March 2003 Travel Newsletter

Latest packing news for air travelers
We have been hearing from air travelers about their experiences with the new Transportation Security Administration (TSA) luggage security screening procedures.  Here is some of the latest news…

Some packing recommendations:  You can reduce the chances of your bag being hand searched by not packing any food or drinks in your checked luggage.  Do not stack books and documents; the screening machines have a hard time “seeing” through them.  Also, do not pack film, which will be damaged by the screening machines.  Don’t over-pack your bags.  TSA inspectors will probably not take the time to properly repack an overstuffed bag.  So we recommend using Eagle Creek’s Compressor Sacs, which will save space and allow the inspectors to see the contents without having to handle them.

Another big issue is whether or not to lock your checked bags.  The TSA recommends leaving checked bags unlocked or secured with plastic seals/ties that can be cut without damaging the bag.  The TSA claims the right to break any lock if the bag requires hand searching, and is not liable for any damage to the bag.  It is a good idea to bring extra locks with you for international destinations so that you can use them on your luggage once you are there.

Some travelers whose luggage has been damaged are filing damage claims with their travel insurance company.  (Coverage for lost or damaged luggage is sometimes included with travel insurance.)  Other frequent travelers are resorting to purchasing separate luggage insurance now being offered by some companies.  Be aware that not all insurance companies or policies cover damage to locked bags caused by the TSA breaking locks.  Check with your insurance carrier if that is what you specifically want.

More information and tips about packing your luggage for the new security screening will be shared at our upcoming Packing Clinic on Wednesday, March 12th at 7:30 pm.  If you have attended one of our packing clinics in the past, you may want to stop by again for this new information.
Spring Into Summer Fashions
New spring and summer clothing are arriving here at Changes In Latitude everyday!  So come by and check them out!  We have lots of cute clothing for travel, work or play.  In addition to all of the travel classics, we have some wild and zany, fun stuff to spark up everyone’s wardrobe and mood.  Get ready for summer sun and fun with our new packable, crushable straw hats!  They have wide brims for sun protection, but can also be packed in your luggage.
March Travel Programs
Wednesday, March 5th (7:30pm) - Scotland (Book signing & Lecture)
Join Warren Rovetch, author of "The Creaky Traveler in the North West Highlands of Scotland", as he transports us to another culture.  He’ll share stories and pictures that explore the hidden places of Britain's last wilderness along the rugged coast of North West Scotland.  Warren's book is geared toward the mature traveler and is part travel story and part guidebook on how to travel and what to see.  He will inspire you to take time to enjoy the odd and the unusual, and discover the beauty of the north of Scotland.
Wednesday, March 12th (7:30pm) - Packing Light Clinic
Avoid the hassles of over-packing!  Whether you are traveling for a week or for several months, learn the secrets of traveling light with everything you need in one convenient bag.  Learn all about the latest fabrics, packing methods, and travel accessories that allow you to travel light without giving up any conveniences.  Packing for the new luggage security screening procedures will also be covered!
Wednesday, March 19th (7:30pm) - Cuba!
Daily Camera running writer, Michael Sandrock, just returned from his 20th trip to Cuba.  Michael will show slides, describe the highlights & lowlights of past trips, and tell stories about what he has seen and experienced in Cuba during the past decade including:  how the government of Fidel Castro has survived the dissolution of its main benefactor, the Soviet Union; how the country has maintained its vitality while attracting increasing numbers of tourists; and how you can travel there legally.

Product Spotlight
In a recent issue of Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel magazine, there was a review of Eagle Creek’s Comfort Travel Pillow which said:  “After year’s of exhausting ourselves in the dizzying deployment of our travel pillows, we’ve found a breath of fresh air.  It’s the Comfort Travel Pillow by Eagle Creek, which – honest to goodness – inflates in two normal puffs and deflates in a twinkle with a feather-light push of a button.”  “… it’s a breath-easy way to catch zzz’s without losing $$$’s.  Bravo!”
Language Classes Rescheduled
Brush up on your language skills before your next trip!  We have rescheduled our spring language classes.  Both Traveler’s Italian and Traveler’s Spanish classes will start Tuesday, March 11th, from 7:00 to 8:30 and run on Tuesday evenings for six consecutive weeks (through April 15th).  The cost is just $79.95 and class size is limited, so call (303) 786-8406 or stop by our store to reserve your place.
Suggested Reading
“Keep The River On Your Right” by Tobias Schneebaum, 1988, published by Grove Press.   This is the story of a Brooklyn-born painter who, in 1955, set off into the trackless jungles of Peru in search of a tribe of cannibals.  This is the classic account of his months with the Akaramas – shaving and painting his body, hunting with Stone Age weapons, and surviving with his brother warriors.  It is a fiercely beautiful journey into the uncharted habitations of the flesh and spirit.
Just For Fun
Top 10 “unusual” questions asked by cruise ship passengers…
- Do these steps go up or down?
- There's a photographer on board who takes photos and displays them the next day...
the question asked..."If the pictures aren't marked, how will I know which ones are mine?"
- What do you do with the beautiful ice carvings after they melt?
- Which elevator do I take to get to the front of the ship?
- Does the crew sleep on the ship?
- Is this island completely surrounded by water?
- Does the ship make its own electricity?
- Is it salt water in the toilets?
- What elevation are we at?
- What time is the Midnight Buffet being served?

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"Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere,
and sometimes in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself."
    - Author unknown
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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