Travel Secrets 101

Brought To You By
http://www.EverythingAboutTravel.com
Copyright 2005 Steve Gillman
The first time I went to Ecuador I stumbled onto a way to save more than a thousand dollars on my plane
tickets. That got me to thinking about all the travel "tricks" that I had collected over the years. I realized that
other travelers would like to know these secrets, so I built a website, Everything About Travel .com.
The website has stories, photos, and articles by other travelers from all over. It also has little-known information
on travel security, cheap travel, weird travel, and more. This e-book has some of the best of those secrets - some
of the most useful. I am sure you'll find something here that you can use to save a few dollars or make your next
trip safer and more enjoyable.

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Contents:
1. Ten Pounds For Six Weeks Overseas
2. The Biggest Secret Of Cheap Travel
3. How I Saved $1,000 On Airfare
4. Go Even Cheaper As A Courier
5. Bus-Plane Money Saving Trick
6. More Secrets For Cheap Plane Tickets
7. Travel Security Secrets
8. Wal-Mart And Other Free Places To Camp

9. Debit Cards Versus Traveler's Checks

10. Cheap Countries To Travel To
11. Don't Drink The Water
12. Food Safety Secrets
13. Hostels For Cheap And Interesting Travel
14. How To Get The Cheapest Room
15. RV Boondocking Secrets
16. E-Mail: A Travel Necessity
17. Using Regular Mail When Traveling
18. The Best Phone Cards For Travel
19. E-Mail Important Documents To Yourself
20. How To Hide Money And Documents
21. More Air Travel Secrets
22. A Second Passport
23. A Dozen More Travel Secrets

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1. Ten Pounds For Six Weeks Overseas
The last time my wife and I went to Ecuador, I had 10 pounds of luggage, all in one carry-on bag. Ana had just
8 pounds in her carry-on bag. We spent six weeks in Ecuador, at times on glacier-covered mountains, and at
other times lounging on Pacific coast beaches.
Why travel light? Simplicity. With only carry-on luggage, we were in a restaurant in Quito, while others still
waited for their checked luggage. On busses our luggage was safely with us, not in the hold below being cut
open, as happened when I was in Mexico. Others struggled to their hotels carrying three heavy bags, while we

were walking comfortably with our day packs. We had less to lose, less to be stolen, less to wait for, less to
pack and unpack in hotels, and less to worry about.
Light Travel Issues
Expect an extra question or two from the customs officials at the airport (Six weeks with only this?). Also, a
small bag may not work if you plan to bring back many souvenirs. In this case, you could plan to buy a second
bag at some point, to carry your acquisitions. As for not having enough clothes and other things, it isn't as big a
problem as you may think.
Silk shirts weigh three ounces, and travel well if rolled up. Nylon dress socks weigh less than an ounce, and are
cool and comfortable. Poly-cotton blend t-shirts weigh 5 ounces. Supplex or other lightweight travel slacks
weigh 9 ounces, half of what typical travel clothes weigh, and are sufficient for a fine restaurant or a walk in the
woods. There's no sacrifice involved here.
You don't have to buy new clothes. You don't have to buy a scale and count ounces. Just choose lighter
alternatives whenever you can. Set aside your lightest jacket, socks and pants for your next trip. Simplicity, not
complicated planning, is the goal.
More Light Travel Secrets
Money replaces weight. Why carry two pounds of shampoo when you can buy small bottles as you go? It won't
cost much more to buy things as you go. Also, you won't know what you'll need, particularly on an overseas
trip, so if you buy things as you need them, you won't have a pile of useless things in your luggage. Don't we all
regularly unpack things at home that we never once used during a trip?
Gifts and souvenirs? If you buy bulky gifts for family or friends, why carry them around for weeks? Put them in
the mail.
What I Took For Six Seeks In Ecuador:
* 8 pairs of thin nylon socks (less than an ounce per pair)
* 2 silk shirts for restaurants and discos (3 ounces each)
* 4 poly/cotton blend t-shirts (5-6 ounces each)
* 5 pair of light underwear (2-3 ounces each)
* 1 extra pair of lightweight slacks (9 ounces)
* Single layer nylon shorts for hiking or swimming (2 ounces)
* Thin gloves (1 ounce)
* Thin hat (1 ounce - honestly)
* Thin wool sweater (11 ounces)
* Waterproof/breathable rain suit (14 ounces for the set)
* Light plastic camera (3 ounces)
* Sunglasses (1 ounce)
* Small chess set (3 ounces)
* Bathroom kit (5 ounces)

* Maps, notebook and various small things (3 or 4 pounds)

My pack weighed ten pounds. My wife's weighed 8 pounds. We never felt deprived. I'm not suggesting you
start counting ounces (that comes from my backpacking days), or buy all new lightweight things. Just start
setting aside your lightest shirts, socks, etc., and you can enjoy the benefits of light travel.

