Part 2 - By Elizabeth Gregory

Try your hand at this fun New Year's culture quiz.

History of New Year's: The celebration of the new year is the oldest of all holidays. It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the years around 2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon (actually the first visible cresent) after the Vernal Equinox (first day of spring).
Read more about the history and traditions of New Year's.

Part 1 - By Elizabeth Gregory

If you're going to be away for New Year's, you might want to consider where to be. Here are some customs and traditions for New Year's around the world:

Spain Before midnight, bring out the dessert -- bunches of grapes. Eat one grape with each toll of the midnight bells. This old tradition is thought to bring good luck.

Colombia build a dummy representing the Año Nuevo (the old year). It's made out of bits of old clothing from each family member and stuffed with straw and firecrackers. On a piece of paper, every family member writes a fault or a bit of bad luck that they want to get rid of. Exactly at midnight, Año Nuevo is set on fire and burns until nothing but ashes is left. That's when all of the old year's bad luck and faults disappear.

Greece serve Vasilopita (New Year's Bread) at midnight. This special bread is baked with a coin or charm hidden inside. The head of the household cuts the bread exactly at midnight and whoever receives the piece with the coin will have good fortune throughout the year. So spend the day baking Vasilopita with your kids and at midnight, welcome in the New Year with a sweet treat.

Happy Hunting!

(Source: http://www.familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,22-4272,00.html)

Part 3 - by Elizabeth Gregory

AmeriSpan's study abroad program in Chile appeals to many students. Since the program grants credit from a foreign university, be sure to check with your university's advisor to be sure the credits will transfer. Students can either opt to spend a semester in Santiago, or can choose a dual city program which combines time in Santiago and in Buenos Aires.

The school is located on a quiet side street in the residential neighborhood of Providencia, close to many shops, restaurants, bars and cafes. Banks, supermarkets, internet cafes, a post office and other services are all located within 10 minutes walking. The school is easily accessible by bus or Metro (station: Manuel Montt). Capacity 100 students/day.

During the summer program, students can opt to take part in the 4 hrs/week Economic Development Seminar. This makes this program beneficial to business majors, particularly those majoring in Economics. Advanced Spanish courses are also available to students with the following majors: Medicine, Literature and Writing, and Law. It goes without saying that Spanish and Political Science majors will also benefit greatly from the program.

A complete course syllabus for this program can be found here.

Semester in Chile - Part 2 - by Elizabeth Gregory

Currently, Chile is one of South America's most stable and highly developed countries, features that added to its natural and cultural attractions, make it a preferred venue for travelers, awing them with the immensity of its Atacama desert, refreshing them on its Viña del Mar beaches and posing puzzles for them on its Easter Island, in Patagonia or in the vast wastes of the unconquerable Antarctic.

Chile has much to offer: history, archaeology and nature. Frozen thrills on its ski runs - the best in the continent -, dizzying challenges on its Andean peaks, among them the Aconcagua colossus, the highest snowcapped peak in all of America, unforgettable fishing trips and much, much more in this magic strip that keeps on changing its geographic attire.

Santiago, its capital city, is the heart of the country. A city that exhibits its past in the colonial features of its old mansions and projects itself into the future in the lines of its modern buildings. Modern and cosmopolitan, this city of over 5 million inhabitants has become one of the continent's cultural and economic focal points, offering a first-rate hotel infrastructure.

There are reasons galore to visit this stretched-out corner of South America: the welcoming warmth of its people, the unlimited beauties of its cities and towns, the mysteries of its ancient civilizations, the multiplicity of its tourism offers, the excellence of its wines - the best in the planet; in a nutshell, a plethora of options, almost as long, varied and exciting as the Chilean territory itself.

