Traveling Tips

Traveling Tips

Budget savyy

Keep a record of your most important purchases like bus tickets, lunch, taxes at a restaurant, clothes, etc. In that way you can prepare your wallet for the next comming trip.

Scan and email

Copies of your Passport, travel insurance policy, emergency phone & card numbers, as well your ticket details. And it’s also handy to have copies of your itinerary and hotel receipts in one place, just in case.

Packing 101

Always travel as light as possible but make sure you squeeze in an inflatable pillow, international power adapters, an extra change of clothes (or undies) in your hand luggage, socks for the plane, baby wipes to freshenup & a lightweight rain coat.

Try to avoid jetlag

Drink plenty of water and stick to simple foods. Avoid indulging in alcoholic beverages. Try to acclimatise to your time zone as soon as you land– if you arrive in London at 7am, don’t go to sleep, just try to struggle through.

Sleeping 101

If you’re a bit of a clean freak, take a travel sheet  to sleep in. Take extra locks for your luggage & for lockers in hostels too. Make sure you have printed directions to where you’re staying and the full address. It's easier to point out an address on a printed page than attempt to pronounce a foreign name if you are in a hurry.

Buy a phrase book

How will you ask your lovely (non-English speaking) host to book a taxi to the airport to catch your 9am flight the next morning? Simple. Carry a phrase book everywhere. It could seriously save your life, or at least save you from missing a flight.

Eating 101

Food is glorious but it can get expensive. If you’re eating out, eat inside instead of on the sidewalk (in Europe they charge extra for sitting outdoors). Make sure you pack a pocket knife so you can stock up on fruit, bread, cheese and eat on the run.

Do something ridiculous

Last but definitely not least, it’s important to get out of your comfort zone and if that means stripping down to your undies and jumping into a Mykonos nightclub pool at sunrise, or eating ox balls in Vietnam – go for it. You only live once, eh?

All about India

India

• Playful musical videos simmilar to the latinos latinos' ones. 
• They do amazing Henna or Mehndi tattoos
• Place of birth of Gandhi
• It's one of the most overpopulated countries across the world. 

Transportation

Lucky you! India has a complete railway system. 

How to take the railways: http://www.seat61.com/India.htm
More guidelines and maps of Delhi Station: http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/delhi/new-delhi-railwaystations.htm

This one article is highly important:

http://www.wikihow.com/Haggle-With-an-Auto-Rikshaw-Driver-in-Delhi

The weather
http://www.facts-about-india.com/climate-of-india.php

Seasons:

http://www.facts-about-india.com/seasons-in-india.php


Services & Finances:
International Banks Available Citibank http://www.online.citibank.co.in/ and Scotiabank http://www.scotiabank.com/global/en/0,,6176,00.html 


About INDIA

Culture
Important Celebrations: http://www.facts-about-india.com/Indian-fairs-and-festivals.php 

Dances: http://www.facts-about-india.com/Dances-in-India.php

Economy of India

http://www.facts-about-india.com/economy-of-india.php

On the way to India. Stop at Chicago

CHICAGO, THE WINDY CITY

Lodging and Housing

I'd suggest to experience

Couchsurfing https://www.couchsurfing.org/n/places/springfield-massachusetts-united-states
 and Airbnb.com  https://es.airbnb.com/ 

Food and Nightlife

If possible, the must popular dish is called Deep Dish, and you should visit Giordano's Restaurant. A small pizza will be good enough for one person, and a medium size is good for 3 people. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago-style_pizza#Notable_vendors
If leftovers...ask for a bag to take home. 

Here is a link http://www.choosechicago.com/deals/tours-and-attractions/ of things to do. Personally speaking, I loved the BEAM!, the Illinois Museum, specially, the souveniers store, and lastly, the Navy Pier is awesome at night. Take a ride on the Ferris Wheel. 

Weather in Chicago is awful. This city is well-know as the windy city. So wrap up! 

Transportation at Chicago

In Chicago, you can either take the train, highly recommended, or take the bus. Both services are great. The rail makes a stop at the airport. 

Taking a subway may be overwhelming at first. After a couple of times getting lost, it will be the best experience ever. Especially in Chicago, the train is up-lifted!!!

Each city has its particular features. 
Follow this link http://www.wikihow.com/Use-the-CTA-Rail-System to understand How to Use the "L," "Loop" or CTA 

Official Website for schedules, maps, and faires:
http://www.transitchicago.com/

I think it's handy to have a GPS and an compas app on your celphone so you can easily determine the south and north once you drop off the train. Blocks sometimes are not at a walking distance and you would not want to get into the hussle of walking long distances in the cold.  

Introduction.