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2. The Biggest Secret Of Cheap Travel
The secret? Be an opportunistic traveler.
Can you drink rum at a dollar per bottle, instead of your favorite beer? Can you eat chicken instead of steak?
How about visiting the free sights first, and dancing in the street festival instead of the disco?
Inexpensive travel can be accomplished in two basic ways. First, get the best deals on the specific things you
want. This approach is very limited though. For example, find the lowest price on the best hotel in Honolulu at
the height of the season, and you'll save money, but still have a very expensive room. Trying to get exactly what
you want - or think you want - is an expensive proposition, in travel and in life.
The other approach to inexpensive travel is to be an opportunist. This may be difficult for some, and entirely
unacceptable to others. Nonetheless, the travelers who get to travel the most, learn the most and do the most, are
the opportunists.
When I first went to Ecuador, I went because it was cheap. If it wasn't, I would have had a great time anyhow somewhere else. A month cost $1045, including airfare, a $130 fee for a guide to take me to the top of glaciercovered Mount Chimborazo, and everything else (This was in 2001).
I never felt deprived or bored. I had a great time, eating wherever it was cheap and clean, doing inexpensive and
interesting things, and traveling across the country to climb Chimborazo. I also met and fell in love with my
wife Ana.
As an opportunistic traveler you'll have more fun, and almost everything you want - eventually. Just stop trying
to get exactly what you want exactly when you want it. If the guide for Chimborazo hadn't dropped his price
from $200 to $130, I would have spent $2 for a bus and gone hiking on El Altar, another great Andean
mountain. It would have left me with enough money for several other minor adventures.

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3. How I Saved $1,000 On Airfare

Always looking for the cheapest way to do things, I searched several web sites that claimed to have cheap
international airfare. The cheapest from Traverse City, Michigan to Quito, Ecuador, was $1720. Out of
curiosity, I checked Miami to Quito, and it was only $404. Airfare from Traverse City to Miami was $299.
Book two separate flights and I could save more than $1000! The discount sites aren't set up to check in this
way, so you have to do this on your own.
Of course, if your first flight is late and you miss the second, you may not get a refund, so plan some time
between flights. In any case, it's still cheaper (every time I checked) to just book a flight to Miami and catch a
flight to Quito without a reservation, thus avoiding this problem. This strategy is for those in towns without
international airports. If you live in Miami, you already have cheap international airfare.
Buy Cheap Airfare Online
We've found that travel agencies just can't compete with the discount ticket web sites. You can search Google
("cheap airfare Europe", for example), or go straight to one of the well-known sites, like Expedia, Travelocity,
Cheap Tickets, Hotwire or Priceline.
Doing a quick search for the cheapest airfare from Tucson, Arizona, to Buenos Aires, Argentina, using the five
sites mentioned, here's what I just found: They ranged from $3728 down to $873. Hotwire happened to be the
cheapest, but they were the worst of the five when I searched for a domestic flight earlier. You cannot say
which service will find the cheapest international airfare from week to week. My number one money-saving tip
is to check several web sites when shopping for inexpensive flights.
More Tips For Cheap International Airfare
When searching the discount web sites, try several different departure and return dates if you can. The
difference of a day or two can save you a lot. There's little logic to airfare pricing, so don't try too hard to figure
it out. Just be aware that if you leave on Friday instead of Wednesday (or vice-versa), you may save $100.
Check the boxes that say "any time" for departure and "2 or more connecting flights". Even if you aren't sure
that you want to leave at midnight, see what your options are. The savings might change your mind. When
search criteria allow you choices, first take the ones that are the least restrictive for the airlines. If the savings
aren't enough, you can always book first class, direct flights, or whatever you prefer.
Buying your plane tickets two weeks in advance is usually cheaper. There can be a dramatic difference (but not
always) if your trip is over thirty days. You may want to cut it from 32 days to 30 to save hundreds of dollars on
your fare. Play with the dates. You never know what you might discover.
Spend a few minutes or an hour to do some research, if you want really cheap international airfare.

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4. Go Even Cheaper As A Courier

Courier companies ship things using the luggage space of an aircraft passenger. It can be quicker, cheaper, and
more reliable than sending the shipment unaccompanied, since checked luggage bypasses many of the typical
customs delays. The company purchases tickets, and then they resells them to you. In exchange for your
luggage space, they give you a discount on the airfare.
I saved $160 on my plane tickets this way when I went to Ecuador the first time. I had several suitcases full of
car parts, but there was a representative of the courier company on either end, and I looked inside the luggage,
so I knew what I was carrying. I carried a plane propeller on the return trip, which wasn't much trouble, and
made a good story.
It's easiest to be an air courier if you travel alone. Occasionally, a courier company will have opportunities for
flights on or near the same date. If not, your travel partner can pay full fare on the same flight. You also are
usually allowed carry-on luggage, since the point is for the shipping company to use your checked luggage
allowance.
Once in a while, air couriers fly internationally for free, and almost always very cheap. It's a matter of how
badly the company needs you and how flexible you are (can you fly to London on Friday?). Air courier
opportunities are becoming rarer, due to the recent heavier regulation of international flights, but there still are
opportunities. Find out more at The Air Courier Association Website (www.aircourier.org). The ACA can also
help you get really cheap plane tickets by way of airline ticket wholesalers, discounters, last minute specials,
and stand-by travel.

