Journeys and Adventures

Our good friends at TripAdvisor have given those of us that think we’re worldly and smart another chance to either support our claims or prove to ourselves that we’re lying.

     The 12 levels of Know Your World are set to challenge your knowledge of countries, capital cities, and well-known sights around the world.

       I made it to level 6, which I think is pretty good (but I really have no idea); I definitely learned that I don’t know much about Asia or the Pacific!  And I’m embarrassed to admit that I selected the wrong country for Kampala, Uganda–somewhere I’ve visited (I was close, though)!  My knowledge of Europe definitely saved me…

     I’d love to know how the rest of you do, so leave a comment with your score—and which atlas you need to study again!

So far, this blog has helped travelers understand foreign culinary faux pas by testing you on your global dining etiquette and made sure that travelers don’t make the “worst cultural mistakes” (eating with your left hand in India, refusing a lei in Hawaii, and blowing your nose in public in Japan are just some of the offenses covered).

   Now, I’m going to make sure you don’t break the law and end up in jail or paying a hefty fine in some foreign countries, because, according to an article in Budget Travel, there are some weird foreign laws:

• You cannot use more than 25 pennies at one time in Canada.
• Masks are not allowed in public in Denmark.
• Water guns will be seized if used in Cambodia.
• Failing to flush a public toilet in Singapore could result in a fine.
• You could get a ticket in the Philippines for driving a scooter in sandals.

foreign laws that sometimes get visitors in trouble:

• You’ll pay a heavy fine if you try to bathe in a fountain in Italy.
• During Ramadan, between sunrise and sunset, it is a criminal offense to eat, drink, or smoke in public in the United Arab Emirates.
• In Yemen, the maximum punishment for attempting to import pork products is death.

   And, according to Snopes.com and its list of true and false stories about laws, in case you once saw it in e-mail, it is false that a hunting license is required to set a mousetrap in California.  J

   Check out the links above for more “interesting” foreign laws to protect yourself in the future.

Related Posts

Don’t Gross Out the World: A Lesson in Global Dining Etiquette
World’s Worst Cultural Mistakes

BootsnAll, a great travel site I’ve mentioned before, now offers a quick travel quiz that after just eight questions tells you “what kind of traveler” you are.

     It turns out I travel like Amelia Earhart–which is flattering with her sense of adventure, her bravery, her determination, and her independence.  Her quote “Adventure is worthwhile in itself” is perfect for me.  Of course, I hope that I don’t disappear on one of my adventures or have people searching for and studying me for years to come…I’m not sure if the description of my travel style offered by BootsnAll really fits me (I do a lot of planning when I travel), but it’s still fun.

     Take a minute to take the below quiz and comment back with your results (and if you agree or not!)

I travel like Amelia Earhart !
You are a controversial wanderer who might have a tendency to get lost. Your friends have great respect for you, as long as you don’t forget which way is up.
What type of traveler are you? Take BootsnAll’s Travel Quiz to find out.

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