News & Views by Kim Davis
Ugh! Mercury Retrograde! I don't know about you, but Since April 6 I have experienced one annoying set back after another! I'm sure at least some of you noticed that I did not even get a newsletter out last week. Just blame it on Mercury being retrograde!
If you are not familiar with this phenomenon, you may be interested to read about it. I found some small vindication at http://www.astrologycom.com/mercret.html :
In general, Mercury rules thinking and perception, processing and disseminating information and all means of communication, commerce and transportation. By extension, Mercury rules people who work in these areas, especially people who work with their minds or their wits: writers and orators, commentators and critics, gossips and spin doctors, tricksters and thieves.
(Please do not imagine that I'm claiming to be a gossip, spin doctor, trickster or thief! - Kim ;-)
I am also even more behind than ever with my e-mail correspondence and resume posting. I know I keep promising you an automated resume posting system, and it really is coming. My wonderful programmer, Chris Boaze, from Boaze Publishing, http://boazepublishing.biz , has experienced far worse problems than I have with a death in the family. Bear with us, please. It is going to happen soon, and when it does, you're going to love it.
Visit me on the web at my other sites:
Enjoy and seize the day. It's yours for the taking! (Mercury Retrograde not withstanding!)
- Kim ;-)
Feature
16 Tips For Preventing Passport Problems
by William Manor
Carelessness is the number one reason for a passport application being rejected or delayed or for a passport being lost, stolen, or damaged.
What steps are necessary to prevent these things from happening? How can you take care of your passport? Below are 16 practical tips you can follow to acquire your passport, keep it in your possession, and preserve it in good condition.
Before You Leave On Your Trip
- Check to see if you even need a passport.
Countries can, and often do, change foreign entry requirements. If you arrive at the airport without the required documents, you'll be denied boarding privileges. And, of course, This isn't covered by travel insurance.
Currently, more than 80% of the world's countries require a valid passport for entrance. It's important to verify the foreign entry requirements for the country you plan to visit as early as possible.
- Apply for your passport early.
You should apply for a new passport at least 90 days before your departure date. For a renewal, begin the process 8 to 11 months before your passport expires. Why so early? Many countries require that your passport have six to eight months of validity remaining before they will issue a visa.
- Fill out the correct form correctly.
Each type of passport service has specific criteria that must be met. Make sure you get the right application form, and then fill it in carefully. Double-check each entry. Ask a friend or relative to verify it as well. Errors made on the application form can lead to delays, or even rejection of your passport request.
- Follow the specifications for the required documents exactly.
When applying for a new passport, the most frequently used documents are a certified birth certificate for proof of citizenship along with a valid driver's license for proof of your identity.
Your birth certificate must be a certified copy with a registrar's raised, embossed, impressed, or multicolored seal, registrar's signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office, which must be within 1 year of your birth. No photocopies are accepted. Your driver's license must be more than six months old.
For a passport renewal, your previous passport serves as both proof of citizenship and proof of identity. To be valid, it cannot be mutilated, altered, or damaged in any way.
You must send two identical passport photos taken within the last 6 months. These passport photos must be 2"x2" with a plain white or off-white background. They have to be a full-face view with the head being from 1 to 1 3/8 inches from the chin to the top of the head. The photos can be either color or black and white.
- Sign both the passport application form and your check.
Surprisingly, many people forget to sign either the passport application form or their check to Passport Services. Once again, check everything twice, or even three times.
- Request additional pages.
Are you a frequent flyer? Request a 48-page passport (at no additional cost). It will allow you to travel longer before having to replace it.
- Sign your passport and fill out the emergency information.
When your passport arrives, check to see that all the information contained in it is correct. If it is, sign it and fill in your current address and the name of a person to contact in case of emergency. If not, return it to the State Department for correction.
- Make two copies of your passport and photos.
Give one copy of your passport to a friend or relative who can be easily contacted in case of an emergency. Take the other copy and the extra photos with you on your trip. If you use an online document storage service, you can scan your passport and upload a copy. That way, you can access it from almost anywhere in the world.
While You're Away
- Always keep your passport in a safe place!
Never leave your passport in your baggage, backpack, purse, car, hotel room, or anywhere else! When you must carry your passport, keep it in a money belt or inside coat pocket. Upon arrival at the hotel, put your passport in the hotel safe.
- Never lay your passport down anywhere.
Passports placed on a counter, phone booth or table can be easily forgotten or stolen. Practice the habit of immediately putting your passport away after using it.
- If you travel as a family or as part of a group, don't let one person carry all the passports.
The odds are much greater for one person carrying all the passports to lose them or have them stolen than for all the passports to be stolen or lost if each individual owner carries them.
- Never let anyone leave your presence with your passport.
When you're checking in at the airport, passing through customs, exchanging currency, or doing anything else that requires you to show your passport, never allow the person examining your passport to leave your presence. If the person starts to leave, call their attention and request to accompany them.
