Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2010 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[March is Deep-Vein Thrombosis awareness month]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/18/march-is-deep-vein-thrombosis-awareness-month/http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/18/march-is-deep-vein-thrombosis-awareness-month/http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/18/march-is-deep-vein-thrombosis-awareness-month/#commentsFiled under: ,

March 2010 is the seventh annual Deep-Vein Thrombosis awareness month.

DVT is sometimes referred to as "economy class syndrome" because the cramped airplane cabin often prevents people from getting the movement they need to prevent blood clots.

Of course, airplanes are not the only place where DVT can be a problem - even desk workers or people bedridden can be in danger.

The Coalition to Prevent DVT has put together a collection of videos that raise awareness of the dangers of DVT, and help people understand the basic steps they can take to prevent DVT.

The videos can be watched online, or downloaded for transfer to your portable media player.

The dangers of DVT are very real - the spokesperson of the Coalition to Prevent DVT lost her husband, NBC News correspondant David Bloom from complications of DVT while covering the war in Iraq.

So, do yourself a favor and devote a small part of your day to watching these videos and learning how to combat DVT. Your knowledge can also help others so forward the information to anyone you know that is regularly stuck in a cramped airplane seat.

March is Deep-Vein Thrombosis awareness month originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blood clotblood clotsblood clottingBloodClotBloodClotsBloodClottingdeep vein thrombosisDeepVeinThrombosisDVTeconomy classeconomy class syndromeEconomyClassEconomyClassSyndromeThu, 18 Mar 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Funny warning signs keep us safe/amused]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/15/funny-warning-signs-keep-us-safe-amused/http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/15/funny-warning-signs-keep-us-safe-amused/http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/15/funny-warning-signs-keep-us-safe-amused/#commentsFiled under: ,

The world is a dangerous place. Or so the safety signs we encounter on our travels would have us believe. Thankfully, the same people who try to scare us away from sharp objects, deadly animals and steep cliffs also have a fantastic sense of humor. How else could you explain the fascinating amount of truly hysterical warning signs that are displayed all over the world? From my hometown of New York to the Northern Territory of Australia, I've seen warning signs for any number of dangerous situations and more often than not, they've elicited more laughter than fear.

That's not to say that these signs don't have merit. To the contrary, safety signs should always be followed and care should be taken whenever they are present. But, as you walk around the mouth of the active volcano or avoid the snap of the crocodiles teeth, enjoy a hearty belly laugh. Just because you're defying death doesn't mean that you can't have fun doing it.

What situations are the most dangerously hysterical? Let's take a tour of amusing safety signs from around the globe.

Gallery: Amusing Safety Signs

Falling rocks!Don't risk your life.Big waves!Ouch!Stalking Crocs

Continue reading Funny warning signs keep us safe/amused

Funny warning signs keep us safe/amused originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crocodilesdivinghealthsafetysafety signsSafetySignsslipperywarningwarning signswarningsWarningSignsMon, 15 Mar 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[What to do if you're a tourist in a natural disaster]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/15/what-to-do-if-youre-a-tourist-in-a-natural-disaster/http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/15/what-to-do-if-youre-a-tourist-in-a-natural-disaster/http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/15/what-to-do-if-youre-a-tourist-in-a-natural-disaster/#commentsFiled under:

Sky eats landscapeNatural disasters can strike anywhere at any time. Mother nature doesn't care who you are, how much money you spent on your vacation, or whether you bought travel insurance. Mother nature is kind of a jerk like that. So, what exactly do you do if you're lying on a Chilean beach one day and then suddenly you're in an earthquake?

While I would never advocate living in fear or always preparing for the worst (no way to live, in my humble opinion), a little precaution is more than a good idea; it's responsible. It's like packing an umbrella when you know it's likely to rain. Consider the risks of your destination (Does it get avalanches? Tornadoes? Is it the island from Lost?), and make sure you have a plan in mind in case you get unlucky. Read on for a list of potential disasters and tips on how to stay safe.

But first, everyone should program 202-501-4444 into their phone or keep it in their travel documents. Why? It's the phone number for emergency assistance to Americans in foreign countries, a'la the US Department of State (they'll get you help from your nearest US embassy). Additionally, you should register with the US Department of State when you're going abroad so that they can inform the nearest embassy that you're coming and keep better track of you if there's a crisis. Travel registration is a free service for which your taxes pay, and you can do it online here.

