Need to know | Okvaca

First time on Megabus

Over the past year I've heard a lot about the Megabus. Most of what I've heard were good experiences. Fast forward a year later and I'm taking the Megabus from New York to Philadelphia for St. Patrick's day celebration. Go black Irish. I'm no where near Irish blood by the way. The Megabus website is easy to use. Log on to megabus.com choose the city your leaving from and to. Next screen gives you the options of round trip or single ride. At first glance I noticed that the times leaving early in the morning were cheaper and mid day was more expensive by a few dollars. I'm talking about a $3-5 dollar differences. Not bad. Mind you, I'm the type of guy that likes to drive everywhere. I find it more comfortable to use your own vehicle becuase you choose when you want to leave and return. But with gas prices being high, price of tolls, & traffic,aAnd overall not wanting to have to pay for parking in Philadelphia, I figured it's time to try out the Megabus. Especially, since it was $24 round trip. Can't beat that unless you get one of the dollar deals that Megasbus usually offers. Like most transportation organizations, the date that you book affects the prices that you receive. So book early. Needless to say I missed the first bus to Philly by 3 minutes thanks to the LIRR running late. The nice workers of Megabus allowed me to get on the 1:40pm bus to Philly. The line was 1/3 of the way full. So make sure you arrive early because that's what experienced Megabus takers do to get the best seats. Please note that if you miss the bus or decide to take an earlier or later bus, you have to pay $5. As I waited for the bus, I didn't notice any chaos. Everything was nice and orderly. One bus comes everyone's lines up in an orderly fashion and gets on. When you get on the double decker you will notice the funky colored chairs, lots of isle lights, mini tv's, power sockets for every seat. Once the bus start moving, a video will come one telling you all the features of the bus and safety tips such as emergency exits. The bus comes with free Wi-Fi which is a plus. If you are going on a long trip load your laptop, tablets, ipods & other mp3's with a movie, apps, or good books. Overall the seats were comfortable with enough leg room. The Wi-Fi worked twice out of the 2hr ride to philly. Probably do to everyone trying log in at the same time. If you have a 3g/4g phone your should not have a problem with connection as you rise down the highway. As we passed all the stores, skyscrapers, landscapes, etc it made me glad that I wasn't driving because I got to enjoy what I was seeing. Overall my first experience on the Megabus was good. I felt safe, the bus was clean, the passengers were not obnoxious. We didn't hit traffic and the best part about the trip is that I could take a nap. I would defintely ride on the Megabus again. Well I have to to return home.

International Checklist

1. Passport (with more than 6 months left until it expires). Some countries will not let you visit if your passport is about to expire. Make copies of your I.D, passport, bank records, travel schedule, etc. and leave one copy with an emergency contact and take the other with you if you lose your information. 2. Visa (some countries require a visa before you can enter) others give you a visa on arrival. 3. Register with your embassy. When you register with you embassy it gives them a count of how many of their citizens are abroad in case of a natural disaster or attacks on foreigners. 4. Tickets (train, plane, boat) 5. A small travel bag that has toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, nail clippers 6. Pocket size card of medical records in case you require special care 7. A backpack so you can carry items in your bag without people knowing what you have. I suggest you get a shoulder messenger bag in order to keep your eye on it at all times. When you carry a backpack, it’s hard to see whose walking behind you or if your backpack is being unzipped without your knowledge. A common trick of thieves is to have one person bump into you while the other thief unzips or rips your backpack with a knife (these thieves are very good at what they do) but if you have a messenger bag, you can keep your hands on your bag the entire time. 8. Emergency numbers of police, ambulance, or your embassy 9. A voltage converter. Most countries outside of the United States of America use 220V or higher. U.S.A uses 110v & 120v. A voltage converter allows you to change the voltage from 220v to 110v or 120v. This is a called a step down converter. You can also change the voltage from 110v to 220v. This is called a step up converter. When you purchase a converter, it usually has the step up and step down options. A voltage converter is necessary because if the wrong voltage is inputted or outputted, your electronic device may overheat and blow up. In some cases, you can cause a fire.

10. Wall outlet converter. Wall outlets are different depending on the country you are visiting. It is important to carry a universal adapter in your travel bag so you can plug-in your device to any outlet. A voltage converter is different from an adapter because an adapter merely allows you to plug-in our device. It does not affect the voltage power of your device.

