You wouldn’t believe some of the questions I’m asked by family, friends and fellow travelers. Then again, …perhaps you would. They range from the ludicrous to serious especially, Number 1.

1. What do you eat? ex-Marine (husband, Steve) and I are still here on earth. Are you telling me that you are one of those super-finicky eaters who orders a chopped salad no tomatoes, hold the onions, no peppers, dressing on the side? Then…you may have problems. If only rice is available, we eat rice. Local breads? Eat bread. There is always something on a menu but we also pack cans of tuna, granola bars and munchies for those unexpected moments when there is nothing edible for dinner, you are stuck in an airport overnight or arrive at hotel at a weird hour and everything is closed. Unless you are traveling through the world’s most remote and primitive regions, don’t worry…be happy…

2. Where do you go to the toilet? Learn to deal with squat toilets, trees and bushes in some countries. Actually, the trees and bushes are preferable to many communal toilets. Let your inner self revert to Stone Age living… It’s really easy once you get into it.

fresh fruit bat for sale in Indonesia
3. How can you go to those filthy-dirty countries? The majority of locals in the majority of countries do their best to keep themselves and their humble surroundings clean. When a little village doesn’t have twice-weekly garbage pick-up, what do you think is going to happen to all the trash? Not only are the insides of their little homes neat-as-a-pin but you’ll have a chance to meet friendly, hospitable people who happen to live in fascinating, exotic countries.

4. How much will it cost? How much would you like it to cost? Do you want to stay at the Ritz-Carlton? Celebrate your birthday at One and Only Palmilla like Jennifer Aniston where rates begin at upwards of $700 a night? Or…travel like we do. Check out Adventure Center’s Vacation Finder (on the left as you read this article), Vieng Travel, Manado Safaris* for anything in Sulawesi or diving, Footloose Travel Guides and your jaw will drop when you discover how relatively inexpensive travel can be. Watch for more of my favorite travel operators in the future…

A reminder. Steve and I pay our own way. No comps…no freebies. (I’m not saying it wouldn’t be nice if anyone ever wanted to pay for an entire vacation. I am human.) Rest assured that any small/independent tour operator or restaurant I recommend has been personally vetted by me and deemed worth recommending to others. Conversely, you may not like my recommendations and that is certainly your prerogative.

5. Do you take lots of cash or traveler’s checks? Fast answer, no. Possibly $200 U.S. Dollars – new and big denominations in case we can’t use the following. Credit cards (Visa), and think ATM, ATM, ATM. There are very few countries that don’t have ATM’s (also called “cash stations,” and Bancomats) available. Only if we are traveling to a “backward” nation without Visa, ATM do we revert to bringing all cash. Never, ever traveler’s check. Not all places will exchange them while others charge a large fee to convert.

bring cash when you visit Timbuktu, Mali
6. Can you drink the water? Throughout Europe, the water is usually drinkable from the tap and you’ll even see Europeans drinking tap water with their meals. If not, there will be a sign that says, non potable. Everywhere else, the answer is no. Buy bottled water, put iodine tablets into the water to purify it bottled water isn’t available or boil. (Usually in trekking, camping, hiking instances.)

7. How do you stand the long plane rides? Close friends have said to me, “Oh, I won’t travel unless I can sit in Business Class.” Fine. Either you can afford it, have mega miles to use for free tickets or are going to sit at home. As 1K United Airlines Million Mile fliers, we use every one of the six system-wide upgrades we get each year to upgrade. Otherwise, you’ll find us in coach. Bring a book or puzzles along in case your lucky seat has a non-operating video/audio unit. Take off your shoes. Put on a sweater or warm jacket and watch movies. That’s what we do. Occasionally, a short doze on night flights but think of the positives. You’ll get a chance to watch all the newest and usually terrible movies. You’ll land hours later and thousands of miles away halfway around the world with unimagined experiences awaiting. Isn’t it worth a little discomfort?