Which Is The Cheapest Country You’ve Traveled In?

With the euro at an all time high against the dollar, I thought it’d be helpful to find the cheapest country you’ve traveled to, to help your fellow Mobal Members who are feeling the pinch…

Please reply with your tips either in the comments box below, or email me at michael@mobalphone.com

Posted in Travel Tips on the May 19th, 2008. This post has 3 Comments »

June’s 5 Must Know Travel Tips

1. How To Release A Stuck Zipper On The Road

I’m enjoying the travel tips … and have a recommended addition to # 26 re: the “stuck zipper”. While lip balm or candle wax aren’t always available to free up a stuck zipper, soap always is! And it’s free. And it washes away easily when necessary. I’ve used it for decades and it ALWAYS works. It is also useful when the slide-away handles of rolling luggage get stuck … just rub the rails of the slider with any bar soap and voila … as good as new!

Barton Hodes, Tucson, Arizona

2. Ladies, How To Pack Light

PACK LIGHT, WOMEN, REGARDLESS OF LENGTH OF STAY:
Avoid waiting at the airport or worse yet, experiencing lost luggage. For a spring, winter, or fall trip to England: Travel with just a carry-on and a smaller purse/bag. In two-gallon Ziplock bags, pack 3 short-sleeve knit shirts, 2 long-sleeve knit shirts, 1 sweater, and two pr. of black wrinkle-free dress pants. (two shirts or pants per bag. Makes for easy retrieval of your clothes, especially if you have to dump everything out at the airport, and keeps clothes from getting wrinkled.)

Also pack two Cudl-Duds t-shirts and two Cudl-Duds long johns. Works for pjs and layering if the weather is cold. On the plane, wear black wrinkle-free dress pants, long-sleeve knit shirt, polar fleece zip jacket and rain-repellent lined jacket with hood. Wrinkle-free black pants and black shoes always looks semi-dressy. Take Tide packets and a clothesline.

Whether you’re going to be gone for 7 days or 17 days, these clothes, along with a few undies and sox, will be plenty for the entire trip, since you can do mini-laundry every few days. Of course you’ll take the toiletries that fit into a quart ziplock, copies of your documents, and your camera.

3. How To Avoid Holding People Up On Metro Systems

DON’T HOLD UP THE QUEUE:
For quick passage through Tube Turnstiles, keep your Visitor Travelcard or Oyster card in your inside left breast pocket of your jacket (if right-handed) and right inside breast pocket (if left handed). If you don’t have an inside pocket, sew one in by hand. It’s very handy for quick retrieval and safe-keeping of your travelcard.

Judy

4. How To Avoid Jet Lag

ANOTHER JET-LAG AVOIDANCE TIP:
Don’t change your watch until you get to your destination. That way, you’ll avoid the extra meals they try to give you on the plane. When you look at your watch and it’s only 2 A.M., refuse the breakfast they want to give you, although you should drink a lot of water in flight. Make your first meal of the day the one that coincides with a meal at your point of departure. The worst thing is to arrive at your destination full and miserable because you’ve eaten meals that would have been, back home, the middle of the night! And plan to go to bed early that first night.

Judy

5. How To Safely Store Your Emergency Cash And Credit Cards

Hi, love all the tips but I add this to protecting travel documents (copies), the extra credit card and cash I have no intention of needing or using. I place it all in an envelope and duct tape it to the underside of the liner. This way it cannot be found or accidentally misplaced during security searches. Thanks, Katy

If You Have A Travel Tip, Please Leave It In the Comments Box Below Or Email Me At michael@mobalphone.com

Posted in Travel Tips on the May 19th, 2008. This post has 10 Comments »

The 16 Friendliest Countries And The 11 Rudest Countries


Last month I asked you in which countries you’d encountered the friendliest and rudest locals.

But before you read the results, I think everything is best summed up by these 2 answers I received:

“People all over the world will be rude to you if you do not respect them, their culture or their language.”