Source:
Enjoy Chile

Part 3 - By Anne-Marie Dingemans

Books and Music while Traveling
Traveling often involves long periods of waiting and sitting around. I do not always feel chatty, or maybe the person next to me doesn't, so I always pack a book and some music for traveling. I like to adjust the choice of book and music to my travel destination. So I'll listen to music from the country where I'll be traveling to, and read a guide book about the destination (they often have sections about the history, culture, politics and art) or a novel that is set there.

It gets me in the mood and always contains useful information that helps me get more out of the experience. Thanks to MP3 players, you can take so much music with you in so little space, that I don't think you'll ever run out, but if you are on a long trip and especially when backpacking, books can be a bit bothersome. The good news is, this goes for everyone, so in mayor tourist destinations you can always find a hostel, traveler’s hangout or cafe where you can exchange and/or buy second hand books for the next leg of your trip.

Happy traveling!

Part 3 - By Anne-Marie Dingemans

Pocket Dictionary or Phrase book
If you don't master the language of your travel destination, you want to keep one of these close by. It helps you asks the way (phrase books often even have sample sentences written out that you can show a passer-by when asking for help), know what you're ordering in a restaurant and you can use it to expand on your vocabulary on long train or bus rides.

Phone numbers and addresses
I do admit to being an over-organizer, but before I leave home I make a list of all of the addresses and phone numbers I may need. Well, not all of course, but definitely the accommodation(s) I'm staying at, embassy, police, bank- credit card- and phone-company numbers (for blocking of cards and phone), my travel insurance policy and emergency contact information. I keep a copy in my money belt, and a 'coded' copy in my wallet. I say 'coded' as I don't want to keep my homestay- or hotel key next to the address, that's asking for trouble when pick pocketed. If you really want to stay on top of the game, you can also print out little maps of the area your lodging is in, or the route from the airport to the lodging, so you have at least some idea of where you’re going.

... more to follow

Part 2 - by Anne-Marie Dingemans

Clothing
We have blogged about this before, so I'll just repeat the highlights. You certainly want to check up on the weather in the destination you're traveling to (you'd be surprised how many people don't know that in Argentina it's winter during our summer, and that Cusco is actually very cold!), and to pack as lightly as possible, I also recommend that you pick clothing that you can mix&match. That way, you can create different outfits with some basic pieces, but also layer up if the weather is colder then anticipated.

I would also try to gather some information on the dress code in the country you'll be staying. In Egypt, for example, most people are Muslim and therefore cover their hair, and wear long, loose-fitting clothing. You are not expected to dress the same but it is positively viewed if you dress on the conservative side and at least cover your upper arms and knees. If you enter a mosque you must cover your hair too. This is an easy example of course, but really applies to all countries if you seek to blend in. You won't see a Parisien woman in shorts in the middle of the city (Hold on! Actually, you would! As of Summer 2005 the shorts were introduced in fashion again; straight narrow legs in cotton or linen. Tres chique.) or jeans at a Theater performance in Vienna.

Money Belt
Very much recommended as it lets you keep your valuables on your body and out of sight of thieves. I keep my flight tickets, passport, a credit card and some emergency cash there which makes me feel much more at ease when traveling.

... More info to follow

Part 1 - by Anne-Marie Dingemans

Suitcases & what you pack in them
This paragraph is most relevant for travelers from the USA as their domestic and international baggage allowances are the most lenient. If you are traveling from the USA to Quito, for example, you can take up to 100lbs (depending on the airline) for free, plus 40lbs carry-on luggage. However, if you later want to fly from Quito to Cuenca, or to Buenos Aires for example, you have a baggage allowance of only 50lbs! If you don't anticipate these restrictions, you're faced with hefty excess luggage charges.

The same goes for the size of the carry-on luggage which can also bring unpleasant surprises. Within the USA, and on US carriers, normally the maximum height of a carry-on suitcase is 22", however, in Europe this maximum is only 20", sometimes 21". If you're lucky the staff at the check-in counter won't notice, but more and more do they make you (try to) fit your bag in those racks. So if you're planning on traveling with a lot of luggage, or only carry-on luggage, please check the luggage restrictions of all the airlines you'll be flying with and choose your luggage and pack your bags accordingly.

