Posts in Category ‘Wiki’

Santa Fe City Guide

 Located at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the United States, welcomes visitors from around the world with open arms. At an altitude more than 7,000 feet above sea level, the city is filled with architectural anomalies, ruins, and remnants of the past. Check out one of the many art galleries, visit a public market, or explore a museum or two. There’s plenty to do.

WHEN TO VISIT SANTA FE

Black Mesa Golf Course, Santa Fe New Mexico 1

Despite its relatively high altitude, the city of Santa Fe and the surrounding desert area does experience four distinct seasons. The temperatures during each average as follows:

Fall – 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21.1 Celsius)

Winter – 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 Celsius)

Spring – 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26.6 Celsius)

Summer – 90 – 100+ degrees Fahrenheit (32.2 – 37.7 Celsius).

186 Santa Fe, New Mexico, St Francis of Assisi Basilica, Highest Building in Santa Fe

The evenings in Santa Fe are usually about 25 degrees cooler than the afternoon temperatures. Except for during the summer months, this means the evenings are significantly different, so you may want to pack a sweater or jacket for the latter parts of the day.

Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe

Don’t discount Santa Fe during the winter months. Snow falls in the mountains from late December through February, and sometimes as long as April. Skiing in the mountains is a blast and the hotel prices are generally cheaper during the winter months.

TRANSPORTATION THROUGHOUT SANTA FE

Santa Fe Plaza

If you’re staying in a Santa Fe hotel you may just find yourself right within the Santa Fe Plaza. The plaza is incredibly popular amongst tourists, and is the site of several parks, restaurants, museums, and monuments. If you are staying in the plaza you will find it easy to simply travel by foot from destination to destination.

The Governors Palace on the Plaza

Those staying outside of the plaza, on the other hand, have two options. You’ll either have to rent a car and look for parking in the Santa Fe visitor’s center (a feat you’ll only accomplish if you get up early in the morning), or you will have to take the bus to the plaza itself. The tour buses are safe, reliable, and stick to a very regular schedule that runs Monday through Saturday.

Saint Francis Cathedral, Santa Fe

Anyone with plans to travel across town, or to leave the city, will need to rent a car.

HEALTH & SAFETY IN SANTA FE

Don’t forget that you are in a desert climate. If you do opt to rent a vehicle, make sure the gas tank is always full and that you have a gallon of water in the car at all times. Tourists tend to forget to check their gas tanks and frequently find themselves stranded between destinations – a situation that can become very unhealthy during the heat of the day.

When touring Santa Fe, and the surrounding desert areas, make sure you drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen (including chapstick for your lips), and get plenty of rest each evening. Try to eat light meals and avoid alcohol for the first four days you spend in the area so that your body can adjust to the climate.

Dust storms become more frequent during the summer and fall months. If you are on the outskirts of a storm, simply turn your headlights on. If you are in the midst of a very strong storm, which are uncommon, turn your lights off and pull off the road as far as possible.

CONSERVING WATER IN SANTA FE
ANOTHER WATER FALL NEW MEXICO

Those living in the Southwest of the United States already understand how important it is to conserve water. If you are visiting from anywhere else in the country, or the world, you’ll need to help conserve water as well.

Some things you can do to help include:

Taking very short showers;

Turning off the water while you brush your teeth;

Only washing your car at a commercial car wash; and

Reusing your towels.

While drinking water is important, most restaurants won’t serve it to you unless you ask for it. This is to eliminate wasted water glasses, so if you do order it, please try to drink it.

WHAT TO SEE IN SANTA FE

Canyon Road Galleries, Santa Fe, NM

There is certainly enough to see and do in Santa Fe. Start your day with a trip to Canyon Road. The road was at one point a trail used by indigenous people to get to the forest and water above them. The road now features a series of incredible restaurant, art galleries, and shops. Most of the businesses you’ll see will be located in old adobe homes – a testament to the incredible architecture within the city.

You should also make a special effort to visit the Guadalupe District. This area of the city was once the Railyard District, filled with historic warehouses that have since been converted to art galleries, studios, bookstores, and a myriad of other specialty stores. You’ll also find a gorgeous urban park at the corner of Cerrillos Road and Guadalupe Street – the product of years of work and dedication.