11. A way to contact your loved ones (Skype, Google Voice, Social media, international phone, magic jack, what’s app (App that allows you to contact anyone in any country that has the app. All you need is to download the app and the country code of the telephone number you want to reach. App works with 3G or higher and Wi-Fi) 12. Open an account with bank that has no international or domestic bank fee’s (Schwab, ally bank) are two that I know of far and they great customer service. I remember losing my card in Singapore and they sent me a new one within 3 days. 13. Notify your bank that you will be traveling abroad so they don’t cancel your purchases or freeze your account. Some banks may have agreements with ATM companies and as a result you will not get charged. Check the back of your bank cards for names such as Interlink, Plus, or Cirrus. Some ATM’s will be marked with those common names, if so; your bank might have an agreement with those ATM companies. Check with your bank, most of this information can be found at the bank website. 14. Notify your insurance company that you will be traveling abroad. Get a list of what they will cover for health reasons. Some insurance companies will not cover you if you get hurt overseas. 15. A packed suitcase or carry-on bag 16. A travel log on a notepad 17. A net book computer or tablet with Wi-Fi (better to travel light) 18. A smart phone with Wi-Fi 19. International drivers license (AAA usually offers an international license for a small price) 20. Get ready to have a great time! Listed above are a few items that I thought were important to do or have. If you know of anything else that I should put on the list, please let me know and I will update this article. Pictures in this article were taken from Bing and Google.com. Featured picture is from a trip to Bali Indonesia. Follow this blog and pass it on to your friends.

Avoid being scammed on Airbnb

Twas the week before New Year’s and the consensus was out “we’re not doing the bar crawl madness lets rent us a house!” no pushing, no shoving, no potential bar fights. No cramped crowded spaces just some close friends and I. What better way to ring in the New Year than a prime view of the ball drop from a penthouse overlooking the NYC skyline. Imagine with me if you will; champagne, confetti, Ciroc and sexy people just being sexy people, the kinda party you see in commercials and think man I want to fly out on my private jet and sip a tasty beverage underneath a palm tree having irreverent fun …but since I’m not P.Diddy and I don’t have that bank roll, I settled for an upscale yet affordable apartment I found on Airbnb.com. About a month ago I discovered Airbnb.com though an associate of mine, who raved about the great alternative to hotels. Well this week I decided to explore the site and I was pleasantly surprised and intrigued to see the great options and affordable prices. After conferring with my friends and some debate we all settled on a, for lack of a better term, perfect unit entitled “COMFORT OF HIGH END AWAIT YOU HERE”. We looked over the pictures read the landlord policy we decided that this was a great fit, close to Times Square and other fun attractions we decide to contact the host and book this steal! Well this is where things got a little bit sticky. After emailing the host through the Airbnb site she requested that we exchange personal emails, which I did since this was my first time on this site and I figured maybe this is how it works. She then proceeded to tell me the rates and etc. The deal was almost sealed but a red flag was flown when she wanted me to use Money Gram or Western Union as opposed to a credit card or PayPal service to pay the fees. After closer review a few more red flags popped up.

The warning signs on Airbnb

The place was being rented out for $200 a night, which was not too bad
They didn’t care about extra guest, like no limit if this was my house I would care
The pictures on the site did not look like a typical New York City skyline try to have an idea of what the area looks like…Google the address just to be safe
The pictures looked like a computerized 3D model or something from an architectural design used to sell to potential clients
The pixels on the images looked fake (even cheap point and shoot cameras take better pictures
The host had no reviews or friends
The host wanted us to send money via Money gram or Western Union
The host wanted to do business outside of the Airbnb site which is against Airbnb policy

Let’s just say we are a bit more trusting because it’s the holiday season and couldn’t fathom someone trying to rip us off, so we went against our better judgment and put a hold on the apartment. That’s when the host wanted our contact information and a $600 deposit to be sent via Money Gram or Western Union. For those of you who’ve done business online, most places use PayPal, credit card, debit card, and other certified online payments. Never send cash! You want to use certified payments because those can be easily tracked by your bank or Credit Card Company and if a transaction goes south getting a refund is much easier. In case you need to file a police report; you can show evidence that you actually made payments to that person or organization. When doing business online, it’s best to use a credit card.

Below is the message we received from the host on Airbnb:

