I have a long time pen-pal friend, Eddie Evans.  He is retired and living in one of those retirement-magnet states – that could be in the southeast corner of America.  He and I have been pen-pals for 25 years or so. To this day, he still taps out his long letters on an old Smith Corona in a walk-in closet (but I won’t go there).

With him in that cramped closet are thousands upon thousands of photos.  Virtually all in stacks of boxes. In those boxes are a legacy of curiosity, determination, and a passion of travel.  

Among the photos are pictures of presidents and politicians he’s stalked, celebrities he’s caught in candid moments, and the beauty and uniqueness that makes up this world.  He’s taken umpteen photos of Space Shuttle launches, of an ocean of crosses on the coast of Normandy, and hurricane devastation.  Every one of the hundreds of photos he has sent me are meticulously labeled – typed on a sticker and applied to the back.

He’s sent me pictures of parades, protests, fancy cars, cobble-stoned streets, advertisements, street signs, fashion, video on telly, museum displays, yachts, restaurants, historical sights, churches, emblems, and details one would normally overlook.  He rarely sends me landscapes, pristine ocean scenes, or majestic mountains.  They have to be interesting people, a wreckage of some sort, and

Eddie Evans doesn’t just look at the big picture or the grand panorama.  He focuses and hones in on the details.  He doesn’t see one focal point, but the what surrounds it.  Eddie tells a story with his pictures and conveys what he sees – not what you want to see.  Sure, he could take a “post card” picture – in his sleep. But he wants us to take in the WHOLE picture.  He sent me a picture from a St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  Was it a parade float?  A leprechaun?  No, a fashionably dressed parade attendee, of course.

Now, all of this is leading up to the big question.  Here is a man who has boxes full of thousands of photos, all taken with skill and passion.  What is to happen to them?  Shouldn’t there be a place for them to be appreciated?

I have dozens of photo albums from my world travels – sitting on a shelf.  (On top of that I always ordered double prints, so the doubles are in boxes in storage) I have a graveyard of PC hard drives in my basement.  I have dozens of CD’s full of hundreds of gigabytes photos.  This is different from previous generations.  Despite all our travels growing up. my parents had a few photo albums and a few shoe boxes full of photos to show for it.  So, what to do!?!?

Today, the on-line community has provided another platform for others to share their pics.  Despite it being unlimited, I find it very limiting.  Who has the time to spend appreciating the massive amount of photos and clicking or scrolling through the ones that don’t interest you?  I have a Flickr photo website.  Despite the website containing the post card style landscapes, the pretty nature shots, family photos, along side the detailed and human interest shots, the overwhelming most popular shots are (drum roll) the front of the Chanel Boutique in Paris and a yacht basin Monaco.

Look, I have no answers here.  I want them from you.  What should be done with Eddie Evans photos?  Of course, he’ll will them to his family but what should they do.  Stick them on a shelf.  There’s just too many to put in albums.  Sorting through them would take weeks!

The big reason I’m asking is, I suppose, it comes down to why do we take them in the first place?  I haven’t looked at some of my albums for years.  And I’m not the type to break them out and thrust them on people. Yet, I’ve spent a fortune on having them printed and inserting them in expensive albums – let alone take the time to organize them.  When someone’s house burns down and while sifting through the charred mess, they’re comment is always “I’ve lost all my family photos”.  You mean the ones in the albums that were on the shelf gathering dust?

Well, Trippers, any answers? Suggestions?  Questions?

Happy Halloween Tripping, Carter

Hey Trippers,

I just got off the phone with a friend, whom I will call Beddie, just returned from a dream three-month trip to Peru, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands.  This was a “Turning 40″  celebration meeting up with various friends and family along the way. As a part of her trip package – they REQUIRED she buy travel insurance.  She did and here’s how part of her trip went . . .  

Beddie was on a boat on her way to Ecuador.  She was on a top bunk and fell out of bed, slammed her head in the process, and broke her toe.  A helpful sympathetic co-traveler gave her some liniment to rub on it to make it feel better – so she did.  Three days later she stopped using it because she had an allergic reaction to it.  A week later she was in her hotel in Peru and spent the night scratching her foot in blissful relief and it turned into festering blisters.

