Peace, sport and rock-n-roll!

Light travel? The last time my wife and I went to Ecuador, I had 10 pounds of luggage, all in one carry-on bag. Ana had just 8 pounds in her carry-on bag. We spent six weeks in Ecuador, at times on glacier-covered mountains, and at other times lounging on Pacific coast beaches.

Why travel lightweight? Simplicity. With only carry-on luggage, we were in a restaurant in Quito, while others still waited for their checked luggage. On busses our luggage was safely with us, not in the hold below being cut open, like one time when I was in Mexico. Others struggled down the street with three heavy bags, while we had our hands free and were walking comfortably with our daypacks. We had less to lose, less to be stolen, less to wait for, less to pack and unpack in hotels, and less to worry about.

Light Travel Issues

Expect an extra question or two from the customs officials at the airport (Six weeks with only this?). Also, a small bag may not work if you plan to bring back many souvenirs. In this case, you could plan to buy a second bag at some point, to carry your acquisitions. As for not having enough clothes and other things, it isn't as big a problem as you may think.

My silk shirts weigh three ounces, and travel well if rolled up. Nylon dress socks weigh less than an ounce, and are cool and comfortable. Poly-cotton blend t-shirts weigh 5 ounces. Supplex or other lightweight travel slacks weigh 9 ounces, and are sufficient for a fine restaurant or a walk in the woods. Half of what typical travel clothes weigh, these take less space, and function the same. There's no sacrifice involved here.

You don't even have to buy new clothes, if you don't want to. You don't have to buy a scale and count ounces. Just choose lighter alternatives whenever you can. Set aside your lightest jacket, socks and pants for your next trip. Simplicity, not complicated planning, is the goal.

More Light Travel Secrets

Money can replace weight. Why carry two pounds of shampoo when you can buy small bottles as you travel? It won't cost much more to buy things as you go. Also, you really don't know what you'll need, particularly on an overseas trip. Buy things as you need them, and you won't have a pile of useless things in your luggage. Don't we all regularly unpack things at home that we never once used during a trip?

Gifts and souvenirs? If you buy bulky gifts for family or friends, why carry them around for weeks? Put them in the mail.

What I Took For Six weeks in Ecuador:

* 8 pairs of thin nylon socks (less than an ounce per pair)
* 2 silk shirts for restaurants and discos (3 ounces each)
* 4 poly/cotton blend t-shirts (5-6 ounces each)
* 5 pair of light underwear (2-3 ounces each)
* 1 extra pair of lightweight slacks (9 ounces)
* Single layer nylon shorts for hiking or swimming (2 ounces)
* Thin gloves (1 ounce)
* Thin hat (1 ounce - honestly)
* Thin wool sweater (11 ounces)
* Waterproof/breathable rainsuit (14 ounces for the set)
* Light plastic camera (3 ounces)
* Sunglasses (1 ounce)
* Small chess set (3 ounces)
* Bathroom kit (5 ounces)
* Maps, notebook and various small things (3 or 4 pounds)

My pack weighed ten pounds. My wife's weighed 8 pounds. We never felt deprived. I'm not suggesting you start counting ounces (that comes from my backpacking days), or that you buy all new lightweight things. Just start setting aside your lightest shirts, socks, etc., and you can enjoy the benefits of light travel.

I was a soldier stationed in Bangkok, Thailand back in the early 1970's. Not always having a bunch of money, I used to eat food from the local street vendors. Most of my meals were served wrapped in either a banana leaf or yesterday's newspaper. Some meals were even served off of unclassified military paperwork that was recovered from the rubbish.
Nowadays, everywhere in Thailand the vast majority of street vendors serve food and drink in plastic bags. McDonalds has nothing on this fast food experience.
Whatever you order, be it a rice or noodle dish, is scooped up into a plastic bag and then sealed with a rubber band. This also includes soups and drinks.
Smaller bags of sauces and spices are also provided. You can even get fresh sliced fruit to go in a small bag with a skewer to stab each sweet morsel.
Shopping on the streets, markets, and malls will also expose you to bags and bags of plastic. It doesn't matter what the size of the item, it will go in a plastic bag.
I have had numerous occasions where I acquired a large plastic bag to hold a variety of articles and each successive purchase resulted in a small plastic bag being put into the larger. Despite my objections that the smaller plastic bag was not required, I was turned away with a confused look and a smile.
Needles to say, after a day or two in Thailand, you tend to acquire a pile of plastic bags. I do manage to use a couple of them for dirty laundry or to keep items separated, but most of the plastic goes straight into the trash.
I really don't know what the Thai people would do today without plastic bags. If the tree-hugging environmentalists ever came to Thailand, they wouldn't know what to do.
Where would they put their sticky rice and beef jerky?
How would vendors sell coke to go?
How would the bootleg software and DVDs be distributed?
How would I get my bowl of Thai soup home?
Would they be able to revert back to banana leaves and yesterday's newspapers?
I don't think that the Thai people could live without plastic bags. And any attempt o stop the usage would result in disastrous results.