If that sounds a little big-brother-ish to you, consider how much passport stuff you go through anytime you travel abroad. It's okay for your country to know where you are. In fact, it's a very good thing, as they have an obligation to try and protect you on your travels. Also, there's a Privacy Act:

Continue reading What to do if you're a tourist in a natural disaster

What to do if you're a tourist in a natural disaster originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>embassyFEMAtravel safetyTravelSafetyUS department of stateUsDepartmentOfStateMon, 15 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gadling TV's Travel Talk 004: Holi Festival, Travel Discouragement Act, Good & Bad Pilots, and Scuba Diving!]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/10/gadling-travel-talk-004/http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/10/gadling-travel-talk-004/http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/10/gadling-travel-talk-004/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



Gadling TV's Travel Talk, episode 4 - Click above to watch video after the jump


Ready to go subterranean? Travel Talk takes you to Monterey, California this week for a special episode under the sea!

This week we discuss India's Festival of Colors, the United States' new Travel Promotion Act, frozen ferries in the Baltic Sea, and a pilot who managed to fool authorities and fly commercial planes unlicensed for 13 years! Also, we speak exclusively with cargo pilot & Video of the Week contributor Matt Wright!
Bruce is back to show you how to stay fit on the go; Sheila brings us a new segment on dating practices from around the world, and we take a look at California sea life from above and below the water.

Continue reading Gadling TV's Travel Talk 004: Holi Festival, Travel Discouragement Act, Good & Bad Pilots, and Scuba Diving!

Gadling TV's Travel Talk 004: Holi Festival, Travel Discouragement Act, Good & Bad Pilots, and Scuba Diving! originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>747Bell of the BeastBellOfTheBeastBruceCaliforniaContour HDContourHdDatingGoProMatt WrightMattWrightmontereyMonterey Baymonterey bay aquariumMontereyBayMontereyBayAquariumscuba divingScubaDivingTravel TipsTraveltalkTravelTipsWed, 10 Mar 2010 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Snooze tips from a NYC sleep concierge]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/08/snooze-tips-from-a-nyc-sleep-concierge/http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/08/snooze-tips-from-a-nyc-sleep-concierge/http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/08/snooze-tips-from-a-nyc-sleep-concierge/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

No matter how posh a hotel room is, sometimes it's hard to sleep well in new places.

Anya Orlanska, the Sleep Concierge at the Benjamin hotel in midtown Manhattan, shares some tips gleaned from 2.5 years of fielding requests from weary business travelers. Though 400-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets can help, there are other tricks to help you catch some Zs.

What do your guests always ask you?
I spend a lot of time recommending the appropriate pillow. The Benjamin's sleep menu is placed on the bed prior to the guest's arrival and any (or all) of the pillow options can be delivered to the room with just one call to me.

Are any pillows more popular than others?
Some of the most popular from our 12-pillow menu include the Swedish memory foam (conforms to the body and keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer), the water-filled pillow (for instant relief from headaches and neck pain, fill it with warm or cold water), the five-foot body cushion (helpful if you're used to sleeping with another person, also great for expectant mothers), and the "lullaby" pillow that you can plug an iPod into, so you can fall asleep to your own music.

What are some common mistakes that travelers make while on the road?
Doing work or eating in bed, eating a heavy meal or consuming a lot of alcohol and caffeine before bed--and making the room too hot (it's best to sleep in a cool environment).

Is there anything you can recommend for people who are fighting jet lag?
If you're staying in a hotel with a spa, get a massage before going to bed.

Booking Details: "The Art of Sleep" package at the Benjamin starts at $578 for two nights and includes a consultation with the Sleep Concierge, a nightly snack of PB&J finger sandwiches, 20 percent off a spa treatment at the on-site Wellness Spa, the National Sleep Foundation's sleep kit (eye mask, lavender bath salts, a CD, and a copy of A Good Night's Sleep), and late checkout at 2 p.m. Valid until Dec. 31.

Tip: Room service can deliver milk and cookies, but it'll cost you a whopping $20.14, with taxes and delivery charges. Each of the rooms at the Benjamin hotel have a microwave, so find a nearby bodega, stock up, and warm up your own snack before bedtime.

