Road Dust Travel

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Money Concerns Abroad

Money is always a big topic when it comes to travel especially international travel. Travel is expensive but there are some practical points you need to know before you go.

How Much Money? One of the big questions I get from people is, “How much money do I need to take?” I’m not sure if there is a generalized formula but there are some considerations we need to think about. If your destination is a developed country then you can pay most expenses with a credit/debit card. An under-developed, third world country is a different matter because many establishments may not accept credit cards. When I travel to a third world country, I go prepared to pay cash.

So back to the original question, it is a matter of budgeting day by day before you go and then adding contingency money to your calculated cost.

Travel Notifications: If you are planning to use a credit/debit card for international travel you need to notify the financial institution of your travel plans. Most of the time you can do this easily online or you can call the number on the back of the card and set up your travel notifications. If you fail to do this, the credit/debit card company will probably flag your account and halt transactions.

Security: Your passport, money, and credit cards need to be carried and stored securely. One of the most important things you need is a security pouch that you wear under your clothing and around your waist. There are also some different ones that you wear around your neck but I prefer the waist ones. You can purchase these in some department stores like Target and Walmart. However, there will be a better selection online.

When flying you need to place your passport in your pocket or shoulder bag for easy access because you will need to show it many times. While traveling to your destination you will need your passport, your primary credit card, and a relative small amount of cash easily accessible. Once in country, I put my passport, the reserve cash, and reserve credit card in my security pouch. As added protection against moisture for your passport, cash, and credit card put them in a sandwich size press and seal bag before you place them in your security pouch.

Before leaving my room at the beginning of every day, I take from the security pouch any expected cash needs for the day. I carry a small travel billfold in addition to the security pouch. In the small billfold I carry a little cash (daily use), primary credit card, drivers license, and insurance cards. I also like to carry some small bills in a money clip for those times I just need to pay for something without showing all my money. Do not carry all your money in one place; put some in your wallet, small amount in your pocket and most in your security pouch worn under your clothing.

Foreign Currency: It is wise to do a little research before you go and learn about the country’s currency; you need to know what it is called and the exchange rate for the United States Dollar (USD). Some countries even have two currencies. Cuba has a Cuban Peso Nacional (CUP), generally valued at 25 CUP to $1 USD and is used by local citizens. They also have a Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC), usually valued close to a 1 to 1 exchange rate. The CUC is used by tourist.

When you exchange currency there may be a fee charged as well. Check with your bank before you go, you can often order foreign currency.

Be careful making currency exchanges on the street; you may get ripped off with bad currency or even robbed. If you have a host or guide they may direct you to the least expensive exchange rate and to a reputable currency exchanges.

American currency is sometimes accepted in certain countries. Correct change is difficult to receive so be sure and carry an assortment of bills.

Thieves and Beggars: You are more apt to have your money stolen by a pick-pocket than an all-out robbery. Keep this in mind when you store your money. My travel pants have a zippered front pocket and this is where I put my small billfold. I keep some bills in a money clip in my open front pocket.

For women carrying a purse, I would suggest one that has a cross-body strap and all the openings with zippered closures.

In some places, you will see some pitiful beggars and emotionally you may want to help them but you can cause a small riot if you are not careful. If you have a host or guide, they may instruct you on the best way to help. When I have given to beggars, I try to be very discreet.

Keep your valuables safe and enjoy the trip.

Enjoy the Journey!

Harry L. Whitt

Featured

Cell Phones Abroad

Always with Us! Oh, we love our smart phones! They are like another appendage to our bodies. We are constantly on our phones. There are a few things you need to be aware of when traveling internationally concerning your phone service.

So you have flight reservations for a trip to a Caribbean paradise and you are wondering about your cell phone service when you are drinking coconut milk. Fear not, read on…

The World is Smaller! Most smart phones are compatible for global use but you need to contact your service provider to see if you have the international plan. You can contact your service provider and get international calling before you go and possibly cancel it when you return. Your provider may have various international plans, so check before you go so you will be prepared.

Know Before You Go! Just beware that your calls, texts, and data usage may be charged differently than on the home front depending on your international plan. Some folks have returned home with a large bill awaiting them. Even if you have a basic international plan, calls and texting will cost extra and calls are very expensive. Data usage, for internet apps such as emails and social media are often very expensive if you do not have an affordable international plan. It is important to turn off “Cellular Data” if you have a limited or expensive data usage plan even if you intend to send and receive text and calls. If you only intend to use your phone as a camera or other offline usages then it is wise to put it on “Airplane Mode”.

Save Money and Connect! If you have access to Wi-Fi, be sure to connect to the Wi-Fi network and you can make free calls with FaceTime, Messenger, or other programs.

Hola! A great app to have on your smart phone in a foreign country is “Google Translate”. Once you install the app, go to settings and install the “Offline Translation” for the specific language(s) you need; this will allow you to translate even when you are on “Airplane Mode” or have the “Cellular Data” turned off.

