If you thought slideshows died with the digital era, think again. There’s now a new way for you to bore friends and strangers with your travel adventures. The Projecting Camcorder from Hammacher Schlemmer captures 720p HD video and 8MP photographs, and is capable of displaying them on any flat surface. All that, and the tiny package is no bigger than a smartphone. Do us all a favor and edit first; $299.95, Hammacher.com.
Small Packages
It’s no fun choosing between paying an extra $50 to check your luggage, or buying $50 worth of hair products to replace the ones you couldn’t bring with you in your carry-on. With 3FlOz.com, you’ll never have to worry about that again. This online shop features products from a wide array of fabulous brands from Alterna to Oscar Blandi all packaged in convenient, TSA-friendly sizes. Finally, you can travel light and still look fabulous; 3FlOz.com.
Safe Harbor
Even in the safest countries, tourists are a crime magnet. Those who aren’t familiar with the landscape or the language can be easy pickings for unsavory types looking to make a bit of extra cash. Only recently, a friend of mine returned from a trip to Argentina and revealed to me that he had been forced to pay a bribe to a police officer in order to get back his driver’s license. While there’s no way to completely ensure that you won’t become an occasional victim while on the road, there are strategies you can use to significantly decrease your risk. And, no, I’m not talking about wearing a fanny pack.
• Always make sure to photocopy your passport, driver’s license and other important documents, and keep them in a separate place from the originals. Avoid showing your passport unless it is requested by a trusted official, and then do so discretely.
• If your cellphone does not work internationally, consider renting one locally or purchasing a simple pay-as-you-go phone.
• If an official detains you, be sure to ask for identification. Be calm and polite, but if you feel suspicious, ask to see his or her superior, if you feel safe doing so.
Above all, use your common sense and follow your instincts. If a situation feels wrong, it very well may be. However, it is also important to remember that for every bad egg you encounter, there are a hundred more who will be welcoming, kind and hospitable. Travel safely, and have fun!
› Marta Ferro began her life in the travel industry in high school as a bus girl in a hotel restaurant, and hasn’t looked back since. She’s now a professional travel consultant spending her time helping people find their dream vacations. Among her favorite travel destinations are Croatia and Maine’s scenic coast.
“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.”
— Martin Buber
Name Game
Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, is the only town in the U.S. that boasts two dashes in its name. Though the name sounds vaguely like Santa Claus sneezing, it is actually derived from an Indian term for “red cedar.”
Space Mail
Come rain, snow or meteor shower, the mailman cometh even to the most inaccessible post office — such as the one on the Russian space station Mir, where thousands of items have passed through this unearthly mailroom.
Want Fries?
The biggest ketchup bottle on Earth is located in Collinsville, Illinois, and clocks in at 170 feet tall. It was actually built as a water tower, and in 1995 was saved from destruction and restored as a big, red landmark.