Hi Jane Doe, Okay here is the basic information about the apartment that you should know………. The Address of the Apartment is xxx West 4xrd Street, New York, NY, the apartment is on the 5th floor of elevator building with 24/7 concierge and doorman service. The apartment is available for your desire dates Dec 30 – Jan 01? The rental fee for 2nights is $400 (@200 a night) Wi-Fi with free internet wireless is provided. The unit also have laundry facilities, washer and dryer ready for use, all other utilities such electricity, water and others has been included in the rental fee. 1) Living room couch which includes a pull out sofa for sleep. 2) 2 bedrooms, sleeps maximum of seven people Bedroom 1 – 1 queen, Bedroom 2 – queen . Bed sheets are provided. Bedroom 3 has two twin beds which can be made into a queen size upon your request. 3) 2 bathroom(s) , Bathroom 1 – Toilet, Combination Tub/Shower, Bathroom 2 – Toilet, Shower. Towels and linens provided 4) New kitchen includes microwave, full size oven, toaster, coffee maker and cooking utensils to satisfy the most discriminating gourmet chef. Elegant living and dining area appointed with large flat-screen TV and excellent music system, including dining area, seating for 6 people. If you are contented with the amenities of the apartment you can contact us to book the apartment now. Below is the requirement for securing the apartment, The rental fee = $400 Damage security deposit = $200 (Fully Refundable on your Departure day) You are to Pay = $600 To affirmed your booking reservation dates in advance… Payment Method Via: Secure Money Gram OR Western Union Transfer.. Kindly get back to us for the booking rental agreement form if you are able to meet the requirement of reserving this awesome home away from home apartment. The apartment is centrally located. Nearby you’ll find the Hudson Theater, Foxwoods Theater, Times square, Bryant park, Central park, Empire Building, , world class Restaurants and the best bookstores and coffee shops in all of New York . The wonderful thing about Manhattan its history and the world class amenities in it for pleasuring travelers. You can walk to many attractions as you wishes. Best Regards, Sandra and Stephen.

After we decided to channel Sherlock Holmes and not inspector gadget; we contacted Airbnb and they sent us this beautiful reply:

Marie E, Dec 21 08:21 (PST): Hello Jane Doe, Thanks again for calling Airbnb. It was my pleasure to assist you today. I have retracted your reservation request with Sandra L.We have released the hold on your visa for 224.00, and the funds will be available shortly. I would advise you not to contact this host again, or any other host that asks you to send them money directly, or contact them offsite.Our guidelines for using Airbnb: We require all contact between hosts and potential guests to be handled on the site before a reservation has taken place to maintain your privacy, help provide customer support,and adhere to the Airbnb Terms of Use. This means that you should not exchange addresses, websites, email addresses, or telephone numbers before having an accepted reservation. Read more about why it’s necessary to keep your communication and transactions on our site: www.airbnb.com/help/question/209 For your convenience, you can take advantage of our Voice Connect feature, which enables a host to call potential guests directly through the website without revealing personal contact information to either party. Look for it in our FAQs! If you have any more questions, let us know. Best regards, Marie E So in closing If at any time, you do not feel comfortable booking online, please contact the company who’s offering the services to make sure their postings are legitimate. Do not get caught up in the moment of having a beautiful place to hang out with a few friends just to end up being a victim of a scam or potential scam. Take everything you see online with a grain of salt. Protect yourself and remember all that glitters is not always for rent. I would like to thank Airbnb for their quick response and making sure that their customers are satisfied. Airbnb has specific guidelines to help its hosts and customers protect themselves. Please familiarize yourself with them. This incident did not deter us from using Airbnb. Fraudulent people are everywhere, the purpose of this article is to teach you some warning signs, for you to learn to trust your instincts and always ask questions.

The best time to travel!

The best time to travel is now! Like right now! Read my article on the international checklist and drive to the nearest airport and get on the next international flight. Be spontaneous! Well at least once you are done reading this article you can go on your merry way. There are many reasons why people don’t get out of their comfort zone and see the world or even the next state. But the worse excuse is “I’m Busy.” The last time I checked, we only had one life to live, so why waste that time being busy and not taking the time to explore this beautiful world? Now, I’m not saying you use every bit of your time traveling the world (but if you have the money for it, do it) but for the rest of us who are working a 9am-5pm or longer, ask yourself this question? When was the last time you took the time to go visit an aunt, uncle, cousin, sister, or best friend in the next town or the next country? When was the last time you and your spouse went somewhere together and just enjoyed where you are? No work deadlines, no annoying family members, insert any distraction in that sentence. The point is, when was the last time you took a break? Some of us go through life thinking that we have an abundance of time and tomorrow is promised. When in actuality, it’s not promised. From the time you were born, your time on Earth started ticking till the day you meet your maker. I am not trying to be dramatic. Just putting things in perspective. As a society, we need to learn to take mini vacations. You don’t have to wait till you’re retired to enjoy the good life. Enjoy it as you go. You don’t need to go around the board once to collect $200. Traveling gives you a different perspective on life that you can’t get behind a cash register or working in a cubicle. I’ve made it a personal goal to visit at least one new country every year. So far I’ve traveled to many parts of South East Asia and China and that in it’s self is a life changing experience.

