Dec-14-2010, 08:15 AM (UTC)
(This post was last modified: Dec-14-2010, 10:31 AM (UTC) by redchild.)
Which countries are you headed to, Farseer?
Hah, I got stuck with the bracelet thing in Paris once. They'll come up to you and tell you to hold your hand out and they'll braid a bracelet without mentioning a price. Then they won't leave you alone until you pay up. They probably do other things besides bracelets by now too so just keep smiling and shaking your head and keep walking. Save yourself 5 Euros. I wish someone had warned me earlier
I haven't been pickpocketed before in Europe, but I think the tip about keeping your valuables in multiple places is sound advice. Just don't look "loaded" as in wearing large backpacks with pockets asking to be rifled through, or wear excessive jewellry, brand name everything, keep your arm over your purse etc. Otherwise I don't think there's much to worry about.
I haven't travelled much abroad lately. But since you mentioned "customs," if you ever go visit the States, make sure you look up TSA procedures on what you can or cannot bring with you as carry on or checked baggage onto the plane. Wear slip-on shoes like clogs or loafers and jackets with zippers instead of hoodies. There's been some controversy over new screening procedures that some consider invasive where if the metal detector goes off for you, and you don't want to do a full body scan, you need to go through some full body pat down. I'm not quite sure as to how some people need to go through these screenings, but I think so long as you don't set off the metal detector you should get by pretty quickly, without hassle.
Tourists are pretty welcome in Los Angeles. I suppose many locals take pride in the city, and won't mind giving you tips and pointers. Traffic is terrible though, and as everything in LA is spread out, it's difficult to travel without a car. It's best to travel around during off hours when people are either at work or at home and not commuting. Public transportation has expanded quite a bit, so you could always try that, though I suppose it isn't as efficient as elsewhere.There are also a ton of places to eat out. Almost any sort of cuisine from around the world you can probably find a decent restaurant somewhere. Yelp.com is a useful website to look for places to eat or visit. Also, don't be shocked when you look out the window of the plane as you're landing: that brown stuff is just good ol smog to coat your lungs with (on the plus side, it makes the sunsets look very pretty.)
Hmmm San Francisco is also a nice town, and you won't find any city elsewhere that looks like SF. More expensive than LA, though, but with much cleaner air, and probably more health-conscious. Seattle is also interesting, but very cloud and rainy. August is the best month to visit (you see people sun bathing by the lakes in 20C weather :rolleyes:.) Wherever you go the great thing about the US is you generally don't have to worry about pickpockets.
Oh, I've forgotten HAWAII. You. Must. Go. I warn you, you'll never want to leave.
Hah, I got stuck with the bracelet thing in Paris once. They'll come up to you and tell you to hold your hand out and they'll braid a bracelet without mentioning a price. Then they won't leave you alone until you pay up. They probably do other things besides bracelets by now too so just keep smiling and shaking your head and keep walking. Save yourself 5 Euros. I wish someone had warned me earlier
I haven't been pickpocketed before in Europe, but I think the tip about keeping your valuables in multiple places is sound advice. Just don't look "loaded" as in wearing large backpacks with pockets asking to be rifled through, or wear excessive jewellry, brand name everything, keep your arm over your purse etc. Otherwise I don't think there's much to worry about.
I haven't travelled much abroad lately. But since you mentioned "customs," if you ever go visit the States, make sure you look up TSA procedures on what you can or cannot bring with you as carry on or checked baggage onto the plane. Wear slip-on shoes like clogs or loafers and jackets with zippers instead of hoodies. There's been some controversy over new screening procedures that some consider invasive where if the metal detector goes off for you, and you don't want to do a full body scan, you need to go through some full body pat down. I'm not quite sure as to how some people need to go through these screenings, but I think so long as you don't set off the metal detector you should get by pretty quickly, without hassle.
Tourists are pretty welcome in Los Angeles. I suppose many locals take pride in the city, and won't mind giving you tips and pointers. Traffic is terrible though, and as everything in LA is spread out, it's difficult to travel without a car. It's best to travel around during off hours when people are either at work or at home and not commuting. Public transportation has expanded quite a bit, so you could always try that, though I suppose it isn't as efficient as elsewhere.There are also a ton of places to eat out. Almost any sort of cuisine from around the world you can probably find a decent restaurant somewhere. Yelp.com is a useful website to look for places to eat or visit. Also, don't be shocked when you look out the window of the plane as you're landing: that brown stuff is just good ol smog to coat your lungs with (on the plus side, it makes the sunsets look very pretty.)
Hmmm San Francisco is also a nice town, and you won't find any city elsewhere that looks like SF. More expensive than LA, though, but with much cleaner air, and probably more health-conscious. Seattle is also interesting, but very cloud and rainy. August is the best month to visit (you see people sun bathing by the lakes in 20C weather :rolleyes:.) Wherever you go the great thing about the US is you generally don't have to worry about pickpockets.
Oh, I've forgotten HAWAII. You. Must. Go. I warn you, you'll never want to leave.
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