Continue reading Snooze tips from a NYC sleep concierge

Snooze tips from a NYC sleep concierge originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>benjamin hotelBenjaminHotelbudgetbudget travelBudgetTraveldealsnational sleep aNationalSleepANationalSleepAwarenessWeeknew york cityNewYorkCitysleepMon, 08 Mar 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Plan out Day One - International travel tip]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/06/international-travel-tip-plan-out-day-one/http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/06/international-travel-tip-plan-out-day-one/http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/06/international-travel-tip-plan-out-day-one/#commentsFiled under:

When traveling across time zones, have an itinerary upon arrival: take a walk in the park, grab a coffee, and familiarize yourself with your temporary stomping grounds on Day One. Not only does this make the most of your time, it also combats jet lag and keeps your mind stimulated, allowing you to go to sleep at a regular hour.

Best way to start: go online and look at websites for your destination. Pick out a few low-key places you'd like to visit, and write down their addresses and entrance costs, if applicable. Keep this sheet with your other travel documents, and pull it out when you reach your destination.

Plan out Day One - International travel tip originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 06 Mar 2010 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>100 words or less100WordsOrLessinternationaljet lagJetLagSat, 06 Mar 2010 11:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Lon-done? Visit Bath]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/22/lon-done-visit-bath/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/22/lon-done-visit-bath/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/22/lon-done-visit-bath/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

London's pollution and stress getting to you? Take the waters in Bath! Just ninety minutes away by train, this well-preserved Georgian-era resort makes for a relaxing day trip or, even better, a weekend getaway.

Bath is famous for its natural hot springs that supposedly have medicinal qualities. The Thermae Bath Spa offers you a chance to soak, but for old-school elegance you'll want to visit The Roman Baths Museum and Pump Room. Here you'll see where the ancients came to get healed by the hot mineral springs. The lower parts of the once-giant complex are still remarkably preserved. As you walk around the dim halls and central pool you'll feel like the Romans left 15 years ago, not 1,500.

After the Romans abandoned their province of Britannia in 410 A.D. the baths fell into disuse. They didn't come into national prominence again until Queen Anne stopped by in 1702 to cure her gout. The British love of imitating royalty kicked in and Bath was on the map again. An entire city appeared in the 18th century to take care of wealthy visitors, who often stayed an entire year or more. The Pump Room was the central meeting place, an elegant hall where you can still drink some of the healing water. It tastes very heavy in minerals and is served warm.

Bath's most famous resident was Jane Austen, who penned sharp-witted novels about its residents and their pretensions. Fans won't want to miss the Jane Austen Centre. Guides in period costume explain what it was like to live here in Austen's day and trace the history of high society in this first of English resorts. A Regency-style tea room offers refreshment.

There's lots of period architecture in Bath, but the two jewels that shine the brightest are No. 1 Royal Crescent and the Bath Abbey and Heritage Vaults. Restored and furnished as it was in Georgian times, the Crescent is part of a great sweep of townhouses that are collectively a World Heritage Building. When completed in 1774 they became the swankiest address in the city. In fact, it still is. In 2006 a house in the Crescent sold for £4.5 million, or $7.3 million. The elegant interior of No. 1 is faithfully restored with period furnishings and conveys an excellent idea of what it was like to be ridiculously wealthy more than 200 years ago.

Gallery: Bath

Fan Vaulting on Bath AbbeyRoyal Crescent from the airGeorgian architecture in BathInterior of Roman bathsAnother view of the interior of the Roman baths

Continue reading Lon-done? Visit Bath

Lon-done? Visit Bath originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archaeologyarcheologybathcathedralcathedralsenglandGothicjane austenJaneAustenliteratureRomansspaspasUNESCOUNESCO World Heritage SiteUNESCO World Heritage SitesUnescoWorldHeritageSiteUnescoWorldHeritageSitesWorld Heritage BuildingWorldHeritageBuildingFri, 22 Jan 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Master jet lag - International travel tip]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/19/international-travel-tip-master-jet-lag/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/19/international-travel-tip-master-jet-lag/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/19/international-travel-tip-master-jet-lag/#commentsFiled under:

I used to commute internationally from the USA to Europe. Here are my best tips for mastering jet lag.
  • Do not eat any airline food (it's high in sodium).Instead, pack your own food to eat.
  • Do not drink any alcohol (it dehydrates you). Rather, drink lots of water instead.
  • Use ear plugs and wear something to cover your eyes. If you cannot sleep just rest.
  • When arriving at your destination take a long, hot bath and add lavender salts or essential oils (they invigorate the body).
  • Take a 1 hour nap -- no longer.
  • Go for a walk in the fresh air, rain or shine and only go to bed when it is that country's bedtime.

