport sooner, you can expedite (hurry up) the process for an extra
> fee.
>
> Your passport will be checked at all airlines - as you leave the
> countries and re-enter them. The only time you will need your passport
> - to go through an actual immigration check - will be as you leave
> Germany; and again upon entering the USA. So be sure to keep your
> passport handy at all times!!
>
> * * * * *
>
> 2 A.) AIR FARE : A round-trip ticket to Dussledorf is best; because
> Dusseldorf is only about 15-20 minutes from the hospital in Duisburg.
> The hospital will provide transportation to and from the airport at no
> charge to you!
>
> Air fare is very expensive during prime-time months (May - October).
> During off-season months (November 1st - April) a round trip ticket is
> very reasonable. Call your travel agent for information about round
> trip air fare to Dusseldorf and also about the time of your flight's
> departure.
>
> Pack lightly for your trip! We can discuss this issue on a need-to-know
> basis.
>
> The trip to Germany will take about 8 hours. You will be traveling
> forward in time going to Germany - which means that you will lose about
> 8 hours. So if you can catch some shut eye on your flight, then you
> will be pretty well adjusted to the time difference upon your arrival in
> Germany.
>
> The hospital will provide transportation to and from the airport...at no
> charge!
>
> * * * * *
>
> 3 A.) CUSTOM'S CHECK : You will NOT have to go through a custom's check
> when you arrive in Germany ( only when you return to the USA ).
>
> * * * * *
>
> 4 A.) CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE : The German Deutsche Mark ( DM ) is worth
> about one-half the value of the US dollar. For example: $100 in US
> currency is equal to 200 DM - depending upon the rate of currency
> exchange at the time.
>
> Please note: Dr. Korell would prefer his payment in a Cashier's Check
> or a Money Order upon his patient's return home!!!
>
> The Deutsche Mark is used in Germany, the Gillder is used in the
> Netherlands, and the Eurodollar can be used anywhere in Europe! When
> making sure to take enough smaller bills, you will find it very easy to
> travel freely! Mary and I learned the hard way.
>
> Conversion of money is easy to understand! If you need help, Mary or I
> can assist you in securing Deutsche Marks to pay the hospital
>
> * * * * *
>
> 5 A.) INSURANCE : Some insurance policies have a clause which will cover
> some out-of-country medical expenses. Check with your insurance company
> to see if your policy includes benefits for out-of-country medical
> expenses.
>
> * * * * *
>
> 6 A.) THE WEATHER IN GERMANY IN NOVEMBER : Bev says that she and Mary
> were told that the weather is the same almost all year long - about
> 55-60 degrees - and sort of rainy. Some German people said that the
> weather ( this year ) has been different and colder from other years.
> The weather all over the world seems to be different this year!! Bev
> said that sweat suits would be the norm - actually, " Green Bay Packer "
> sweat would be great!!!!!!! :-)
>
> * * * * *
>
> Have a safe trip and ENJOY EUROPE while you are there!! You can do that
> very easily - and you can't beat the hotel rates nor especially the fact
> that you are going to be returning home WELL!!
>