Must have communication tools

Buy a phone that takes sim cards. I suggest a blackberry or Nokia or any unlocked phone with Wi-Fi capability. You can purchase a sim card to use once you land at your destination for $8-$20USD depending on what you need. This will give you access to a local number. It’s also good to know the country code when dialing in or out. When I was traveling throughout Asia, I used an old Nokia (blackberry look a like) and an unlocked IPhone 3GS. I used the same sim card interchangeably. The battery on the Nokia lasted longer because it was a smart phone, so I would switch the sim cards. The iPhone was good for free Wi-Fi and downloading apps. Magic Jack Magic Jack is another great technology that allows you to utilize a land-line phone or your computer to make phone calls at reasonable price. The Internet Internet café’s are all over the place no matter where you travel. You can use these places for a small fee to book flights, hotels, hostels, and to print. For example, Singapore has free public WiFi throughout most parts of the country, so if your device has WiFi capabilities, you can pick up the internet. When I was in Vietnam, the internet would come in and out, that’s because sometimes the government shuts it down for periods of times. Most hostels and hotels have free wi-fi or a lobby that has the internet. You can find the internet pretty much anywhere. That should be the least of your worries. If you plan on backpacking throughout any part of the world or living there for a few months, I suggest you get a local plan and not try to use your phone from back home as your main service. Unless you have the money or you have a company paying for your expenses, using your phone abroad is expensive and a waste of funds. Skype, Ovoo, Google Voice, and other video services You can sign up to any of these tools to make phone calls and video-conferences to your friends, family, and co-workers. Read the terms of use because this technology tools might be restricted to just the U.S.A and affiliate countries.

Get your Visa

Before going on an adventure to a foreign country, make sure you have a visa otherwise you will not be permitted into that country. Depending on your country of citizenship, you may or may not be required to get a visa to enter a foreign country. Check with your embassy and that of the foreign countries embassy to see if a visa is required. Most requests can be filled online and paid with a credit card and you can complete the process once you arrive at your destination. When filing for the visa you must say why you are visiting that country. Examples are business, vacation, school, and to visit family. In some Asian countries, vacation is called holiday or leisure. In some instances, your length of stay in a foreign country is dependent on the nature of your visit (business, vacation, school, and to visit family). Most countries have a Foreigners section of the public Security Bureau where you can apply for an extension to stay longer. Depending on the country you are visiting, you will be given the option of one entry or multiple entries. Single Entry visa Single entry into a foreign country is usually valid for 3 months for a maximum of 30 days. Double entry visa Double entry allows you to have two entries on a single visa which means you can leave and renter without reapplying. For example, when you apply for a Chinese visa you can apply for a single or double entry for the same price. You will have a window of 3 to 6 months to travel around the country. Once your 30days are up on one of the entries, you have to leave the country and come back on the same visa if you have a double entry visa. Vietnam gives you multiple entries but you have to do it all within 30 days. Once the visa expires, you have to reapply. Visa Waiver Program Allows for citizens or nationals of countries participating in the program to enter a country for 90 days without a visa for business and tourism. According to the United States of America’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website, these countries are part of the Visa waiver program.

Andorra
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brunei
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece

Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Korea, Republic of
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco

Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Portugal
San Marino
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan (see note below)
United Kingdom

Click the link below for more information about the visa waiver program from the DHS website http://www.dhs.gov/visa-waiver-program-passport-requirements-timeline E- Passport Most modernized countries have high tech airports that contain electronic passport reading machines. So if your passport is equipped with the E-passport symbol you can use the machines to get in and out of the airport quicker. Most countries have their own rigorous requirements to obtaining an E-passport. The best way to get information is to visit the customs and border protection department of your country of citizenship. Picture of E-Passport taken from U.S.A DHS website

15 Keys to Negotiating in a Foreign Country

If you are the first person to arrive at the shopping outlets in the morning, the vendor must make a sale to you because they feel it is bad luck to start the day off without closing a deal. Call it superstition but it is what it is. Be prepared to negotiate.
Most of the outlets sell the same items so walk around and get feel for your environment before purchasing
You will not pay the same price as a local
Everyone speaks your language when it’s time to buy
Be assertive but not rude, show no fear
Never look at the item you want to purchase, focus on the items surrounding it to get a feel for the price range and work you way up to the item that you want to buy
Know how much you are willing to pay (print out a currency conversion chart so that way you won’t have to do manual calculations) I used to print out the conversion in small font and tape it on the back of my phone or within a tiny notebook
Most of the shopping outlets use calculators when negotiating, so know how to use one
If the vendor is trying to sell you something for $20USD and you know it’s supposed to be less than that, you should respond with a price that is extremely low like $3USD. This is done so you can meet in the middle.
Be prepared to walk away! If negotiations are not going well. 85% of the time, the vendor will call you back because they don’t want to miss out on a sale.
Listen in to other negotiations to see what prices are being thrown out there
If it's just you and the vendor, take him/her to the side and negotiate privately to get better deals
Depending on the time of day, you will get different deals. Mid afternoon to evening, you will get cheaper deals because vendors want to close shop on a good note.
Ask the vendor “Do you want to make money today? Because I want to spend.” “So give me a great deal.”
Good luck and have fun, the more you practice, the better you get at it

If you like this article please subscribe and send to your friends. Let me know of any additional negotiating tips and I will add it to this article