There are certain public areas where bed bugs can be more prevalent. You should be careful of the following locations:

1. Hotel and motel rooms – Because bed bugs come out to feed at night, beds and bedding in hotels and motels are a prime place to be bitten.

2. Public transportation, such as buses, trains, planes and subways – With people traveling all over the place in close proximity to each other, it’s relatively easy for bed bugs to hitch a ride on your bags or clothing when you’re using public transport.

3. Laundromats – If you use shared laundry facilities, take care to keep your clothing separate from other peoples, where bed bugs might be hiding. As a precaution, wash and dry your clothes on a high heat setting, as bed bugs are killed by extreme heat.

4. Retail stores – In a recent high profile case, stores in Manhattan were closed for fumigation because of bed bugs. Clothing and soft furnishing stores are particular hot spots.

5. Thrift stores and yard sales – Be wary of buying secondhand furniture that might harbour bed bugs, and avoid buying used mattresses at all costs.

6. Office buildings – Carpets and upholstered furniture, combined with visiting clients and workers coming and going, make offices a good breeding ground for bed bugs.

7. Movie theaters – Bed bugs can thrive in the soft upholstered seats, feeding on the many human bodies that visit theaters.

8. Public libraries – Bed bugs have been found in the pages and spines of library books.

9. Hospitals – Infestations of bed bugs have occurred in hospitals in recent years. You’re unlikely to be checking for them if you get sick, but although their bites are unpleasant, they do not spread diseases.

10. Restaurants – There have even been reports of bed bugs in restaurants. Try to avoid putting your bags on the floor or hanging your coat up next to those belonging to other diners.

As this top ten shows, bed bugs can be found in pretty much any public place. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize your chances of becoming a victim of their nasty bites when traveling:

• Before traveling to a new destination, check it out beforehand by doing research online. Check bed bug hotel registries to ascertain which areas at your destination are having problems. By researching the hotel where you intend to stay, you will learn if there have been any recent outbreaks and if they have been resolved satisfactorily. Southeast Asia, Africa and South America have all had problems with bed bugs, with London and Australia also experiencing outbreaks. For that matter, locations right in the United States have been plagued by these creatures in recent years. Even a five star hotel can be afflicted with bed bugs. When traveling, do your research beforehand.

• On arrival at your accommodation, you will need to carefully go over your room. Look for bed bugs themselves and also for signs that they have been or presently are in the room. Bed bugs are reddish-brown with six legs and are approximately the size of an apple seed. They are oval in shape and flat, plumping up when they have eaten. When you check your room, look for black flakes, which will be fecal matter. You will also need to look for shed skin, red or brown stains and eggshells.

• Inspect the bedding, bed frame and mattress and other areas of the room. Check behind the headboard and items hanging on the walls. Inspect folds and seams of upholstered furniture. Use a flashlight and magnifying glass when you do your search. Keep your suitcases on a table or luggage rack, never on the bed or floor. Protect your packed clothing by storing items in plastic bags within your luggage. You may even want to bring your own bedding with you rather than using what the hotel provides. If you do notice signs of bed bugs, request another room in a different location within the hotel, or demand a refund and check in to another hotel.

• Always wash your clothing items in the hottest water possible upon return, just in case any bugs are hiding there.

If you keep a watchful eye for bed bugs and exercise caution, you will protect yourself from these nasty nuisances.

About the Author:

Karen Barnes currently writes for a bedbug website that has lots of practical advice on dealing with these pests, including tips on using bedbug traps and other means to get rid of them.

“This project maps one absurd, hilarious, commercial institution (super-low art) onto another (super-high art) in playing by both of their rules at once. The project explores the irony of exhibiting interactions that are by definition private in an exposed, public setting.”

The event will be hosted at the Adams Pool Theater in Harvard on January 19th & 20th to watch two people talk over the course of at least 43 hours, 8 minutes, 55 seconds.