Beddie told her hotel front desk that she needed doctor. The doctor came to the hotel and gave her a cortisone injection and a prescription at a cost of $55.00 (Cheap!).  She had a six day trek to Machu Picchu planned the next day.  She postponed her trek a day while she tried to heal her foot. It was a guided trip with a guide, a cook, a cook’s assistant, and porter – for three people.  Cost – $650.00 each.  One trek member got sick and had to stay behind.  So, now Beddie is on the trip with her broken toe and healing foot – with one other trekker.  Beddie started on her trek and became sick with vomiting and diarrhea.  She says it was from the food the cooks prepared.  It became so bad she had to be admitted to a hospital in Cusco, Peru.  She was put on IV’s with Cipro (anti-biotic) and saline to re-hydrate and kept over night.  They did tests and found out she had Giardia (Beaver Fever in Montana, USA) and Salmonella!  Cost of hospital stay – $291.68.

She insisted she not spend another night in the hospital and went to a hotel and called her Travel Insurance provider – World Nomads (a subsidiary of Access America).  Beddie said it was like calling her mother, genuinely concerned, empathetic, keep her receipts, and insisted she not worry about the bills and get better.

Beddie ended up taking the train to Machu Picchu with her sister, Snady, and enjoyed the magical site after all.  The train cost $181.00 round trip – including breakfast and entrance fee to Machu Picchu.

Bottom Line?  Beddie was out:

- $55.00 for the Hotel Doctor Visit (Bloody cheap!)

- $650.00 for the shortened trek to Machu Picchu

- $291.68 for the hospital stay and tests (cheaper than luxury a hotel!)

- $15.00 Extra hotel fee to stay over beyond check out. (What! No massage?)

- Total: $1011.68 – this was what the Travel Insurance covered her for – despite her being up front with doing a couple days of the trek to Machu Picchu (where they gave her the giardia and salmonella) – they reimbursed her for all $650.00!

Now, what did she pay for this coverage?  $52.66 per month for three months.  Total: $158.00

Beddie says she will never travel without the travel insurance again.  Remember, her package required it. Otherwise, she would not have purchased it.  Here’s what her World Nomads Insurance covered:

Note: Beddie had two different policies – “Trip Cancelation” and “Medical” for the above price.

• Lost Baggage - Maximum Coverage per individual bag – $2500.00
• Emergency Medical Evacuation – $500,000.00 (think this one through- why so much because it can cost so much to evacuate you form somewhere remote)
• Emergency Medical and Dental – $50,00.00
• Sporting Equipment, Trip Interruption Protection (think Beddie’s trip to Machu Picchu) – $1000.00 each
• Travel Accident Coverage – Up to $10,000.00

All this coverage for $52.66 per month.  

I have ZERO affiliation with this company.  I just have a personal testament from a trusted friend to a company with genuine care and service in mind.  Bravo!

Travel Insurance?  Hell, yes!

Cheers, 

Carter

I just finished writing my web pages on Florence (Firenze) for KnowYourTrip.com.  It brought back a lot of memories – and sensibilities.  Traveling to Italy isn’t like going to the seacoast in the UK or the USA.  You don’t just put your luggage in the boot, drive, arrive, park, and go.  It just doesn’t work that way in Italy.

I flew there on a GO Airline bargain flight from Stanstead Airport, north of London.  I deplaned and entered the world as Italians present it.  Chaos in the terminal, chatter on the bus, and scooter madness in Florence.  Italians flailing about, but rhythmic and energized like a Maestro conducting a symphony.

I forded the chaos and made my way to my hotel – thanks to pre-planning – made my way up to my room and took a breath.  Problem was I could still hear the symphony outside – with the window shut!

I spent the next couple days exploring the Queen of the Renaissance a little dazed by the frenetic energy Italians generated between the gaps in tourists.  It’s a city that has it all, history, past glory, beauty, iconic food and wine, world class shopping – and Italians.