Master jet lag - International travel tip originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 08:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>100 words or less100WordsOrLessinternationalTue, 19 Jan 2010 08:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Gadling's hangover cures]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/18/gadlings-hangover-cures/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/18/gadlings-hangover-cures/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/18/gadlings-hangover-cures/#commentsFiled under: ,

Sooner or later it will happen to you on a trip. You'll drink too much schnapps, or ouzo, or chang, or tej, and you'll wake up the next morning feeling like your brain is two sizes too big for your skull and your mouth was indecently violated by The Mummy.

A hangover is one of the worst types of traveler's illness because it's self-inflicted. Luckily every country that has a local branch of hooch (and that's most countries) has a local remedy. Here in Spain, someone suffering from a reseca should go to a cafe and order a tostada con tomate. This is toast with a bit of olive oil topped with tomato puree and salt. It's best taken with some strong coffee. The Scots like drinking their national soft drink Irn-Bru. In England people have a traditional fry-up, with baked beans, toast, sausage, bacon, tomato, and mushrooms. Lots of carbohydrates is one school of thought for curing a hangover, although Vitamin C is also a common cure.

When I asked the rugged, hard-drinking travelers here at Gadling, I got plenty of suggestions. One blogger gave her personal recipe as "Emergen-C, carbs, a nap, a shower, more carbs." Others suggested the "hair of the dog." Two said a few Bloody Marys work best, mixed either with eggs Benedict and greasy hash browns or a nap. The Mexicans have a variation on the Bloody Mary cure called the michelada that sounds like it should work pretty well. I wish I had known about it after a certain tequila night in Nogales.

Gadling readers offered some favorite cures too. In Wisconsin, with its history of German and Scandinavian immigrants, the traditional remedy is sauerkraut juice. I can't imagine stomaching such a thing the morning after a pub crawl, but with its salt, liquid, and vitamins C and B6, I can see how it would work. More palatable is ice cream or chocolate milk to get your blood sugar level up quickly. Chocolate before going to bed is said to give you crazy dreams as it flushes the alcohol out of your system more quickly but you'll wake up feeling OK.

The main causes of a hangover are dehydration, vitamin B deficiency, and the toxins in the booze you guzzled the previous night, so the best cure is preventative: drink quality stuff and before going to bed have plenty of water and some vitamin B tablets. I've noticed that a night on the town enjoying quality British real ale gives me a pain-free morning, while drinking regular lager destroys me.

For more international cures, check out this handy National Geographic diagram. If all else fails join The Prohibition Party. Yep, they're still around!

Gadling's hangover cures originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drinkingdrunkdrunksfoodietravelhangoverhangover curehangover cureshangovercureHangoverCureshangovershealthhome remedieshome remedies for hangovershome remedyHomeRemediesHomeRemediesForHangoversHomeRemedyMon, 18 Jan 2010 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Clean your suitcase before bringing it home - International travel tip]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/17/international-travel-tip-clean-your-suitcase-before-bringing-it/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/17/international-travel-tip-clean-your-suitcase-before-bringing-it/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/17/international-travel-tip-clean-your-suitcase-before-bringing-it/#commentsFiled under: ,

When coming home from a tropical destination, a jungle, or a developing nation, never bring your suitcase home immediately. Instead, take it to a laundromat and wash all your clothing -- and the bag -- in HOT, HOT water. Some places will even steam your bag for you.

Do this and you might avoid the horror that my sister encountered upon her return from a tropical country: upon pulling her favorite jeans out of her suitcase, she discovered a native spider had taken residence inside her bag ... and given birth!

Clean your suitcase before bringing it home - International travel tip originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 17 Jan 2010 20:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>100 words or less100WordsOrLessinternationalsuitcasetravelSun, 17 Jan 2010 20:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Eat green apples - Cruise tip]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/13/cruise-tip-eat-green-apples/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/13/cruise-tip-eat-green-apples/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/13/cruise-tip-eat-green-apples/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If you start to feel the effects of seasickness while on a cruise, ask room service to send you a plate of green apples and crackers.