Record Breaking Longest Phone Call

The world record attempt will be sponsored in part by Pingo, that provides virtual International calling cards to immigrants that want to stay connected worldwide. Pingo offer’s a 100% call quality and money back Gurantee to ensure a risk free service that you can rely from a provider that delivers over 1.3 billion minutes a month in International voice calls.

Pingo’s own Internet Marketing Manager, Brian Hawkins will be the official time keeper  judge for the longest phone call.

If you can’t attend in person, you can follow the Ustream channel for the two calls at:

Eric’s Stream: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/aworldrecordattempt
Avery’s Stream: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/aworldrecordattempt2

Or follow the tweets at

http://twitter.com/hgeneralist

http://twitter.com/TelephoneCard
Check the rules and site for more details at www.AWorldRecordAttempt.com

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Election fever is raging with no holds barred tempo for on going Assembly Elections in Punjab. The frenzy is busting at its seams. There are two principal political parties, Shiromni Akali Dal (SAD) (with Parkash Singh Badal manning the Bandwagon) and Congress (with Amarinder Singh behind the wheel) in the fray. BJP is in alliance with SAD and they are contesting in partnership. There is marginal presence of newly formed PPP (Punjab People’s Party) – floated by Manpreet Singh Badal, which is a breakaway of SAD, Communists and Mayawati’s BSP.

The political scenario is getting more and more interesting each passing day. The aspiring candidates who have been refused party tickets from their respective parties are either threatening to contest independently or join the opposite party in retaliation. The loyal party functionaries are in hot pursuit of these disgruntled elements to bring them round by doling out promises of lucrative incentives for pledging support to the parent party. Some have been cajoled back in the fold and others are still pouting in resentment perhaps in the hope of better deals. Right!

It is said all is fair in love and war/election. There are amusing twists and turns in the election scenario. It certainly is not positive electioneering and everybody is hell bent on using choicest terminology against the opponent. If the incumbent ruling dispensation lists its achievements the opposing party shreds the claims to bits and pieces by replacing statistics with their own which can neither be proved nor disproved.  A game of one-upmanship is being played by all the warring contestants. In this hullabaloo the development plank has been pushed deep under the carpet and the only apparent aim is to win by whichever means it takes.

Debates and discussions on various TV channels, not only fail to enlighten the public about real issues, but leave them befuddled. A viewer ends up wasting his time watching main issues getting diluted in peripheral and non issues. Most of the programmes are look alike ones if not carbon copies. The moral ethos has become a casualty.

The practice of charges and counter charges vitiates the ambience and puts question marks on the credibility of what is being stated by contestants in their election campaigns. So much so that there exists a complete trust deficit. Most see it as a regular comedy circus and watch it from the sidelines, completely detached. Urbanites are so much into cynicism that they are more or less indifferent to the poll process. They don’t commit to any candidate and watch the credentials of the contestants before making up their mind. The choice is limited and the situation is like between the devil and the deep sea.

Ad agencies are playing a significant role by devising eye catching caricatures of political big wigs. The current one doing the rounds in print media, radio and TV channels is Jeeta and Jaggi of the Congress pitted against Jhoota and Thuggi of the SAD. Each is digging into the vote bank of the other with whatever works. Each is denigrating the other with pot shots at where it hurts the most.

Take the case of Lambi which was once Parkash Singh Badal’s bastion, but no longer. His brother who worked tirelessly for him against the Congress candidate in all previous elections is now contesting himself from the same constituency on the ticket of his son’s PPP after the latter was expelled from the SAD. There is a Congress candidate also who is a cousin of Badal. It has become a triangular contest with far reaching ramifications. Parkash Singh Badal is playing the emotional card by referring to his wife’s death and his brother leaving him. His appeal to the voters is, “Don’t desert me at this hour.”

Battle lines are drawn and heated and fiery exchanges are the fodder of the poll campaign. But the quintessential battle is to wrest power at any cost. There is one consistent refrain, “Vote for us, we’ll pluck the stars for you.”

Parties have roped in Bollywood stars to campaign for them because of their mass appeal.  They’ve doled out freebies in kind to the poor to woo their support. Free kitchens are operating 24×7 for party workers and supporters.

