Date:         Sat, 30 Nov 2002 14:46:13 -0800
Reply-To:     Jeffrey Schwaia <jeff@TSSGI.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeffrey Schwaia <jeff@TSSGI.COM>
Subject:      Re: Westfalia Touring Club (proposal)
In-Reply-To:  <410-220021163020926671@foxinternet.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Interesting.  Since I often fly into Frankfurt for work and vacation it
would be great to have a nice Wohnmobil available.

Tell me, how do you would you handle the insurance and registration aspect
with so many (possible) drivers.

-jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of zolo
Sent: Saturday, November 30, 2002 12:09 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Westfalia Touring Club (proposal)


To all members!

I propose to establish a Westfalia Touring Club in Europe for the
members.  That would make us purchase one or more units, operated by
us, used by us.  They would be parked somewhere on a farm near
Frankfurt, (one of the German members will find a place) and whenever
we feel like just pop on a plane and into our little carhouse to
stroll around Europe, our beloved home of most of our ancestors and
most of our history.
Europe is a large jewellery box, full of wonderful things to see and
stories to hear, food to eat and they won't call the cops if you stop
on the street and stay for the night.  It will be great to come home
yet there were lessons you've learned.  The museums, castles,
palaces, cathedrals, galleries, roman ruins, greek amphiteaters, and
more and more will forever be with you as an unforgettable dream,
will enrich your children to know where they came from, to humble the
sole where so many died for our present good life.
As we Americans know, a car is just a box with a motor.  Not giving
us more service than what a pair of shoe would.  Here we have no real
respect of a car the way it is idolised in poor countries.(think of
one)  It would certainly take a little cash at first.  Those who use
it should pop a little cash in a pot for every day use to have enough
for repairs and parking and insurance and licence and tests.
Once this little operation is going with one car, we can have more
and we can let some others use it for a little profit taking that
would make it self sufficient.  The club will have a bank account in
Pay Pal or a clumsy one in Germany.  It will develop into a well
organized little affair that would be very attractive and practical
to use.
I already have done this kind of exercise myself a few times.  And I
must say it is most practical to know that you don't have to pay huge
bucks for renting cars and finding a new hotel every day and depend
on restaurants all the time and still there is not a place you call
your own to lay down for a short rest after you have been walking
your legs off in those museums and all.  The hotel is miles away.
Your Westfalia is just around the corner, loaded full of drinks and
food and books and maps and clothes and two futon beds on wheels.
You guys never had it so good...
Anyone who participate is a member of the new club.  Finances are
open to all to see at all times.  This is not like the financies of
the public institutions of a country...  We benefit of our wits or
pay for our mistakes.  There should be an initial purchase fee and
after that there is nothing but the cover of the costs that is not
met by the users' fundings.  Although I think it should be always
over funded, the units paid off by the use and funds piling up for
purchase of other units or just an other better one.  It is club
money.  Belongs to no one but all.  The club is like a person.
I have no knowledge of setting up a club of this kind or any other
for that matter.  I would participate in the handling and the
advising if that helps.
What is the members of the List think of this?
Is it a strong community or just hundreds of individuals minding
their own business, going it on their own, getting nowhere.
I have done this by myself out of one pocket.  I bought one high top
Westfalia, ran around Europe for three month, now the van is gone but
I tell you it is a great experience to do trips like that.
Any feedback.
Zoltan