Travel Tips

Pre-Travel Preparations
Always carry wet naps in your bags, and tissue paper. A long cord is useful for a clothersline if you need to wash something and hang it overnight to dry. Determine from the airline or your travel agent the aircraft type for each leg of your trip. That way you'll know what carryon items will fit in the cabin. Check with the local tourist office for accommodations gradings. They are usually reliable, as local operatos are quick to scream if there are discrepancies.

Packing
When packing your important documents - eg., pasport, birth cerificate, etc., pack them in a zip-lock bag. it keeps them clean and all together!. Bags withing bags are a worthwhile trick. Use big duffels, but also pack smaller empty duffels inside for use a boat bags for clothing and other necessities. When you are packing things into a backpack, place the lighter items at the bottom and the heavies ones on top. Your bag will feel ligher this way. Also remember to place the important things on top.

Safety Considerations
When you shop, split your spending money up and put it in several different packets. Always put some in a pocket that is inside a jacket or next to your skin. This way, if you are pick-pocketed, you will always have money. Luggage tags should not have your home address on them. Instead fill in with your business address. Do not stop on the street to consult a map or ask for directions. This immediately identifies you as a tourist. Step into a busy business to look at maps or check directions.

Air Travel
When buying airline ticket online, call the airline to get seat assignment immediately if no seat assignment is given. If you arrive at the ticket counter without seat assignment on an overbooked flight, you probably will get bumped off the flight and forced to take a later flight - which can be several hours or even a full day later. Due to overbooking, getting seat assignment in advance can reduce the risk of getting "bumped"!. If you get motion sick easily, you may be more comfortable if you take some sort of motion sickness drug before you fly. Note that you must take the drugs before you get sick.

Foreign Travel
When traveling to many third world countries, before paying for a room, make sure to look at the room first. Along the same lines, take a quick tour of the hotel before deciding to stay. Even though some of the hotels may be nice on the outside, what is on the inside is not always up to your standarts.