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Travel Tips
These tips have been collected from traveling
friends and acquaintances - many of them learned the hard way!
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For your flight,
dress in tightly knit natural fibers, such as cotton, denim, leather
or wool.
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Avoid restrictive
clothing and synthetic fibers - cover as much of your body as
possible.
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When in doubt,
pack black. It's easy to match and hides dirt.
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Reduce to a bare
minimum the amount of metal on your person so you aren't held up at
the metal detector. Things to consider: belts, coins, key chains,
etc.
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Shoes should be
low-heeled, laced, leather or canvas. No nylons, high heels or
slip-ons.
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Wear a neck strap
for glasses and always have a back-up pair of glasses or contact
lenses as well as medication in your carry-on luggage.
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Carry a small
LED-type flashlight with you on your person.
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Split up valuables on your person
- some money in your wallet, some in a neck strap under your shirt,
blouse, etc. Have the phone number of your credit card company
handy, but not in your wallet. You'll be glad you did if you're the
victim of a pick pocket! Note: get their normal, 10-digit number;
most North American 800 numbers can't be called from outside Canada
or U.S.A.
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Bring an
essentials kit, moist towelettes, reading material, snacks, and
flight schedule.
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Take a copy of
prescriptions should you need to have glasses or medication
replaced.
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Carry with you a
list with your blood type, allergies, medical conditions and special
needs.
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Do not pack
sensitive or proprietary information in your checked luggage. Double
envelope the material and hand carry it.
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Tag your bags,
inside and out, with your home and business address and telephone
number.
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Consider shipping
heavy items ahead of you to your destination.
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Seek out
pre-departure briefing and determine what special security
precautions should be taken during your trip. Even in some
tourist-friendly cities it can be dangerous to venture out at night.
Be smart.
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Do research on
the country you will be visiting. Check with your governments State
Department, Bureau of Consular Affairs and Customs Agency regarding
any special requirements.
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Request from the
Embassy of the country you plan on visiting a list describing
customs restrictions or banned materials.
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Learn the basics
about the destination country's history, culture, laws, norms, and
language. The OK sign (making a circle with the thumb and
forefinger) is considered terribly obscene in Spain and Brazil. In
Japan, it tells the cashier you want your change in coins. Get
educated.
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Do not publicize
your travel plans in the destination country but do leave an
itinerary at the office and with a family member or friend.
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Appoint someone
NOT traveling with you as a buddy, and keep your buddy informed of
your plans including changes to your plans – especially if traveling
in a tourist-unfriendly region.
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Make photocopies
of your passport, visa, and other important documents. Put copies in
your carry-on and checked luggage and leave one at home and with
your buddy. Never relinquish your passport to anyone, including
customs officials.
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When traveling
with someone, always use the buddy system, from the start of your
trip to the end. Help each other whenever possible.
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