Osama and Jamal bought their tickets

Team,
Osama and I bought our tickets! We will be arriving in Frankfurt as planned.
Let the odyssey begin.
Nice Car Tsaqqa!!!!! and a nicer plate. There is a greater meaning after all.
BTW, got a HD webcam so that our vidoe conferences be clearer going forward.

The team across the pond...

The second car (really!)

Jamal. Can you explain the symbolism of this number plate? Please notice that the car still has its star. Thanks Osama! Actually it's quite fun when things work out well and I am looking forward for the real event.

Petra Odyssey: The second car (hopefully)

Petra Odyssey: The second car (hopefully): "After days of on-line search, on Dec 9th. I found two promising cars. A 1988 BMW 525i and a 1990 Mercedes 190. Next morning I called for t..."

Hi Nadim - many thanks for all your efforts. We are verygrateful to your tireless majhood, while we sit on our fat *sses on our side of the Atlantic. Please let us know if we could do anything. Looking forward to our next TAVC. Till then, all the best - Osama

The second car (hopefully)

After days of on-line search, on Dec 9th. I found two promising cars. A 1988 BMW 525i and a 1990 Mercedes 190. Next morning I called for the BMW (my favourite!). Sold! -> **it! So I called for the Mercedes: A sleepy owner told me to call later. Called later and made an appointment during lunch time. Took the car for a test drive and inspected it as well as I could – No faults, so I made a down payment on the 900E. On Monday the owner will deregister the car and in the evening I will pay him the rest and take the papers for registration. Wish me luck! Googled about the Mercedes 190 and found out that it is a reliable but rather thirsty car. Should make the journey!

In search of a second car

November 22nd
Looked at a VW Golf for 700 E. Took it for a test drive. Exhaust kaput, no brakes, door won't close and stank of stale cigarettes. Offered 400 Euros and was glad that owner refused to sell under 500. Went home.
November 23rd
Drove to some used car dealers in Cologne and looked at an Opel Astra: pitiful sight and overflowing ashtray for 500 E, Chrysler Voyager: unreliable motor for 1000 E. ........Mitsubishi something for 1000 E: had enough of all the trash. Went home.
November 24th
Saw a good looking Opel Vectra (like Jamal's old one!) fro 590 E. Italian dealer told me that he keeps the cheap cars on another site and had to wait for half an hour so we could drive there. Car looked promising but didn't start. No petrol. Went home.
November 26th
Went to a dealer who had a Mercedes 200 for 990 E. and an Opel Omega for 790 E. Was given the keys and no one disturbed while I took my time to check them. Was glad that it is possible to find cars which are a little respectable. Went home.
Will watch the internet regularly for interesting cars.

1St TAVC*-Minutes

*) TAVC=Trans-Atlantic Video Conference

Present: Jamal, Osama, Nadim

Route to Istanbul will follow: Irdning (A), Budapest (H), Resita (RO), Ruse (BG)

Jamal to set up a Blog (done!)

Nadim to buy two tents and a set of spanners

Jamal and Osama to check visa requirements for RO and BUL

Nadim to convince the rally organisation to shift the rally towards the Easter holidays (haha!)

Did I forget anything?

The route has been identified.