Tommy’s Travel Tips
(For Serious Travelers)
Never buy a long-distance ticket unless you are sure you can go the whole distance. Once they have your money they can do anything they want.
Prices are often flexible. Haggling is OK and may save you a lot of money.
People carry their own weather around with them, so never believe stories of border hassles and so forth. People’s stories illustrate their own problems! But always be careful. It’s the only ass you’ve got this time around!
If you wear pants, never carry anything you value in your rear pocket! Sooner or later it will be stolen. Keep your wallet, if you carry one, in a front pocket and keep a hand on it. Fact: good professional thieves will get your money no matter where you carry it--this is experience speaking.
When you travel always carry some food and drink (not alcoholic) with you—even if it is just a little, because sooner or later you will be stranded and need it. (Stranded is bad, stranded and drunk is worse.)
Everything is temporary! Maintain your equilibrium.
Keep all signs of wealth out of sight. Flaunting watches, jewelry, cameras, expensive anything (cloths, luggage, shoes, etc.) will make you an even more tempting target for thieves then you already are.
Familiarize yourself with local currency as quickly as you can. Count out change in front of other customers since their reaction will show you how badly you are being cheated.
In every transaction, hold onto your money as long as possible and don’t be ashamed to yell when you are cheated.
To find the true value of the local currency, buy a loaf of bread and then think: “Tonight’s lodging will cost me so many loaves of bread.” I like the bread standard better than the gold standard.
Here are my favorite short-change artists: waiters, post office employees, ticket agents for transport of all kinds.
When you cash traveler’s checks get your cash in small denominations. Most merchants or even banks will not accept large bills.
Refuse damaged or torn paper money--it is usually worthless and if you accept it you will probably be stuck with it!
Expect the worst rate of exchange for safe traveler’s checks. Most agents will charge a huge “service fee” to cash them.
American dollars in twenty dollar denominations are accepted almost everywhere.
The world is round. Always assume you will return. Honesty is the best policy. Kindness is contagious and so on…
Don't be curious about unusual or mob human activity--walk the other way. Curiosity still kills cats.
An experienced traveler gets sensitive to his surroundings. This is not just paranoia--act on your intuitions and be happy.
The golden rule still rules.
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