Top Quotes: “The Practical Nomad” and “Rough Guide to First Time Around the World”

Rough Guide to First Time Around The World FAQs

“If you get traveler’s diarrhea checked out quickly (simple microscope analysis), you can typically get some meds at any clinic and you should be feeling fine within an hour or two.”

How to Get Around the World

“Get some color copies of your driver’s license laminated so you can leave them with border guards who threaten to hold them for a bribe. Have multiple copies of everything.”

“If border officers or police ask for money (a bribe), cheerfully ask for a receipt and their names so you can send a note to the tourist board or have some small bribes ready: cigarettes, sweets, and the like can help circumvent more costly cash bribes.”

“A travel partner should have a similar budget and a similar idea of what they’d like to do on a typical day.”

Cost & Savings

“On popular bus routes in developing countries, you can haggle for your ticket. Ask how many stops a bus makes, if the seats go all the way back, if there’s AC, and if there’s a working toilet. The best approach is to politely but firmly get past the touts, insisting you know where you’re going and make for the ticket windows of various companies, where you’ll hopefully be able to play them off against one another. Gather information on all the options, decide on the bus you want, and approach the window. Say it was cheaper with another company but their buses didn’t look as nice, and you heard a tout mentioning a special price with this company (mention a price a little under what they offered), and if that’s the case you’d like to buy the ticket. If they can drop their price, they probably will.”

“Gumtree is a notice board for work, accommodations, and socializing. Shareable is another.”

“You can use a local’s laundry machine sometimes if you just ask.”

“Stick to restaurants that don’t take credit cards or have English menus or foreigners — they tend to be cheaper, as do restaurants near universities.”

“During weekends and busy shopping times in large supermarkets in developing countries, you can often find a variety of free samples.”

“Walk for 10 minutes away from tourist areas and watch the prices drop by the block.”

“Some countries require official exchange receipts if you want to change your currency on the way out — 1–2 is fine.”

“Shop early — many vendors share the belief that a sale early in the day will bring them good fortune.”

Working & Volunteering

“To job hunt, try Kareeve, Transitions Abroad, JobMonkey, Payway.co.uk, Jobs4Travellers.com.au, or helpx.net.”

“One man started teaching on his own and built a client list within a couple weeks.”

“Before you sign up to volunteer, get an exact description of what you’ll be doing and what they want you to accomplish.”

Docs & Insurance

“Bring plenty of photos for visas — you may be asked to provide 2–4 identical photos.”

“Book a return or onward flight, print the confirmation, and cancel it within 24 hours to count for onward ticket requirements.”

“2 months before departure, check cdc.gov to see which vaccinations you’ll need, then call around to find the best rates.”

“Leave parents scans of your credit cards, passports, etc. that can be sent to you in case of emergency.”

“Insuremytrip.com and worldtravelcenter.com both compare travel insurance.”

“Take images of your stuff before you leave in case any customs official accuses you of buying items in their country and tries to extract a duty fee.”

“Consider getting an Israeli stamp on a separate piece of paper that can be temporarily taped to your passport since some Arabic countries won’t let you enter with one on your passport.”

“Bring small travel games — like backgammon and cards — they can be a fun way to meet locals on bus and train rides.”

“A shoulder bag can make a good daypack since you can tuck it under your shoulder to avoid being pickpocketed.”

“Consider making and bringing your own seatbelt for bus rides with a meter and a half of webbing and a plastic clamp from an outdoors store.”

“Second-skin aka Compeed is the modern blister cure.”

“Bring anti-diarrhea meds as well as written prescriptions for your meds since immigration authorities may ask to see this.”

“Jeans are difficult to wash by hand and take too long to dry.”

“Microfleece beats sweatshirts because they take too long to dry.”

“Charles Schwab has a high-yield checking account with no fees at ATM machines.”

“See aaa.com to see if the International Driving Permit is required where you’re going.”

“Bring a card with emergency numbers, insurance, and credit card hotlines (and account numbers), and passport number.”

Transport

“When boarding older busses, try to get a window seat near the front (but not at the very front) on the side that’s not getting direct sunlight to control the temperature with the window, get a view, and have a few rows in front of you to cushion any collision.”

“Hitch at gas stations and check for alcohol bottles or breath. Ask to get dropped off at the next gas station if the driver seems drunk. Never put your bag in the trunk so you can hop out if you need to.”

“Check if taxis in the region are strictly regulated by meter or bargainable. If the latter, arrange a price before starting but don’t pay ’til it’s over.”

“10 of the richest countries account for nearly 60% of international travel.”

Staying in Touch

“TMobile has a $70/month deal for free data and texting internationally.”

“You can buy a Spot Satellite GPS Messenger for use in emergencies — you can send an SOS with current coordinates.”

“Before you start wrapping packages, swing by the post office and check on the rates and wrapping requirements. Bear in mind you may have to open a package for inspection.”

Security

“You can put a plastic rice bag over your bag to decrease its perceived value.”

“Put nothing in the overhead compartment on overnight trains/busses.”

“Use a secure travel pouch — like one kept under the waist line of your trousers — for money and passport.”

“Wear your backpack on your front in crowded places. Find a bag that’s difficult to open discreetly.”