Law enforcement records show that U.S. passports are sometimes used for unlawful entry into the United States or by criminals abroad seeking to establish another identity. You would be pretty embarrassed if your name were associated with illegal activities.
- Immediately report the loss of your passport.
If you are careful and follow the tips above, you shouldn't have any problem with the loss of your passport. If it does occur though, immediately notify the local police and then proceed to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Take the copy of your passport and extra photos with you. You will be issued a temporary passport that you can replace upon returning to the United States.
After You Return
- Schedule your passport renewal.
Check the expiration date and make a reminder to renew your passport at the proper time. Remember, you should begin the process 8 to 11 months prior to the expiration date. Put the reminder somewhere where it won't be forgotten.
- Check the number of blank pages remaining.
Some countries require a blank page for their visa. If you plan a future trip on which you will visit various countries, you might need the same number of pages as countries to be visited.
If you do not have an adequate number of pages but your passport is not due for renewal, you can request additional pages.
- Store your passport in a safe place.
If you have a safe in your home, keep your passport there. If not, consider a safety deposit box at your local bank.
Follow the practical tips above and you can easily avoid passport problems and more fully enjoy your international travels.
About The Author
William Manor is the owner of U.S. Passport Service Guide, a very useful and comprehensive resource for U.S. citizens who travel internationally.
http://www.us-passport-service-guide.com
Press Releases: Free Roaming with Gorillas and Chimps - Connecting: An Adventure in Nature
MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
13 April 2004
Gorilla - the very word is exciting. Still living in the heart of the impenetrable forests of Central Africa are families of these gentle giants. With expert local guides, and pre-arranged viewing permits, G.A.P Traveller can take you to 'meet' the Mountain Gorillas of Uganda. It is a wildlife experience like no other. Uganda offers a collage of bright colours, beautiful scenery, busy towns and possibly the friendliest people in Africa. We'll game drive in Queen Elizabeth and Mburo Parks, search for chimpanzees on foot in the Kyamburu Gorge, and to finish with a splash - there's an option to white-water raft from the source of the Nile, the Bujagali Falls.
This 14 day, overland truck safari operated by Guerba is surely the pinnacle of wildlife experiences. With several departures in 2004/2005, Guerba and G.A.P Traveller transport you to the heart of Africa. Land only price, including all camping equipment, experienced crew, park fees and permits, $2070 CDN.
Guerba, one of the industry's original and most experienced Africa tour operators, offers a wide range of African adventures, now at new reduced prices. From comfortable lodge-based safaris to trekking and camping expeditions, Guerba aims to exceed your adventure travel expectations, without exceeding your travel budget.
G.A.P Traveller has the expertise to handle all of your adventure travel plans. We cater to all ages with various interests and skill levels, ranging from novice naturalists to avid adventurers.
To request a brochure, or for more detailed information on all G.A.P Traveller adventures, please call 416 977 0043, or toll free at 1 866 732 5885.
Kelly McCaig, North American Marketing
G.A.P Traveller | Global Connections | Real Traveller
19 Duncan St., Suite 401, Toronto, ON, Canada M5H 3H1
416 260 0999 x 169 | 1 800 465 5600 | fax 416 260 1888
kelly@gap.ca | http://www.gapadventures.com
355 Eglinton Ave. East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4P 1M5
All phone numbers will remain the same.
Connecting: An Adventure in Nature
Beginning Monday, April 26, you can spend 5 days in teleclass with other emerging adventurers designing and creating Your Personal Nature Adventure. What have you always wanted to experience in the outdoors and what's stopping you?
Monday through Friday, April 26 through April 30
7:00 a.m. or 7:00 p.m. EST (either, both or mix it up for one price)
45 to 55 minutes each call
This teleclass is for anyone who wants to:
1) Define a Nature Adventure for yourself.
2) Identify what you want to experience externally.
3) Discover what you want to experience internally.
4) Uncover what might be standing between you and taking this Adventure.
5) Learn how to make your Nature Adventure multi-layered and multi-sensory.
6) Start to connect with nature through Adventure.
For more on my feelings about Adventure and Nature, take a peek at my articles,
The Spirit of Adventure
Finding Adventure
Nature
At the end of these five days, some of you will have completed a simple Nature Adventure. Many of you will have just begun the process of preparing for a longer Adventure. Either way, you'll be well on your way with more clarity.
Your investment: A great price at $49 per participant .
This price includes the 5-day teleclass (morning, evening or both), an individual phone coaching session with me and all handouts and teleclass materials delivered via email.
And there's more ... If you are coach who wants to take this teleclass to learn about your own adventure style AND offer adventures to your clients, join me and other coaches from this 5-day teleclass on Saturday, May 1 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Eastern. I'll answer all the questions you can throw at me in two hours and we'll get you well on your way to being an ADVENTURE COACH! Cost for the Saturday session for coaches is only an additional $20 .
Call Deborah Martin toll-free at 877-762-4178 and she'll get you signed up!
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