... More tips to come

that's the question...Part 4 - Continuing from "Traveling within Europe" - By Anne-Marie D

Of course, just when you're hooked on Europe's comfy (inter)national trains, you end up in a country where the bus is usually the best option!

For travel in Spain, I recommend buses over trains. The network is pretty old, with plenty of single-track sections which, with the frequent cargo train schedule, just screams 'delays' which is of course exactly what happens. Luckily for us travelers', Spanish transportation companies have seized up this opportunity and offer frequent, cheap, reliable bus services between all major and not so major cities in Spain. The only inconvenience is that the different companies have as of yet not decided to support one all-encompassing website, so you need to refer to your good-old guidebook to see which companies run services to the town you want to travel to.

On the topic of buses, there are several international bus lines much used by backpackers, such as Eurolines, which offers cheap travel between most capital cities in Western and Eastern Europe. The trouble with that company is that they are very subject to passport- and drug-controls at the borders which can lead to significant delays and uncomfortable situations (such as unpacking your backpack in the middle of the night at the Czech border).

Concluding, when I travel distances that can be done by train in less than 5-6 hours, I usually end up doing that. However, when you can plan well in advance and you travel outside of busy seasons such as summer and Christmas time, you can snatch up some really good deals through one of the many budget airlines that operate in Europe. Especially from the UK and Germany there are many routes offered. Giving an up-to-date overview is nearly impossible but this site has been a useful starting point for me. Here

Gute Reise/ Bon Voyage/ Happy Travels/ Goede Reis/ Buen Viaje/ Buon Viaggio!

Part 3 - Continuing from "Traveling within Europe" - By Anne-Marie D

Talking about Rail passes, it's absolutely worthwhile to check out the possibilities. Most travelers know about the Interrail pass, which is excellent, but there are so many good alternatives, especially for local travel.

The last time I traveled to the UK I just needed to be there for 5 days, and I would only be traveling on 3 of these days. Sorting out train prices in the UK is pretty baffling as they vary according to what time of day you travel but also according to how far in advance you purchase your ticket. Same-day purchases are prohibitively expensive but I could not control my schedule so it was to commit to a certain train. Low and behold, I find a train pass that was almost as cheap as the cheapest possible tickets and gave me complete flexibility! Yay for BritRail! One word of caution, you do need to be outside of Britain when you purchase your pass.

To be continued...

is not always the quickest option Part 2 - Continuing from "Traveling within Europe" - By Anne-Marie D

When you map out your trip, look at the alternatives. A good guide book is fundamental as it's not always obvious and even locals might not know all the options. You need to take into consideration things like costs and time involved. Are there high-speed trains? Are there low-cost carriers flying between the destinations?

To give you an example; You are in Utrecht (the Netherlands) and you'd like to go to Frankfurt (Germany). Now, you may like to fly. You will encounter the following problems; first, there are no low-cost carriers. So it's likely that you'll end up spending 300 Euro for a 1 hour flight. And your misery doesn't end there. As Schiphol is a terribly big airport you need to be there early, so your trip will likely take you about 5 hours. Whereas, if you'd take the train from Utrecht to Frankfurt, you'd do it in 3 hours and for less than 100 Euro (and that's when you don't have a student discount card, Interrail or other Rail Pass).

To check on train times and prices, I recommend the German Rail website for trips ending in or originating from Germany, http://www.TheTrainline.com for the UK and Tren Italia for Italy. For other countries, just type in 'Train' and 'Country' (the country of your choice, of course) in your search engine and you'll be directed to a train site for that country. The ones I've used all had English versions, so monolinguists need not fear.

Part 1 - By Anne-Marie D

So, there you are, safely landed in London/ Paris/ Rome/... (fill in your (favorite) destination) and although it's fantastic where you are, while you're in Europe you'll want to see a bit more of the 'Old Continent', or not? Here are some tips about how to make your Euros, and your time, go a long way.

