When traveling abroad, it is a good idea to have an extra set of passport photos packed among your belongings.
In the event that your passport is lost or stolen, you can save valuable time by immediately taking these photos to the embassy or consulate when you apply for a replacement. Without the photos, you may find yourself frantically searching for a photo lab in a potentially unfamiliar city or town.
[Photo: Flickr | selmerv]
Hawkers from Brazil to Thailand are excellent psychologists. Very often, when you say “no thank you” to whatever they’re selling, they will ask where you’re from. This is not just an effort to engage you: they’re trying to figure out what approach to use next and what price to offer.
They know that what works on a German will not necessarily work on an American, and vice versa. They also know that a Norwegian might happily pay a price that would seem exorbitant to someone from a country with a much lower cost of living.
[Photo: Flickr | gripso_banana_prune]
Traveling abroad and don’t have an iPhone or other smart phone device? Got a GPS? A GPS can be your best travel companion.
Sure it can get you from point A to point B but many units also have a built in travel kit including —
* bilingual dictionaries,
* world clock,
* currency converter,
* measurement converter, and
* calculator.
It can really be a handy resource when you find yourself physically or mentally lost in an unfamiliar place!
[Photo: Flickr | u07ch]
When embarking on a road trip of a few days or more, plan ahead by finding local fitness classes you can take as you pass through a new city.
Rather than spend your time stretching at a boring rest stop, pop in for a 30 minute or 1 hour session at a yoga, pilates or fitness studio. You’ll meet locals, get a feel for the town, and get that cooped-up car-feeling out of your system. Search for businesses that accept walk-ins, and allow yourself time to get to town in case of traffic or a minor misshap.
[Photo: Flickr | fdean55]
If you’re a full-time student, teacher or under age 26, there’s a bevy of discounts — museums, food, transportation and more — available to you overseas if you get an International Student Identity Card (ISIC), International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) or International Teacher Identity Card (ITIC).
The ID cards generally cost about $20 and pay for themselves within a week’s worth of travel, even quicker if you’re savvy about using the discount finder.
[Photo: Flickr | Ken_Mayer]