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5. Bus-Plane Money Saving Trick
When my wife and I went to Ecuador for six weeks, the cheapest discount plane tickets we could find were
$3400. I had run into this problem of not living near an international airport before. I had also found a solution,
for when money is really tight.
We took a Greyhound bus to Miami. It cost $352 round-trip for the two of us. Then flew from there to Quito,
which was $622 round-trip for both of us. $985 total, including the taxi from the bus station to the airport. We
saved $2400. I'm not recommending this, but at the time, for us, it was worth a couple days on a bus. (The
whole six weeks cost $2400.)

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6. More Secrets For Cheap Plane Tickets
First try one of the well-known sites, like Expedia, Travelocity, Cheap Tickets, Hotwire or Priceline. Check

several web sites when shopping for plane tickets. I just checked for fares from Tucson, Arizona to Traverse
City, Michigan on the five sites mentioned above. The quotes, using the same dates and criteria, ranged from
$704 for the cheapest fare listed on one site to a low of $432 on another.
Never mind which one was cheapest (oh, okay, it was Expedia), because you never know from week to week
which web sites will find the cheapest flights. That's why the number one rule is to check at least three places.
In this case, it would mean a savings of $272. The flight durations are within minutes of each other, by the way,
and the food is probably equally bad on all the flights.
Flexibility Gets You Even Cheaper Airfare
The more flexible you can be, the better your chance of getting a really cheap plane tickets. Begin by trying
several different departure and return dates if you can. The difference of a day or two can save you a lot. Check
the boxes that say "any time" for departure and "2 or more connecting flights". Even if you aren't sure that you
want to leave at midnight, see what your options are-the savings might change your mind. Whenever the search
criteria allow you choices, take the ones that are the least restrictive for the airlines. Again, if the savings aren't
enough, you can always book first class, direct flights, or whatever you prefer.
Other Ways To Buy Really Cheap Plane Tickets
Try buying two tickets-one for each leg of the trip. Airfare from Traverse City, Michigan to Tucson, Arizona
costs $451 round trip for the cheapest ticket I could find just now. Las Vegas to Tucson is only $161, however,
and there are regular $199 specials to Vegas from Traverse City. It is up to you whether a savings of $91 is
worth booking two flights (It was a difference of over $1000, when we went to South America). There is the
problem of timing, and whether you'll get a refund if your timing is off on your connections (you probably
won't).
Package deals, where you pay for plane tickets and your hotel room, may save you money. I haven't had any
luck with these deals, but it can't hurt to look into it.
Buying ahead of time usually gets you cheap plane tickets. Any thing less than a week away tends to be
expensive, although you never can tell in the mysterious realm of airfare pricing. Sometimes the "last minute
specials" are the best thing going.
Bid For Tickets
Priceline has a "Name Your Own Price" feature that sometimes gets you really cheap plane tickets. You tell
them what you will pay, and the airlines say yes or no, depending on whether they have empty seats to fill up.
The way to use this, is to first search for the cheapest tickets you can find, then go to Priceline and bid lower
than that. If your bid is rejected, hurry back to the website where you found the best deal and book it.
Throw Away Tickets
I was sitting in the Miami airport one day, and the woman next to me explained that she was flying to Houston.
It was cheaper to buy a ticket to Los Angeles, however, and the flight transferred in Houston. She would just get

off in Houston and throw away the other part of the ticket.
Moral of the story? If you are flying to a location that is a common transfer point, you may want to check on
other flights that transfer there. The airlines don't like this, for some reason, so don't mention that you'll be
getting off until you are there (then it would be nice to tell them, so they don't hold the flight for you). Also, you
will have to have only carry-on for this to work.
"Super-saver" fares are cheap, but sometimes require a stay of seven days. If you want to stay less time, check
to see if buying two of these deals is cheaper than a regular round-trip ticket. Buy one for the date you are
going, and another that leaves your destination on the day you want to return. Just throw away the other half of
each ticket.

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7. Travel Security Secrets
Both my wife and I had a strong feeling we shouldn't get on that bus in Cuenca, but neither of us said anything.
A taxi was two dollars, and the bus cost only twenty-five cents. Ana sat down, but there was no room left for
me, so I was packed in with the other commuters standing up. Almost immediately I noticed the drunk pushing
his way through the crowd, randomly going this way and that.
I knew something was up, and instinctively reached into my pockets to check on my money. We had just visited
the ATM that morning, and the $170 cash in my pocket was the most we had carried in one place during the
entire trip. It was still there. The old guy pushed against me like he was trying to find a place to stand
comfortably. I checked my pocket again.
A few minutes later some space opened up near Ana, and I went over to her seat. I reached in my pocket again,
and it was empty. The other pocket was empty too. I hadn't felt a thing. The old drunk was still on the bus. I
looked over at him.
"We've been robbed," I told Ana. "All of it." I grabbed the drunk, who was no longer acting drunk at all.
At the next stop we got off, dragging the thief with us. A police officer appeared, and a crowd formed. The man
was very sober now, pulling out his pockets and insisting again and again that he was innocent. He said we
could search him if we wanted. I searched him, but understood now that his associate was long gone with the
money, probably off the bus at a previous stop.
Despite his begging, and the impossibility of getting the money back, we had the officer take him to the police
station on his motorcycle while we followed in a taxi (Paying with a twenty from under the sole of my shoe).
We filed a complaint, and he would spend the night in jail, then be released for a lack of evidence in the
morning. At least his finger prints were on file now.
Travel Security Lessons

