Travel Tips

Taking picture is a wonderful way to connect to a place. Some people say it takes you away from actually interacting with the place, but that’s only the case if you take 3,000 pictures in a week. Having a day for picture taking in a new city can give you a great opportunity to really capture the city and the people that make it up. Looking for great pictures will make you look at the city in a different way. This blog will discuss a few do’s and don’ts about picture taking while also discussing and border crossings.

Taking Pictures 

– If you want to take a picture of someone smile at them and approach them so they know what you are doing. Pretty much anywhere in the world, it is a rude thing to just snap a photo in someone’s face without permission.

– Just because you are trying to get perfect shots of a building doesn’t give you the right to block sidewalks or streets. Mind other people doing day to day things and take your pictures around them.

– Be sensitive about what you take pictures of. People praying or working may not be the right thing.

Border Crossings 

– Know well in advance all the visa requirements for your destination. Sometimes they take weeks in advance to obtain, other times it is possible to get a visa directly at the border. Either way be aware as surprises at borders are never good.

– The key to getting past the border patrol is having answers ready for the questions you can be assured they will ask. These questions are usually: what is your purpose here, where you going to stay, how long will you be here? Answer those questions clearly and confidently and they won’t be a problem. Remember that less is more… an autobiography of your life in your answers will just lead to more questions.

– Keep an eye to make sure that when leaving or entering a country you have received the correct stamp for the correct date. Mistakes in either of these two items can cause issues when you leave.

– Connecting back to keeping your answers short, unless you have the paperwork to back it, never say your reason for entering a country is work