Many of the following
principles have to do with communication and information exchange,
while others have to do with cultures and ways of thinking.
The acronyms for these principles are used throughout my travel
tales. Here are the definitions for the principle and its
acronym.
|
BBDe |
Bed and Breakfast
Deals. In some countries, especially like England, B&B's are by
far the best places to stay. The price is half the hotel price, the
rooms are almost always more comfortable, the people very friendly,
nice, and helpful, parking is simple, and the breakfasts are
wonderful. Now with internet, they are easy to find and a great
location is usually available. |
TruLeP |
True Learning
Principle (TruLeP)
Words can only truly describe
something you have actually seen or done yourself, after which words
become much more interesting and meaningful.
Corollary:
Tour guidebooks have little use for trip planning. They are more
interesting to read during or after the trip is over. |
MBurP |
Mature bureaucracy
Principle (MBurP): As a bureaucracy
matures, its ability to communicate useful information approaches
zero. This is why tourist guidebooks have a rather limited
usefulness, and one always gets lost. Expect to see so
many directions to so many places that where you really want to go
is buried in signs. |
PAL |
Principle of
accelerated learning (PAL): The most
efficient way to become smart.....is by first being stupid. Simply a
corollary of the homily that "we learn by making mistakes".
Corollary:
If you never make mistakes or never admit making
them, you are a slow learner. |
LoTAM |
Local's tools
acquisition maneuver (LoTAM), a procedure that simply involves
watching what the locals do to survive and then no matter how stupid
it looks, do it. No matter how hard you try, you will miss some of
the subtleties and look utterly stupid anyway |
PIAP |
Principle of
ignorant appreciation (PIAP). One of the greatest pleasures in
touring is the experience of discovering and appreciating a place
without first knowing that you are supposed to have seen that
particular place |
Bursna |
Bureaucratic
street naming effect (Bursna): In Europe, all streets, even the
straight ones change names every few blocks to allow some bureaucrat
to have his name immortalized at the expense of making directional
instructions impossible and maps useless. (Starting to happen in the
U.S.) |
Shordis |
Shortest distance
Principle (Shordis): The optimum route
between two points in touring is rarely a straight line. Some of the
most interesting sites to see will occur on your way to where you
are headed. Don’t worry about missing a "must see" place. There are
millions of "real" must see places all over the world and most of
them will not be in your tour books. If something looks interesting
pull off and check it out. |
DoWhalDo |
DoWhalDo principle:
Doing what locals do in their everyday life but what we rarely
experience can lead to great adventure (ie, rent a bicycle and ride
around town). |
Warhot |
Walk around hotel
maneuver (Warhot): The best way to find a room is to wonder
around on foot. Most of the hotels are too small to be listed in a
tour book and they may be tucked in alleys, above bars and in
peoples homes. |
Resham |
Responsibility
handoff maneuver (Resham): The best way to see a place is to
have a friend who lives there show you around. Try to make friends
in exotic places. |
Toffman |
Tourist office
Maneuver (Toffman): In European touring, the first place to
visit in each village is the tourist office to get maps and
suggestions of what to see. but don’t waste too much time there and
don’t get your hotel there. In fact, don’t’ spend any money there.
At the most, buy a village map. Always ask what is best to see. |
Delop |
Delosting
procedures (Delop). Stadtmitte
(Germany), Centrum, Centro, Central means the
center of town, a very important and good place to go everywhere
except in the U. S. In the U.S. usually to be avoided.
Altstadt,
the old city, which is always worth a visit.
W.C.
means toilet all over Europe.
Loo
In England means toilet.
HBF (Haupt Bonhof)
Germany The main train station is usually in
the town center.
NC (Central Station)
Holland. NS can designate any of the
stations.
|
Imcom |
Improved
communication Principle (Imcom): Learn at least enough language
to say "hello, goodbye, thank you, toilet, the bill, please, " for
every country you visit. To go to a foreign country and miss all of
what is to be learned from words is pretty close to inexcusable. |
TrolFAP |
Trolinger first
available place maneuver (TrolFAP): If
a plane looks like it may be crowded, do not wait until you get to
your seat to store overhead baggage. Store it in the first available
overhead bin. |
USOP |
Universal Solvency
Principle (USOP): Have a few dollars
in the currency of all countries through which you plan to
travel……before you get there. This is money for drinks in airports,
taxis, phone, bribes, emergencies. |
ProNSou |
Principle of
Proper Noun Sounding (ProNSou):Foreign proper nouns such as
streets and square names will not be recognizable even in short term
memory unless they are sounded out and repeated. Avoid glancing over
such words that may be reencoutered. Read them and say them to
yourself until you can recognize the word. For example, one look at
"Jones" Street is all you need. But one look at Svlestoscrsvovosky
Street is not enough to be useful |
MTC |
Principle of MTC:
Learning to use the mass transportation system comfortably may
be the most important and first thing one should learn about each
city, except for Los Angeles. |
OPM |
One Photograph
Maneuver (OPM): Most churches and museums do not allow
photography. They often claim that the light is damaging to the art.
More likely, they want you to buy a photo or card of the art at
inflated prices in the gift store. You don’t get kicked out for one
photo, so choose it carefully and be prepared to obsequiously
apologize. |
ICB |
Ignorance causes
blindness (ICB)- Yogi Berra once said "You can see a lot
by observing." The WWT says "You don’t see what you don’t know." As
soon as you learn a new fact, it begins appearing everywhere. Never
stop taking classes in Art history and appreciation or other classes
that help you observe. Knowledge also makes seeing more exciting |
USE |
Principle of
Universally Spoken (Bad) English (USE)-. Universal Spoken
English is not American (or British) English. It is not even close.
Do not attempt to teach foreigners English. Learn USE from them. Do
not speak English in foreign countries; Speak USE. |
MacD FP |
(McDonalds Free Pee) MacDonalds, unlike many stores, is always a place you can take a
whiz without having to buy something or feeling guilty. And now this
is true the world over. Usually the lines are so long they don't
even notice you. MacDonalds should get the Nobel peace prize for
this contribution to the world. For this we could almost forgive
them for making 65% of Americans obese and running half the
magnificent restaurants in Europe out of business. As of 2006, the
Pee is no longer free in some places. At least there are plenty of
places. |