A money belt probably would have prevented the robbery. Pockets that close help too, although I had a wallet
stolen from a zippered pocket once, and I didn't notice until forty minutes later. At least it was a decoy-wallet,
put there for just such an occasion. My real wallet was safely hidden elsewhere (another little travel security
trick).
Carry your money in at least three different places. These can include; under the sole of your shoe, in a
pocket that you pin inside your clothes, in your shaving kit. Also carry two credit or debit cards in two separate
and secure places. Have the "lost or stolen" phone numbers in another place.
Dress properly. If the area you're visiting has much crime, leave expensive watches and jewelry behind.
Ask locals where it is safe. Of course, ask them where it is unsafe too. People sometimes think that foreign
cities are dangerous because they just go anywhere in the city - something they would never do in New York
City, Los Angeles or Chicago.
There are many things you can do to travel more safely. Of course, the biggest lesson of our experience was
obvious. You have to learn to trust your intuition.

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8. Wal-Mart And Other Free Places To Camp
"Do you know about Wal-Mart camping?" We didn't know, but the old man at the campground in Florida
insisted Wal-Mart not only allowed RVs and vans to park overnight, but encouraged it. "Free camping," he told
us, and we didn't wait long to take advantage of this new knowledge.
Somewhere in northern Georgia we pulled into a Wal-Mart, and sure enough, we saw RVs off to one side of the
parking lot, looking like they were there for the night. We were heading back to Michigan in our conversion
van, and free camping sounded good to us. We parked, plugged in our 5-inch T.V., and settled in for the night.
Nobody bothered us. In the morning we used the bathrooms inside, and bought some orange juice.
The next night we camped for free again, this time at a "Flying J" truck stop. There were RVs camping there as
well. You'll find Flying J Truck stops all over, and they actively court the RV crowd, counting on gas and other
sales. We filled our tank there in the morning, and bought some food as well. As long as campers stay out of the
way of the truckers, free camping is likely to continue.
Other Free Camping Places
Generally, you can camp free on any BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land, unless it's specifically
forbidden in an area. This is also true of National Forest lands. In both cases you're limited to a stay of two
weeks in one place, though this rule is not always enforced, and the next two-week place might have to be only
a hundred yards away. State forest lands are usually open to free camping without permits, but policies vary by

state (The two-week rule seems to be common).

We camped in our van for ten days at Williams Landing, east of Tallahassee, Florida, on Lake Talquin. It's a
beautiful place, with hot showers. Our cost? Zero, and you can stay up to two weeks. There are free
campgrounds scattered around the country. Ask an RVer about this, or buy a Woodall's directory from any
large RV dealer.
Note: Wal-mart seems to encourage the campers, except in coastal areas where too many RVer's want to live in
a parking lot. Don't roll out the carpet and put out lawn furniture like one traveler we heard about, or you may
ruin it for all. Some stay for a week at a time, going out all day to see the sights (and so they don't wear out their
welcome). Wal-mart gets business from the campers, but they'll only continue their policy if they don't have
problems, so keep it low-key.
To find a Wal-Mart in the area you're traveling to, visit Walmart.com. Scroll down to the "store finder" link to
search. Thank you for camping at Wal-Mart!

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9. Debit Cards Versus Traveler's Checks
My first time overseas, I had to exchange cash in $200 of travelers checks. The bank charged me $8. During the
same trip, I used my debit card at an ATM to get $200 from my checking account. Once home, I saw that the
charge for this was one dollar, and that was the last time I used traveler's checks.
Debit And Credit Cards When Traveling
I usually carry a debit card and a credit card when I travel now. I keep them well-hidden in two separate places.
If they are stolen, which has never happened yet, they have either zero liability, or a fifty dollar liability limit
for any unauthorized charges. Ask your bank or credit card company about this.
When an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) won't take one of the cards for some reason - and this will happen I use the other card, which usually works fine. Credit cards may be less trouble than debit cards. Your liability
could be zero on your stolen debit card, but you probably won't have access to your account until the matter is
sorted out.
Of course, on longer trips it's a hassle to pay the credit card bill on time, which isn't a problem with debit cards.
Carry both, and on longer trips you can wait until you're a few weeks from home to use the credit card. That
way you'll get there before the bill does.
An important advantage credit and debit cards have over travelers checks, is that when you need the local
currency, you'll almost always get a better exchange rate with your cards. Also, the cash you get from the
local ATM will truly be accepted everywhere, unlike traveler's checks.