After the raucous joy of Firenze, I headed up to the Tuscan foothills just outside of Florence to my next accommodation – and peaceful refuge – La Doccia.  La Doccia is a meticulously restored farm that is laying on a west facing slope of the Chianti foothills.  The hosts are British Ex-pats that left London to run a bit of Italy.

Directions to La Doccia

Edward Mayhew and his son Rupert are the Anglo Hosts who are a wealth of information on Tuscany and Italian life.  They run a tight and tidy establishment catering to whatever stay you need to have.  I needed rest, relaxation, Italian life education, fed some good local food, washed down with some fine Chianti.  This was the place I should have started my trip.  I would have been ready to absorb more of Florence with my Edward Mayhew’s cramming course of Italian life.

When I headed back to Florence, I was armed with knowledge.  So began my immersion into the love affair I have with Italy and their culture.  I wish I had left Florence’s Amerigo Vespucci Airport and headed up to La Doccia first.  So, consider a first accommodation that is part cultural immersion, part relaxation, and part familiar.

Good Tripping,

Carter

Alright, this is one of these geeky videos but I feel it’s IMPORTANT.  We need to have a conversation here about Travel Insurance.  If you’re from the USA, you probably never worry about it except for that fleeting moment when you get a third-hand story about a disaster a friend of a friend of a relative who knew someone who had.  But NOOOO, it won’t ever happen to me.  Well, it happens to someone, doesn’t it.

A couple weeks ago, a friend of mine became ill a couple of days before leaving to meet up with her friends for a ten week European dream holiday.  Unable to make the flight, she had to cancel her “non-refundable” ticket last minute.  Money donated to the airlines.  She was well enough to leave a week later but had to buy a last minute ticket – at TRIPLE the original price.  The coverage to compensate her for that first ticket would have been a fraction of the cost of the ticket – and she would be covered for the next flight and the ensuing nine weeks, depending on the coverage she chose.  On this trip alone, she will travel on airlines, trains, buses, and a cruise ship.  That’s so much opportunity for unforeseen problems. 

Europeans rarely go on holiday with travel insurance because they know the consequences.  They understand that too much is at risk.  They wouldn’t even think of going on a package holiday without it. You could not be compensated for any loss of luggage and belongings, end up paying much more for your trip than you budgeted for, or even end up losing your life savings.

When I was a much younger Tripper and doing carefree traveling, sure I would have an occasional travel burp in plans.  But, hey, I had a lot less to lose.  If I was severely injured, I optimistically always thought it would work out.  But now with assets and not being as young as I once was, the risk is much higher.  Am I willing to risk life and limb because I don’t want to spring for another 5 or 10% on my budget to make sure I am taken care of if disaster strikes?  Just being Med-evac-ed (medical transported) home from Europe to the USA can cost you more than $35,000.00 (€24,000.00)(£19,000.00).  Prayers and hope won’t pay that bill.  That’s serious money!

So, I encourage you to really take a look at Travel Insurance before you head on that dream trip.  Travel Insurance is a part of Knowing Your Trip.  Below are some companies that offer travel insurance.   I don’t favor any of them.  So, take a look . . . 

Access America 

Betins Travel Insurance

InsureMyTrip 

Gosure Travle Insurance 

Travelex Insurance  

Travel Insured 

Travel Guard 

Medjet Assist

With the reality of needing to use your cellphone on your trip to Europe, why pay the ridiculous roaming charges.  When I prepared for my first trip to Europe knowing that it would be the first time that I needed to remain in contact using my cellphone.  I did all the research with my local cellphone provider and there was no way to win.  Roaming charges and fees would cut deeply into my trip budget.

With this in mind, I had to find an alternative.  Bottom line? I ended up buying an “unlocked” cellphone.  An “unlocked” cellphone is NOT tied to any cellphone plan or contract.  Which means that you have to buy the phone out right and it isn’t subsidized by the fees in a long contract.  So, I bought an “unlocked” phone on line from The Cellphone Shop for about $150.00.  It had to be what is called a “world phone” or “quad band”.  ”World Phone” and “Quad Band” cell phones work on virtually all the cell phone frequencies in the world.  So, I could us this phone in Tokyo, London, Seattle, Capetown or most anywhere.  The catch?  There’s always a catch . . . .I had to buy a new sim card in each country.  

