Travel tip #21 - Traveling overseas

Here are a few tips for those who are planning a trip overseas

1. When packing , try to avoid packing items that scream "I'm American". By marking yourself as a tourist you are an easy target for many crimes such as shoplifting.
• Avoid clothing that has names across the front, stick with the basics.
• Avoid clothing that has American flags on it.
• Denim is an American fad. Other countries wear denim as well, but it is very expensive. Keep this in mind because a suitcase full of it is worth some cash on the street.
2. Consider the dates & location you are traveling
• Are you traveling over any religious holidays where you may have to avoid wearing of specific items. Will eating establishments be open?
• Am I likely to need multiple season clothing?
• Is there a clothing color I need to avoid because it may represent a "group" such as a religeous extremist group?
3. Driving
• If you are planning on renting a vehicle, do you need to get a local drivers license, or can you get a tourist one.
• Know the local road signs and laws before arriving.
• Is a vehicle really necessary? Can a cab and/or public transportation suit your needs instead?
4. Talking the language
• You do not need to be fluent in a language in order to have great travels abroad, but you do need to know a few key things.
• How to call for help in case of an emergency
• How to look for the correct sex bathroom
• Know some basic food terms. This will make it easier to order off a menu.
5. Ask the lodging desk if there are any areas of the city or businesses that you should avoid
• Make a list and keep it with your map
• If you get lost in a "bad area" find the nearest highway out and re-route when you reach a "safer" location.
6. Buffet it
• Odds are fairly good that you will be trying lots of new foods during your stay. On one of your first nights in this new country, consider locating an upscale buffet.
• You aren't committed to an entire plate of one item
• Don't ask what is in anything, simply try a small amount and you like it or you don't.
• Look at the names for the items you enjoy so you can order them off a menu later
• Odds are fairly good if you buffet at a hotel, that health codes are being met at a higher level due to the tourist population.
• Cooked foods are typically safer than raw because the heat kills bacteria
• If ordering bottled water, ask them if you can please break the seal. Some places will recycle bottles by filling them with tap water and charging you for bottled.
• Order all drinks without ice
• Ice machines are typically hooked up to tap water
• It is not unusual for ice to be scooped up by hand (no gloves) causing contamination