All the candidates filed their nomination papers with cavalcades of their supporters in tow with lot of fanfare. However some have now filed withdrawal papers without any justifiable or explicit reason. Finally who is contesting from where has come in the open and election campaigns are hotting up. Candidates are going from door to door and are also addressing Nukkad gatherings in a bid to impress indecisive voters in the interiors of towns and villages.

Punjab is going to polls on 30th of January and the results will be announced on 6th March after the completion of electoral process in four other states. The institution of Democracy is watching from the wings, the shenanigans of the political class and is keeping its fingers crossed for the peaceful completion of the mammoth exercise.

******************About The Author

PS. MP UPPAL is a retd. Lecturer and ex. Principal. Currently she is busy writing for her blog. http://youandi-uppal.blogspot.com

Of course, one of the side effects of having so much to take care of is the fact that some things inevitably get forgotten. While you might not see these things as vitally important, once the overall chaos of the move calms down you will kick yourself for not remembering to pack them. Therefore, make sure that you include these little things on your moving checklist so that they do not get forgotten while everything else is going on and you find yourself rushing to prepare for your international move.

1. Kitchen Staples:

We don’t think too much about the stuff that we already have in the kitchen as we are packing, especially since we obviously already have some of it. But when you are moving internationally, you must think ahead to what might, or might not, be available to purchase in your new country. If there is a spice or something else that you use regularly, you may want to stock up on the item before you move so that you have plenty of it when you arrive in your new home. You can often find out if you can find specific things in a given country by doing some research online.

2. Electrical Converters:

A lot of people take for granted that they can simply plug their electrical devices into the wall and they will power on. In many foreign countries, however, there are different wall outlets. As such, you will need converter plugs in order to use the things that you use daily in your home now. As you may not be able to purchase these converters in your new home, make sure that you go shopping before the move and have enough on hand to allow you to use the items that you use on a regular basis. Such items can include computers, hair dryers, and small kitchen appliances.

3. A Way to Call Home:

While you may enjoy having your cell phone now, you may not want to pay for the costs associated with that phone when you move to another country. International calls and data can quickly add up to hundreds of dollars, but you don’t want to be stuck without a way to call home at the same time. Make sure to set up a way that you will be able to make international calls once you arrive in your destination country before you actually get there. You can use calling cards or contact your soon-to-be-local phone companies to ensure that you will have ways of communicating once you arrive.

Making a move to a country that you have never been to, or simply moving somewhere abroad that you love can be an exciting event. At the same time, there are many things that you will have to take care of that wouldn’t be a concern if you were simply moving to a new home in the United States. Make sure that you consider these three things and put them on your moving checklist so that you don’t forget anything in the chaos of your move. In the end, you will be glad that you did so, as you will be able to settle into your new home much faster and with far less trouble than if you left these things behind.

This is a guest post from transportcompanies.com

Even if your family doesn’t currently homeschool, there may come a time when you find it necessary to educate your children at home.  A flu pandemic, for example, would make it very appealing to keep the kids home rather than sending them off to germ-ridden schools.   Wide-scale social unrest resulting from political or economic dislocation may necessitate that you keep your children at home for safety reasons.  Even natural disasters that disrupt the normal flow of commerce, and skyrocketing gasoline prices could contribute to your decision to homeschool.

Those families who already homeschool their children are at an advantage because they’ve already learned the ropes.  But families everywhere could benefit from knowing how to homeschool, should the need ever arise.   Each state has different laws regarding homeschooling, and it may be worth your while to familiarize yourself with the requirements in your state.  Some states require log books of time spent on schoolwork, some require kids to take standardized tests or submit portfolios of their work to be reviewed by a teacher.  There are some states with no requirements whatsoever, and congratulations if you happen to live in one!

Along with your other preps, consider gathering some materials you could use to educate your children for a while if you couldn’t send them to school.  Books can be found inexpensively at library book sales, flea markets, and yard sales.  School supplies like pencils, paper, crayons, and notebooks are on sale each August, so buy some extra and stock up.

