Tidbits for Your Travels
by Richard Chappoe
Whether you are a new travel enthusiasts or old pro, you can never stop learning better ways to enhance your experience. Following are some of the things I have learned over many trips.
1. Street Food - Ah, who doesn't love trying the mystery food on a stick? Well, the mystery can land you in bed or the bathroom for a few days. Be careful, particularly if you've also been trying the local alcoholic beverages.
2. American Express Mail - If you have an American Express card, you are one lucky devil. You can have your mail sent to any American Express office in the world. Just hop over and pick it up.
3. Deadly Ice Cubes - If you are concerned about the quality of water at a destination, don't make a common mistake. What is it? Drinks with ice cubes. The ice cubes are made from the same water!
4. Garbage Bag Pants - Despite it being roasting in the summer, many historical sites will require you to wear pants to enter. You can usually rent garbage bag pants around these areas. They look like pants, but are made of the garbage bag material.
5. Is Spicy Food Safe? - There is a belief among travelers that spicy food will not cause stomach issues. Umm, no. It just adds a little heat to the misery.
6. Wrinkle Free Pants - Always take a pair of wrinkle free pants. You can roll them up to save space. You will need them to enter churches, museums and other places.
7. Yelling at Thais - Thailand is the land of smiles, but it doesn't mean everyone is happy. Culturally, raising your voice is a very bad move. Never yell at Thais. It will not help, but will hurt you.
8. Laptop Charging - When traveling, it is vital you know what the ampage is in the country you are in. More than a few laptops have been zapped by being hooked up to a 220 outlet. Take a regulator to make sure this doesn't happen.
9. Kids and Trip Planning - Do not plan a trip without getting your kids input if you are taking them. If they are not involved, they will complain endlessly. If they are, they will be more open minded.
10. Japanese Rice Etiquette - When eating rice in Japan, never stick your chopsticks in the rice such that they are standing up vertical. It is a symbol of death.
Travel is many things to many people. Some prefer luxury while others prefer to rough it. I have to admit I tend to fall in the rough it group, but a night of luxury isn't too bad either!
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