First of all, rethink public transportation. In the United States, public transportation, at least outside of the biggest cities is 'limited' to use the understatement of the month. And truth be told, inside the biggest cities it ain't no picnic either... At any rate, most parts of Western Europe are served by excellent public transportation systems and using a combination of flights, trains and buses you can get everywhere.

Part 4 - continued from "Best Kept Secrets from Spain" - by Anne-Marie Dingemans

El Camino de Santiago is a pilgrim's route, or more truthfully, a collection of 7 routes, that lead to Santiago de Compostella in Galicia in North-Western Spain. The 'French route' is the most popular; starting in Saint Jean Pied-de-Port low in the French Pyrenees and running for 800km across Northern Spain to Santiago. Existing since the year 950 and once a rival to better know pilgrim sites such as Rome and these days, 'El Camino' is becoming more and more popular as a nature hike, and not so much as a spiritual exercise. With many people walking only parts of the route you may have trouble finding a bed in the 'albergues' (hostals) along the route. It's not very surprising that this pilgrim route is so popular, as it leads one through some of the most beautiful country side in Spain, as well as interesting cities such as Pamplona, Burgos and Leon. Doing a part of the route, with a stop or two in the bigger towns along the way, can make for a very interesting alternative nature/culture vacation. Of course, you can also bike or take your car.

Part 3 - continued from "Best Kept Secrets from Spain" - by Anne-Marie Dingemans

Did you know you can ski on less than 60km distance from Madrid? Well, you can! Granted, these are not Spain's best, most interesting, or longest pistes, but just the fact that it's so close to Madrid makes it an interesting day or weekend-trip for people staying in Madrid in the winter. It's very easy to reach, you just take a 'Cercania' (Regional Rail) or bus from Madrid for a couple of Euros and you're there in under an hour. It's also a very beautiful area for hiking in the Summer.

Part 2 - continued from "Best Kept Secrets from Spain" - by Anne-Marie Dingemans

El Paraje Natural del Desierto de Tabernas (Tabernas Desert Natural Park) is probably the only true semi-desert area in mainland Europe. This region was very popular with spaghetti Western film makers in the 1960's and 1970s. For example, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly was shot here! Although long deserted, these former film sets have been turned into theme parks, of which 'Mini Hollywood' is the most popular one. I can highly recommend a visit, not even so much for the theme park (which is fun), but mostly because of the impressive landscapes. It really is a breathtaking environment and feels decidedly un-European.

more to follow.

Part 1 - by Anne-Marie Dingemans

Spain is a very well-known destination for travelers. It's history, cuisine, beaches and cities combined with an excellent climate makes this country very attractive year-round for holiday-makers, from beach-goers to culture-seekers. In travel guides and the internet everyone can easily find the top 10 and even top 100 destinations in Spain, so I wanted to dedicate this blog to some travel secrets from Spain; those destinations that only the locals and the Spain-aficionados know.

To be continued...

Continued from Travel & Weather - Part 3 - by Beth Klemick

Middle East (Example: United Arab Emirates)
Most of the UAE is desert and has hardly any rain at all – on average, most areas of the UAE only has five days of rain each year. The inland areas tend to be hotter than near the coast, however the lack in humidity can make it more bearable. The weather is best between November and March .

Asia (Example: China)
China's climate ranges from bitterly cold to unbearably hot, and a whole lot in between. Temperatures in the north can drop to -40°C (-40°F) in winter (December-March) and rise to 38°C (100°F) in summer (May-August). The central Yangzi River valley area also experiences extreme seasonal temperatures. In the far south, the hot and humid summer lasts from April to September and, as in north China, coincides with the rainy season. Typhoons can hit the southeast coast between July and September.

Weather good and bad will inevitable affect travel in any season so remember to research, be prepared and be flexible!