So, in London, I’d pay about £25.00 ($45.00) to buy the sim card.  That would connect me to the network and I’d get 100 minutes included with the sim card – and a new cellphone number.  I’d have to give my contacts that new number.  Also, I would have to buy more minutes when those ran out.  And when I called another country the fees/charges per minute would go way up.  When I’d get to another country, I’d have to buy their sim card and use the minutes attached to that.  Racking up some fees? You bet but it does.  It’s still better than the roaming charges with your cellphone company contract.

It looks like all that has changed.  It was brought my attention that there is now a company that has changed all that: Call-In-Europe.  This company is reportedly based in India.  You buy a sim card (with a new cellphone number) from them and take it to Europe and you can call from and into any country for a flat fee of $.39 a minute.  The set up is not as easy as it sounds.  It would work ideally with the “unlocked “World Phone/Quad Phone”.  I personally spoke with AT&T and they told me that they give out the unlocking code on their phones under contract for trips abroad.  So even if you are under a cellphone contract, they will allow you to take advantage of the Call-In-Europe plan. Reportedly it takes a bit of time on the phone.  Someone with some tech savvy-ness may be able to do it quicker.  How do you pay for it?  It’s linked to your credit card.  This program has not been without it’s glitches, so you have to keep on top of the charges.

I recommend you give it a try on your next trip.  It’s about time something like this has come on the market because when you’re in France on your way to Italy, you can call ahead to confirm your reservations without fear of it costing you $4.95 (£2.75) per minute.  It’s link is here.  Watch the video below:

Yup, that’s what I said “Band-Aids Will Heal The World”.  Well, almost . . .  Relax Bono.  No, I’m not talking about the Rock Extravaganza Charity Concert.  Just the humble little strip of plastic or cloth on a tiny bit of gauze.  

When I first thought of writing a blog, I thought what will I write about?  And “Band-Aids” popped in my head.  ”BAND-AIDS” you say?  It’s one of the handiest things to have in your luggage / back pack while traveling.

How will it heal the world? Let’s think little, not big.  When you or someone needs a bandage it’s because you hurt.  Right?  Physically, you’re cut or scraped and bleeding.  But mentally you have an ever so slightly panic moment.  And then WHAMMO!  You pull back that paper covering to reveal the rescue and you’re a hero!  The second you put it on the wound (owwie for our purposes) – everything is a little closer to being alright.  

Who wouldn’t want to share that with a stranger?  I was in the town of Orange, in Vaucluse, France frantically looking for a toilet.  (that’s another story)  As I was crossing the town square to go to Cafe “Les Negociants” Glacier for an espresso as an excuse to use their loo, I saw a little boy slip, fall, and start screaming.  I reacted as his mother did and ran in his direction.  She quickly tried to get him under control.  The little boy held his leg as his knee was bleeding.  I opened my back pack and pulled out a band aid.  Armed with a smile, I reached out with the band aid to hand it to his mother.  She looked up a little surprised and recognizing what I had in my hand, she took it with a kind “Merci”.  I smiled, having no time to stay and wallow in gratification because nature was calling.  As I dashed to the cafe, the mother yelled “Merci, monsieur”.

Another time I was riding the Tube in London.  Like fellow passengers around me, I was sitting in an tuned-out state.  I looked across from me and saw a teenager bleeding a good bleed from his cheek. He was trying to stop it without making a scene.  Realizing that he only had his hand and sleeve, I grabbed a band-aid from my back pack and handed it to him.  Without skipping a beat, he opened it, looked at his reflexion in the window, and placed it on his cheek.  Not a word was said between us.  It didn’t need to be because I new the little bit of panic he was in. Now it was over.  Then, the problem of the “stare factor” of a band-aid stuck to a teenager’s face must have come to his mind.  For just a moment, the band-aid fixed his world.