And

“We’ve found everywhere in the world that If you’re friendly to people, they’ll generally be friendly to you.”

And the fact that France tops both the friendliest and rudest lists, shows it’s all down to personal experience.

And here’s the results of what you sent me (and please excuse the hideously stereotyped images) …

FRIENDLIEST:

1. France

“My husband and I have been to France several times and have NEVER experienced rudeness, nor animosity toward Americans, nor any of those negatives for which France is allegedly famous.
We attempt to speak a little French, for which people are most appreciative, though they usually fall into English to prevent any more fracturing of their language on our part!”

2. Australia

“We just got back from a month in Australia and New Zealand traveling on our own and i must say those Aussies and Kiwis are by far the nicest and friendliest we have met anywhere in the world.”

3. Italy

“Italians are always enjoying life as much as possible and care about everyone around them
(except when they are driving!).”

4. Ireland

“But I would now have to say Ireland. We had an accident driving on the Ring of Kerry and ruined a tire and the rim. Our car was un-driveable and we were in the countryside.

We were traveling with another couple and he went walking down the road to see if he could find some help, as there was nothing where we had stopped.

He encountered a gentleman walking his dog, who promptly went home, got his cell phone, called a garage he knew (which we would not have found in a million years).”

5. UK

“If you are an American the English are about as friendly as they come. They always treat you as a long lost relative and really seem to like Americans.”

6. New Zealand

“The friendliest and nicest people in the world live in New Zealand!”

7. Spain

“My offering is Spain. I have traveled quite a bit throughout Europe as well as in South America and Asia – and not just as a tourist. I generally travel alone and whether on business or just wandering, try to interact as much as possible with local people. Without a doubt, in my opinion, Spain ranks as the number 1 country for friendliness.”

8. Mexico

“The friendliest have been in Mexico (Mexico City the friendliest big city I have been to)
The people are courteous, have good conversations, want to help and know how to have fun!”

9. Germany

“I have to give the award for friendliest country to Germany. I was driving along the Rhine, taking a detour on my way to Frankfurt, and I stopped frequently along the way. The residents of these small towns were some of the friendliest I’ve met.

They were always anxious to show off their local food and drink, and tell you about the history of their town. Of course, this extended the time of my trip, but the time was well spent.”

10. Slovenia

“But let me not forget Slovenia! Sophisticated, humble, generous and open.”

11. Dominican Republic

“I lived and worked with campesinos in the Dominican Republic for several years, and I found
them to be astonishingly generous and friendly to strangers; never rude.

The response, typically, to a ‘gracias’ wasn’t the usual ‘de nada’, but rather ‘a sus ordenes’ (at your service), and that’s how they lived. Even in the cities, people were gracious and cheerful wherever I went.”

12. US

“USA (California coast, Hawaii and small towns). The Pacific coast makes Americans mellow and more helpful.”

13. Canada

“My experience of travel in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and England, dog owners are the friendliest people, regardless of their country of residence.

If a person is walking a dog and you try to strike up a conversation about their dog, dog-lovers can’t resist it. Ooing or ahhhing over someone’s dog is a great way to put even the crankiest person in a better mood.”

14. Thailand

“Michael, as an American living overseas 14 years now and have traveled countries around the globe. I would have to say Thailand is about the friendliest country my wife and I have traveled and Indonesia would be second.”

15. Slovak Republic

“My first pick would be the Slovak Republic, formerly part of Czechoslovakia. I have visited there 7 or 8 times since my first visit in 1970.”

16. Brazil

“However, the friendliest people that I have met around the world are the Brazilians. One evening I was taking a stroll on Copacabana beach with my wife when two lovely young ladies approached us, offering some “personal” services for a slight fee.

When I told then no thanks, I am with my wife, one of them replied, “No problem, we can get someone for her, too.”

But seriously, Brazilians were friendly in every circumstance.”