Not sure what to see next? Ask the concierge at your Santa Fe hotel for help. There is certainly no shortage of things to see or do in the city. Enjoy!

Veracruz City Guide

 Located right along the Gulf of Mexico, about 5 hours away from Mexico City, is the stunning port city of Veracruz. The city is littered with fascinating historical sites, archaeological mysteries, and colonial charm. If history isn’t your thing, you’ll enjoy the warm sandy beaches, full of cheerful locals and tourists from around the world. It’s not quite off the beaten path, but the city of Veracruz is far from a cheesy tourist trap. You’ll just have to explore it yourself to see.

THE WEATHER IN VERACRUZ

Mexico, Veracruz Ver, Faro Venustiano Carranza,

The city of Veracruz is located within the State of Veracruz, which is located across a widely varied environmental terrain. A huge portion of the state, including the port city itself, experiences relatively moderate temperatures throughout the entire year. Temperatures in the city tend to be warm and humid, with temperatures averaging around 22 degrees Celsius (71.6 Fahrenheit) throughout the year.

Mexico, Veracruz, Amanecer, Vista al Faro Venustiano Carranza desde la ventana del Hotel Emporio

It is important to note that Veracruz, and the rest of Mexico, is prone to hurricanes. Hurricane season in that area tends to be between June and October, just after the rainy season ends. While hurricanes are closely monitored, some people prefer not to travel to Veracruz during this time.

Catedral de Centro de Veracruz, Plaza de Armas, Veracruz Ver.

The area is also prone to cold fronts, which can form any time of the year as cold air masses come up from the Polar Regions. They cold air meets the warm gulf wind and forms clouds and precipitation.

ETIQUETTE IN VERACRUZ

Veracruz, Veracruz – City Busses

When traveling in the city of Veracruz, or in any other area of Mexico, you should follow the same tipping standards you would throughout the rest of North America. Remember, though, that service employees in Mexico do not earn any type of base salary, as opposed to the meager base salaries earned in Canada or the United States. What you leave as a tip is the only income that person may receive.

Proper etiquette, however, dictates leaving your tip in Mexican currency, otherwise known as pesos. If you do not do so, the person you leave the tip for will have to have it exchanged at a bank or financial institution and may incur a processing charge.

El Barrio de La Huaca  – Veracruz, Veracruz

Taxi drivers are part of a union, charge high fees, and usually include the tip in the charge. You do not need to tip a taxi driver unless he goes above and beyond the call of duty for you.

Centro Comercial Plaza de las Americas, Boca del Rio, Veracruz

Make sure you tip about 15-20% of the bill before tax in any restaurant. If you see the word “propina,” the tip has already been included in your bill. You will usually only see this if you are a part of a large dining party.

WHAT TO SEE IN VERACRUZ

Templo de la Santa Veracruz – Toluca, State of Mexico

Believe it or not, the city of Veracruz is actually a combination of two smaller towns – Veracruz and Boca del Rio. They combined into one city, focusing in the center on a 6 mile stretch of land filled with businesses to attract tourists. The Veracruz section of the city is a bit more elegant while the Boca del Rio section of the city focuses on the beaches and beach life.

Beach at our rv park just east of Veracruz

When you get to Veracruz, start your trip with a visit to the Acuario de Veracruz. It is considered the biggest and best aquarium in all of Latin America. You’ll see more than 2,000 different marine species, all of which are native to the Gulf of Mexico, as well as several other exhibits showcasing species from around the world. If you’re brave, you can even take a dive into the aquarium immersion tank to play with the sharks.

The Museo Historico Naval was once the building several navy officers had to call home. Inside you’ll learn about the history of the country’s navy, including four significant battles fought at the port to protect Mexico from the French and the Americas. The only drawback here is that the materials provided for explanation are only offered in Spanish.

A boat in the Naval Museum

If you’re looking for a bit of traditional entertainment, head towards Parque Zamora. Men and women elaborately dressed in traditional garb dance around an old-school Victorian bandstand. The sight alone is magnificent and, you never know, you might just be inspired to join in.