Continued from Travel & Weather - Part 2 - by Beth Klemick

Research is very important, guidebooks and Internet sites like www.weather.com will provide sufficient information pertaining to weather patterns during the time you plan to visit. Certainly helpful but not a bad idea to throw in an umbrella and rain gear even when the prediction in San Juan is for sunny skies, in the event that is does rain or a hurricane appears you are prepared and more "comfortable". Highlighted are several regions of the world and weather related details that may help you prepare for your travels.

Central America (Examples: Costa Rica & Guatemala)
Dry season is from December - April, with the hottest months in March & April, and rainy season May to November. During rainy season mornings are usually sunny and clear with only a couple of hours of rain in the afternoon, and sometimes it also rains during the night. Although you are almost guaranteed sunny warm days during dry season, keep in mind the vegetation is at is most beautiful and lush peek during rainy season.

South America (Examples: Argentina & Chile)
These countries are in the southern hemisphere, the farther south you go the colder it gets and summer begins in December, something most people forget. For many North Americans the winter (June-August) in Argentina or Chile offers great skiing opportunities. If you are looking to escape cold weather in December head to Buenos Aires where temperatures are generally in 80°and 95° and an average humidity of 70%.

More coming up...

Part 1 - by Beth Klemick

Weather if you think about it has a starring role in all of our travels; at the end of the trip it will either get a standing ovation or be harshly criticized with a bad review. There are no guarantees when it comes to weather, even with recommended travel times and seasons. With that said as unpredictable as weather can be, in every location around the world there recommended times of year to travel. Keep this in mind even bad weather can have its advantages like smaller crowds at popular tourist destination and will make you think outside the conventional box and possibly do something different for a change.

To be continued.

continued from "Tips on how to avoid Getting Robbed" - Part 4 - by Anne-Marie Dingemans

Lastly, if you do get robbed, it's extremely important that you immediately block debit and credit cards, mobile phones and your Traveler's Cheques. I mention the mobile phone as, especially in Europe, many thieves will use your mobile phone to call (abroad) and charges add up quickly.

Tip 8: Blocks cards and phone immediately
So, keep 2 lists (one with you, one at home) of the phone numbers you'll need in case of a robbery (credit card company, banks, mobile phone company, airline, embassy, travel insurance, local police) so you can quickly block your cards and phone. This is the first thing you do. Then, it's important to always file charges at the local police station.

Tip 9: Always notify the police
We know there is only a very small chance that you will get your valuables back, but you require the police report to file a claim with your travel insurance. In many countries, you can report a robbery over the phone in various languages, and sometimes even on the internet! In addition, if you report the robbery, this will add to the yearly statistics of crime, and maybe, just maybe, it helps the police receive more funds to hire more people to keep the city safe.

Lastly, start the process of duplicating other lost items, such as airline tickets and your passport or driver’s license.

I hope my suggestions help you be aware and prepared, which is probably the best insurance against you being robbed. Keep in mind that most people are lazy and will go for the easiest target. Just make sure you’re not it, and you'll be fine!

Tip 10: Don't be an easy target (and they’ll pick the person after you)

continued from "Tips on how to avoid Getting Robbed" - Part 3 - by Anne-Marie Dingemans

Even though you try to fit in with your environment, you stay in well-lit places, you don't wave wads of cash around, you can't entirely eliminate the risk that you do get pick pocketed or robbed. For example, I'm 6ft tall and blonde, I just have to accept the fact that I will never go unnoticed in a Central American country. So be prepared just in case, by making copies of all your important documents and leave one set at home and another set with you (preferably in a different place as where you keep the originals).

Tip 5: Have copies of all important documents
It won't prevent you from getting robbed but makes the process of replacing the documents much easier.

Most of the robberies occur without any type of violence. For many thieves, this is their way of living and they really don’t go about wanting to hurt people. They just want money. That said, equally as many criminals won’t have any qualms about resorting to violence to get what they want. So give it to them without resisting. It's useless and dangerous and really just not worth it.

