Travel Tips

How can I visit Antarctica?

6/21/2012 5:24:02 AM Become a researcher in an Earth/Planetary Science department or in a lab that studies the physics of ice. The department I’m in at Brown University does send expeditions to study the dry ice valleys in Antarctica (to study parallels with Martian climate). Alternatively, do research on penguins (though there are not many […]

Credit card name mismatch because of long name

1/6/2017 2:16:00 AM I very much doubt that this would ever cause an issue because fields are compared with a maximum length. However, if you are worried, you might like to get your card issued with just your first initial rather than full first name, which will then fit. My card uses first and middle […]

Am I allowed to take alcoholic beverages from the US in my luggage, if I'm under 21?

12/9/2016 5:51:19 PM I know you already accepted an answer but the easiest option would be to have your family mail the alcohol to yourself in the Netherlands. This way here you are never in possession of the alcohol while in the States and can claim the package when you are legal to posses the […]

Why do UK border officers question EEA nationals entering?

2/1/2017 4:27:42 PM As a retired Immigration Officer, there is a madness to questioning people. Most people do not realize that you were being watched well before you enter the inspection station area. You may notice that most officers have a ear piece or radio. You are being observed and whoever is traveling with you […]

The UK has voted to leave the EU. How does Brexit affect people traveling to the UK and vice-versa?

The UK has voted to leave the EU. How does Brexit affect people traveling to the UK and vice-versa?

6/24/2016 5:14:31 PM As far as the EU treaties are concerned, the referendum does not cause a Brexit. To cause a Brexit, the PM has to officially inform the other EU members that the UK is leaving. This notification may be several weeks or months in the future. The two-year period mentioned later starts at […]

Celebrating Halloween in Austin, TX, USA

Celebrating Halloween in Austin, TX, USA

8/13/2016 10:51:14 PM I love your question. Halloween is a great holiday. Like others have said, many people frown upon adults or even older kids, like teenagers, trick-or-treating. But yes you could make friends with someone with children and tag along. The adult party experience is more like a rave type party than traditional Halloween […]

Best way to dispose of a carry-on bag in Hong Kong airport?

Best way to dispose of a carry-on bag in Hong Kong airport?

2/8/2019 2:18:57 PM You could use a thin, flexible duffel bag that you can roll up to a compact form. For example: This bag has similar capacity to a carry-on when in use. After the flight, you can transfer any items to a larger checked bag and/or trash bin, and the entire bag folds into […]

Received gestures in UK pubs: pint versus half-pint

Received gestures in UK pubs: pint versus half-pint

8/5/2016 12:21:39 PM As per request of @Gayot Fow, I’ll elaborate a bit on the hand signals/gestures I’m accustomed to in Belgium. EDIT: I found a site that explained the gestures I explained + some more, so I’ll copy these over to this answer. The original article can be found here. Regular/General beer This gesture […]

How severe will language problem be in Germany?

5/7/2016 1:22:51 AM My experience in Munich included many conversations like this: Me: “Ja, ein großes weißwurst und ein schwarzes Bier, bitte.” Wurstmeister: “Would you like mustard and relish on your sausage?” My German friends (all of whom speak better English than some of my Canadian friends) are of the opinion that if the person […]

Where can I visit Anthony Howe's amazing wind-powered kinetic sculptures?

Where can I visit Anthony Howe's amazing wind-powered kinetic sculptures?

7/19/2020 1:30:19 PM Locations of Public Sculptures: USA Spine Tower, San Francisco, California Azlon I, Baltimore, Maryland Oblongata, Procter & Gamble Hdqts, Mason, Ohio Chief II, Tulsa, Oklahoma Octo – Greenville, South Carolina Lucea I, Elm St, Dallas, Texas Cups, Olympic Apartments, 2nd Ave, Seattle, Washington Axiom Dyno Trilobyte, Bellingham, Washington In Cloud Light IV, […]

What is a polite way to tell a Scottish person that I am struggling to understand his/her accent?

