Post Highlights: [3/21/2009]
Post Highlights are a selection of the best and most popular posts from the past two weeks updated every other Saturday. Another great way to get the best of foXnoMad is to subscribe to my RSS feed (what is RSS?).
How to Fight the Airlines Effectively
As savvy travelers you can fight the airlines and get compensation when you deserve it by being an effective complainer.
Smart Bargaining When You Don’t Know the Local Language
Much of bargaining is based on subtle physical mannerisms and a proper focus, both of which don’t require you to know more than a few words in any language.
Dealing With A Dead Camera Battery on the Road
Unfortunately there aren’t many options to getting a charge if you don’t have a charger or aren’t near a plug, but you can deal with a dead camera battery by not making the situation worse.
Dealing With A Dead Camera Battery On The Road
March 19, 2009 by Anil P.
Filed under Pictures and Video
In the middle of a long road trip, you drive up on a breathtaking natural wonder that instantly makes you reach for your camera. Everything is going as planned, except when you hit the ‘power’ button on your camera nothing happens. This was the case for me the other day while traveling through Kansas, and it got me thinking about what you can do to handle such a situation.
Unfortunately there aren’t many options to getting a charge if you don’t have a charger or aren’t near a plug, but you can deal with a dead camera battery by not making the situation worse.
- Get Over It - After confirming that you don’t have a spare battery and that there is no outlet in the middle of the desert don’t spend anytime being frustrated. Not having a working camera only prevents you from taking pictures and don’t let that stop you from keeping the trip going.
- Buy A Disposable - This obviously won’t work everywhere and will have you backtracking a bit, but if you’re relatively near civilization and simply must have that shot a disposable camera will do the trick. (I don’t recommend keeping one on hand at all times though, since high temperatures can warp film and won’t hold up over a few weeks in a backpack.)
- Set Up For A Desperation Shot - Heat dissipates the charge of most batteries fairly quickly and you can try removing the battery and cooling it off on hot days for the chance at one last shot. Most camera batteries sputter a few times before completely dying, so don’t waste what’s left by turning the thing on and off. Set up and get a good angle on the shot you want and fire the trigger as soon (if at all) the camera turns on.
- Don’t Neglect Other Cameras - Your laptop or cell phone is probably equipped with a built in camera (or you might have a USB web cam). It can’t hurt to take a shot with these devices if you remember that you have them on you. (As I write this I’m just remembering that I should have done this, but forgot about the web cam I always have in my backpack.)
- Sketch It In Your Journal - Pen and paper are small travel essentials that don’t get much love in the digital age. Ever since my sister bought me a journal a few years ago for my birthday, I write a little here and there when I’m traveling. Jotting down a basic image of that scene you couldn’t capture with your camera will bring back the memories years later.
A Guide To Sleeping In Hostels – [Part 2 of 2]
March 18, 2009 by Anil P.
Filed under Guest Post, Lodging
Yesterday, in part 1, Hostel Bloggers ran down some basic tips on booking and choosing a good hostel. Today, in the second part of their guest post they’ll help you understand shared rooms, how to pay, and some general pros and cons.
Decide What you Want!
What really makes a ‘good’ hostel, though, depends on what you want out of the trip. If you’re looking to party and meet new people, look for a hostel aimed at young travelers, with lots of social events.
Want a friendly, laid-back atmosphere? Then choose a smaller, independent hostel, which is less intimidating, especially if it’s your first time staying in this environment.
Each hostel has its own character – so it’s best to do a little bit of research to find the best place for you.
Private or Shared?
There are two different ends of the hostel room scale – from a basic bunk in a dorm with shared bathroom facilities to an en-suite private room or apartment with private living and kitchen space as well. Many hostels offer a range of mixed and single-sex dorms to choose from, and it’s always best to double check that the shared rooms have single bunks if you don’t fancy an unexpected bed mate…
Think carefully before choosing your room type to find the best value for money – you might like a bit of privacy on holiday, but do you really need an en-suite shower when you’ll only use it a few times a day?
Dormitories can be off-putting as large groups of friends can be split up and, ultimately, you can’t choose who you share with.
If other guests in your room are affecting your stay, you have every right to complain to the hostel manager – but in my experience travelers are usually considerate!
A Guide To Sleeping In Hostels – [Part 1 of 2]
March 17, 2009 by Anil P.
Filed under Guest Post, Lodging
Heard about hostels but never stayed in one? In part 1 of this guest post, Hostel Bloggers runs down the basics so you’ll know what to expect before you book your first stay in a hostel.
A Guide To Sleeping In Hostels
One of the most important considerations when traveling from country to country is where you’re going to crash and rest your weary head. With all this talk of economic meltdown across the world, more people are looking to travel on the cheap, which has really put the humble hostel on the map.
No longer just for backpackers, you can find different types of hostel in destinations all over the world, from traditional youth hostels to the chic ‘boutique hostel’ aimed at a new breed of budget traveler who doesn’t mind sharing rooms as long as the interior is cool, modern and stylish.
However, it can still be a bit intimidating sleeping in a hostel for the first time – what if all the horror stories about curfews and crowded dorms are true? For all the ‘hostel virgins’ out there taking the first steps away from faceless budget hotel chains, here’s a guide to sleeping in hostels.
Booking a Hostel
The reason you often hear about bad experiences is that there are some hostels out there that take budget to the basic extreme. But the competition between different properties hoping to attract the flashpackers (tech-savvy travelers with more money to spend and higher demands) mean that good hostels now happily outweigh the bad.
The best way to make sure you stay somewhere that meets your needs is to book online with a reputable provider before you travel. Here you can see other guests’ reviews, images, and (increasingly) videos of the accommodation that saves you having to turn up and take a chance.
If you prefer to be a bit more spontaneous, it’s a good idea to remember that the best hostels book up quickly in high season, although large chain hostels (such as St. Christopher’s) are generally a safe bet.
What Makes a Good Hostel?
When you’re looking through the available accommodation, a ‘good’ hostel will tend to have a friendly staff and multilingual reception and no strict rules and curfews.
Other things to look out for include; a safe area for your belongings (lockers in each form, lockable wardrobe or a safe behind the front desk), clean bathrooms, internet facilities and sociable areas to relax with other travelers. Most modern hostels also have kitchen facilities, linen and breakfast available.
Tomorrow Hostel Bloggers will have more information on private vs. shared rooms, payment options, and some extra tips as finish up their guide to sleeping in hostels in part 2.
[photo by: 733.]