The issue of band-aid détente aside, band-aids should always be carried with a Tripper.  I recommend they be carried in a little snack bag or zip-lock® bag for moisture-proofing.  Also, I find that the fabric kind sticks much better.  Plastic ones usually claim they’re waterproof but I find that not to hold water (pun-intended). Besides, getting waterlogged and not holding up in a moist surrounding, the plastic ones just don’t stay stuck on.  So, fabric band-aid it is.  Also, band-aids are good for:

Preventing blisters – apply to weak spots on your foot or spots where you know your shoe is rubbing and could cause a problem as a day wears on.

Protecting you from scratching a bug bite – some “no-see-ums” or sand fleas cause an itch that won’t give up for days.  A band-aid will prevent you from itching until you bleed.  The New Zealand beach sand fleas come to mind.  Yikes!

Hemming clothing – in a pinch, it’ll hold up your hem on your garment to get you through a dinner or night out.

Repair Eye Glasses – gawd forbid that happens but it will keep-um together albeit with embarrassment.

Sore Nipple Prevention – that’s right, I said it.  If you have a travel garment that’s just rubbing you wrong.

Hold Open Eye Lids – If you’re driving and find you are getting drowsy and need to get to your next accommodation.  Alright, one too far . . . pull over and rest up a bit.  But it’s a thought.  

If you have any other suggestions, just leave it in a comment . . . . 

Cheers, Carter

I’m Carter Dayne, AKA The HeadTripper.  I’m 53 and have been around the world more than a few times.  I’m based in Seattle.  I’ll always have a home here no matter where I live or travel to.  Maybe I’ll share why I love it here so much sometime.  I’ve been to six continents (no Antartica yet), toured dozens of countries (I’ve lost count).  I’ve lived in Europe (3½ years), Australia (1 year), South Africa (4 months), the USA in between.  I love to travel.  It is one of my biggest passions.  Life is too short to not explore this world or wonders and cultures.

I’ve started this blog to pass on day to day information to enhance your travel.  I’m going to prepare you for your dream trip because it’s your trip of a life time.  I’ll be posting items from my journals, the news, other blogs, and media.

You need to trust that what I’ll be writing will only make your travel go smoother and have less unwanted surprises.  The KnowYourTrip.com website (under construction) will have permanent advice for you to refer to while the blog will complement that information.  I will tell you, in pointed verbiage, the problems you may or will run into to prepare you.  Warning:  I can be blunt and have been known to tell it like it is!

I take detailed information in my travel journals and will impart advice on journaling too.  I’ll be posting photos from the many destinations. I’ll also post videos although editing does take time.  I have hours and hours still to edit! (Panic here)

I am a big proponent of being fit if you’re going to travel.  How else are you going to survive the rigors of travel if you’re not fit?  Travel can be grueling and exhausting but is always exhilarating, if you make it that way.   I also believe in rest and recharge so that you can explore some more.   I’ll tell you the fitness level required of a destination and some fitness tips too.  I always “take” exercise while traveling (homage to my British friends).  At the moment, I work out regularly, primarily inspired by chronic pain due to a car accident.  Stuff happens.  However, fortunately I have been a life long fitness enthusiast so I can travel well.

I love food, but don’t eat too much – or meat (a 30 year habit – I’ve long forgotten why).  I enjoy all the local beverages in countries I visit with an interest in wines and beers – as well as – non-alcoholic.  I have quite the collection of liquors from around the world – gathering dust.

I’ll be writing about packing tips.  I am proud to say that only one item has ever broken in my luggage  a bottle of Spa Mineral Water bought for $.43 in Spa, Belgium.   No big loss!  I’ll tell you about the newest travel necessities not to buy, or that you must have.

I welcome comments and only encourage users and viewers to share their knowledge.  Suggest a topic too. So feel free!  Don’t forget to sign up for the launch of KnowYourTrip.com at www.knowyourtrip.com.

Cheers,

Carter Dayne