Both of these foods help settle your stomach when the movement of the ship proves to be too much for your motion sickness medication to handle.

Eat green apples - Cruise tip originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>100 words or less100WordsOrLesscruisecruisesseasicknessWed, 13 Jan 2010 16:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Get tips on visiting Disney with a special needs child at Mouse-Aid]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/13/get-tips-on-visiting-disney-with-a-special-needs-child-at-mouse/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/13/get-tips-on-visiting-disney-with-a-special-needs-child-at-mouse/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/13/get-tips-on-visiting-disney-with-a-special-needs-child-at-mouse/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Disneyland and Disney World are supposed to be the happiest places on Earth. Every child wants to go to this place of wonder and excitement, and special needs children are no exception. But for parents of these children, the thought of organizing a trip may seem like a far too difficult task. That's where the Mouse-Aid website comes in.

The website is not affiliated with Disney, but it is designed to help parents of children with special needs negotiate the obstacles to taking their kids on a Disney vacation. There are tips for travel, packing, get around the parks, dining and choosing a room, and what issues parents of special needs kids should consider The special needs covered range from physical and mental disabilities to ADHD and terminal illness.

For many parents, the most helpful part of the site might be the forums. Here parents can discuss the issues important for their children, like which rides might scare kids frightened of the dark. They can also find support in parents dealing with similar issues as themselves. As the aunt of a special needs child, I've seen how just knowing that there are other parents who understand your situation can be a big help in and of itself. If you are the parent of a child with special needs, and you are planning a trip to a Disney theme park, it might be worth checking out the Mouse-Aid site.

Get tips on visiting Disney with a special needs child at Mouse-Aid originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adhdDisabilitiesdisabilitydisabledDisneydisney landdisney vacationDisneyLandDisneyVacationforumforumsonline forumsOnlineForumsparentingparentsspecialspecial needsspecial needs childrenspecial needs parentsSpecialNeedsSpecialNeedsChildrenSpecialNeedsParentstheme parktheme parksThemeParkThemeParksWalt Disney WorldWaltDisneyWorldwebsitewebsitesWed, 13 Jan 2010 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Check your insurance - International travel tip]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/13/international-travel-tip-check-your-insurance/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/13/international-travel-tip-check-your-insurance/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/13/international-travel-tip-check-your-insurance/#commentsFiled under:

One the most important -- and overlooked -- things to do before traveling abroad is to check into your medical insurance coverage.

Call your insurance company to see if you and your family are covered overseas. This is especially important for destinations where disease and illness is more common, or for trips where a lot of physical activity occurs. If your medical insurance doesn't extend internationally, consider purchasing supplemental insurance for the time you're abroad.

Also, before leaving home, write down all your insurance information and carry it with you at all times. It's also a good idea to make copies for any family member traveling with you. Finally, consider providing copies for family or friends staying at home ... in case of emergency.

Check your insurance - International travel tip originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 06:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>100 words or less100WordsOrLessabroadinternationalinternational travelinternational travel tipsinternationalinsuranceInternationalTravelInternationalTravelTipsmedicalinsuranceoverseastipstravelvacationWed, 13 Jan 2010 06:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Are airport x-ray machines bad for your health?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/08/are-airport-x-ray-machines-bad-for-your-health/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/08/are-airport-x-ray-machines-bad-for-your-health/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/08/are-airport-x-ray-machines-bad-for-your-health/#commentsFiled under: ,

A man in a scanWe all know from wearing those iron aprons at the dentist that x-rays are not good for you. Radiation is dangerous, and radiation poisoning can lead to very serious health problems and even death.

Radiation poisoning usually occurs when someone is exposed to a heavy amount of radiation for a short period of time, but in rarer cases, long term exposure to small doses can also be damaging. So, should frequent fliers be worried? What about pilots and cabin crew?

Millimeter-wave imaging-technology units, which are currently operating in 19 airports, don't produce the kind of radiation we get from x-rays, but backscatter units like this do. Following the terrorism attempt on Christmas, the US has just ordered 150 backscatter screening systems (like the above).

Is it dangerous? Probably not. Rodale reports: "According to TSA, the amount of radiation you're exposed to during a two-second millimeter-wave scan exposes you to radio-wave radiation that is 10,000 times less powerful than radiation levels that pulse from a cellphone." They also note that the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement "found that a traveler subjected to at least 2,500 backscatter scans per year would barely reach the Negligible Individual Dose."

