Keep reading to find out how you can get a FREE CD Demo to see for yourself.


“We found ourselves catching onto words and phrases by association—just from seeing a photo, hearing a pronunciation,and figuring out what a certain phrase meant… This program can really grow on you.”



Have you ever thought to yourself; “I wish I could speak a second language?”, or; “I wished I’d made more effort with languages when I was at school?”.

And...

Do you now forget the simplest of things in an instant -- like where you last left your car keys -- so the idea that you could now start learning a whole new language seems like stuff of fantasy?

If you’ve answered “yes” it’s not surprising. It’s been scientifically proven that as you get older your ability to learn new skills like a second language quickly disappears.

This fact really hits home when you see how children can pick up a foreign language as easily as they pick up a common cold. A child relocated to a foreign country will typically become fluent within the first year while their parents continue to struggle many years later.

By now you must be thinking, “How the heck am I supposed to learn a foreign language after you’ve just told there’s a scientifically proven reason why I can’t, you crazy fool?”

Well, the answers actually very simple. It’s all about changing the way you learn a foreign language, and this is exactly what Rosetta Stone did…

They realized that if children are so good at learning languages, we could study what they do and then teach the same method to adults.

What they created was an adult language-learning course that not only worked, but it worked quickly and was fun!

“I bought Rosetta Stone’s program for my niece and opened it up to "try it out" first. Well, I enjoyed it so much that I kept it myself and had to buy my niece another copy. The use of photographs and the spoken word make it easy and enjoyable to learn. It is engaging and fun. It feels like you are playing a game.”


It’s not just the customers who rave about Rosetta Stone, it’s got some very high profile users, and it’s won some very prestigious awards too:

New York Times reported a 150% increase in people learning new language

Amazon report language course growing much faster than any other software business

It’s not surprising that Rosetta Stone was ranked by Inc. Magazine as one of the top 500 fastest grown private companies of 2006

The Rosetta Stone has been selected by NASA, the Peace Corps, the U.S. State Department, and thousands of elementary schools, high schools, and universities worldwide for developing foreign language and ESL skills. Intel use it to teach their engineers Chinese before they get sent over there

Rosetta Stone have also won the following awards:

• Gold Awards for Best CD-ROMs Used in School
• Best CD-ROM for Language Learning i-Magic Awards
• Best Software in Second Language Foreign Language Learning Program annual awards

Now you’ve discovered the reason behind the Rosetta Stone Language Software, keep reading to see what the real “nuts and bolts” of the service are…

1. You learn like a child learns naturally, and get to test yourself to see if you can beat your top score — This takes the hard work out of learning, and the test yourself feature make it into a game and keeps you motivated to beat your score!

2. You focus on the 4 key areas of language: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking — This means that once you’ve taken the Rosetta Stone course, you’ll have a full working knowledge of the language so whether you need to ask a question, get asked a question, need to read something, or write a message, you’ll be able to do it.

3. You can choose to learn over 30 different languages — From the most popular languages like Italian and French to more obscure choices that’ll really help you stand out, like Persian or Polish

4. You can learn in your own time — You’re in control of the learning, so you can take the course as quickly or leisurely as you like. Plus you can go back and review sections whenever you need

5. You can take the course where you like — Get lots of time to listen when you’re in the car, or when you do your exercise. You can get the course in any portable format you need so you can listen on your car stereo or on your portable music player, put it into your car stereo or media player

6. You get all future software application upgrades are $20 for life — This means that you’re really getting a life-time’s language course, that you can return to any time in the future to refresh your knowledge

7. You get free unlimited 800-number support — Sometimes you need a bit of help, so you’re safe in the knowledge you can get free, friendly advice to hold your hand through the course

8. You can request a free trial — No matter how much you read or hear about something, you’ll never truly know if it’s going to work for you until you try it. With Rosetta Stone, you don’t have to risk anything when you request a free demo

9. You get an amazing 6-month money back guarantee — Even if you decide to claim the full course, you still get an amazing 6-months to try it out and still get your money back if you’re not happy. That’s enough time to even with time to go abroad to the country of the language you’re learning and try your skills for real

1. You learn like a child learns naturally, and get to test yourself to see if you can beat your top score

If you’re like most people, then the biggest reason why you haven’t attempted to learn a foreign language is because it seems like too much hard work. You may think back to the time when you studied at school or college, and how much effort you put in. Well, Rosetta Stone ignores the traditional teaching methods of the classroom and approaches learning like a child learns naturally when “dropped” into a new country. Through the repetition of pictures you quickly find you can associate objects and situations in a whole new language.

The course then lets you test your new knowledge and keeps score, turning it into a game instead of a lesson. You can then try and beat the accuracy and speed of score, which not only makes it even more fun, but it reinforces what you’ve already learnt.

“This software is lots of fun. It uses a unique method of learning where you associate pictures with words. I guess that's how we learned to speak English or our native tongue. Mom or dad would point to a tree and say that's a "tree" or point to a car and say "that's a car." And by associating the word with the image, we learned English - or at least we learned English vocabulary”


2. You focus on the 4 key areas of language: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking

When you’re learning a foreign language it’s important that you learn it in a rounded way. Imagine if you’d learnt to ask a question, but were unable to understand the reply. Or you knew how to pronounce all the dishes on a menu, but couldn’t actually read them when they were written down!

