In the days leading up to my adventure in Mexico, I shared my efforts to make my iPhone “Mexico compatible.” Using your cell phone in a foreign country can result in shockingly high “roaming charges.” In one case reported by the New York Times, a U.S. tourist racked up over $3,000 in roaming charges while [...]
Posts from ‘June, 2009’
Tourists Safe in Honduras Despite Coup, Experts Say
American citizens should defer all non-essential travel to Honduras until further notice, the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa recommended today in a public announcement. The notice was issued in response to the events surrounding the coup of Honduras President Manuel Zelaya. The government of Honduras has imposed a curfew from 9 pm June 29th to 6 [...]
Working Up the Courage to Visit Mexico City
As much as I enjoy Mexico, the thought of visiting Mexico City still sends a tremor of fear down my spine. This is especially vexing because the city has become increasingly intriguing to me over the past year or so. But regardless of whether my feelings are rational are not, I’m in pretty good company [...]
A Walk Down the Time Share Echo Chamber
People worry about being robbed or swindled during a vacation. But our biggest problem during our trip in Mexico last week was trying to prevent people from paying for our snorkeling trip and other activities. Why would we stop someone from doing this? The “catch” was having to listen to a 90-minute sales pitch about [...]
Can You Keep a Secret? Mexico Is a Superb Value
As the only diners on the roof top terrace of the small hill-top restaurant in Mexico, my family almost had the place to ourselves. The sole exception was the Mexican couple who owned the place and lived there. But after the woman’s second or third trip up the steep stairway from the kitchen to attend [...]
Headed Down Old Mexico Way
Like the song says: I’m headed down old Mexico way. Thankfully, unlike the song “Old Mexico Way“, the “Federal B.I.” isn’t chasing me and I’m not “prison bound.” Instead, I’ll be enjoying a long overdue vacation in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta with my family. I’ll keep a lookout for new experiences and insights to share [...]
Trying to Speak Spanish? Steer Clear of Amigos Falsos
To…endure the betrayal of false friends…This is to have succeeded–Ralph Waldo Emerson. To most English speakers, Spanish can seem like an accessible language. Many times finding the right word is as easy is adding an “o” or an “a” at the end of an English word. Take: banco (bank), música (music), and telefono (telephone). But [...]
Five Travel Hacks for Trips to Anywhere
Here are five practical tips to ensure that your next journey goes smoothly: Find a good deal on an apartment. If you’re planning to visit a month or two, renting an apartment will be less expensive than staying at a hotel. The Family Hack blog tells you how to find an apartment and use your [...]
Travel as Escape From the Rat Race? Think Again
“The trouble with being in the rat race is that even if you win, you’re still a rat.” – Lily Tomlin Cancun on a spring morning. That was the view from the room of the posh resort my future wife and I gazed out at upon awakening after a long night enjoying the city’s bars [...]
Some Tips on Tipping in Restaurants in Latin America
Like many rules of etiquette, violating a country’s tipping practices can lead to hurt feelings and uncomfortable situations. Tipping is something you want to get just right. Not tipping enough engenders ill will and poor service, while tipping too much puts an unnecessary drag on your travel budget. Because tips or “propinas” are a basic [...]
