Yes, indeed, be a good guest…. and spend time with the local people! Meeting beautiful people is one of the great joys of traveling and one finds them everywhere!

I swear that is not an add, I am just a happy customer.

I agree with you about the hotel exercise tip. Feeling sluggish from flying, etc is taken care of by going to the fitness center of the hotel of doing some workouts in the room. For me, that makes all the difference in the world.

Many trips the co-pilot ends up doing a lot of the flying, actually. Most of the aircraft commanders are more intent on teaching young pilots then getting hours themselves which is what makes our Air Force great!

>Most of us have a natural wanderlust, but for many, the realities of airport security, lost luggage and awkward language barriers can suck the wind out of our sails — the very sails that were supposed to take us to our exotic locations.
Very well put!

Tipping is an interesting thing for sure. I guess I tend to look at it more like charity than I do a payment for work. Not saying this is right or wrong, but it helps me feel a little better about giving it at least.

@ Ankesh,

If there’s one place I wouldn’t want to tick off a cabbie it would be New York, I bet that was hilarious!

@ Greg M,

Like your point about being an ambassador for the US every time you go overseas. If more people operated under this belief I think the American image may be a bit better.

@ John at Hella Sound,

I didn’t try Vegemite unfortunately…or fortunately depending on your view. My wife grew up in South Africa and they had it down there every once and a while. She told me unless you grew up with it you probably wouldn’t like it. Have you tried it?

@ Jennifer in Vermont,

Here’s a great guide to tipping overseas – http://www.magellans.com/store/article/367

@ Phui Yi,

So glad that you’re enjoying the blog. I try to produce content that others will find useful. Sometimes I succeed, other times I fail, but it’s great having readers like you to encourage me.

@ Kenzie,

Thanks for your kind words! I definitely feel lucky to get to travel as much as I do. The only downside of course is being away from Mar and Malone. But, I figure they are all just scouting trips for future family vacations. Glad you’re reading my blog. How’s Steamboat?