Obey Foreign Laws
When you are in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws. It helps to learn about local laws and regulations and to obey them. Try to avoid areas of unrest and disturbance. Deal only with authorized outlets when exchanging money or buying airline tickets and traveler's checks. Do not deliver a package for anyone, unless you know the person well and you are certain that the package does not contain drugs or other contraband.
Before you think about selling personal effects, such as clothing, cameras, or jewelry, you should learn about the local regulations regarding such sales. You must adhere strictly to local laws because the penalties that you risk are severe.
Some countries are particularly sensitive about photographs. In general, refrain from photographing police and military installations and personnel; industrial structures, including harbor, rail, and airport facilities; border areas; and scenes of civil disorder or other public disturbance. Taking such photographs may result in your detention, in the confiscation of your camera and films, as well as the imposition of fines. For information on photography restrictions, check with the country's tourist office or its embassy or consulate in the United States. Once abroad, you can check with local authorities or with the Consular Section of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Legal Aid
Because you are subject to local laws abroad, there is little that a U.S. consular officer can do for you, if you encounter legal difficulties. As stated previously, a consular officer cannot get you out of jail. What American officials can do is limited by both foreign and U.S. laws.
Although U.S. consular officers cannot serve as attorneys nor give legal advice, they can provide a list of local attorneys and help you find adequate legal representation. The lists of attorneys are carefully compiled from local bar association lists and responses to questionnaires, but neither the Department of State nor U.S. embassies nor consulates abroad can assume responsibility for the caliber, competence, or professional integrity of the attorneys.
If you are arrested, you should ask the authorities to notify a consular officer at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Under international agreements and practice, you have the right to talk to the U.S. consul. If you are denied this right, try to have someone get in touch with the U.S. consular officer for you.
When alerted, U.S. officials will visit you, advise you of your rights according to local laws, and contact your family and friends, if you wish. They will do whatever they can to protect your legitimate interests and to ensure that you are not discriminated against under local law. U.S. consuls can transfer money, food, and clothing to the prison authorities from your family or friends. They will try to get relief, if you are held under inhumane or unhealthy conditions or treated less favorably than others in the same situation.

Leeds, capitol of Yorkshire, is an often times overlooked holiday delight. Easily accessible by air and auto with a wide variety of recreational and sport activities, Leeds offers fun for the entire family. Golf enthusiasts, art lovers and those who study British history will all find ample diversion within miles of this financial and industrial hub.

Prestigious art galleries and historic homes are to be found in both Leeds proper and within a short driving distance of the city.

Leeds Art Gallery. Dating to 1881, this museum houses French Post Impressionists, Victorian works and a widely hailed collection of modern British artists. The Craft Centre and Design Gallery, outlet for contemporary British craftsmen, shares the space. Free admission for most exhibitions and events.

Henry Moore Institute. Adjacent to the Leeds Art Gallery. A well regarded centre for the display of all types of sculpture, the Institute also conducts distinguished research. Top grade exhibitions make frequent visits. Many collections and tours are free. Advanced booking for groups is advised.

Harewood House. Residence of the Queen's cousin, the Earl of Harewood, this home has a fine array of art as well as beautiful formal gardens. The house itself is also open for guided tours. Recent additions include boats on the lake and a children's playground. Paid admission. Family tickets available.

Temple Newsam. This Tudor-Jacobean manor anchors more than 1,500 acres of park, wood and farm land. The world renowned house and gardens are open to the public for a modest charge. The estate is also the location of one of the world's largest Rare Breed Farms which shelters nearly four hundred animals.

Royal Armouries Museum. Exhibits including a set of King Henry VIII's armour are displayed here. Many other instruments of war are on view. Costumed re-enactments and actual jousts take place April through October. Paid admission for some events. Advanced booking advised.

After a day filled with cultural pursuits, a visitor on holiday in Leeds might want to take in a little shopping or a play. Leeds is no slouch in either department.

The Corn Exchange. Originally designed by renowned Yorkshire architect Cuthbert Broderick in 1862 the Exchange was retrofitted in 1990 as a wide ranging shopping centre.