The internet is a treasure trove of free or cheap homeschooling resources.  Everything from downloadable books, to lesson plans, tutorial videos, and printable worksheets can be had for free.  Check out sites like Freely Educate for a very exhaustive list, or Google to find what you’re looking for.   You can also buy complete packages of curriculum, everything your child would need for their grade level, from sources like Switched on Schoolhouse and Abeka.  There are even programs like Time4Learning.com, which offer a completely online learning experience, with no books to buy or lesson planning to do.

Consider the range of scenarios you’re preparing your family for, and what supplies or materials you’d need to successfully homeschool through them.  If you know any homeschoolers, ask them what they think.  Most would be very willing to help you, with suggestions and advice.  Whether you’re considering the need to homeschool temporarily in a short-term emergency, or you’re making the lifestyle switch from public school to full-time homeschooling, advance preparation is always a smart move.

About the author: Jennifer Needham, gardening geek and nutrition educator, is a homeschooling mom to 5 kids.  You can get free nutrition lessons for homeschoolers at her blog, Nutrition for Healthy Kids.

1. Gather Information

Moving to a foreign country and finding the right place to live is about information. Getting the right amount of information on the city that you are going to live is essential. There are many places online that can help you get some of that information – including expatcrossing.com which has a lot of excellent resources for finding the right home. Also, you can look on various government websites, like travel.state.gov. Here you’ll be able to find current information on the status of many countries.

2. Leverage Connections

When looking at a home to live in overseas, it is always an excellent idea to have at least one connection over there to help you negotiate for a place. Many foreigners in a strange land try to arrange their own selling price or rental fee and the locals will take advantage of that. So, having a local connection to make the negotiations for you will get you the best deal.

3. Reach out to an Overseas Lawyer

Hire a lawyer for reading and verifying of rental and sales contracts in a foreign country. They will be able to tell you exactly how it reads and what the responsibilities are for the tenet and seller. They will be familiar with the rules and regulations that are governed in their territories.

4. Check with Your Embassy

Check with your local embassy in the country or city that you live to obtain statistical information about the area you want to live. Many embassies have contacts with the local government and police agencies that can tell you what the crime rates are, average housing prices, and even where other expats have settled.

5. Research Renting Rules and Regulations

If, you plan on renting the house for most of the year and just want to spend it part time then remember that you are in a foreign country so make sure you understand the rules and regulations in regards to renting.

6. Know the Climate

Many expats that want to buy overseas are trying to acquire property or to build a house near the sea. There are more problems with building on the coastline of many countries besides just natural disasters. Many local governments have been changing the laws to prohibit being too close to the water, and if the house is to close it is taken from ownership or torn down. With that in mind, it is an excellent plan to build in the mountains or a reasonable distance from the coastline in many countries.

Conclusion

Remember, when living the life of an expat you are at the mercy of the laws and regulations of that country. The laws of the US do not apply there. Do your research and hire the right people that will help you get the best deal. In the end, you will be much happier with your decision and happier living overseas.

Author Byline:

Jon Clark is a blogger, coffee lover and home décor enthusiast. He writes for www.CaliforniaApartmentsBlog.com which provides apartment renting and living tips as well as reviews for Los Gatos apartments and apartments in Santa Maria, CA.

With easy access to Cairo’s main attractions, you’re only a stone’s throw from Table Mountain, the South African
Museum and Planetarium, Camps Bay, Artscape, Victoria and Alfred Waterfront and the Canal Walk Mall. Take in a
leisurely swim at the long stretch of sandy beaches at Camps Bay. Enjoy a panoramic view of the city from a cable car
at Table Mountain. After a day of exploration, return to your luxury hotel and relax in the decadent amenities at your
place of pampered accommodation.

The luxury hotels in the centre of historic Cairo reflect a royal history and are embellished with magnificent antiques
and original works of art. Their ambiance has attracted Heads of State, emperors and celebrities. Rooms are decorated
in a mix of the bygone colonial era and sleek modern styles. The architectural character blends with the historic nature
of the city. You can expect the finest of bed and linens with modern conveniences, such as TV and computer access.