The Rosetta Stone language course make sure you’re equally learn the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, so you can react correctly to anyway the foreign language is presented to you.

“This is probably the best approach I've encountered for language instruction. The organization of material is quite clever. After you learn a set of related words, these words are then used as reference points to help you learn the next set of words. The process is quite enjoyable and amazingly effective.”


3. You can choose to learn over 30 different languages

Your desire to learn a foreign language is universal, however, the language you wish to learn will be for your own reason. Maybe it’s because you love to visit a certain country every year, or maybe it’s because you’ve spotted a business opportunity in another country and learning their language would give you the edge, or maybe it’s because your potential Mother-in-Law speaks it, and you want to keep on her side.

This list is endless, but luckily, Rosetta Stone offer you a choice of over 30 different languages, so the chances are they’ll have the one that you’re want to learn (and learn it you will).

"My wife speaks Portuguese and a little English. We got married and spoke two different languages ... She has been using the program for about a month now and the change is unbelievable ... The program is great and we tell everybody about it."


4. You can learn in your own time

The pace you learn at will be different to other people, which is one of the reasons why learning in a classroom with structure times often fails for most people. You might like to plough through as quickly as you can. You may not have much free time on your hands and need to take things slowly. You may like to keep going back to previous sections and review what you’ve learnt.

Whatever your style Rosetta Stone allows you to follow it. You’re the one in charge and you follow the course on your own terms.

5. You can take the course where you like

Just as in point 4 above where you can set your own time limits, where you like to be when you take the course it also up to you. Because you download the course, you can take certain sections of it where you like. If you have a long car journey everyday to work, you can listen to the audio parts on your stereo. If you’ve got a laptop or portable media player, you can download the course to that and take it anywhere you please… your local park, your favourite café, the choice is yours.

6. You get all future software application upgrades are $20 for life

With other language courses, you join, do the course, and that’s that. You may be able to take the course again, but it’ll be the same. Not with Rosetta Stone. Because Rosetta Stone is software based, and technology is always developing, and presenting new ways to help you learn, for a one-off $20 they’ll send you every upgrade they ever develop. So you’re language skills will constantly be updated, sharpened, and never forgotten!

7. You get free unlimited 800-number support

Once you join the Rosetta Stone course, they don’t just leave you to it (unless you want them to) but are always there at the end of the phone to help and advise you with any questions you might have. Plus, it’s free to call too, so you don’t have to worry about how many questions you want to ask!

8. You can request a free trial

What better way to see how Rosetta Stone can make learning a new language fun, quick and easy for you than by letting you test it out for yourself first, for free! You don’t need to “um” and “ah” as you try to decide whether to take the next step to learning your new language. Just take the free trial and you’ll instant find out if Rosetta Stone can help you achieve your dream!

9. You get an amazing 6-month money back guarantee

Even once you’ve taken the free trial, and decided that Rosetta Stone can make learning a new language fun and easy, you still get a whole 6 months to try it out and see what the results are. You even get a chance to go abroad and try it out for real. Then, if you feel like you’ve not learnt as much as you hoped, you can get all your money back, risk free!

Basically, the only thing that will hold you back from trying Rosetta Stone is your own action. And that’s the attitude of a quitter, and you’re not a quitter, especially when it’s this easy!

Each fully interactive Rosetta Stone course includes:

• CD-ROM curriculum with 12 activities in each of 92 lessons
• Previews, comprehensive exercises and testing for each lesson
• Automated tutorials that "learn" where you need extra help
• Curriculum Test and 45-page User's Guide

Now are you interested to see if Rosetta Stone can quickly and easily teach you a foreign language like it has 5 million others?

To claim your FREE Rosetta Stone CD Demo, click here and follow the following links…

1. Click on the “How It Works” link above the lady's head
2. Then scroll to the bottom and click on “Request a free demo CD”
3. Complete the form to request your free demo CD

P.S. The #1 reason why people don't learn a language is because they don't take this first step. So now's the time to act while the idea's fresh in your mind...

Does it make me a shallow person...

...because the driving reason for me to learn Spanish was to chat up the local girls during my time in South America?

Well, apparently there are other reasons to learn a foreign language too, and I explore them here…


1. To make the most of your travels

Imagine you’ve just come back from a foreign trip, and the guys back home are asking you all about it. Which of these stories would you rather tell them?

a) “We met a nice American couple in the room next to ours, and generally in the evenings we’d dine in the hotel with them. We had a lot in common so it was nice to chat.”

b) “You’ll never believe what happened. In the local store and I was trying to ask the owner’s young daughter what her name was, and if she had any brothers and sisters. Well, I kept getting the words wrong and the owner thought it was so funny he called the rest of the family down to watch this crazy American talk to his daughter. Before I knew it we’d been invited up into their apartment and I ended up drinking the local spirit and dancing with his Aunt round the living room.

