* In areas with lots of bugs, the only insect repellents that have been proven to work contain DEET.  But body chemistry plays a big part--some people get bitten terribly, while others go unscathed.  Regardless of that, NO repellent works well when it's warm and humid, because you just sweat it off!  It's better to wear long pants (tuck them into your socks), long sleeved shirt (long enough to pull hands up into the sleeves), and a very thin stocking cap to cover ears.  All that feels warm, but it's the best protection.

* Light packing rule: "When in doubt, leave it out."

* A leg wallet that straps around your calf is a great way to keep essentials safe.  Even people who have been strangled unconscious and stripped of everything but their clothes have found their leg wallets untouched.

* Learn the language.  Learn the language.  Learn the language.

* Consider this radical idea: "Leave your camera at home."  This will allow you to concentrate on what you're experiencing right now rather than focusing on how to document everything for viewing later.  (Hilary Bradt)

* How to know when you should give money to beggars:  If the local people are giving donations to the beggars, than you should too.

* Lots of travel information is available through www.travelguides.com

* Stress makes people sick.  To stay healthy on the road, besides being careful about food and drink, remember to relax.  Besides that, remember to wash your hands a lot-- other than what you consume directly, the second most likely way that bad buggies get into you is from the things you touch.  So do what your mum always said, "Wash your hands before you eat!"  And don't rub your eyes either.

* If you run out of toilet paper, a sheet of note paper or newspaper get very soft and absorbent when you crumple it up and flatten it out a bunch of times.  Try it, it really works.  (Mette Portner)

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