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10. Cheap Countries To Travel To
Ecuador is my favorite international destination. You can still get a decent meal for two dollars. U.S. dollars,
by the way, since that's conveniently the official currency of Ecuador now. From the beautiful snow-capped
Andes mountains, to the Galapagos Islands, you'll never run out of places to explore in Ecuador. Travel there is
safe and inexpensive.
South America in general is inexpensive, and the most affordable countries are, in my opinion, the most
beautiful. These are the countries along the Andes mountains; Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. Argentina, thanks
to it's recent economic troubles, is once again a cheap place for travelers as well.
In Central America, it costs very little to travel and vacation in both Nicaragua and Guatemala. Nicaragua, in
particular, has become more stable and safe for travelers in recent years. Costa Rica is a wonderful too, and
though it is one of more expensive counties of Central America, that probably still leaves it cheaper than
Europe.
In Asia, India is still low-cost, especially if you stay in the numerous hostels and boarding houses. Thailand
and Indonesia are also very cheap. With all international destinations, the plane tickets will be your single
biggest travel expense. This is especially true with the Asian countries. Being there is cheap, but getting there
may not be.

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11. Don't Drink The Water
Definitely don't drink the water if the locals don't. Aside from this travel guideline, it's tough to judge when it is
safe to drink the water in another country. It is often best to rely on bottled water, which is available almost
everywhere now, and is cheaper in other countries than in the United States.
Are you safe if you just drink bottled water? Well, was the salad you ate washed in the local tap water? If so,
you may not feel well later. If they don't post a sign saying the food is washed in purified water, ask them.
Otherwise, it may be best to skip the salad. On the other hand, the Latin-American custom of dressing salads
with lime juice may actually kill the bacteria from the wash water. I've taken my chances, with good luck so far.
Ice cubes are often the cause of water-borne illnesses among tourists. If you're not sure that the ice cubes are
made with purified water, order your drink without ice. Also, brush your teeth with bottled water to be safe.
Showering is usually safe unless you stand there with your mouth open.

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12. Food Safety Secrets
In Mexico I saw a cardboard box of meat sit unrefrigerated for three days. It was still for sale when I left town.
It occurred to me that although I wouldn't buy meat from that store, the restaurant I ate at might. Use common
sense. The kitchen won't be cleaner than the tables. Notice signs of cleanliness, and wipe the edge of our glass
before you drink.
My wife and I eat almost anywhere, and have so far been healthy during our travels. We keep a small plastic
bottle of waterless hand-sanitizer gel handy, and use it before meals when traveling. It often isn't the food that
gets you sick, but the bacteria from your hands, which have been touching money and other biologically active
things all day. Wash your hands a lot, use sanitizer, and you'll cut the risk of illness in half.
Not sure which restaurants are clean and safe? Ask the locals. Also, watch to see what local residents do
when eating. Do they refuse the milk, or do they bring their own soup spoons? If you're in an area where the
standards of cleanliness and food safety are just plain lower than you like, you can look for a restaurant owned
by someone from a country with higher standards (Germany, perhaps?).
Carry iodine pills to make purified water. Eat fruit washed in your iodine-water, and you can even maintain a
healthy diet while traveling.

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13. Hostels For Cheap And Interesting Travel
Hostels have been around in one form or another for a long time. They are oriented towards young travelers and
anyone seeking cheap accommodations. The U.S. version used to be more complicated, with guests helping
with chores, etc. It is simpler now: you rent a bed instead of a room, sharing the bathroom, living room and
kitchen. Less privacy, but cheaper accommodations, and you get to socialize.
My first time in Quito, Ecuador I stayed at Centro Del Mundo, a hostel near the center of town. $4 per night
included breakfast. I shared a room and bathroom with 4 others, and a T.V. room with guests from 14 countries,
and channels in three languages. 80 cents got me a rum-and-coke to drink while I played chess with a flowerbuyer from Holland. The manager could arrange anything from tours of the snow-covered volcano Cotapaxi, to
$2/hour Spanish lessons.
Is A Hostel For You?
I love hostels, but most of you won't. I like mingling with travelers from around the world. You're more isolated
in a hotel. "Mingling," of course, could mean sleeping next to a snorer. I'm sure the idea of sharing a room is too

much for some people, as is waiting to use the shower. It's a different experience from staying in a hotel.
Even if they were the same price, I'd prefer a hostel to a hotel, but one of the biggest reasons people stay in
hostels is to save money. For this, they're a good option when you're traveling alone. Since my wife and I travel
together now, we don't stay in hostels often. You pay for two beds, after all, which makes hotels more
competitive.
Hostels are not as common in the U.S. as in other countries, unless you include "bed-and-breakfast" places.
These are somewhat like high-priced hostels, but with private rooms. There are still hostels in almost every
state, though. Search Google for hostels, and you'll find all the information you need.