Here is a link to Verizon’s international plans:

https://www.verizonwireless.com/articles/how-to-pick-an-international-plan-for-your-phone/

Here is a link to AT&T’s international plans:

https://www.att.com/offers/international.html

Enjoy the Journey!

Harry L. Whitt

Packing Tips

Here are some tips and hacks to help with your packing especially if you plan to travel abroad.

Luggage Allowance: There are three basic classifications of bags for airline travel. The first one is a personal item. This could be a purse, small shoulder bag, fanny pack, or small backpack. The bag should be no larger than 18 in X 4 in X 8 in (56 cm X 35 cm X 20 cm). It will need to be stored under the seat in front of you.

Traveling with Medications

I hate taking medicine but I enjoy living. In 2018, I had a heart attack resulting in one stent. Since then, I have been on several prescribed medications. Up to that point medications barely hit my radar when traveling, but now I have a new normal. Here are a few things to keep in mind when traveling with medications.

Safe Water Abroad

“Water, water everywhere … Nor any drop to drink.” This is quote from Samuel Taylor Coleridge about a ship caught in the doldrums, surrounded by saltwater but none to drink. Water can be plentiful but not necessarily safe to drink. When traveling internationally or even hiking in the great outdoors, you need water but safe water. Here are some things to consider:

Electricity Abroad

Before you pack up that curling iron or order a voltage converter for that trip abroad, you might need to do a little research or you could read the following.

Main Concern: Around the world, all electrical systems are not the same. In the United States we have a 120 volt system and in many foreign countries they have a 230 or 240 volt system, with Japan having a 100 volt system.

Fortunately, most of our electronic devices such a smart phones, iPads, cameras, and laptops are manufactured with an input capacity range of 100 to 240 volts, meaning they will work on the U. S. power grid and also in a country that has 240 volts without the need of a voltage converter.

However, you will need a plug adapter. The electrical outlet configurations are different all over the world.

Getting Prepared: You need to check your charging plug or appliance for the input capacity, especially the voltage (V). It is usually written in very small print and reads something like: “Input 100-240V”. All appliances and devices have the input written on it. If it says “Input 100-240V”, then it will work anywhere. Your hair-dryer’s input is probably “Input 120V”, so if you carry it to another country on a 240V system, you will fry it!

As previously mentioned, you will need a plug adapter when traveling to another country. You can easily find your destination country’s electrical plug configuration by googling plug adapter for the specific country.

The adapters are specified by type. For instance, the plug configuration for the United Kingdom is “Type G” and for India it is “Type D”. You can order one on Amazon.com or other suppliers and they are relatively inexpensive. For the most complete listing of electrical outlet configurations in the world go to http://www.worldstandards.eu/electrical/plugs-and-sockets/ .

There are bulky devices with multiple adapters available but I prefer the simple adapters for the specific country. I would consider getting two plug adapters. Some plug adapters have additional USB ports built in to the device which is a great option.

More Information: Voltage should be your major concern, so check your voltage input capacity. Personally, I would not purchase a voltage converter. Again, check the voltage input and if it is 100-240V you are good to go practically anywhere.

You should not be overly concerned about the amperage; the device will generally pull the amps that it needs. The third electrical input variance would be the Hertz frequency; most electrical devices have a 50-60 Hz range of input that works anywhere. In the United States, our electrical system is 60Hz. As a traveler, I would not be concerned about the Hertz frequency range.

Power Banks: The major need for travelers will be charging cell phones, tablets, and some cameras. I never travel without a power bank which is basically an external battery for devices. I always carry one that has 10000mAh (about four iPhone recharges) and I often carry one that has 22400mAh (about nine charges). They are rechargeable with a micro USB charger cable.

Power banks come in a variety of sizes. They typically range from 2500mAh to 25000mAh (“mAh” means milli-Amp-hours). To keep this simple, it takes about 2500 mAh to charge an iPhone that has about 20 percent battery charge. So, if you had a small power bank of 2500, you could recharge about one time or if you had a 25000 mAh power bank, you could charge your iPhone about ten times. When you charge a tablet or iPad it will take more energy, therefore you will get considerable less recharges out of your power bank.

One thing to keep in mind, power banks are lithium batteries and TSA requires all lithium batteries to be in your carry-on or personal item bag. It is against TSA regulations to put any lithium battery in your checked bag.

USB Ports: The USB ports on chargers, power banks, or any device will have an output of about 5V regardless of the voltage input. However, the output amperage is rated at 1 amp or 2.4 amp depending on the port; they are sometimes labeled “1A” or “2.4A” and sometimes as “iPhone” or “iPad”. Tablets and iPads need to charge on a 2.4 amp port to charge at a decent rate. In my experience, the USB charging ports on airplanes and in cars will charge a phone but not a tablet or iPad. It is my understanding that using a 2.4 amp USB port will not damage a phone because it will pull only about 1 amp.

Enjoy the Journey!

Harry L. Whitt