Travel Tips
Body Worlds
By Tony on August 24, 2009 | No Comments »
Mind-bending, controversial, thought-provoking, insane … Body Worlds evokes a stream of descriptions, all of which fail to convey how truly unique this exhibition is.
Part art exhibit, part anatomy lesson, Gunther von Hagens uses real human bodies, donated specifically for his exhibition, to intrigue and instruct museum visitors. The displays are as mesmerizing as they are challenging. Preserved using his self-developed plastination process, the entire collection is shockingly » Continue reading this post »
A Nation Without SIM Cards?
By Tony on August 8, 2009 | 2 Comments »
For travelers to the US, one of the most common questions is, “Where can I buy a SIM card for my cell phone?” If you walk into a store and ask for one, you are likely to discover a rather shocking fact: most Americans have never heard the word SIM card. Even electronics store sales people and cell phone dealers are quite likely not to understand this term.
From Sweden to South Africa, from India to Iceland, world travelers are used to picking up a prepaid SIM card, popping it into their cell and, presto, instant phone service. How is it possible that Americans » Continue reading this post »
Welcome to America
By Thomas on July 29, 2009 | 5 Comments »
Most Americans would probably agree that it is quite easy to enter this country. But not so. All foreign visitors are subject to an intimidating pre-admission process. Starting on the plane, I had to fill out an entry form answering an array of questions and then sign away my rights to legally challenge any immigration disputes. Upon arrival, I was questioned by an agent and then required to give my fingerprints. Not just one print – but all ten fingers! And then came the face scan for facial recognition security software. “Please, Sir, look at the camera over here.”
As if that weren’t enough to make anyone feel like a criminal, the Department of Homeland Security has gone one step further with their new ESTA scheme. » Continue reading this post »
Money, Money, Money
By Thomas on July 21, 2009 | 3 Comments »
Abba was wrong, it’s not necessarily a rich man’s world. So how can you finance your next intercontinental extravaganza? It’s not as difficult as you might think. The only trick is, you’ll have to spend some money to make some money.
Our Swedish friends Emelie and Carl, who we met while traveling in India, had the brilliant idea to buy Indian textile items that would appeal to Westerners and then sell them in Sweden. During a recent trip to Calcutta, their entrepreneurial side quickly took over and they went shopping on a big scale. Scarfs, bedspreads, handbags, shawls, and other decorative items. I would have had a lot of fun with that.
But then came the shipping » Continue reading this post »
Temple Socks for Sensitive Soles
By Tony on March 28, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Indians love to go barefoot. Every time you enter a temple, a church or a mosque, you are asked to remove your shoes. Not such an unusual request. Clearly removing your shoes before entering a holy building has its logic. Especially when the streets outside are so filthy.
But the request becomes a little more challenging when you are asked to remove your shoes before climbing a holy mountain or entering a huge temple compound in hundred degree temperatures. It’s not unusual to see foreigners, who don’t have massively calloused feet, running from » Continue reading this post »