The Victoria Quarter. This upscale centre is a destination in itself as well as Yorkshire's premiere shopping experience. Prada, Hugo Boss and more than eighty other stores sit underneath a breathtaking Brian Clarke stained glass ceiling.

Headrow Shopping Centre. Headrow shopping street has managed to retain much of its original architecture while incorporating some of the best shopping in the country. The centre itself boasts the largest sporting goods store in England as well as Yorkshire's biggest music shop.

The West Yorkshire Playhouse. This young but internationally respected theatre sees more than 250,000 patrons annually. It has two theatres, a restaurant, and a bar in the real ale tradition and rehearsal facilities.

Northern Ballet Theatre. This distinguished company was founded in 1969 and has experienced a consistent growth in reputation and repertoire.

From a friendly pub to world class restaurants and trendy celebrity clubs, Leeds has it all. A traveller looking for a quiet beer, a family friendly nosh or a fine dining experience will find it in Leeds.

Tetley's Brewery Wharf. Tetley's has been brewing beer in the UK since 1822. Not actually a drinking establishment a tour of its visitor centre built at a cost of nearly 10 million American dollars will give insight into the art of brewing before heading off to a true pub.

Whitelocks. Licensed since 1715 this small pub offers ambience and prize winning brew.

The Angel Inn. For a good price and a good pint in an old fashioned setting with a true beer garden, this pub can't be beaten.

Salvo's. A Leeds favourite since it opened in 1976, this Italian restaurant boasts desserts and a robust wine list; recently named one of the UK's Ten Best Pizza Restaurants.

Simply Heathcote's. Located in the Granary Wharf section in a renovated grain house this moderately priced restaurant offers traditional British cooking with both a kiddie menu and a wine list.

Parisб Cafй Bar. Sandwiches, sides, full dishes, beer, wine, reasonable prices, casual atmosphere; what more could a weary traveller desire?

Leodis. Laid back but totally top drawer, this upscale eatery serves fine food well done with a wine list to match.

Leeds Hotels and Accommodation

Accommodation in Leeds range from friendly and funky self cater establishments to the high end. In between there are numerous mid-level chains. Best not to visit without a reservation; University, sports, financial and cultural concerns keep most lodgings near capacity year round.

Ascot Grange Hotel
Malmaison Hotel Leeds
Express by Holiday Inn Leeds City Centre
Quebecs, The Leeds Boutique Hotel
Golden Lion Hotel
Weetwood Hall Conference Centre & Hotel
Comfort Inn Leeds
Merrion Hotel
42 The Calls
The Met Leeds
Highbank Hotel
Harman Suites 1 & 2, Self-Catering Apartments, Nea
Ramada Leeds Parkway Hotel
Ramada Leeds North Hotel
The Butlers Hotel
Village Hotel & Leisure Club Leeds
Craiglands Hotel
Oulton Hall
Haley's Hotel and Restaurant
Radisson SAS Hotel Leeds
The Queens Leeds - A QHotel
Riva Hotel
Park Plaza Leeds
Novotel Leeds Centre
Crowne Plaza Leeds
Jurys Inn Leeds
Woodlands Hotel
Harewood Arms

Besides culture, sports, shopping and food, what else does Leeds have to offer? Just a wide variety of sporting and entertainment venues, that's what!

Rugby, Football, Cricket. Leeds is an enthusiastic nucleus of professional sports. Two rugby teams, Rhinos and Tykes, are based in Leeds. Football devotees will enjoy a rousing Leeds United Football Club match. Cricket fans should stop by the Yorkshire County Cricket Club where the game has been played since 1890.

Golf. Several excellent courses pepper the Leeds countryside with Alwoodley Golf Club being among the best. Designed by Dr. Alister Mackenzie, who would later configure Augusta National and Royal Melbourne, it is one of Leeds' best kept secrets.

Millennium Square. As the name suggests, this 12 million American dollar multi-use facility was built to mark the year 2000. During the winter season it hosts the Ice Cube skating rink and notables from entertainers to politicians throughout the year.

Roundhay Park. Situated on 700 acres, Roundhay welcomes sporting events, concerts and fireworks to Roundhay Park Arena. This natural venue has seen crowds of up to 100,000 for artists including the Rolling Stones and Madonna. In addition to the amphitheatre, Roundhay encompasses parks, lakes, woods and gardens and plays host to skaters, bikers, tennis players and golfers. Fishermen troll; it's Waterloo Lake.

Anyone making holiday plans should not dismiss spending a few days in Leeds. A true Yorkshire treasure, it has activities for all ages and interests. For an entertaining, educational and relaxing holiday, visit surprising Leeds.

What would you do if city authorities ordered you to evacuate ?