RUDEST:

1. France

“I went to a restaurant in Orleon, France and had a very difficult time communicating my menu order. The waiter apparently did not know a word of English so, I stumbled thru the menu and ended up pointing to the entre I desired.

The whole time I was ordering, the waiter was mumbling in French. Finally, the meal came and it was very good.

When I paid the check, the waiter responded, in perfect English, “Thank you very much for dining in our restaurant. I hope you visit us on your next trip to France”.

2. UK

“Very rude people!!!! I’m dual UK/USA nationality….”

3. Germany

“Germany: not rude, just cool.”

4. US

“Rudest are New Yorkers”

5. Eygpt

No reason given

6. Switzerland

“Swiss can be downright nasty if they suspect the size of your bank account is puny.”

7. Austria

“We meet so many rude people in Austria.”

8. Puerto Rico

“Puerto Rico gets my vote as the most indifferent, not necessarily rude. Prices are high, tips added on to the check and, lacking incentive, the service is uniformly bad.

So bad that when treated with mediocre service, it sparkles by comparison.”

9. Greece

“We found the rudest people in Greece, beginning with the tour director to Rhodes, Delphi and Meteora. She screamed at us as if she were a drill sergeant.”

10. Sweden

“Least helpful have been the Swedes.”

11. Argentina

“Haughtiest are the Argentines.”

Did you agree or disagree? Leave a comment on your experiences…

Posted in Travel Tips on the May 19th, 2008. This post has 40 Comments »

Mobal Call Rate Reductions

The following countries now have call rate reductions with immediate effect, to all Mobal Customers, existing and new :)

Azerbaijan
Belarus
Cambodia
Chad
Congo (Democratic Republic)
Congo (Peoples Republic)
Cote dIvoire (Ivory Coast)
Djibouti
Equatorial Guinea
Gabon
Indonesia
Iraq
Ivory Coast
Kazakhstan
Kosovo
Kyrgyz Republic
Lebanon
Maldives
Mexico
Nicaragua
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Qatar
Republic de Djibouti
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Sri Lanka
Tajikstan
Tanzania
Uganda
Ukraine
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
Zaire (DR Congo)
Zanzibar (Tanzania)
Zimbabwe
Tags: ,
Posted in Mobal Service on the May 6th, 2008. This post has No Comments »

The Lost Comments …Now Found!

Sorry if you have commented on one of our previous posts, and have not seen them appear on the blog. They have been in a queue waiting to be approved that has been accidentally neglected (we thought they were automatically approved!)…

If you have made a comment, you should now see it on the post you made it on!

Thanks!

Posted in News on the April 21st, 2008. This post has No Comments »

May’s 5 Must Know Travel Tips

1. How To Ensure You Get Coffee How You Like It Around The World

I really do not like my coffee black, but for years while traveling in countries where dairy products are not safe to drink, I drank my coffee black. Now coffee creamers are available in individual packets by the box in your grocery store. Put some of the packets in a ziplock bag and tuck in your luggage. Now you can have your coffee the way you like it, anywhere in the world!

Kristin Moyer, Oakton, Virginia

P.S. My Mobal phone was a big help last fall when I was traveling alone in a rental car in Sweden; it is going with me on my next trip to SE Asia.

2. A Simple Reminder On How To Pack Properly

ALWAYS use a packing checklist before you go. Pack your stuff, THEN look at the list. That way you never forget anything.

Paul Voorhees
Seabeck, WA

3. How To Halve The Price Of Your Car Rental

When booking a rental car, look for in-town locations of the rental agency instead of at-the-airport locations. When I booked a trip to Seattle, it was HALF the cost to rent in town as it was at the airport, and that was through the same company and with the same size car! Even with a taxi trip in town, I saved about $100 (and I was upgraded twice for free)! Best of all, I was able to return the car at the airport location without any extra charge. Extra bonus: my rental agency was walking distance from downtown, so I was able to get my car, lock my luggage in it, and then walk down for some sightseeing without having to find public parking!

