Nov/Dec 2004 Travel Newsletter

Happy Holidays!
As 2004 comes to a close, all of us here at Changes In Latitude would like to say thanks, to you, our fellow travelers, for another wonderful year of shared travel experiences and travel advice.  We hope that one of our travel accessories or a bit of travel information that we have provided has helped you get all that you desire out of your travels.  We look forward to a new year with the anticipation and excitement of new travel adventures for all of us.  We wish you a future full of memorable journeys that touch your heart and your soul, no matter where your imagination and wanderlust take you.
Eagle Creek Introduces Exploration Systems!
Eagle Creek has introduced a great new line of luggage and accessories called Exploration Systems Travel Gear that we now carry in our store and on our website.  It is a complete luggage system that you can customize to meet your own unique travel needs.  Exploration Systems Travel Gear includes everything from rolling luggage to carry-on bags to travel packs to packing accessories.  And all of them are covered by the new “No Matter What” damage repair policy for the life of the product!  Stop by our store or check out our website to take a look at Exploration Systems Travel Gear, where form and function are a perfect fit.
How To Buy New Luggage (Part 2)
Let’s complete our topic of buying new luggage with a review of the physical features to consider when you are out shopping for a new piece of luggage.

Weight – This is one of the big differences between a new bag and an older bag.  Look for a bag that takes advantage of the new, hi-tech materials which are sturdy but lightweight.  Packing light starts with a light bag and will help you avoid airline surcharges for excess weight.
Material – You can buy a bag made of almost any type of material, but nylon is optimal for weight, strength, durability and style.  Look for material with a tight, dense weave, and seams with solid stitching.  Any extra reinforcement along the bottom and corners of the bag (which receive more wear) is another plus.
Hard-Sided vs. Soft-Sided – The debate on this continues.  Although hard-sided bags provide better protection for their contents, the sturdier structure requires a bit more weight than a soft-sided bag of equal size.  Soft-sided bags are lighter and a bit more expandable.  Consider what you tend to carry in your suitcases and whether you usually check your bags or carry them onto the plane with you.
Pull Handles – Test drive a bag in the store to make sure you can pull it comfortably without it hitting your heels as you walk.  The handle should lock into place both in the extended position for ease of use, and in the retracted position to prevent damage if the bag is checked.
Wheels – Why carry a suitcase when it is easier to roll it?  Most bags today have wheels.  Look for wheels that are at least 2.5 inches (6cm) in diameter for smoother rolling along different types of surfaces.  The wheels should be mounted on the long edge of the suitcase for better stability and cornering.  They should be partially recessed for protection and have ball bearings and metal axles for durability and longevity.
Zippers - Don’t look for metal zippers, the new synthetic zippers are just as sturdy and lighter weight.  Also, make sure the zipper pulls can be secured with a lock, so that you can protect the bag’s contents.
Added Features – Lastly, look for added features inside and out that will make the bag not only more functional, but easier and more convenient to use.  You’ll greatly appreciate such features as extra zippered pockets, a key ring holder, organizer panels and compression straps.

When shopping for new luggage, just remember that there is no single bag that is perfect for either every traveler or every type of travel.  The best solution is usually to consider the type of traveling you do and build yourself a baggage “system” of several quality bags that you can combine as needed to accommodate all your trips whether long or short, business or pleasure.
Upcoming Travel Programs
Tuesday, December 7th (7:00pm) - Baja!  Kayaking The Sea Of Cortez
John Levanthal and Andre Mallinger spent 11 weeks paddling the Baja Coast of the Sea of Cortez last winter.  They will share pictures and discuss the researching, planning and execution of their trip,as well as the actual time they spent kayaking, with all the joys and challenges of such an expedition!  John is a long time whitewater raft guide and director of the City of Boulder Kayak Instruction Program.  Andre is an avid hiker, climber and skier.
Tuesday, December 14th (7:00pm) - Discover Peru!
Presented by the author of the Moon Handbook Guide to Peru, this will be an informative and enlightening presentation!  Experience the wonders of Peru by exploring the incredible wonders of the ruins of Machu Picchu and learn about newly discovered ruins!  Learn about the warmth of Peruvian hospitality and enjoy the sights in and around the charming mountain town of Cusco.  Find out about the areas less traveled and the sights you don't want to miss!

Suggested Reading
“Hearing Birds Fly: A Nomadic Year In Mongolia ” by Louisa Waugh, 2004, published by Time-Warner Books.  After two years of working in the Mongol capital, Ulaanbaatar, the author moved 1000 miles away to a remote village called Tsengel.  She spent a year in this stark but beautiful landscape, living in a yurt, eating monotonous basic food, and enduring dust storms, bitter cold, filthy and unhealthy conditions.  The village characters and their culture emerge vividly as she shares her happiness, her frustrations and her occasional extreme loneliness and fear.  This book is a unique and totally unsentimental account of life in a world where the act of survival is in itself a triumph of the human spirit.
Just For Fun
Flying into one of the New York area airports, the pilot of a plane radioed the control tower for a time check.  The tower replied asking what airline was asking.
"What difference does it make who we are?" the pilot asked.
The tower replied back: "Well, if you're United we would tell you its 1500 hours.  If you are Continental, the time is 3 PM.  If you are Braniff, then the big hand is on the 12 and the little hand is on the 3.  But if you're Western Airlines, its Tuesday."
Newsletter Subscriptions
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"I have found out that
  there ain't no surer way to find out
  whether you like people or hate them
  than to travel with them.”
    - Mark Twain
Happy Travels!
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www.cil.com		 Changes In Latitude    2525 Arapahoe    Boulder, CO 80302    USA
phone: 303-786-8406     fax: (303) 786-8408
e-mail: adventure@cil.com
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