Wait. Barely? That's not really what we wanted to hear, but 2,500 would come to seven scans per day, every day. At that point, you're not a traveler, you just have a weird hobby.

The concern that no one can shake (besides that of privacy) is that of machine stability and maintenance. Backscatter scanners do have the capability of doing harm; they just won't if they're functioning properly. Rodale adds, "If you feel uncomfortable going through advanced-imaging airport body-scan machines, know that you do have the right to an alternative search, although it may be in the form of a more invasive pat-down-type search by a security worker."

For more information on radiation poisoning and radiation sickness, visit MayoClinic.com.

[via Rodale]

Are airport x-ray machines bad for your health? originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backscatterradiationsafetyTSAx-rayFri, 08 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[U.S. lifts ban on travelers with HIV or AIDS]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/04/u-s-lifts-ban-on-travelers-with-hiv-or-aids/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/04/u-s-lifts-ban-on-travelers-with-hiv-or-aids/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/04/u-s-lifts-ban-on-travelers-with-hiv-or-aids/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

For the past 22 years, if you had HIV or AIDS and weren't American, you couldn't enter the U.S.

That changed today as President Obama lifted the ban. Since the Obama administration is planning to host the 2012 World Aids Conference, the change in policy was necessary.

The biannual conference naturally includes many people living with HIV and AIDS, and barring their entry would have been bad PR for an administration that wants to be seen as a global leader in the fight against the disease

There are only ten countries that now ban people with HIV/AIDS from entering. They are: Brunei, China. Equatorial Guinea, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

According to the website hivtravel.org, some of these countries allow people to enter under "special circumstances". Some other countries not on the list put restrictions on people living with HIV/AIDS but not full bans.

Continue reading U.S. lifts ban on travelers with HIV or AIDS

U.S. lifts ban on travelers with HIV or AIDS originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AidsHIVhiv and aidsHivAndAidsMon, 04 Jan 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GPS almost kills five people in Oregon]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/04/gps-almost-kills-five-people-in-oregon/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/04/gps-almost-kills-five-people-in-oregon/http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/04/gps-almost-kills-five-people-in-oregon/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The invention of the dashboard-mounted GPS unit has been a lifesaver for many of the navigationally-challenged among us. But it's also, well, almost killed people who rely on it blindly.

About a week ago, a Nevada couple got stuck for three days when their GPS device led them down a snowy, remote road in eastern Oregon. John Rhoads and his wife were trying to drive from Portland to Reno when their GPS told them to turn onto Forest Service Road 28 in Oregon. They followed it for 35 miles before their vehicle became lodged in the snow.

About 2 1/2 days later, their cell phone acquired a weak signal and they were able to call for rescue.

The lone bit of comic relief in the story, as Mike Munger points out, is the name of the driver's wife: Starry Bush-Rhoads. "No, really," Munger writes. "They got lost for three nights in the mountains on bush roads, and her name is....well, you see my point."

The day before the Rhoads became stranded, another couple and their child were also driving in Oregon when their GPS led them astray. According to Yahoo News, "They had no cell phone service and ran short on formula for their 11-month-old daughter. After taking exploratory hikes, trying to dig out and spending the night in their car, the distraught couple filmed a goodbye video."

Yikes!

Thankfully the couple was rescued after two days.

People, do not follow your GPS blindly! Always keep a paper map in your car. And don't forget this important advice from Marie Dodds, a AAA spokesperson: "If you are following your GPS and all of a sudden you find yourself in the middle of nowhere with snow all around, don't go there. Turn around."

More from Gadling's Kraig Becker on the limits of GPS here.

GPS almost kills five people in Oregon originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GPS oregonGpsOregonMon, 04 Jan 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Living in the Now: Travel gratitude]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/22/living-in-the-now-travel-gratitude/http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/22/living-in-the-now-travel-gratitude/http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/22/living-in-the-now-travel-gratitude/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Sam Chillingworth, a high school classmate, friend, and now featured writer in the inspiring book series Wake Up... Live the Life you Love, recently passed on a book he contributed to called Living in the Now. At the time, I had just returned from a two-month trip to the mainland and Peru, and (as I usually do when I return from a trip) was experiencing a bad case of travel hangover.