4. How To Get Cheaper Spa Treatments On Cruise Ships

If you want a spa treatment on a cruise ship, you can get them deeply discounted if you book them during a shore excursion. While the ship is more or less empty, spa treatments are cut in cost to lure any remaining passengers.

Laura Poole

5. That Little Thing To Help You Keep Things Together

I very much enjoy the monthly newsletters and find the suggestions very useful. Here’s a tip from me: Pack one or two plastic clips in your cosmetic bag–keep skimpy towels together after a shower–or drapes that don’t quite close.

Sheila Martin-Stone

Posted in Travel Tips on the April 15th, 2008. This post has 2 Comments »

13 Different Stories On How To Stay Healthy While Traveling…

***REMEMBER TO CONSULT A DOCTOR BEFORE TAKING MEDICATION***

1. Common Sense And Pepto Bismol

You all know the usual about eating cooked foods and peeled fruits as well as drinking bottled or boiled water, but to top it off, chew Pepto Bismol tablets just before each meal. It makes ones stool a little black, but not to worry as that is ok.

2. Beware The Magnesium In Local Water

Also, many areas of travel have high magnesium in their water and so even boiled water can concentrate the magnesium and create a diarrhea situation that is not resulting from “bugs” of any sort. Therefore, limit drinking too much of the local boiled waters (coffee, tea) if the content is high

Carol Scutt

3. A Combination Of Florastor, Tanalbit And Avoiding Street Vendors

When traveling out of the country, in addition to using common sense, we take capsule each morning and evening called Florastor ( a probiotic) made by Biocodex, Inc.

If during or after returning we have gastro problems, at the first sign we begin to take Tanalbit. We make it a practice to rarely patronize street vendors.

David C. Kase

4. “Airborne” To Combat Cold And Flu

After catching a bad cold on a long flight several years ago, (2 passengers near me were sneezing and coughing without making any attempt to keep the germs from spreading) I realized that just having a cold remedy with me was not enough.

A co-worker had been using ‘AirBorne’ when people around him were suffering colds or flu, and he seemed to stay healthy.
I brought a version of that on a trip and when a passenger across the aisle sneezed in my direction, so his companions would not be exposed to his cold, out came my container. A flight attendant brought a glass of water, and I dissolved the tablet in that.

Later in the same trip were other rather rude people, and I used another tablet.

It worked!

I didn’t develop a cold, cough, or any other symptoms, and had a very nice vacation.

J.S. Werner

5. The “Atomic Bomb” Approach To A Suspect Stomach

First once you are ill I feel you should “empty out” before treating. That is very fast. Then using Imodium to stop diarrhoea. I like a combo of cipro and tinadizole, cipro for traveler’s diarrhoea and tinadizole for giardia. I call it my “atomic Bomb” treatment but you are over what ails you in 24-48 hours.

Dr Bill Martin

6. The 5-Point Plan For Third-World Travel

I do two week long medical mission trips to a third world country twice a year, and have never had a problem as long as I:

a) Follow the CDC guidelines: wash, boil, peel or avoid when it comes to fruits and veg. No lettuce, and I also avoid burgers and anything made with ground meat

b) Ice drinks only if the ice is made with bottled water

c) steer clear of buffets and anything sitting out ahead of time

d) Use one of those alcohol based hand cleaners, like Purrell whenever you think of it, and always before you eat.

But Most important:

e) Acidophilus capsules, twice a day- They keep the beneficial bacteria in your bowels happy, and when they’re happy, you’re happy!

Jean Waring

7. Eat Yogurt To Give Yourself Local Bugs

Eat fresh yogurt at the hotel breakfast buffet to stock up on the local bugs. This always works to limit any intestinal distress for me as long as I’m otherwise careful.