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14. How To Get The Cheapest Room
Try web sites, such as Cheap Tickets.com. However, they only give you rates for the hotels and motels in their
system. I just did a search for Tucson, Arizona. Cheap Tickets.com was the easiest to use, and found the best
rates. However, I could show you several nice motels here in Tucson that are $15 cheaper than the cheapest rate
they found.
Get coupon books at gas stations along the highways. We've almost always found good deals using these. It's
rare that a manager won't honor the coupon. Generally, only if they're absolutely full will they refuse. Read the
fine print, though. They often charge more for certain dates, or for two people.
Negotiate a lower rate. My wife and I were in Banos, Ecuador recently, and were told the room would be $12.
The room was clean, with cable T.V. and lots of hot water. We paid just $6 per night, paying four nights in
advance. The owner understood we were ready to walk away.
Most owners here in the U.S. would rather watch you drive away than knock five bucks off the room rate. Still,
we have negotiated decent discounts by paying for several nights in advance. We also let them know that we'll
be looking elsewhere if they say no.
Use the "magic words." There are promotions done where if you "mention this ad" or just use the right words,
you get up to 70% discount. Talk, talk, talk. Tell them if you're a member of the AARP, AAA or whatever. Tell
the person on the phone that you saw an ad in the "Times," or whatever big paper they might have advertised in.
Or just ask what the magic words are, and some receptionists will tell you. Or ask "What do I have to say to
get the cheapest rate?" They'll sometimes tell you.

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15. RV Boondocking Secrets

What is RV boondocking? It is simply camping in your recreational vehicle in an area with limited or no
facilities. In many areas of the west, you can drive into the desert, and stay free for up to two weeks. This is the
case on most BLM (Bureau Of Land Management) and national forest lands. How far you have to move to stay
another two weeks is open to interpretation, but probably isn't far.
Long Term RV Boondocking on BLM Land
With the growing popularity of boondocking, the BLM has begun to establish areas for longer stays,
particularly in Arizona. The permit fee is around $140 now, but this allows you to stay up to six months, and
you'll have pump stations, dumpsters and water available. That's cheaper than paying property taxes or rent for a
lot to park on. You can find out more from the BLM's Arizona web site at: http://www.blm.gov/az/
Boondocking Communities
Ask around when you are in the desert southwest, and you'll find there are whole RV communities that form
every winter. There are temporary towns like "Slab City" in California, complete with bookstores, grocery
vendors, and other businesses run by RVers. When summer returns, these boondock communities disappear,
and reappear again the following winter.
Perhaps the largest gathering of RV boondockers is in Quartzite, Arizona. Up to several hundred thousand
people spend at least part of the year boondocking here. Quartzite is near the California border, on Interstate 10,
only 20 miles from the Colorado River. It's surrounded by BLM lands, and it's famous for gem shows and swap
meets, and the multiplying of its population each winter. For more information, see the Quartzite Chamber of
Commerce at: http://www.quartzsitechamber.com/
Other RV Boondocking Opportunities
Look, and you'll find "hidden" places where you can park your RV for a week or a month in the desert
southwest. Some are free, and others just inexpensive. The Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area, north of Bowie,
Arizona, costs $3 per night, but has nice hot springs and plenty of wildlife. You can get an annual permit for
$30, but you're limited to two weeks per month (permits are sold at the BLM office in Safford). Outside of the
fenced area you can stay free, but without hot springs and shaded picnic tables.
There are many other areas like the Hot Well Dunes for cheap or free RV boondocking. The Bureau of Land
Management can tell you what's available under their jurisdiction. The Woodall's campground guide lists
campgrounds that are free. Also, just keep your eyes open for other RVs parked out in the desert or forest,
and ask around.

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16. E-Mail: A Travel Necessity

Most libraries in the United States now have internet access. When traveling the country, we often stop in
small towns to use this free service. We check e-mail and even check our bank accounts.
In other countries, finding internet access is even easier. When computers are too expensive for most people,
there's demand for cheap internet access. The result is that, in many places, there's an internet cafe on almost
every corner. A dollar per hour is not uncommon.
Hotmail and Yahoo still offer free e-mail accounts. Sign up now, if you haven't already. Then, wherever you
are in the world, your friends and family have a way to contact you and you have a way to contact them. For
some reason, even though the internet largely operates by way of the same phone lines, it's more reliable than
phone service in many countries.

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17. Using Regular Mail When Traveling
To use the Post Office when you travel, pre-address and stamp your envelopes if you'll be writing family,
friends, or whoever. Usually, it's easy to find a mail box, but a hassle to find stamps and envelopes.
When you need something sent to you while on a trip (in the U.S.) have it addressed to your name, then
"general delivery," and the city and zip code where you'll be in a few days. The package should be waiting at
the post office when you arrive.

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18. The Best Phone Cards For Travel
Phone cards are a great help when traveling in the United States. The best are not even cards, but accounts that
you recharge on the internet. The one we use costs just 1.9 cents per minute to call anywhere in the U.S., with
no connection charge. It's only 15 cents per minute to call my wife's family in Ecuador (It cost me over $2 per
minute just 4 years ago). The only extra charge is 50 cents for pay phone use, which is mandated by law for all
cards now.
You use these accounts by funding them on the internet, using any credit card. With most, you can open an
account for $20. You get a toll-free number to call, an account number (usually your home phone number), and
a 4-digit PIN. To place a call, you dial the toll free number, then enter your account number, PIN, and number
you're calling. Many buttons to push, but then you can call Paris, France for 3 cents per minute. That's cheap!
Recharge your account from anywhere there is internet access, and you'll never have a phone bill, since you pay
in advance.
Tel 3 Advantage is a decent one to use : http://www.tel3advantage.com . You can also just search "phone cards"

on Google or another search engine.