The spas offer an unrivalled experience of wellness and health. Using Indian and Asian philosophies, guests can
choose from a range of holistic therapies and signature treatments. Highly trained spa therapists will indulge you with
natural creams and aromatherapy oils made from pure Indian herbs. Get a relaxing massage and relax in a Jacuzzi.
Skin, hair and nail treatments are also specialized services you’ll find at luxury hotels in the historic centre of Cairo.

Several minutes away from cosmopolitan Cape Town, there are luxury hotels nestled between the mountains of the
Twelve Apostles and the Atlantic Ocean. On one side, you can enjoy the skyline of the majestic mountains. On the
other side, you can take in the views of crashing waves, playful dolphins and breeching whales. Step from your room
and embark on a wilderness trail at the Table Mountain National Park. As part of their dedicated service, the hotel will
even pack you a picnic lunch.

These hotels are approximately 15 minutes from the city and offer complimentary transport to your desired
destination. For quicker transport, some even offer a helipad. Outdoor adventures, such as whale watching, scuba
diving and sea fishing, can also be arranged by the hotels.

From a cosy lounger, you can watch the sun set on another glorious African day while being pampered. The staff is
highly trained and will be at your side with tasty snacks, cool drinks and cocktails. The luxury hotels in the mountains
boast of flotation tanks, hydrotherapy pools and saunas in their spas. Enjoy a South African breakfast served in your
room, and you will feel right at home with such hospitality.

Guest Blog Post:

Click here for great deals and offers on luxury hotels in Cape Town and luxury hotels.

Consider Altering your Working Hours

You could significantly cut your commute time if you avoid rush hour, motorways and highways can be extremely clogged in typical rush hour times – sometimes adding hours onto your journey time. Speak to your boss and see if you can work something out that suits you both. It may mean a later start and finish time but could drastically cut your time spent travelling daily. Also, being stuck in traffic jams can be extremely bad for the environment as the car is on the road, releasing carbon emissions for a long period of time. Plus, the stop-start procedure of traffic jams consumes more fuel than driving at a steady pace, meaning you have to fill up more often.

Compare Transport Options

If you regularly take trips abroad as part of your job it can be tempting to use a hire car as your transfer option between the airport and your destination. However, other public transport options may be considerably cheaper and take the stress out of your journey. Many cities in Europe boast efficient train systems with fares which are usually a lot cheaper than car hiring costs. Plus, catching the train could be a safer option, especially if you’re prone to suffering from jet lag, as tiredness can significantly affect your concentration whilst driving.

If you really want to make your international job commute eco-friendly you could consider flying with a green airline. Using public transport when you land is also a great way to be green as it means one less car on the road!

Reducing your Car Fuel Emissions

If you have no or limited access to public transport and really have to use your car then there are a few methods to reduce your carbon emissions and fuel costs.

Always perform maintenance checks on your car as this can help to reduce your fuel consumption. A dirty air filter can apparently reduce fuel efficiency by up to 20%. Ill-inflated tyres can also increase fuel consumption as well as being dangerous to drive with.

Try to limit your gadget use also, Sat Navs require charging at a mains socket which adds to carbon emissions. Latest studies have been showing that gadgets are holding back plans to drastically reduce carbon emissions by 2020. If you really need a Sat Nav consider buying a solar charger which uses Sunlight to power your gadget – totally free, clean energy!

Car fuel emissions account for a large percentage of carbon emissions caused by humans. Cutting fuel consumption can help the environment as well as your pocket. If you feel you’re spending too much money on your international job-related travel then it’s time to compare cheaper, more fuel efficient options.

Written by Stephanie Staszko on behalf of Just Motor Law who are motoring offence solicitors in the UK. You can follow Steph on Twitter @StephStaz for more green, money-saving and travel related posts.