Tip 6: Don't offer resistance
To return to my advice about money belts; the best way to protect your valuables is to let nobody know you have them with you. Therefore, when I wear my money belt, I always also carry a wallet with me with some cash and a card or so. My reasoning is; when I get robbed, I have something to give the attackers, and hopefully it won't occur to them to look further.

Tip 7: Have something to give
If you say you have nothing on you, it's not very believable and thieves also know money belts exist. You don't want them go looking for it.

To be continued...

continued from "Tips on how to avoid Getting Robbed" - Part 2 - by Anne-Marie Dingemans

When you've made it to your hotel/homestay/friend's house or wherever you'll be staying, it's time for the next step.

Tip 3: Lock up your valuables
Leave anything you don't need locked up at your accommodation. You really don't need all your credit cards and a large amount of cash to go wander about town (this is also very effective against impulse purchases I've found!). If you must take your credit cards, passport, flight tickets, etc. with you, place them in a money belt under your clothes.

Tip 4: Wear a money belt
Do make sure you can access what you need (you don't want to be groping in your pants when you need to pull out your credit card). I do a lot of 'transfers' in bathrooms, i.e. if I find something really nice I want to buy I ask to use the bathroom in the store where I take out the cash and/or credit card and put it in my pocket. And upon arriving to the airport I will go to the bathroom to take out my passport and ticket. The whole idea of a money belt is that you don't show people you're wearing one.

To be continued...

Tips on how to avoid Getting Robbed - Part 1 - by Anne-Marie Dingemans

This is not a guide to 'how to get robbed', but rather some helpful tips about how to avoid it and what to do when it does happen.

Most places in the world are not particularly more unsafe than any big city in the United States. The only reason that you statistically have a higher chance of loosing your valuables is because you are in an unfamiliar environment.

If you get robbed or pick pocketed, it's very likely that this will happen during the first couple of days (let's say, 3 days) of being in a new place. I think that the overload of new impressions, the attention you need for learning how to work the public transportation system, for trying not to get lost in the streets, combined with (often) jetlag, tiredness and getting used to a different climate, all this makes you less attentive to your surroundings.

A 'professional' (many criminals really specialize in a certain technique and develop great ability in their line of 'work') will pick up on those signals and take advantage of them. You won't be able to avoid being tired or unfamiliar with your environment, but you can try to fit in as much as possible by wearing the same type of clothes as the locals.

Tip 1: Try to fit in with your surroundings
So you shouldn't deck out in the typical tourist outfit of shorts, sneakers, T-shirt and a cap in a cosmopolitan city. It's a dead give-away.

If you're unsure where to go (and this is particularly true for public transportation) just pretend you know where you’re going and follow the crowds, until you come to a hall or other open, well-lit area where you can either ask a customer service agent for help or go stand next to the security guard while you look at your map.

Tip 2: Follow the crowds
Or treat yourself to a taxi. It's worth it.

I have personally experienced that thieves operate a lot on public transportation, especially those metro-, train- and bus lines that come from the airport. Think about it; a traveler that just arrived is usually tired, has all his valuables on him/her and will often stand still staring at a map, not concentrating on his/her environment. Ideal target for thieves, isn't it?

More to come..

continuing from "Electricity Abroad and Technology Abroad" - Part 3 - By Elizabeth Gregory

What do I need to bring to make it all work?
For most electrical appliances, you will need an adapter (to make the plug fit into the holes of where you're going) and in some cases a power converter. These items can be purchased at any luggage store usually in a set that will cover the world for you. I've also seen them at Target, Kmart, etc.

When in doubt, check your user's manual or contact the manufacturer for information and suggestions on using your appliance overseas.

Bring your own batteries if you need them for digital cameras, travel alarm clocks, etc. Normally there is a wider variety of batteries available that are also cheaper here in the US.