Kathleen Kelly

8. How A Mother And Daughter Avoided An Infected Husband And Father

Unfortunately, I got a crash course in illness abroad just last month. My husband, our 11-year-old daughter and I went to London and Paris for her spring break. It was the first time out of the country for both of them.

Although he was completely fine when we boarded in Atlanta, three hours into our flight to London, Influenza A hit my husband like a Mack truck. He threw up endlessly and was so ill by the time we landed I wondered how I’d get him to the hotel.

Somehow we made it there, and we immediately upgraded to a suite so he could have his own space. I had brought Clorox wipes along, and I wiped everything down from the doorknobs to the TV remote. We were in a horrible hotel, but fortunate that it was right in Victoria Station, which not only had a pharmacy but also a walk-in doctor’s office, which we visited twice.

I bought every international type of sanitizing wipe and antibacterial spray I could find, and my daughter and I both washed our hands til they were raw. It was worth it because neither of us contracted what my husband suffered through. The poor man missed all of London, and spent most of Paris in bed in the hotel room too. We learned that French pharmacies can dispense a small amount of controlled drugs without a prescription, and
we got some wonderful cough medicine with codeine that helped a lot.

On our last day, his fever was DOWN to 101, so he came out and saw a few sites with us. The trips to the doctor, room upgrade, medicine, etc. added about $2,000 to our already very expensive trip. But the saddest part was that the morning after we arrived back home, he felt 100% fine. Just in time to go back to work. It was so unfair. But I guess
we’ll just have to go again!

Sincerely, Anon

9. Beware Hotel Glasses

Don’t use the glasses in the hotel until You have washed them yourself!! You cannot be certain that they were actually cleaned before you got there. (If you don’t believe it see this video http://www.divinecaroline.com/article/22250/39039?CMP=DC_0001_TAG )

Donna

10. How A Doctor Looks After Himself

Most cases of Dehli-Belly, Montezuma’s Revenge, The Pharaoh’s Curse, or whatever are caused by different strains of the normal intestinal E. coli bacteria in different parts of the world. Mild fever, diarrhoea, and sometimes cramps are associated symptoms. I carry a few 500 mg ciprofloxacin (”cipro”) tablets whenever I go abroad and take one as soon as those symptoms appear. Usually just a couple of tablets, 12-24 hours apart, will take care of things. Viral infections are more likely to be associated with vomiting, headaches, etc.; they will not respond to cipro but will usually clear fairly quickly with a bland, preferably liquid, diet. The likelihood of getting either type of infection can be reduced by taking great care in what you drink (Purify your water, even if bottled; the new UV lamps are great), eat (no uncooked foods; soups may not have been cooked at high enough temperatures to kill bugs), and touch.&n bsp; Be sure to wash your hands well, or use one of the cleansing tissues, frequently–and especially before eating.

Andrew Myron Johnson, M.D

11. The Secret To 12 Years Of Travel And No Illness

My Doctor gave me some advice many years ago that I still use when traveling. Starting a few days before leaving take 2 chewable Pink Bismuth tablets each morning and one at each meal, then continue for a few days after your return home. I have Crohn’s Disease and have been to 16 countries while doing this the past 12 years and have yet to have any problems.

Rob

12. Stick Vasoline Up Your Nose — You Read It First Here

Learned this one in Ukraine when the flu was going around a few years ago:

After you get ready in the morning and before you head out, take a small amount of vaseline on your pinky or a q-tip and coat the inside of your nostrils with it. You don’t have to go way up, just where the nostrils meet your outer skin. The nasal passages are the #1 way of contracting viruses which make you sick. This provides a barrier to these germs, as we unconsciously touch our face and nose all day with our germy hands. This works so well, I started doing this every day and have had maybe one or two colds over the past several years! Easy and safe.

Paul N.

