They Learned the Hard Way

I always take a digital camera with me. Digital is wonderful, because you don't have to worry about film going through the X-ray machines, and you don't have to spend a lot of money on terrible shots. When I return, I can sort through my images, e-mail them to friends, crop them, or even order an album of photos online. —Anne Wood

I record my trips in my mind. I don't even take many photos, because I don't like the immediate barrier this can put up between me and locals. —Bruce Haxton

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Being accessible 24/7 for my 8-year-old daughter is very important to me, so I take advantage of modern advances in telephone technology while on the road. With a GSM quad-band, PDA-phone, I can travel to Europe without needing a new phone number. Plus, it allows me to take pictures or even short videos and e-mail them to friends and family so they know I am still alive. Text messaging is a quick and easy way to connect with people I am rendezvousing with abroad. I get a lot of the same benefits of carrying a laptop when I take a PDA, without having to actually carry my laptop. —Anne Wood

I rely heavily on e-mail. I have a mobile phone with me at all times in case my business or my family needs to reach me urgently. And I use a landline, accessing it with a telephone credit card that bills to one of my numbers, which saves me a fortune as compared to using a mobile phone internationally. —Walter Lowry

I primarily use a cell phone. I hit Wi-Fi once every two or three days to e-mail, and I text my current itinerary to a couple of contacts, so my general whereabouts are known. —Pancho Doll

Postcards. They're really cheap! —Mo Frechette

TOURIST ETIQUETTE

I never wear shorts and sneakers when I travel. I like to fit in (as much as possible) and nothing sticks out more than a white guy in shorts and bright shoes. Don't make assumptions-ask someone if you are uncertain what to do. Realize that you are on someone else's turf, and always be humble. Most of all, be patient: Other cultures operate on a different time frame then we are used to in the States, and things take longer to get done...just expect and accept that, and don't get stressed or be rude about service. —Geoff Watts

If I am going to an area I know has a certain sensitivity to certain clothing, I will respect that. I'll bring a scarf to Turkey if I want to go into the Blue Mosque (or wear their loaner scarf), because I'm a guest. However, no matter where I go, I'm still me, so I bring what I would normally wear, except possibly more wrinkle-resistant fabrics. And then I always try to pick up some common phrases in the local language, such as hello and good-bye, please and thank you. I attempt to speak as much of the local tongue as possible, even if I make an idiot out of myself in the process. Any effort is better than none. —Anne Wood

I never overtip. If foreigners tip too much, it breeds a lack of respect among locals and tourists. For example, in an area where two pesos should be a good tip, if some tourist gives 50 pesos, the local will start to think this is normal and will get angry and pushy with other tourists when they don't do the same. This irritates the tourist, and you can have a spiral of disrespect. —Henry Madden

I'm loud. So are most Americans, relative to the volume in other countries. Lower your voice. —Pancho Doll

DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT...

A little flashlight in case the electricity goes out. We forget how much of the world still doesn't have reliable electricity. Also bring a universal power adapter. —Geoff Watts

If I'm traveling to meet someone, I bring pictures of my business and home area to show what they are like. Gifts for unexpected occasions are nice, too. —Mo Frechette

Purell liquid sanitizer and wipes so that I can "wash" my hands wherever I may be and can wipe down the telephone, TV remote control, etc. in hotel rooms. —Walter Lowry