There's nothing like reading a collection of inspiring essays about embracing life. Some of the tips I found were so helpful in putting life -- and, more importantly, travel -- in perspective that I thought it would be worthwhile to pass on some life and travel wisdom to ye faithful Gadling readers. Seeing that the new year is so quickly approaching, these tips should generate some good ideas for your 2010 resolution(s). On Sunday, I outlined how to travel in 4D, and yesterday we learned about the 80/20 travel rule. Here's my third and final travel tip to get your new year started on the right foot:

Continue reading Living in the Now: Travel gratitude

Living in the Now: Travel gratitude originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gratitudeliving in the nowLivingInTheNownew yearresolutionTue, 22 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[5 ways to cure your travel hangover]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/21/5-ways-to-cure-your-travel-hangover/http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/21/5-ways-to-cure-your-travel-hangover/http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/21/5-ways-to-cure-your-travel-hangover/#commentsFiled under: ,

Travel hangover (NOUN): the sad feeling you have upon returning home from an inspiring trip, otherwise known as the back-home blues or a hangover without the alcohol

We've all had it, and there's no easy cure for it either. No matter how eager you are to return home from a trip, there's something about the trip that you're bound to miss -- whether it's the food, the culture, the sunsets, or the escape from reality. Upon returning home, you find yourself bummed out. Not only that: your friends just don't understand -- and can't do much to get you out of your back-home funk.

Don't get me wrong: there's no place like home, but there's also nothing like traveling abroad. Usually, the longer you're away the longer your travel hangover will be. Here are a few ways to get rid of your "illness" a little quicker.

Continue reading 5 ways to cure your travel hangover

5 ways to cure your travel hangover originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>curehangovertravel hangovertravel healthTravelHangoverMon, 21 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Living in the Now: Following the 80/20 Travel Rule]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/21/living-in-the-now-following-the-80-20-travel-rule/http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/21/living-in-the-now-following-the-80-20-travel-rule/http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/21/living-in-the-now-following-the-80-20-travel-rule/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Sam Chillingworth, a high school classmate, friend, and now featured writer in the inspiring book series Wake Up... Live the Life you Love, recently passed on a book he contributed to called Living in the Now. At the time, I had just returned from a two-month trip to the mainland and Peru, and (as I usually do when I return from a trip) was experiencing a bad case of travel hangover.

There's nothing like reading a collection of inspiring essays about embracing life. Some of the tips I found were so helpful in putting life -- and, more importantly, travel -- in perspective that I thought it would be worthwhile to pass on some life and travel wisdom to ye faithful Gadling readers. Seeing that the new year is so quickly approaching, these tips should generate some good ideas for your 2010 resolution(s). Yesterday, I outlined how to travel in 4D. Here's my second travel tip -- of three:

Continue reading Living in the Now: Following the 80/20 Travel Rule

Living in the Now: Following the 80/20 Travel Rule originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>8020inspirationliving in the nowLivingInTheNowMon, 21 Dec 2009 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[5 reasons to travel after a breakup]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/20/5-reasons-to-travel-after-a-breakup/http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/20/5-reasons-to-travel-after-a-breakup/http://www.gadling.com/2009/12/20/5-reasons-to-travel-after-a-breakup/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We've all experienced heartbreak -- the kind where you've cried until you have no more tears and you feel like your soul is on the floor. It's never a good feeling, and you feel so emotionally spent that you feel like the best thing to do is stay in bed so you can't get more hurt. The problem is you can't get into a bad pattern of self-deprecation. You have to see the light of day at some point, and it might as well be as soon as possible.

Here are five reasons you should travel after a breakup:
  • A much-needed distraction: You may not feel inclined to pack your bags and hit the road, but travel requires mental (and emotional) energy that can make it the perfect distraction after a breakup. Instead of wondering about your ex or why things went wrong in your relationship, you'll have to plan your next great travel adventure.
  • Learning about yourself: Breakups are all about learning and moving on, and the best way to truly know yourself is by getting yourself into a healthy state of self-reliance. By traveling, you quickly discover your limits and your goals realign so quickly that your heart will realign with them in no time.

Continue reading 5 reasons to travel after a breakup

5 reasons to travel after a breakup originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 20 Dec 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakuphealthrelationshipsSun, 20 Dec 2009 14:30:00 EST