Medical emergency

Every traveler should ensure that he or she has a plan for a medical emergency because illness can come with no warning. To start with, if you are not in good health, it would be unwise to travel abroad. If there’s any question of your health status, be sure to have a physical examination some weeks before your planned trip.

Most importantly, make sure that you have adequate health insurance cover in place. The insurance policy should be able to provide protection against emergencies, transport, evacuation and hospitalization while abroad. You may need to request and pay for additional coverage on your existing policy, but the money is worth the peace of mind. Before you get discouraged by the dollars you have to part with, consider the cost of not having the insurance in place as you travel.

Credit cards

Since credit cards work all over the globe, it is wise to have your card with you. Before traveling, it is essential to inform your bank of your plans so that they are aware of any international withdrawals that you would make on your visa card. The beauty about the credit card is that you do not have to carry a lot of cash around, which could end up being unsafe in a foreign land with a potentially high crime rate. Be sure to have the phone number for your credit card company handy, in case it’s stolen. You don’t wan to end up with a stolen card and have no way to cancel it.

Payday loans

In the absence of a credit card, and low funds in your checking account, consider a payday loan. This can be done online and the amount credited to your account within one business day after approval. Payday loans are available to those with a consistent amount of monthly income. The turnaround time is very quick, and as long as you can pay it back in a timely manner, the fees are quite reasonable.

Loans from friends and family

Ensure that you have the contact information of friends and family who will be happy to help in an emergency. Keep in mind that your cell phone might not be functional, and you might want to have the information in another form. Be sure to let the people on this short list know you’re traveling so they’ll be ready to help if necessary.

Last Ditch Options

If the above options have proved futile, you have one last option: selling off your personal belongings. Phones, jewelry, and laptops may bring in just enough money to save the day. While you’ll go home with less belongings, chances are good you’ll have a thrilling story to tell, which is a big part of the travel experience!

No matter what the destination or purpose of your trip, forethought is vital. As you plan your sightseeing tours, restaurants, and hotels, don’t forget to plan for unexpected. Being prepared turns potential disasters into minor mishaps. Plan well and have fun!

Photo credit: Multinational train by Artur Bergman/flickr

London resident Samantha Hathaway is a financial consultant and a content contributor for Payday Loans, a company providing payday loans for money advances when you need them.

When packing to live abroad you need a different mind-set than you would for holiday packing. A key difference is that you don’t have a return journey to plan for; you are staying for a while and you will inevitably need to buy things whilst you are out there.

This means that you should focus on packing a few essentials for your first few days, so you can settle in and find some shops. Other than that, bring expensive essentials which would rather not have to buy another one of. Oh, and you might also want to bring photos and any other sentimental items to remind you of home.

Language

One of the hardest things about living abroad is the feeling of isolation. Wherever you are going, make a really good effort to get to know the language – you will almost certainly struggle when you get there, but studying for a few months beforehand will help you to fit in in time.

Google earth / maps

Depending on where you are going, having a look on Google earth / maps and even streetview if available can really help you to get to know where you are going. Try spending a few hours “exploring”, go find your house if you can, and get to know where the shops are etc. This will help you to feel a little more at home when you arrive. That feeling of familiarity goes a long way.

Get to know the locals

When you arrive you really need to go outside of your comfort zone and make an effort to interact with local people. Test your language skills a little bit at a time and go into the shops, bars and restaurants where local people gather.

Know the culture

The worst thing you can do when trying to fit in is to accidentally offend somebody or just not fully understand local traditions and cultures. It is worth spending some time reading up on local culture before you leave to make sure you are forearmed.

Find your community

There are thousands of expats living in every country all over the world and there are plenty of websites where they ‘get together’ to share stories, offer support etc. There may well be one specific to the country you are moving to. Have a look around before you travel and speak to others who have done what you are about to do.

These sorts of sites are a gift to expats, simply for the support you can get; you might even be able to get to know someone who will be living near you who can help you get to know your new home.

About the author

This article was written by Alex from wish.co.uk – a seller of traveling experiences and great days out to help you make more of your days off. Click here for more info about our driving experiences.