OT - I'm doing a worldwide tour for about 18 months or so, I need help Options

[seanery]

Hey, well the gig I was supposed to get in December has rolled into a Worldwide Tour. I go to York, England in May for 6 weeks of rehearsal and tech and then off on a tour of Europe & Russia then Japan in mid 2010.

It doesn't look like I'll be home before May 2010 while the gear is on a boat to Japan.

I've never really been anywhere outside of the US. When I lived in La La land Sherry and my brother took to me to TJ a couple times, but that doesn't really count.

I need recommendations on power adapters, cell phone, etc...I currently use AT&T with the iPhone - it looks like it's supposed to work international, but I'm not sure if it's the most cost effective.

Also, any experiences with monies, etc...

Thanks!

[mbrown3039]

Hey, well the gig I was supposed to get in December has rolled into a Worldwide Tour. I go to York, England in May for 6 weeks of rehearsal and tech and then off on a tour of Europe & Russia then Japan in mid 2010.

It doesn't look like I'll be home before May 2010 while the gear is on a boat to Japan.

I've never really been anywhere outside of the US. When I lived in La La land Sherry and my brother took to me to TJ a couple times, but that doesn't really count.

I need recommendations on power adapters, cell phone, etc...I currently use AT&T with the iPhone - it looks like it's supposed to work international, but I'm not sure if it's the most cost effective.

Also, any experiences with monies, etc...

Thanks!

I'm not what anyone could call a seasoned international traveller, but I have beed overseas a few times and here's what I do before whipping out the passport:

1. Make a few copies of your passport and hide them in your luggage and keep one on you. If you lose your passport (or it's stolen), this will help you get another one (through the local USA embassy).

2. Speaking of which, find out where the closest US Embassy is in relation to your hotel/workplace. You never know when you might need to find it in a hurry (being mugged or injured, need to get home quickly, civil war breaks out, etc.).

3. Go to US State Department's website and look for any Travel Advisories for the countries you'll be visiting.

4. In your "Off Time," DO THINGS IN GROUPS OF THREE OR MORE. This may seem like common sense, but the problem with common sense is that it's not too common when you're tired/drunk/horny. My friends and I use to have a "designated spotter" whose job it was to not drink and keep an eye on the rest of us to make sure we all made it back to the hotel intact.

5. If you're going to be in one place for a while, learn enough about the local currency to not get ripped off. When you shop, take your time -- come back another day if possible and you'll probably get a better deal. The US dollar is widely accepted but doesn't get the automatic deep discounts it once did.

6. If you're stopped by the local authorities, be honest and forthright. Nothing is scarier than bening in a foreign jail where they've never heard of Miranda -- let alone basic human -- rights. This might be a good time to repeat the part about keeping a copy of your passport somewhere on you.

7. As far as cell phones go, be prepared to want to buy one once overseas (especially in Europe, Hong Kong, or Tokyo). They have phones that are way cooler than most US models.

8. Here's something I learned the hard way: most people are fascinated by America/Americans, but in no way feel indebted to us for anything. Why? Because almost EVERY country on this planet has been around longer than the US! They love to hear about American culture and learn more about our history and customs, but they're not interest in any kind of "the US is the best place in the world to live" arrogance.

9. Be gracious and polite to everyone you meet. Tip well, but not lavishly. If you live in a hotel for an extended period of time (a week or more), it is customary to leave something for the staff (often I just leave whatever local currency I have left, as long as it's about right).

Good luck and travel safely!!!