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PRICELESS TRAVEL TIPS from our contributing Road WARRIORS ..........................................................................................................................................................................
If you are going on a reporting trip, take an extra empty suitcase to bring back the local newspapers, magazines, reports, brochures, and other things you will collect.
Bring half the clothes you packed. All you will need is a couple of pairs of slacks, two or three tops, a suit or an outfit for important occasions.
Before starting on a foreign trip get the name and contact information for a company that rents cell phones in your destination. Your American cell phone will probably not work in most foreign countries.
If you going to Machu Picchu for pleasure, pick up some glucose caramina that is sold over the counter in Peruvian drug stores. It helps with breathing and energy in the high altitude.
If you fall in love in Peru, a great birthday present is the little machine used for making Pisco Sours, the national drink.
- M. Nadle
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Make a list of things you need to take. It’s amazing how many basic things you can forget when you’re thinking of a dozen things at once.
Pack light as for as clothes go. If you find out you need something while you’re away, clothes are relatively easy to buy.
Better to pack heavy in terms of equipment (including back-up cameras, batteries, film, digital media, etc.)
If you still shoot film, leave plenty of time to have your film inspected by the TSA agents. They seem to be more agreeable to doing this lately, but you never know. You can also use a protective x-ray pouch to place your film through the x-ray machine. Sometimes it will pass through without a problem, but if they do flag it, you can request a hand inspection.
If you know of a good camera store at your destination, you can wait and buy your film once there.
Carry small examples of your work. This can give prospective subjects an idea of your qualifications as a photographer.
Be a good conversation starter. If you wear eyeglasses, pack an extra pair. You don’t want to lose your eyes!
- G. Cyrus
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I bring extra xerox copies of my passport and ID.
I often research in advance if I am able to get cash easily from a local ATM machine, instead of carrying a of cash.
I try to carry small bills in the country currency, and not be showy with my cash.
I carry medical ointment such as 2.5 hydrocortisone from a doctor’s prescription, Neosporin, travel size disinfectant, tweezer and No.11 exacto blade (not possible as a carry on in the plane) and carbon pills and learn the local language for doctor. I always carry packaged snacks when I travel with a kid, in case we are stranded.
I always carry packaged snacks when I travel with a kid, in case we are stranded.
- J. Chan
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Try and have personal connections before arriving in a new place.
Use local currency-avoid carrying US dollars and leave your fancy jewelry behind.
Have back up equipment such as extra batteries, chargers etc.
Keep cool when trying to photograph. Be prepared to spend time working out arrangements ahead of time if you are looking to photograph less like a tourist.
Have a sense of humor.
- P. Galembo
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