12/22/2015 7:00:29 PM From personal experience I can say that asking politely to repeat what they just said helps the most. “Beg your pardon?”, or “I’m sorry, what?” or “I’m terribly sorry, but I didn’t understand you” all worked very well for me. I never had the feeling that I offended the speaker. What happens […]

What is the US Visa Waiver Program and what is an ESTA?

6/13/2022 10:19:54 PM Table of Contents What Is the US Visa Waiver Program?Passport RequirementsWhat Is the Electronic System for Travel Authorization?Who Needs to Apply for ESTA?Is ESTA required/sufficient to enter the US by land from Canada or Mexico?How Long Is my ESTA Valid For?My ESTA Expires Halfway into my Trip in the USCan I Renew/Extend […]

What happens if you are refused entry between two countries?

What happens if you are refused entry between two countries?

3/21/2016 1:19:46 PM From what I have gathered these years. Bottom line is that there are these standard treatments: a. You’ll be arrested if they judge you as illegal entrant (immigrant who jumped over the fence) b. You’ll be detained in detention centre if they judge that you’re not a genuine tourist. c. You’ll be […]

How do I pay for something via a konbini kiosk without actually being in Japan?

5/21/2016 7:44:17 PM Use a Japanese concierge service like this one: Do you need to buy goods from a Pokemon, Disney or other specialist store in Tokyo? GoodsFromJapan can organize various Japan Concierge services whatever your needs while in Japan or outside the country. http://www.goodsfromjapan.com/japan-concierge-services-a-133.html That was the top result on googling ‘Japan concierge service‘ […]

"Do not board" message at the airport check-in?

9/21/2016 11:29:03 PM I am pretty sure the message ‘DO NOT BOARD – CONTACT US TSA/CBP’ means ‘DO NOT BOARD – CONTACT US TSA/CBP.’ It might be an immigration issue, and they were not willing to let you enter into the US anymore, despite your B1 visa. Has your life situation changed lately? Or it […]

What's the safest way to protect your valuables from theft at the beach?

What's the safest way to protect your valuables from theft at the beach?

6/14/2015 10:28:00 AM You should always be cautious, never trust any place, country or city, even those with fame of secure. In the particular scenario of beaches, I never bring with me valuables that are unnecessary. As I will be taking a proper shower back in the hotel, I seldom require any expensive watch, credit […]

How to fly with Ryanair as a non-EU citizen?

How to fly with Ryanair as a non-EU citizen?

9/1/2015 1:39:23 AM Is it legal for a third party in general to stamp my passport? Your passport won’t be stamped. Only the print out of your boarding pass, with a stamp that says “VISA VERIFIED” and a signature. Here’s an example: Is this a one-time document check only? No, unfortunately you will have to […]

Practical food to take on flight without anything served?

Practical food to take on flight without anything served?

3/17/2015 8:20:12 PM I’d stick to things like dried fruits, granola bars, cheese and crackers even. A sandwich should hold up pretty well too. Fruits and veggies like apple, bananas, carrot sticks, etc. are great options as well. Why would I choose full service carrier instead of a low-cost one? 3/11/2015 11:24:13 AM The list […]

When someone in India asks for my "Good Name", what are they expecting?

5/9/2015 5:48:38 AM It’s a polite form, an honorific. It’s not a test. I’m guessing you’d never hear a native speaker say ”MY good name is…” Why are airlines against the transferring of tickets to other persons? 5/6/2015 10:44:22 PM Like many already mentioned by some, it’s just a literal translation of the Hindi phrase […]

Why would I choose full service carrier instead of a low-cost one?

3/10/2015 8:59:47 AM €1000-2000 is not a “normal” fare for a short-haul flight within Europe, even with a legacy full-service airlines. Most of them will have cheap fares that are slightly above the price of low-cost airlines (if you book a non-flexible return ticket in advance). Even full fares for a flexible ticket booked at […]

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