“Keep a decoy wallet in your pocket. Stash emergency funds in your bag. Keep valuable items deep in your bag away from zippers.”

“Ask hotel staff to mark dangerous areas on a map.”

“Muggers hide in doorways so stay close to the street at night.”

“Avoid tables near doors in cafes and keep your bag under your table with your strap around your leg.”

“If you’re a victim of crime, ask the police for a numbered copy of their report.”

“Your travel insurance company can cancel cards for you.”

“Call your embassy, tell them what happened, and tell them you’re on your way — ask for an appointment or a specific name you can ask for at the gate.”

“If you get followed, head into a nearby busy shop and tell the owner or run into a crowded or well-lit area.”

“Avoid scams: ask for credit cards to be run in front of you, not in a back room, and take business cards from shops you buy from just in case.”

“Have written receipts from hotels you pay for in advance.”

“Always count money at exchange booths.”

“Don’t get in unmarked police cars — insist on going to the station on foot.”

“If a taxi driver swindles you, try to find a nearby policeman and take down the driver’s ID number and name so you can report him.”

“Leave taxi doors open until you have your bag or try to avoid using the trunk.”

Health

“Carry a list of immunizations, prescriptions, and a vaccination record card.”

“If you get diarrhea, immediately drink water. The next time you have to go, take a small plastic container, put a stool sample in it, and take it to a doctor. While recovering, stick to simple unspiced foods like rice just in case. You should be better in a day.”

The Practical Nomad: Choosing Destinations

“Use groups in Google Groups (Soc.culture.countryname or rec.travel.countryname) to ask questions.”

Transportation

“It’s almost always cheaper to make reservations and buy transit tickets locally.”

“Japan Rail Passes are much cheaper than individual prices and must be purchased in advance.”

“You can often pay a small fee to look at trains to decide which class you want before getting on.”

“It’s common for a city to have several train stations and the same train often includes cars bound for different destinations.”

“Heavy 1 speed bikes are best for distances.”

“In Asia, beckon rides with your fingers together and palm down. You may be assumed to pay so discuss first.”

Travel Documents

“If your passport is stolen, report it to the police and record name/title of the officer and file number. Take the police report to the nearest consulate or embassy.”

“Bring your expired passport with you.”

“Get visas in advance whenever possible. Especially for India!”

“For Visa applications, a bank statement is proof of sufficient funds. On arrival, you’ll need cash — around $500.”

“Be careful not to lose currency exchange receipts.”

Safety & Health

“Bring water purifier.”

“Uncooked, unpeeled veggies are a cause of diarrhea. Fluid makes it go away fastest.”

“Lube is hard to find abroad.”

“Carry meds for eye infection and know how to use them since contacts can cause this.”

“Carry your yellow immunization booklet with your passport. Make sure each immunization has your doctor’s signature, the date, and a stamp. Tell your doctor your order of your itinerary since some countries require immunizations after other countries.”

“Bring a few rolls of toilet paper.”

“Bring a few sealed disposable syringes in case you need antibiotics. Needles aren’t always clean.”

“Carry prescriptions in their marked containers.”

“The best insurance policies are often marketed to expats.”

Baggage

“Carry your passport, tickets, contact numbers for emergencies, credit cards, and healthcare info in a money belt hidden entirely inside your clothes.”

“Leave a set of your travel doc photocopies with your mom.”

“Never open your money bag in public. Don’t fall for a fake attempt at snatching which may be followed by a real one.”

“Sew strips of Velcro tape inside the openings of your pockets — about four per pocket. Leave a gap at one end just large enough to get one finger in to pull the Velcro open.”

“Teva and similar river guide sandals are comfortable and double as shower shoes and for hiking.”

“Print some ‘business cards’ to hand out to people you meet with your contact info.”

“Ziplocs are great for dividing your stuff and keeping it dry.”

“Make sure stamps on parcels you mail are cancelled in your sight so they aren’t stolen. If possible, try to find a post office frequented by foreigners.”

Practicalities

“When planning a trip with someone, make separate lists of what you want to do, then compare. Talk about what a typical day would be like.”

“Never agree to a room without inspecting it. Feel free to ask for a better or cheaper room or a cheaper price for the one you’ve been shown.”

“You can point to a word on your phone translation app in a pinch.”

“Learn to think in metric units without having to convert each time.”

“In Islamic countries, most offices and shops are closed on Fridays, sometimes also Thursday afternoons.”

“Pointing or beckoning with raised fingers is rude in China and Chinese people won’t understand if you count on your fingers.”

“Take time to learn Arabic numerals so you can read prices.”

“Consider getting a global sim before you leave. Since they’re pricier, you might want country specific ones as backups.”

“There are online guides to help you interpret phone numbers given in a format you aren’t used to. In most cases, zeroes at the beginning of a number should be omitted.”

“Culture shock is gradual and results from not being assimilated enough to automatically filter out those stimuli to which you need not pay attention.”

“Volunteer yourself as a guest native speaker for conversation. Practice at English schools. Seek out someone in your career through a professional organization or networking group and ask if you can see their office.”

Budget

“Get non-800 credit card numbers you can call from overseas.”