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19. E-Mail Important Documents To Yourself
E-mail a list of important information and numbers to yourself, like the one to call if your credit card is stolen,
or the number of the U.S. Embassy where you'll be. E-mail yourself a copy of your passport, and other
important documents. When you need these things, they'll be available in any internet cafe in the world.

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20. How To Hide Money And Documents
Travel money belts are still a good way to carry cash. They're common, and thieves know of them, but it isn't
easy to tell if your belt has a hidden compartment, and it isn't easy for a robber to get at it quickly. It is a good
way to carry some of your cash when you travel. Here are some more ways.
There are travel options other than money belts for hiding cash and important papers. Use several of them,
rather than putting everything in one place. Don't carry too much cash. It's easy now, almost everywhere, to
access your money using an ATM, so carry enough for a few days, or a week at most.
There are pouches that hang under your shirt to carry your passport and other papers. They're obvious if
you're wearing a light shirt, but then it is always hard to thoroughly hide a passport on your body. In any case, it
isn't easily accessible to pickpockets.
I cut a pocket from some old pants and used a safety pin to attach it inside my travel pants. This has worked
well on several trips. It's not noticeable, and would be difficult for a thief to get at without taking off my pants.
However, it is inconvenient when I'm asked for my passport, since I have to reach into my pants.
Hiding Money In Shoes
If the inner soles of your shoes are removable, put twenty dollars under each one for emergencies. This works
well for me, but then I don't have expensive shoes that could themselves be a target. It is just another place, and
you should always have several different places to hide cash when traveling.
Think creatively. Roll up a bill and put it in the handle of a disposable razor. Just don't throw it away by
accident. Find or make other hiding places. If your money is in several hard-to-find places, it will take a
persistent thief to find all of your cash. Make robbers truly work for their living.
Hiding money in your hotel room requires some thought. There are many good places. Ask any thief, and he'll

tell you the best ones. Just choose a safe hotel and be careful. Of course, hiding things will at least reduce the
temptation for bad employees and lazy thieves.
I once had a wallet stolen from a zippered back pocket. It was a decoy wallet, so the pickpocket's skill earned
him a few pieces of paper. Another time I had to drag a robber off a bus and wait for police, but his accomplice
escaped with our money. Travel is about adventure, but fortunately we can avoid this kind most of the time.

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21. More Air Travel Secrets
Lost luggage. The best way not to lose luggage is to have only carry-on. Otherwise, put your name inside and
outside the bag, and include a note stating where you'll be on what dates. Make sure your bags are tagged with
the right destination and flight number. If your luggage doesn't show up when you arrive, it is usually on the
next flight (if that is soon, you may want to wait).
Lost luggage claims. Carry a list of what's in your luggage, so you'll be able to file a proper claim if it is lost.
File the claim before you leave the airport. Airlines are liable for up to $750 now, but they exclude many things,
including jewelry. Carry any small valuable things on you.
Dangerous airlines. According to Conde Nast Traveler, the airlines with the worst safety records over a 20year period, based on fatalities per million passengers (not including terrorist related deaths) are ... Turkish
Airlines (124.48 fatalities per million passengers) ... Air India (21.48 fatalities) ... Avianca (5.93 fatalities) ...
Nigeria Airways (5.53 fatalities) ... LOT Polish Airlines (4.54 fatalities).
Save the 8% federal tax. The federal tax on airfare isn't due if you are taking a flight from one city in the U.S.
to another in order to catch an overseas flight. Show your ticket to another country to the agent to have the tax
removed.
Dental work and flying. The change in atmospheric pressure from flying can cause severe pain if you have had
any dental work done within the last twelve hours or so. Don't schedule a dentist appointment to close to a
flight.
Alcohol and flying. There is reason to believe that the pressure in the cabin causes alcohol to be absorbed more
quickly, so take it slow. Drink some water as well, because the dry pressurized air causes you to lose bodily
fluids more quickly.
Changing seats. If there areempty seats, and you don't like the one you're in, you can usually change without a
problem. Do it before the plane takes off. For a smoother ride, try a seat over the wings. For a quieter ride, try a
seat towards the front, but avoid the bathrooms and galley. For more legroom, look for a seat in the first row
beside the emergency exits.