There are only two choices - comply or refuse, and neither is going to be much fun. For many it means loading up the car with their family, pets and anything else that fits, then joining heavy traffic to shuffle towards an uncertain future. While the upheaval is inconvenient at best, choosing to stay could be the biggest gamble of your life.

Some types of disasters allow for warnings and time to evacuate. Bushfires frequently reach the edges of the suburban sprawl, initiating rushed evacuations, sometimes with only minutes to spare. In the case of hurricanes, sophisticated weather analysis and satellite images can give those in danger up to 3 days warning.

In the case of Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, the city government of New Orleans issued a mandatory evacuation of the entire city two days before disaster struck. While there were a large number of people who did not have the means to leave, others remained in the city by choice to face the fury of nature.

One factor in this seemingly crazy decision was the regularity of hurricane warnings over the years. Most hurricanes had amounted to nothing worse than a heavy downpour, so many residents calculated the inconvenience of leaving against the amount of actual danger they would face, and figured there was no good reason to walk away, not when so many storms billed as the Big One had ended up heavy rain and hot air. People have jobs, people have commitments, organising to uproot your life at short notice would surely test the preparedness of anyone. And of course, many folk would simply have no money, no transport and no contacts out of town.

A tourist performed her own calculations shortly before the city was ruined - "They say it's mandatory evacuations except for the hospitals and hotels. So it can't be that bad."

Tourists who couldn't organise transport out of the city did what they called vertical evacuation - getting rooms high enough in buildings that were known to have survived earlier major storms.

Despite the huge inconvenience of evacuating, it should be remembered that authorities do not like to shut down their cities unless there is a compelling reason. Almost everyone who stayed to face Hurricane Katrina regretted their decision.

Together with last minute flights, last minute hotels are big business nowadays. The idea is that you take a room that would otherwise be empty (often because of cancellations), and in return you get a steep discount. However, as ever, it's a case of buyer beware.

It can be a very common experience to arrive in a hotel and find that there's actually no-one in it who didn't come on a last-minute travel deal. This is either because the prices the hotel is trying to charge normal customers are too high, or because it's a terrible hotel. To avoid these places, check whether the hotel you find a last-minute deal on is otherwise fully-booked or at least busy - if not, you should probably stay away.

Even in good hotels, though, you might find yourself stuck with the one bad room that they haven't been able to shift - the one that smells funny, or has a view of a brick wall outside the window. While this isn't generally so terrible, you should at least prepare yourself for this possibility.

It's also quite likely - though not inevitable - that the cheaper hotels will be nowhere near the city centre, leaving you to commute by public transport each day if you want to see the sights, or else hang around in the suburbs. You should consider the costs of transport before you book, as a slightly more expensive hotel that is more central can often save you more than it costs.

A final thing to be aware of is that you can often get a good discount by booking a last minute flight and hotel as a package deal through the various agency websites. If you are doing this, though, make sure that you don't let the savings pressure you into taking a bad flight or a bad hotel just because the other half of the deal seems so good.

The growth of the Internet and budget airlines has turned last-minute flights into a huge industry - you can just be surfing around, and then, right there, there's a flight cheap enough for you to buy on impulse and go away this weekend. If you're thinking about booking last minute flights, however, there are a few things you need to know.

An important point to make is that you can't trust the prices you see quoted in advertising for last minute flights. This is because of the common practice of excluding booking fees, airport taxes and all sorts of other little extras from the price - these all get added on just when you've got your card out and you're ready to pay, in the hope that by then you won't want to back out.

Also, you should realise that just because a flight says it goes to a big city like London or Paris, it doesn't mean that the airport is actually anywhere near. Budget airlines use smaller airports to avoid paying the higher airport charges at the larger ones, and these smaller airports can be as much as two hours away from the city centre by often unreliable public transport. In some cases, you can end up paying as much as you did for your plane tickets just to get a train to the place you thought was your destination.

On airlines that take bookings for seats, it is also worth noting that last minute flights will only have the seats that no-one else wanted, which usually means the ones in the middle of the row. This can be very important if you get airsick, or if you really want to sit together as a couple or family.

The biggest gotcha is that last-minute flights are always non-refundable. If you are going to buy one on impulse, make sure you can actually make it first, as there won't be any backing out of the deal afterwards.

There's no shortage of websites offering last minute travel deals. The idea behind these deals is that if a hotel is going to have a room empty or a flight is going to have an empty seat, it's better for them to offer it to you at the last minute for a steep discount than it is to just let that spare capacity go to waste.

