Airports
Communications
To stay connected when you don't have your own computer or internet-connected phone, you can use the following sites on public computers to communicate via MSN Live Messenger, Yahoo, Google, etc.School Internet Its a Dutch site, but simple to understand if you don't have Google to translate the page for you. Allows you to access websites that are blocked by the administrator. Go here first if you think sites you want to visit may be blocked. Then, simply enter the url of the sit, such as Meebo or EBuddy.
EBuddy, a site with access to multiple communications applications.
Meebo, a site with access to multiple communications applications.
Lodging
Eating on a tight budget
The Netherlands
Stroopwafels (syrup waffles), Speculaas (tender spice cookies), and ginger cake (seriously ginger): all available in markets. Stroopwafels and Speculaas are best when fresh from the bakery. Albert Hijn markets, throughout the country, are good sources as they have their own bakeries on site. Look for stands on market days for the freshest possible stroopwafels. In fact, the markets are the best for taking a culinary tour of traditional Dutch foods with everything from haring met onion (herring with onion, not to be confused with maatjes met onion which are bascially raw, rotting fish) to the largest selection of cheeses you've ever seen in your life.
Another regional specialty are kroketten, deep fried and breaded croquettes, available with meat or veggies at most family restaurants and cafes. Albert Hijn markets and delis carry a large variety of prepared foods for take out, including a variety of broodjes (sandwiches) and jacket potato (baked potato) spreads and toppings.
Snack shops offer a wide range of specialties that go well with the local beer, including: patat friet (fries with mayo sauce), frikadellen (deep-fried meat sticks), and kaassouffle (breaded and deep-fried cheese).
France
The only recommendation I can make for anyone travelling around France who doesn't want to spend an arm and a leg on pricey restaurants or the ubiquitous fast food franchises, is to look for local markets or boulangeries (butchers) with fresh food counters where they will make up baquettes (sandwiches) to order. Ready-made hamburgers from such places can be an adventure as you never know what will come on them, ie: bleu cheese, cucumber slices, sweet pickles, etc, but are generally a tasty and filling choice. Patisseries (bakeries) will have a selection of savory goods along with the most fabulous pastries. Small bistros will also stretch the wallet and you can order up a take out baquette of on-site crafted rustic pate with mayo or mustard or vinaigrette. Pommes Frites (french fries) are easily found at kiosks and street vendors and are the real thing that none others can compare to.
Germany
Step up to any imbiss or cafe and order anything that sounds as if it's genuine German and you'll generally end up with something eminently tasty: bratwurst or weisswurst or currywurst mit anything, pommes frites (fries) mit mayo or curry ketchup, frikandellen (almost a hamburger) shashlik (marinated meat skewers), schnitzel sandwich (breaded port cutlet), etc.
If you visit during spargel (asparagus) season, you'll find menu boards at cafes and gasthauses filled with a wide variety of dishes that incorporate the big white asparagus spears.
Munich has its own specialties come Octoberfest, among which are rotisserie chickens, seasoned with mild paprika, whole roasted pigs carved for sandwiches and topped with sauerkraut and mustard when ordered, kasespaetzle (handmade egg dumplings boiled and then fried with onions and topped with farmers cheese and often crisp crumbled bacon) and of course plenty of beer, all served in the huge beer tents.
For economic lunches, visit metzgereis for prepared foods for take out and hot leberkase (a type of meatloaf) sandwiches. Bakereis also offer hot pastries with savory fillings and soft pretzels with sharp mustard.