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22. A Second Passport
Most people will tell you that you can't get two passports from the U.S. Government. This isn't quite true. In
certain circumstances you can. If you can show your need, you can apply for a second, restricted passport that
allows you to travel to certain countries.
Some countries won't allow you in if your passport is stamped in another country. For example, some Arab
countries won't allow you to cross the border if you have a stamp from Israel in your passport. There are similar
problems traveling between some African countries.
You can get a second passport to show in these circumstances. It looks like a regular passport, but states that it
is just for travel to certain specified countries. It also isn't issued for countries that have no diplomatic relations
with the U.S. To see if you need one, you can check the Visa Information Sheet at a passport office to see if
there are any passport conflicts among the countries on your itinerary.
You can apply for a second passport at your regional passport office. You'll have to document your legitimate
need. Show your itinerary, perhaps a letter from your employer saying you need to do business in a particular
country, etc. You'll also need two signed passport-sized photos.
Since at most border crossings they are suspicious of anyone carrying two passports, determine beforehand
which one to use, and show only that one. Otherwise, you'll likely be refused entry. If the restricted passport is
not honored, you can call the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy for emergency assistance.

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23. A Dozen More Travel Secrets
Do more and travel less. It is often the traveling part that costs the most, due to the cost of gas, convenient fast
food, and expensive hotels you are forced to pay for when you just can't drive any further. So if you find a place
with a reasonable motel, and a lot to do in the area - stay for a while!
Rent an apartment. For a long trip, you may want to rent an apartment in an interesting city. We did this for
two months in Tucson, for about $600 less per month, compared to even the cheaper motels.
Greyhound Bus travel. For the cheapest rates, buy the 7-day advance purchase tickets. They also have some
student and senior citizen discounts, and from time-to-time run specials. For tickets, information, prices,
schedules and more, visit www.Greyhound.com.
Foreign bus travel. It's less common to own a car in most other countries, so bus systems tend to be more

developed than here. Even the smallest towns often have several competing bus lines. On our last trip to
Ecuador, the cross-country busses were much more comfortable than the Greyhound busses in the U.S. They
showed movies and had reclining seats, and curtains. They are still cheap, as well. It is not as safe to use the city
busses, which is probably true in most countries. Cities are more convenient than highways for criminals.
Prevent luggage theft. Keep luggage with you if at all possible. Wrap any straps around your arms, so it isn't
easy for a thief to grab it. On busses, I see travelers put their packs into the hold below, not knowing they could
take them on the bus. Their luggage is exposed to theft as the hold is opened and closed at each stop. Once,
when I was traveling in Mexico, someone was down below in the hold, cutting open the lining of the jacket in
my backpack, removing the travelers checks inside, and sewing the lining back up. It was many hours before I
knew that I'd been robbed.
Foreign taxis. Ask the locals what the rules and rates are. Taxi's are safer than city busses, but the taxi driver
may not be the most scrupulous businessman. If it is allowed, negotiate the price in advance. Clarify exactly
how much the fare will be to take you where you are going. If this isn't possible, be sure what the rate per
kilometer or minute is, and watch the meter closely.
If you are familiar with the city, watch where you are taken. Your hotel may be three times as far by the route
the driver takes. This is an old trick of taxi drivers everywhere. At least pretend you know the streets of the city,
or ask a local how far it is to your destination before you get in the taxi. Use your common sense and intuition.
Don't get in cabs that don't seem "right." As long as you take some precautions, using taxis is safe, and almost
as cheap as bus travel in some countries.
Cheap care-taking vacations. Somebody in Hawaii, Costa Rica or Colorado is just waiting for you to come
and stay in their house while they are away. You may have to water the plants, and even get the mail for them,
but you get to stay in a beautiful home in a sunny place. Sometimes you even get paid for these vacations. To
learn more about care-taking opportunities, visit the Caretaker Gazette at http://www.caretaker.org.
Beach combing vacations. Think of those Corona ads on TV. There is nothing more relaxing than sitting on
the beach with a drink. When you get restless, start collecting seashells and driftwood up and down the
shoreline. Bring a metal detector and who knows what you'll find. There are beaches in Florida and many other
places where you can camp in your RV. In Michigan and other Great Lake states, you can even find cheap
motels on or near the beach.
Last minute deals. You can save up to 70% with last-minute deals at sites like www.Site59.com. Offers range
from beaches, romance or family getaways, or you can choose from a drop-down menu of destinations. Another
one to try is www.11thHourVacations.com.
Legal help in foreign countries. If you need legal help while you are traveling in another country, you can get
information on the State Department's Judicial Assistance Page. (
http://travel.state.gov/law/info/judicial/judicial_702.html) Of course, if you don't have access to the internet
at the time, you'll need to contact the nearest embassy or consulate by phone. Use the list here of United States
Embassies and Consulates to get the numbers you need before you go, and carry them with you:
http://usembassy.state.gov/

Register with the Embassy. It is recommended by the U.S. Department of State that you register with the
Embassy or Consulate where you are going , and even provide them with your itinerary, so they can find you if
need be. You can do this online using their Registration Page:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/registration/registration_1186.html
Carry Snacks. When you aren't familiar with a town or country you are in, you never know when you will find
a place to eat. It's a good idea to carry snacks and maybe a bottle of water.

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Travel Secrets 101
Brought To You By
http://www.EverythingAboutTravel.com
Copyright 2005 Steve Gillman
(THE END)