13. If You Do Get Struckdown, How To Make Sure You Know What You’re Talking

An excellent product for travelers: Kwikpoint’s “medical visual language translator,” which is a very clever and inexpensive small, laminated brochure-like device that allows patient and doctor to communicate in some detail via pictures. Kwikpoint also produces other visual translators that are useful for the traveler. http://www.kwikpoint.com/consumer_translators/medical.html

Posted in Travel Tips on the April 15th, 2008. This post has 9 Comments »

April’s 5 Must Know Travel Tips

1. How To Say Goodbye To Currency Exchanges

International travel: Rather than exchange dollars for the local currency at the Exchange booths, I prefer to use the ATM in the country where I am visiting. The bank card of choice for me is a debit card because there is no charge from my home bank as opposed to a credit card withdrawal. The banks are good at negotiating a good rate because they have so much volume and I have an immediate transaction record.

Verna Duchesneau, Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

2. An Unusual Way To Recycle Hotel Shower Caps

I’ve been living and traveling overseas for over 30 years and I always bring back those shower caps the hotels give to you. I use hem in place of plastic wrap for covering bowls or dishes of food once I’m home. Much better than fighting with Saran Wrap!

Elaine Kokoska, West Redding, Conn.

3. An Unusual Way To Recycle Dry Cleaner Bags

I save the dry cleaner’s sweater bags and pack my clothes in them. One for underwear, night clothes, one for tee shirts, socks, one for blouses, etc. Things stay neatly organized – even after rummaging through the suitcase for a needed item. Once our bags were left on the tarmac in Madrid during a rainstorm – everything in my suitcase was dry, and my husband, who had not put his things into plastic bags in his suitcase, had soggy clothes for days after.

Sharon Kaufman

4. How To Avoid Motion Sickness Using Duct Tape And A Macadamia Nut

I always carry a small roll of duct tape with me whenever I travel. I usually use an empty scotch tape spool to hand roll a few yards of 1 in wide tape and throw it in my carry-on. During a particularly choppy cruise in the Med several years ago, the ship’s store ran out of Sea Bands, those elastic wrist bands for seasickness that place a little pressure over the P6 pressure point on the wrist. (3 finger breadths above the wrist break line between the two tendons).

I created a few dozen seabands of my own using strips of duct tape to fit around each wrist and a half of a macadamia nut (I split them myself) pasted to the sticky side of the duct tape. I had many grateful passengers whose symptoms of nausea and vomiting improved significantly ! This accupressure point has now also been shown to be helpful for patients with nausea of pregnancy.

Ed Jacobs, MD (Board-Certified OB-GYN)

5. How To Avoid The Need To Do Laundry While Traveling

Hi Michael,
I always pickup very inexpensive undies at wallmart……..throw them away each day and don’t waste time doing laundry in hotel rooms.

I learned this from a travel catalogue advertising paper throw away undies and they were a lot more expensive!

Renee

Posted in Travel Tips on the March 19th, 2008. This post has 8 Comments »

17 Ways To Avoid Looking Like A Muggable Tourist



1. Avoid Wearing A Fanny Pack

“I’ve never seen any non-American wearing a fanny pack.”

2. Don’t Get Your Map Out In Public

“I hesitate to mention this one because it’s so basic, but here goes. Study the map before leaving the hotel (or even better, before leaving home). That way, a quick look while walking around is all you’ll need to reorient yourself. If it turns out more detailed study is required, find a place to sit down or otherwise get out of foot traffic. And don’t leave your hotel without a map.”

“If at any time we need to look at a tour book or a map…..we’ll step into a store….or another business to take a look…rather then pull the books out on the street corner.”

3. Be Adventurous In Restaurants

“Don’t seek out American chains. You’ll be disappointed anyway and you’ll miss one of the best things about travel. If you can’t understand the menu, just order something you can afford or ask the server to order the most popular dish for you. Don’t assume that street food is dangerous. It’s both healthy and delicious in many places.”