Consult with past travelers and the internet for all the expert advice you need.

continuing from "Electricity Abroad and Technology Abroad" - Part 2 - By Elizabeth Gregory

I am no technology expert. In fact, I often recommend against bringing any type of expensive electronics abroad if you can help it. However, more and more I realize this is not as easy to do as it once was. Here are some tips on bringing laptops, cell phones, and other electric appliances you may need.

Laptops:
Most laptops have dual-voltage AC adapters. This means that in most cases they can easily be used outside of North America. Double check that your laptop does indeed have a dual voltage AC Adapter and then you will only need an adapter plug. If you are going to Europe for example, you should also get a 220 volt surge protector. If you only plan to bring your laptop for email purposes, it may be easier to leave it at home. Most places have internet cafes and your school more than likely has computers available for student use.

There is a great article about laptop use overseas here

Cell Phones:
This can be a very confusing topic if you're not familiar with the technology behind it. Check with your cell phone provider to find out if your phone will work in the places where you will be. If not, you may be able to purchase a different phone which is compatible. Other options include: renting a cell phone or purchasing a phone overseas. This article gives some good helpful hints about cell phones in general.

In addition, many study abroad program providers provide ways you can either get a cell phone or a calling card that will work overseas. Here is one example.

Other electric appliances:
When available, I recommend purchasing dual voltage items (hair dryers work best this way). Other items may also be available in dual voltage. Another option if you plan to be in a foreign country for a long time is to purchase the item in country. This saves room in your suitcase. Alarm clocks and fans are 2 things that may be in your best interest to purchase overseas.

To be continued...

and Technology Abroad - Part 1 - By Elizabeth Gregory

In this 3 part article, we will look at electricity abroad, using technology abroad (ie laptops, cell phones, etc) and finally what you need to bring to make it all work.

First - electricity.
Google "electricity abroad" and you will find a slew of websites that give good information about what power is used where. This is one of my favorites because it provides pictures of each plug used, and you can search by country: Franklin Electric

As a home owner, I found this website very useful because it gives more technical descriptions of how the electricity works in different places as well as a nice chart that not only lists voltage and frequency by country, but also wiring configurations listing the number of wires you should expect to find (excluding the ground wire). More info

This site also provided a color coded world-wide map of voltages plus a great helpful hint on finding the local voltage: In case you forget to check what the local voltage is in the country you're going to: here's a small trick. Just take a look at the glass of an ordinary light bulb or stop at a supermarket and note what is printed on a light bulb package!

More to come soon...

- by Elizabeth Gregory

This past weekend, I attended a Greek wedding. This was the first one I had been to. Most of my friends who had never been kept telling me "let me know if it's just like 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding'," which it wasn't.

The ceremony was conducted entirely in Greek. Luckily, one of the priests explained in English what would happen. There were several priests there including the groom's uncle who flew over from Greece to be the chief priest of the ceremony. There was a blessing and exchange of rings. (In Greek tradition, rings are worn on the right hand because that's the hand you raise when you take an oath). Following that, a crowning of the bride and groom with crowns made in the town in Greece where the Olympics were first held. These crowns are tied together with a ribbon and are interchanged between the bride and groom to show that they are now connected and interchanged in the new life together. Next, the bride and groom circle around the altar several times along with some members of the bridal party. Finally they are given a goblet of wine to share (this wine is not consecrated). As usual they kiss at the end and exit the church in typical wedding fashion. What I thought was the most interesting part of the entire ceremony is that neither the groom nor the bride say one word through the entire thing. There is no exchange of vows between them.

The reception was a lot of fun. There was a Greek band playing traditional Greek music. For those of us who did not have a chance to catch up on our Greek dance lessons, there was also a DJ who played typical American wedding music (sans chicken dance). The Greek dancing was fascinating to watch. Everyone in a circle holding hands dancing altogether or standing in a circle while people take turns dancing in the center one at a time.