The city of Veracruz is charming in its own right. Book a hotel in Veracruz, pack your bags, and prepare to explore one of the most active sea ports in the entire country. Don’t forget your bathing suit, either. You’ll want to spend some time on the beaches in between excursions into the city.

9 Common Travel Problems When Visiting New Destinations

 Are you planning for that awesome trip that you are about to take and wondering about some common travel problems you are likely to experience? Traveling to new places is good and I like the exposure to a new environment, and new cultures. Additionally, the new means of infrastructure, that awaited flight, including lots of adventure and learning make traveling great.

9 Common Travel Problems When Visiting New Destinations

Visiting new places has never been easier neither has it ever been a walk in the park as it comes with several challenges. These challenges can mess up your trip in a matter of seconds, sometimes you wish you never left home. The good news is you’re reading this and am going to break down some common problems that travelers face when visiting new places.

Sometimes, over travel expectations vs reality don’t exactly match. For you know what to expect and prepare accordingly, here are some common problems that you should know about if you are thinking of visiting a new place.

1. Language Barrier

At most times you are traveling to a new place, communication can be a hassle, especially when you are traveling abroad. For example, if you know only one foreign language, you have to hire a translator to guide you through some basics like asking for directions, ordering for your food in a restaurant, booking a bus ticket or a hotel room. It can turn out to be hectic if you decide to do it on your own. Some people can be very unfriendly and rude making your experience even harder.

2. Weather, Food, Cultural Shocks

The weather that you are used to at home will turn out so different from what you find in the new place. You might be exposed to either very high temperatures during the day, too low temperatures at night, humid weather, rainy days and nights. This leads to sickness or leave you feeling so uncomfortable that you wish you were informed.

You are at times left with little or no choice when it comes to choosing what to dress in. Heavy jacket, scuffs, and boots are not an option while in some environments you will be expected to leave very little clothing covering your skin. This will be a challenge for most of the new travelers.

  • At the restaurants, the food you were used to eating at home might not be there. You will be forced to take what’s available or spend the days on an empty stomach. This can be a big shock having to skip meals at times since everything can be different from what you are used to.
  • Some vegetarians risk spending hours without food as it’s not common to find their foods in most restaurants abroad.
  • Getting safe and clean drinking water, especially for those who are used to taking clean tap water is disastrous. You need to buy bottled water for drinking otherwise you risk diseases.
  • Cultural shocks can also traumatize you. There are different amazing cultures all over the world, in some places, there are things you can’t do at a specific time and others that you can never do at home. For instance, you travel to China where some of the foods they consume are animals that culturally at home not edible by humans.

3. Currency Exchange And Credit Card Transactions

Getting used to your local currency can be a problem when you travel to a different country. Paying for staff or paying bills and bus tickets can be absurd, the figures might look big or small. Sometimes you need a pocket calculator to estimate how much you would have spent at home. Like I always say, some of these common travel problems are caused by limited exposure and culture shock.

Knowledge of how much to spend on food or paying for accommodation can be stressful. You have to consider so much for you not to get off the budget. This is because, you might find it life-threatening when you have run out of cash in an unfamiliar environment. You can end up paying more without your knowledge before you get familiar with the currencies.

Digital Payments
  • If you are coming from a metro environment and you are used to digital methods of payments and transactions, this doesn’t work in remote places. You will be forced to adapt to their modes of operation. At times carrying huge chunks of money in cash will make you feel like tying a death trap on your wallet or bag. This will make you feel insecure at most times since you risk losing your money or being robbed.
Robbery and Theft
  • Fear of getting cheated or robbed. You see new faces every time of the day, giving you a strange feeling of insecurity and not knowing who’s your enemy or friend. Choosing whom to ask for help or direction will take time. Unlike your usual places of operation, you don’t know dangerous places to be at specific times and insecure paths to follow to avoid being mugged.

Most new travelers, on arrival at their destination, don’t have enough of the local currency. When you finally change to the local currency it can be stressing for you to count the money and knowing how to get the best prices for stuff you need to buy.