4. Don’t Wear Lots Of Jewelry

“We don’t wear a lot of jewelry. feel it is safer that way.”

5. Use Hotel Concierge Services

“We also use the concierge service at our hotels. We make sure we have a really good idea of where we are going before we step out of the lobby.”

6. Don’t Think Like A Tourist, Think Like A Student Of Culture

“The thing to remember is that what takes place on the INSIDE is as important as the outward trappings. You ARE a tourist, so don’t waste energy pretending to be a local. However, think of your self as a “participating and learning tourist” instead of an invader. Try to see how and why your hosts do what they do. Avoid comparisons with “how we do this at home.” If you want to do it the home country way, then don’t travel…stay home.”

7. Learn At Least The Basics Of The Language

“Learning even 4 or 5 words of the local language will open many doors. You don’t have to be fluent–just making that small effort brands you as a person of good will in most places. If you save those few words in your memory bank you’ll be surprised at how the service and portions improve when you use the words at a restaurant of the visited nationality when you are back in your home country.”

“If I am traveling somewhere that English isn’t readily spoken, I always try to memorize at least a few key phrases in that language. Don’t be hesitant to try them out–in most cases, the locals are very appreciative and are willing to work with you.”

8. Never Look Up

“I live in new york – so local lore here is to “never look up” – so to speak – since tourists usually do.”

9. Don’t Wear White Athletic Shoes

“Shoes are a dead giveaway that you are a tourist. I try to wear shoes that are comfortable for walking but do not resemble athletic shoes.”

10. Don’t Wear Shorts And Tee Shirts In The City

“The other thing that I noticed is that many of the American women wore shorts out in public. The only local women I noticed in shorts were young teenagers.”

11. Wear A Lot Of Black

“One thing I try to do is to wear a lot of black or dark colors when traveling abroad. Folks in Paris, London, and other European capitals tend to wear lots of black, and as a tourist, you tend to blend in if you’re wearing it, too.”

12. Keep Your Voice Down, Be Polite And Smile

“Be very polite, even when complaining. People will then think you’re Canadian.”

“Don’t speak as loud as you would in America.”

13. Wear A Few Local Accessories

“In Europe, wearing scarves as accessories also helps a woman traveller blend in.”

14. Leave The Baseball Cap At Home

“One of the things that was pointed out to me was that the American Tourist always wore baseball hats and were carrying backpacks. One day at a patio restaurant in Capri I paid attention and he was right. It was so easy to spot the American tourist. They were wearing baseball caps and had back packs.”

15. Get Yourself A Local Dog To Walk

“Best thing we ever did was when we were house sitting for a friend in Hawaii (I guess we weren’t really tourists!). We were also dog sitting, so being seen with a well-known local dog meant that everyone talked to us.”

16. Buy Clothes In Local Stores

“Bring few clothes, then immediately shop the local stores, and buy what you find there—clothing the locals wear. For example, in Rome, I noticed that many men wore black, wool, ribbed sweaters. One of those, and jeans, and you would look like 80% of the guys I saw.”

17. No Logos Or Slogans


“No slogans or sayings on the shirts…NASCAR does not fit in well in Europe. Wearing something like this begs the old question “And what did he pass up in his suitcase in favor of this?””

Posted in Travel Tips on the March 19th, 2008. This post has 26 Comments »

Join Us On Facebook

Hi everyone,

Just a quick one to let you know Mobal have started their own facebook profile, and we’d love it if you could join us as friends! We’ve also started our own facebook group called “We Love The Mobal World Phone”… so if you love your Mobal World Phone, join this group and meet like minded travelers to love it with ;)

We’ll be doing a few ‘facebook exclusive’ deals on our phones and call credit in the upcoming months, so join now so you don’t miss out.

Our Facebook Profile
Our Facebook Company Page
Our ‘I Love The Mobal World Phone Group’

Posted in Facebook on the March 12th, 2008. This post has No Comments »