LESSON #1

Be prepared! Research the desired country of travel as much as you can. Do you require a travel or work visa to enter the country? How long can you stay? Always check the travel advisories for the country often to make sure there are no new warnings. If there are increases in the level of risk, you may not be able to enter the country, or it may affect your health coverage overseas.

LESSON #2

Book your flights EARLY if traveling internationally. Domestically or to the US, it may be cheaper to wait for a seat sale, but this rarely happens with long haul trips. Oh, and get a travel agent. It’s really inexpensive, and they know all the in’s-and-out’s of getting around the planet. If you’re in Saskatchewan, UNIGLOBE Action Travel has been saintly to me. It’s a really well run company.

LESSON #3

Immunization costs hurt more than the needles, but are definitely necessary for a safe trip. Make sure that you get all of the required needles for any other regions you may be visiting before you head back to your home country, and carry your records. Also make sure you’re covered by your group medical plan because the costs of the immunizations can be rather steep. In Canada, they may recommend you have the measles/mumps vaccine again, even though there is no required booster. This is because there seems to be a new strain going around (especially in the late-teens/early-20′s age groups).

LESSON #4

Also talk to your doctor about getting refills on any medication before you leave that will last you for the entire time you’re away. There is no guarantee they are available in the country you will be traveling to. Also ask for antibiotics for general infections, and a syringe kit and accompanying letter. These are good to keep around if you get sick or need any shots. This way you know the needles are clean. A mosquito net and small first-aid kit are also a plus.

LESSON #5

It is much cheaper (1/3, in some cases) to buy plane tickets in Ulaanbaatar than it is to purchase through a travel agent in Canada. Simply have a person you trust in the Mongolia (or other host country) purchase your tickets for you and ship them to Canada. Riskier, but worth the sale!

LESSON #6

Fish for contacts. Email random people that lived/live in the country that are from your nation. Read blogs and try to make friends with some locals that you can trust. It can make all the difference for understanding what you’re getting yourself into.

LESSON #7

Host families are the cheapest way to live, and probably the best way to immerse yourself in the language and culture. Second is long-term hostel. Third is a sublet. Don’t be fooled! You can live relatively cheap (and safe) in Mongolia, at least.

LESSON #8

If you’re reporting, let everyone know where you’re going and link them to your blog. It can help with freelance opportunities as you go, and will keep people posted on your advancements.

LESSON #9

Travel by land if you can. It’s a great way to see the country.

LESSON #10

Don’t bring your cell phone. Cancel it before you leave, and get a new phone once you arrive. I had a friend who had over $400 charged for just a couple texts and email checks on his Blackberry in 4 days! This is of particular importance to residents that don’t have a SIM card (look behind the battery of your phone for a small card…that’s it!). This means you can’t convert your phone in countries that require them. It’s cheaper to pick up a new phone when you’re there and keep an address book on your computer or in your pocket.

LESSON #11

Shop around for insurance. The difference between quotations can be unimaginable. If you live in Canada, check out what they have for travel insurance at The Co-Operators. Not many people know they have travel policies, and they seem to be a heck of a lot cheaper (sometimes a difference of $200 – like in my case).

LESSON #12

A TB test requires an update appointment. I didn’t know this until I missed that appointment. Shoot.

LESSON #13

Have all of your ID’s scanned and put on a thumb drive. Also carry paper copies. If you lose your wallet, these could save your ass.

LESSON #14

Decided to apply for a travel visa to China on your own? Well, don’t send anything away until 30 days before departure. Probably a better idea to wait until about 2-3 weeks until you leave. Don’t even bother trying to call the embassy in Ottawa because I would be surprised to find that any human works that phone. I tried for days! Regardless, here’s the steps:

1. Fill this out.

2. Go to Wal-Mart or another portrait studio and get a couple passport photos taken.

3. Tape the passport photo to the application in the top right corner.

4. Find out the fee that you will have to pay for the duration that you’re staying (scroll to the bottom of the linked page).

5. Go to the bank and get a money order for that amount made out to the Consular Section of the Embassy of People’s Republic of China in Canada. This is cheaper than a certified cheque.

6. Take your ORIGINAL passport (it’s valid for the duration of your journey, right?), money order, picture, and application and throw it all in an express post envelope.

7. Send that envelope to a trustworthy and reliable friend in a city where there is a consulate. There is a section on the application form that they will have to fill out as your representative. Get them to take it all to the consulate and mail it back to you express post when it’s prepared (usually takes 4 business days). If you’re not so lucky as to have a friend or family member to do this for you (thanks Auntie Kathy!), you need to get a travel agency to do it for you in a city where there is a consulate. Denise at UNIGLOBE recommended I try these guys if I couldn’t find someone to apply for me. Give them a call. Apparently, they’ll go on your behalf.

Hopefully this is helpful to anyone that finds their way to this page.

LESSON #15 (Multi-packed lesson brought to you by Kristine):

LESSON #16:

Don’t forget to register with your health plan and government before you go so that they will know you’re out of country.

LESSON #17:

Make sure any longer term visas are well on their way at least 30-days before departure. It typically takes that amount of time to process six-month-plus visas.

LESSON #18:

It’s not over until it’s over.  Things can work out at the last minute, such as visas.  Now, I don’t recommend you tempt fate, but I’m just saying.
LESSON #19:

When taking the Trans-Siberian or Trans-Mongolian trains pack toilet paper, two mugs (one for noodles, one for beverage), a large bottle of water, enough meals for the trip, ear plugs, a face cloth, hand sanitizer, and your glasses.  If you wear contacts, you’ll regret it as soon as you hit the Gobi desert.

LESSON #20:

Hopping into a random vehicle and hitchhiking home is perfectly acceptable in all of Mongolia, and more reliable than public transportation.  The average cost is about Tg400/km.  Learn to say all your directions in Mongolian, and also learn to never pay the ‘foreigner’ rates.  Just learn a few swears, or “you’re not going to rip me off” and walk away from people who shout.  Marked cabs often have higher rates for foreigners, and we’re easy to spot, so stick with the unmarked.

LESSON #21:

Copyright law need not apply to businesses in Ulaanbaatar.  Disney, Jessica Alba, Paris Hilton, etc., etc.  It’s a free-for-all.