4. Losing Your Stuff

Even after looking for cheap backpack in great shape to keep your items, you are also at a risk of losing your items if you are not familiar with the place. Due to unfamiliar means of infrastructure, you risk losing your belonging or forgetting some at the bus stop, train station or at the airport. At times you might be very tired after long trips and fall asleep. This can turn out to be a huge risk because someone might take advantage of you and steal some of your precious worth.

5. Missed Or Delayed Flights

 

At times you might be too early to the airport or train station to avoid missing a train or the long-awaited flight. The flight might delay for hours since you know the stress that comes with missing a flight you have to sit and wait. At times you miss connecting flights because you were delayed by the previous flight.

Sometimes, you get to wait long hours and days to connect. These inconveniences lead to an increase in the amount you spend waiting. You might have to get a hotel room to spend a night or two waiting for the connecting flight.

Here are some common reasons for missed or delayed flights:
  •  You might be waiting for connecting bags. 
  •  Waiting for the cargo to be loaded. 
  •  Correcting some security problems before flights. 
  •  Poor weather conditions can affect your planned flight. 
  •  Some of the common travel problems  result from mechanical delays. 
  •  Congestion at the airport. 
  •  Delays in catering trucks because they attend other airports too. 
  •  Weight restriction and traffic air control. 

6. Gross Accommodation

Stained carpets, dirty bedding and uncomfortable couch in your hotel room might not be what you are used to. The attendants always have an excuse or two for a broken toilet bowl or sink but that was different from what you paid for. The noise from the surrounding might be a nuisance to your rest and sleep.

Unless you booked an Airbnb, you might not get a refund or even transfer to another hotel. Feeling insecure about where to leave your passport and other valuables when you are out of the room. At that moment you don’t trust anyone.

7. Feeling Lonely

The feeling of not being with your friends and family members can be worrying. You will take time making new friends and adapting to some of the foreign customs. These frustrations of having to live with new people can be annoying.

Some people’s cultures might be irritating.  And your new friends will look comfortable with most of the things they do leave you with no choice but to adapt. You will miss the attention you receive from your loved ones, wanting to know how you are doing or how you feel.

Communication with people at home can be a disaster because you incur high costs of calls and sending texts. This can end up making you purchase new Sim cards for your mobile phone to call family and friends. In remote areas where WiFi connection is a problem, simply using the internet is a hassle. With a poor internet connection, things even get harder. This is because, at some point you need to mobile apps for navigation, maps for directions, social media and other essentials you are fond of.

8. Falling Sick

Any individual’s health is very important in regards to general work performance and well-being. This can be caused by a lot of reasons. For instance, exposure to unusual and sometimes harsh climatic conditions. Additionally, different foods,  lifestyle and long hours of travel can make you fall sick. Common sickness includes flu’s, diarrhea, stomach upsets, fever, dehydration etc.

Your travel agency can deny you medical claims meaning that you have to spend more money to get medication. Some of the insurance companies might not work outside your country, making insured bills like medical bills to demand a lot from you. Language can also be a problem expressing yourself to the doctor or pharmacist. You might the help of an interpreter to help you which is hectic.

 

9. Freaking Out

There are so many people waiting for innocent travelers so as to scam them. Taxi drivers may take longer routes to your destinations. You can find yourself purchasing low-quality products unknowingly and at times even pay bribe to law enforcers for basic services.

For those who visit night clubs for a bear or two, you risk getting drugged and getting lost on your way back to your hotel room. Generally, when you are new to a place there are so many people who will try to take advantage of you.

The worst of all feelings is when you know you have to get back home and leave all the experience you got in the new place.

CLOSURE

Traveling to new places is one of the best things you can do because you get the opportunity to interact with new people and learn different cultures. If you are aware of potential problems you are likely to encounter in a new place, then it will be easy for you to take the right measures.

Try your best to prepare accordingly and as you go looking for a cheap backpack in great shape to carry your gear. Also, endeavor to find the best ways to address these problems. Make your stay memorable and not full of I wish someone had warned me.

With a travel side and a portable GPS device, you can be a master of your new place. Not only will you know where you are but also avoid getting lost in your new place. The point is, with good preparation and planing, you can always avoid or overcome these common travel problems.