jima@fluke.UUCP (Jim Allen) (04/15/85)
The following is a list based on years and thousands of miles of experience
that my wife and I have passed on to many friends contemplating a trip.
Although primarily intended for travel in "third world" type countries (which
is most of the world), the list applies to some parts of Western Europe as
well:
TRAVEL TIPS FOR "THIRD WORLD" COUNTRIES
Always settle on a fare before climbing into an unmetered taxi. If
metered, make sure the driver will go by the meter or decide on a
price. Make sure the price includes everyone in your party.
Collect or exchange as much small change as practical, nobody ever
seems to have change.
Take a fair amount of small denomination US money for airport taxes and
when you only need to exchange a small amount of money-like when leaving
a country. You can also usually get better prices in shops if you pay
with greenbacks.
When you exchange money, exchange as much as you think you will need
for some time as it can be a real time consuming task in some places
or the banks will have odd (and short) hours. Money can also be changed
in many hotels.
In general, you can get a better exchange rate outside the country.
As soon as you arrive someplace, arrange your way on to your next stop.
Busses/trains/planes tend to get booked up in advance. Travel agencies
can usually get reservations for you as they book blocks of seats well
in advance.
Reconfirm all airline flights along the way. It is possible to show up
for a flight and not have a reservation because you did not reconfirm.
When asking directions to someplace, ask several people, and keep
asking as you go. As incredible as it sounds, in a number of countries
it is considered better to give some answer (even if wrong) than to say
"I don't know."
ALWAYS keep your passport, plane ticket, money and camera with you.
The exception to this is in countries where pensiones and hotels
have to have your passport for an hour or two in order to register
you with the local police.
Keep money and valuables in a money belt or pouch. If you carry a
bag for guide books, maps, brochures, etc., use one with a zipper
and hang on to it. Don't carry a wallet or a purse. Crimes that
take place are crimes of opportunity (like pickpockets) as opposed
to violent crime (unlike in the U.S.).
When travelling by bus, try to get seated close to the front as they
will keep packing people in until there is no room left inside.
Additional people then hang on the outside.
If something doesn't go right, smile and be persistent in what you
want. Getting mad, yelling or fist pounding will only be met with
resistance. Women have the definite edge here in dealing with men
in other countries.
When you step off the bus or whatever in a new town and need a place
to stay, and some kids come up and offer to show you a place, go
ahead and use them. You can always take a look and say no. They
are just trying to drum up business for someplace (or a commission
for themselves).
Good medicines of all kinds are available in local pharmacies.
When you step out of an airport, be prepared to get hounded by dozens
of taxi drivers and kids drumming up business for busses. Know what
you want to do before stepping through the door. Check your travel
guide or ask someone in the airport how much a ride to town should
cost.
Don't depend on the people in your pensione to wake you up in time
for that early morning bus/train/plane, use a travel alarm clock.
Arrive early and get aboard early any bus/train/plane/collectivo etc.
They can be oversold and/or fill up in a hurry.
If you wear shoes that are polishable, watch for kids that will sneak
up to you, slap some polish on your shoes, then offer to finish the
job. Settle on a price first if you decide to proceed.
Jim Allen
{ssc-vax,lbl-csam,uw-beaver,microsoft}!fluke!jimalsmith@ut-ngp.UUCP (lsmith) (04/19/85)
I have one other tip to add. EVERY time you check in at the airport, check your tickets afterwards. The agent may have torn out more tickets than s/he was supposed to. This has happened to me twice. Once, she tore out all the tickets, including the return trip, for my Europe vacation, instead of just the Austin to Dallas leg.