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PRICELESS TRAVEL TIPS from our contributing ROAD WARRIORS
• Checkifyouneedavisafor the country you are traveling to.
• Check the country’s immunization requirements.
• Carry money in a money belt UNDER your clothes.
• Make copies of all your tickets, passport and valuables. Put them in a waterproof bag in your backpack.
• I always immediately buy a local phone card, so I can text my family overseas and they know my phone number. It’s good if your guide has your number too, in case you lose each other.
• Let people at home know where you are going, especially if you’re going off the beaten track.
• If you shoot lots of photos, take a few 16GB memory cards, an Epson Viewer as a backup for full memory cards, extra camera batteries, a good camera bag and an additional plastic bag.
by I. Tadros ...................................................
• Even if your command of the local language is a disaster, don’t be afraid to make a bit of a fool of yourself by talking to people in their language. More often than not, it’ ll be appreciated. I once got a standing ovation at a karaoke bar in Vietnam for singing, horribly no doubt, a Vietnamese love ballad.
• Read as much history and news about the place you’ re traveling in as you can. Find out who the best writers are from the region, and read as many of their books beforehand or while you’ re there.
• Walk or take public transport. • Eat the street food.
by J. Huff-Hannon ..................................................
• Be smart upfront and pack as lightly, comfortably and efficiently as possible. Imagine yourself sprinting down a street with what you’ re bringing. Too heavy? Lighten your load now!
• Check the electricity voltage of wherever you’ re traveling to. Make sure you bring the adaptors you need for whichever electronics you bring.
• Pack clothes that are multifunctional. Accessorize, darlings, accessorize! Support a local artisan and buy some jewelry.
• Bring small gifts from your home, they’ ll mean a lot to the people you’re giving them to. It’s a nice way to say thank you, solidify a new friendship, and show them a bit of your culture.
• Some of the most invaluable things I’ ve brought with me traveling are: a headlamp (great for searching through your luggage at night), an extra set of contact lenses,
a clean hand-towel, a small roll of toilet paper; extra pens and pencils and a small pad of paper.
by H. Morris ..................................................
• I try to travel light, without too much gear, so I can move easily through airports and on the ground once on location. I love the Canon 24mm-105mm lens in particular.
• Drink bottled water, even though it’s bad for the environment.
• If you can, always travel with a Visa / Mastercard AND American Express card. If you’ll be going to a place that doesn’t take credit cards, bring enough cash based on the number of days you’ ll be traveling times the amount you expect to spend each day. ATM’s give you the best exchange rates.
• Always arrive early at airports to avoid stress and last minute problems with security and your equipment. I never allow my equipment to leave my possession.
• Don’t get journalist visas unless it’s absolutely necessary to get official permissions for access to your subjects.
by Ed Kashi
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