The big contradiction of last minute travel, however, is that while the places with a lot of spare capacity get cheaper, the places with very little get much more expensive. Booking Christmas flights at the last minute, for example, will never get you a good deal, simply because so many people want those flights. Instead, you will probably end up paying much more than you would have if you had booked early.

As last minute travel deals are for the least in-demand places, you can end up with places that no-one wanted for a reason. Some of the hotels on offer can't attract any customers because they're truly dire. The flights on offer are often in the middle of the night, at times when it's very difficult to even get to the airport without a car because the public transport links are closed. There are all sorts of gotchas waiting with cheap last minute travel.

But it is cheap, and, as ever, that makes up for all sorts of sins. If you're willing to be flexible about when you fly and where you go, you can still get some very good deals - you'll probably end up with the all-round budget experience, but what do you expect? To avoid the very worst holidays, though, you should at least take the time to look up a review of the hotel you're going to stay in before you commit to booking it, no matter how good the deal seems, to make sure that you're not getting yourself into anything truly terrible.

There are many reasons that make booking a last minute flight necessary. Some common reasons include tragedy, a sudden change in plans, adventure, or taking advantage of rock bottom deals that only become available at the last minute. Because the airlines typically reward individuals who plan ahead, with lower fares, travelers who need or tend to make last minute travel arrangements, will find that last minute flights are generally much more expensive. However, if one looks hard enough, they will find that there are websites that specialize in providing good rates for last minute travelers.
Last minute traveler, specialty websites are able to secure good deals on last minute flights because airlines are often desperate to fill their planes to capacity. An empty seat means lost revenue. And with many airlines struggling to stay afloat, any lost revenue quickly becomes a problem.
If you find that you need to arrange last minute travel due to a death in the family, you may be able to receive a special discounted price from the airlines. To see if you qualify, simply call the airlines directly. You will need to be able to provide some sort of proof, so make sure to find out what documentation you will need in order to receive a death-related, price break.
You can go about checking the availability of last minute flights by calling airlines individually, right before you need to leave or you can visit an airline search engine that specializes in finding last minute deals for you. They will undoubtedly have connections and will be able to make deals that you won't be able to secure for yourself. Below is a list of sites that will have special last minute flight deals available.
Sometimes making last minute travel arrangements is necessary. Some people prefer to travel this way, deciding at the last minute that they want to visit another country or city. These people are typically more adventurous and love the freedom of travel on a whim. For these individuals, price may not be much of a factor. There are other individuals who find that they need to travel due to some sort of emergency or death. Still, there are others that will take advantage of special deals that airline or travel companies make available to last minute travelers.

Holding on to a Las Vegas Coupon and do not understand what you are holding? Well, coupons are basically tickets or documents that can be exchanged for either a financial rebate or a discount while buying something. Usually, they are given to promote the products. If there is a place that is absolutely famous for its amazing money savings, then it is certainly Begas. From, breakfast buffets price offs to ones for slot machines, Coupons for Vegas are available for anything!
You can find Las Vegas Discounts on the Internet, in magazines, newspapers and even by post! Coupons for Vegas through Internet are especially popular as there is no postal charge and the printing cost is borne only by the use. This way museums have less expense and do not have extra expenditure. Wondering if it is possible to get Las Vegas Discounts? Quite possible every attraction and every casino in Las Vegas issues Las Vegas Discounts!
Some amazing deals that you can get for free on the Internet for shows are the Barbara And Frank show, Comedy Pet Theatre, Madame Tussaud Interactive Attraction, Riviera Comedy Club and Sopranos Last Supper.
Searching for Las Vegas Discounts on food? One place that accepts Las Vegas Discounts is Rosies Pizzeria.
Freemont Street of Las Vegas, Liberace Museum, Not Just Antiques Mart and Treasure Island all have coupons that everyone can use! Some very good Los Vegas attractions also have coupons. The Hoover Dam Tour, Vegas Mob Tour, Las Vegas Power Pass, Sagebrush Horseback Riding, and Desert Adventures Kayak and Canoe Tours are some of these places.
Seeking casino coupons? Slots a Fun and Riviera Casino are a couple that give out free blackjack comps that allow you to have a fabulous time at slot machines while spending less too! Rehab and The exotic are just two of the hot spots that give you discounts and free entrance Las Vegas Discounts.
Most important, you must know that sometimes Coupons for Vegas might expire or that it is quite likely that the Las Vegas Discounts are not legitimate. Subscription printable coupons do have legal access Las Vegas coupons and often redeem them in case the customer has difficulties. Usually, every coupon is verified, reviewed, approved and authorized by the authorities. So the next time, you avail the amazing benefits of Las Vegas Coupon, make sure that they are valid, and have not are still being accepted.