Airport Security
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| JFK Airport |
Airport security is tight everywhere-- as it should be. If
you haven't flown in awhile (especially since 9/11/01) be prepared for some
very long wait times in security lines. Plan to be at any US airport at least 1
and a half hours before your departure. The TSA will have a full list of
prohibited items and procedures. Do a search for "tsa flight rules"
to get the latest on what not to bring.
Leave your guide
books at home
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| New York City |
Everyone hates those people who stand in the middle of side
walks, head down engrossed in a map or guide book- oblivious of the pedestrians
around them that want to get past. Don't be one of those people. Even other
tourists get annoyed by those people, and more than likely, you will be
verbally abused. Read your guidebooks before you leave the house, over
breakfast or before you go to sleep the night before. Know where you're going
before you step onto the busy sidewalk! If you need to double check, pull over
to the side so you're not in the way, or better yet- pull out the books and
maps over a coffee break so you can concentrate more. Secondly, by leaving the
guidebooks out, your bags/ backpacks will be much lighter and less likely to
hurt your back later! If you need to, rip out the maps or make notes that you
can refer to.
Don't dilly dally
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| New York City |
This has many positive results. Genuine New Yorkers know
where they're going and how to go about it. If you don't want to look like a
tourist, be confident and walk with authority. NYC moves at a mile a minute and
its residents will expect you to also! Once you have your bearing, walk there
quickly. Not only will you save precious time and see more, but you won't get
pushed or shoved out of the way, or even sworn at as people pass you. The most
important positive with this one, is that you'll burn tonnes of calories if you
walk fast which means you can eat more hot dogs.
Avoid tourist attire
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| Statue of Liberty |
It can be tempting when you're in a new city to dress for
comfort rather than style. This is fair enough, since you're the one who has to
put up with annoying clothing or sore feet at the end of a long day. But keep
in mind that New York is a global fashion capital and there are some places
where sneakers just won't do. Ditch the sneakers and try comfortable walking
shoes instead, there are heaps of funky and dressy styles that won't have you
feeling dowdy. Sportswear is a popular option for tourists, but try to mix up
styles and designs by wearing a jacket instead of a sweater, or trousers
instead of jeans. Not only will you feel more comfortable if you stop for a
nice lunch or dinner, but shopping in upscale areas will be less embarrassing
and you'll get less cruel stares.
Get used to the smell
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| New York City Brooklyn Bridge |
New York has rubbish. Not just a little bit either, loads
and loads of it. It lines the streets in central Manhattan, despite being
cleaned away every day. Get used to bad smells and brief wafts of strange
stench whenever you pass a dark alley. While the smell of rot is a little more
subdued in winter, it's still not going to go away, so don't let it ruin your
sight- seeing walkabouts.
Have eyes in the back
of your head
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| New Yok City - Night |
If you don't know where you're going, and you probably
don't, don't get caught up in the atmosphere of it all. Crime in New York is
rampant just like all the TV shows tell us, but you still have to be smart
about what you do and how you go about it. Keep an eye on your belongings at
all times, don't leave stuff sitting around- as you might as well put up a sign
that says 'I don't know where I am, so feel free to rob me'. Don't walk around
with bags unzipped or flash your money around. Yes yes, all the stuff your
mother tells you when you go travelling without her...Put the more expensive
stuff out of view for as much time as possible. That digital camera around your
neck is begging to be snatched in the crush of Times Square peak hour. Only pop
it out when you need to along with phones, PDA's, laptops and freshly bought
goodies. Ladies, don't go for the obligatory jog in Central Park alone, or
after dark (even with a running buddy). Keep your eyes open to the people
around you and where you're travelling. Dark alleys with dead ends are not good
places to hang around!