There was money thrown up in the air ($1 bills). But it was left on the floor for several hours. My husband and I felt so guilty walking and dancing all over the money. During the parts where the Greek band was playing, it was easy to forget that we were in New Jersey. Overall a wonderful cultural experience and a lot of fun. We did receive the typical candy coated almonds, called koufeta as part of our wedding favor.

Credit / Check Cards - Make sure your ATM card has a Visa or MasterCard logo. If it doesn't, get a card that does from your bank or apply for a card from another bank. Those with good credit might want to consider a Signature Visa Card tied to the airline you are flying because this allows you to check in at the first class counter and pre-board. Those with little or no credit history can get a prepaid Visa card from Visa's website.

Check for ATMs before you leave - Both Visa and MasterCard list their ATMs worldwide online, but you can call as well. A nearby ATM will mean that you can reduce the amount of cash or travelers checks you were thinking of taking. If you are a customer at Bank of America, Barclays, BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank 24, Scotiabank and Westpac, you can avoid ATM access charges by banking with a member of the Global ATM Alliance. If an ATM is broken, you can get a cash advance on your credit card at a bank.

Bring enough cash for emergencies - Holidays, arriving after hours, expensive ground transportation, missed connections, lost luggage, broken ATM machines and arrival/exit costs are just a few reasons why you should NOT plan to arrive or depart with a few dollars and a credit card. Have enough cash to cover expenses.

Don't use your usual cell phone - Great, your cell phone works in Mexico. Beware or you'll be spending Mexico's GDP on calls. Look to see if you can buy a SIM card that fits your cell phone, and make sure you get on an appropriate calling plan. However, you are better off if you buy a new phone with the correct SIM card because your calls with be cheaper, and some plans offer free incoming calls. If you don't mind short battery life and poor call quality you can buy a prepaid phone after you arrive.

Always use a calling card - Even if you have a great local cell phone plan, use a calling card to get the lowest rates when calling home. Never direct dial from a hotel and avoid the telephone offices, which both have significantly higher rates.

Use email or Internet chat - Most programs have Internet-connected computers for student use, but even if you need to pay at an Internet cafe, it is likely to be less than using a telephone.

Duct Tape - A lifesaver whether fixing a suitcase or insulating a window to stay warm.

Hardware - Eyeglass kit, sewing kit, Swiss Army knife, rubber bands, resealable plastic bag to put toiletries in, and a universal rubber drain stopper if you like to wash or shave with a sink full of water.

Combination Lock - Keep your valuables locked in your suitcase to avoid any "misunderstandings". Why a combination lock? Keys get lost.

Avoid Federal & State Agencies When Possible - Believe it or not, you aren't the only person who has encountered a grumpy, unhelpful government employee. Nowadays, there are a number of online companies who will gladly request duplicate birth certificates, apply for visas and passports, and even provide foreign drivers' licenses.

Email Yourself - Before you go, email yourself a copy of all the important information - airline numbers, credit card phone numbers, passport information, travelers' check numbers, drivers' license numbers and friends' addresses. If your documents or wallet is lost or stolen, all you need to do is log on to access all your details. Don't forget to make sure there are Internet cafes where are you are going.
CyberCafes
CyberCaptive

Bring Prescriptions - Nothing new here, but don't forget to bring copies of glasses, contacts and pharmeceutical prescriptions!

Flybudget - Most people know how to use Expedia, Orbitz and Hotwire, but what you may not know is that many low-cost airlines like Southwest aren't included in most of these sites. Flybudget is a site dedicated to providing information about these lesser-publicized airlines, and there are many, including easyJet and Ryanair, which offer inexpensive intraEuropean routes.

Use London as a Hub - Often it is significantly cheaper to fly to London compared with other European cities. You often can save money by flying roundtrip to London and then picking up a ticket from a low-cost airline for the trip from London to your final destination. (See above.)

Check Train Prices & Schedules Before Leaving - Check individual countries' train websites and Eurail. Often you can even buy your tickets online before you leave home.