Dear Bro,

What you're about to experience is mind-blowing. Traveling by yourself for more than 500 miles (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM0sTNtWDiI) is definitely exciting, but sure the idea of being away is scary and gosh! the idea of having so much freedom gets on your nerves. It does not matter for how long you're out, its kind of overwhelming at first. Regardless of the fact that you have been an extremely terrible brother to me, I see pointless to not give out a few pieces of advice to you to have handy. It's good for my Karma, anyway.

In this guideline, you will read how to make new friends, how to engage easily in conversations with strangers about anything at all, how to kill time wisely, how to get around in strange places, how to be a person everybody cares, and how to have a truly life-changing experience. In other words, you'd better not miss this. Pay attention to my words, expressions I write the way English speakers and non-native English speakers communicate effectively. Put them in practice and you will success.

Take care, 

Any questions add me on whatsapp

The Socialization Code

Golden Rule 1.

People don't care about limited language proficiency, as long as you are a REAL and SINCERE person. Usually, you're shy and you let that hinder your real intentions and feelings. While you're abroad, observe how locals and internationals talk to one aother, and  please imitate them. 

People indeed don't care about your accent. Indian's accent is often indisciphrable. Though, well just for the record they were conquered in the 19th century by the British...so that explains why...they have such a weird accent, and why they have a higher rate of bilingual people in comparison with Costa Ricans, which is really impressive. (For more information check this out: http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/India).(By the way, btw, also Belize, was conquered by the British...so it's the only CA nation that speaks English). 

Never feel intimidated by one's accent. If people talk to you, just make sure you convey the message you intended. Be authentic  because due to a lack of language level and shyness, your attitudes could be misinterpreted and could reflect lack of interest or rudeness. Therefore, make sure you are grateful and you express it. If found yourself speechless, not matter what situation, always say a hard and meaningful  Thank you. / [thangk] yoo/.

Since you are in a foreign place, you will deal with many cultural and language barriers. In this case, body language is crucial. There's not better example of social failure than a person who doesn't mean a thank you. It probably had never happened to you because you speak Spanish, so Spanish speakers understand and recognize lack of confidence easily, and would not get offended. Hence, I seriously mean you should say at least an well-articulated thank you. I believe the more expressive and the more you simpathize with someone, s/he will want to know more about you. The articulated thank you includes the following a natural and honest smile, constant eye contact, and beyond the thank you, an engaging compliment. 
Other good expressions that should not be forgotten are good morning, good evening and good night. Manners should never be left out. 

To master this, it requires a lot of time of practice to add a personal style to it. 

Golden Rule 2.

Get out of your comfort zone. 

Are your co-workers traveling with you? Well, fine cling on them to make new friends. The first week is probably the most overwhelming, but the most important and crucial time that will determine most of your experience. Certainly, the organizers have arranged induction meetings, parties, events, whatever...go to all of them prepared. I think only ticos, including you, pay too much attention in clothes. Yes, sure, wear something nice, but practice your lines to introduce yourself. I know this sounds obvious...but really...what are you going to talk about with an Indian guy? or with whoever foreigner? I'm not telling you this to put you under presssure, but indeed it's stressful for everyone. In fact, all are in the same situation, ones more than others, of course. Here are some ice breakers:

"Where are you from?, When did you get here?, How long did your flight take?, How many hours did it take?, Did you do any stops?, Did you get your room yet? How do you like it?, Where are you staying? Do you like it?, Is this your first time abroad?,Which places have you visited before?, How do you like India so far?, Have you tried the alcohol here? Is it illegal to drink on streets?, How many cows did you see on the way? (http://www.walkthroughindia.com/wildlife/the-5-holy-animals-of-india/)
What do you do?, Is that a men's college/university? Did you go to a coed school?, What kind of degree is that? What do you do with it?, Did they ask you for a Hepatitis shot before coming here?, Did you have trouble finding this building?"

For some people it works to have a mental clear picture of what they did during the day, and usually they open a dialogue with a curious fun fact.  

Read the news and have an opinion about it. 

Costa Rica and Neighbor Countries
http://traveltips.usatoday.com/fiv-historical-costa-rica-101560.html
http://traveltips.usatoday.com/travel-regulations-costa-rica-13635.html
http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/historyofcentralamerica/tp/09centralamerica.htm
The World & Where Stand



It's important you have an idea of how you feel, so you can elaborate and share in conversations. Ticos tend to be really poor and short . Everything is tuanis and that's all. The meeting was boring, and that's the whole statement. Well, just remember that you will meet strangers. They might be afraid to be impolite by asking too much. Anyway, anyone won't take the information out of your mouth with a spoon.
Make of yourself look interesting by expresssing how you feel, how you truly like the place, what it lacks, and what you find funny. Remember to be sincere...FIND A BALANCE don't highlight only the negative stuff, but also everybody knows that not everything is always shining and bright. So if you are going to say something kind of negative..add something positive to compensate it...

Helpful Links.http://www.wikihow.com/Have-a-Great-Conversation
http://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Conversation-with-a-Stranger