If you picked “A” then I’m sorry I asked!

Speaking (or at least attempting to speak) the local language, you’ll find people instant warm to you and are more eager to help you, and involve you in the cultures of their country.

The better you are at a language, the more you’ll have these great stories and experiences.

2. You’ll be able to solve potential problems better

From getting lost, to being pick-pocketed, to causing great offence by using the wrong hand to wipe your nose, as sure as night follows day, things go wrong when you’re abroad.

Sometimes, they just cannot be avoided.

However, the smart people are prepared for this, and learn a bit of the local language first to help them when good times go bad. Situations suddenly get resolved much quicker.

If you don’t take the time to learn a language then you’ve got a much bigger chance of finding yourself on the wrong side of prison bars, frantically appealing to the (very unimpressed) local Chief of Police by shouting louder and waving your arms about, like an baboon with a bee sting.

3. You won’t get ripped off so easily

Nothing, and I mean nothing, lights up the eyes of a potential hustler than a loud English-speaking tourist who is heavy in wallet and light in local language skills.

Firstly, it’s going to be easier for them to confuse you out of whatever it is they want from you. And secondly, as shown above, it’s going to be much harder for you to resolve the problem if you realise that you’ve been ripped off.

If you speak a bit of the language, the hustler is more likely pass you by in search of an easier target.

And of course, often there are innocent mistakes too, like getting short changed (not everyone does it on purpose), but you’ll still need to be able to explain the problem if you want the correct amount back.

4. Stand out as an ambassador for your country

It’s a well-known fact around the world that us English speakers are lazy when it comes to learning second languages. We tend to think that because lots of foreigners can speak English, why should we both to learn.

And it’s true, sometimes it’s possible to get by speaking English, but this does nothing for our reputation around the world.

By learning a foreign language you’ll stand out amongst your fellow country-folk, and get more respect and teach people from other countries that not everyone from the US is the same.

5. It’ll improve your employment opportunities/earning potential

If you’re still active in the employment market, then having a foreign language skill will immediately make you stand out amongst your fellow employees or competing job candidates.

If you already have a job where you deal with foreign clients, even if they speak English, think about the times when they’ve consulted between themselves in their own language. This is the time when they’re really opening up and giving the juicy bits of information. No imagine if you could understand what they were saying.

Think of the advantage it would give you!

6. Secret communication back home

Here’s one reason you might not have thought of. But when you’re back home your with a friend who’s learnt the same language, you can have whole conversations about the people around you without them knowing what your saying.

Call it sneaky, call it underhand. But I don’t care, because it can be a great asset. It can be used for amusement, or it can be very useful when dealing with confidential or sensitive information.

7. Impress people

Finally, the real reason for learning a language…

As far as I can make out, the whole reason for human existence seems to be the pursuit of impressing others, and languages are no exception. In my time I’ve learnt a bit of Spanish, and nothing gives me greater pleasure than acting as translator. Women want me, me want to be me.

Ok, maybe not that much, but it really does make you stand out, and give you value in a group. It brings to mind one of my favourite sayings… in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king!

The next question is…

Are You Too Old To Learn A Foreign Language?

(Click the link to find out)

Have you ever had one of those days...

...when something didn’t quite seem right and you couldn’t put your finger on what it was? You rack your brains to work out what’s wrong, and then suddenly it hits you square between the eyes… your boss is dressed as Sponge Bob Square Pants.

Welcome to my world

Yes, Mobal have been dressing up for charity again (and that rugged Indiana Jones look-a-like is yours truly).

Check out the full set here (there are 2 pages!)...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gruntymcwiggins/

What's better than being able to place a call to your wife on New Year's Eve from a campsite part way up the mighty volcanic mountain of Kilimanjaro?

(and don't be a wise ass and say "actually be with your wife on New Year's Eve" (does that make me a wise ass for thinking of it in the first place?))

I'll tell ya what's better -- it's making a call from the very summit of the mighty volcanic mountain of Kilimanjaro, and that's exactly what Mobal member Bob Sailbury did.

That's Africa's highest point, people!

Here's his story...

--------------------------------------------------------------

"Dear Michael,

Earlier this year I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and took my Mobal telephone with me. At 19,340’, Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest point and the largest free-standing volcano in the world. We started our trek and climb on December 29, 2006. On our third night out, we camped at 15,000’ at a camp site called Lava Tower.

Our guides had told us that we might be able to get cell phone reception at that location.

On the morning of January 1, 2007, I walked to a ledge overlooking the valley below and powered up my Mobal telephone. I was able to get good reception and telephoned my wife in Florida, USA. Because of the 8 hour time differential, I reached her late on New Year ’s Eve (it was New Year’s morning in Africa) and was able to wish her a “Happy New Year.” On January 3, 2007, we reached the summit of Kilimanjaro. Again, I powered up my Mobal telephone and got good reception.

I was able to telephone my wife and tell her we were on the summit (19,340’). The attached picture shows me, my daughter Brenda Salisbury and her husband, Brad Jackson, on the summit (unfortunately, the Mobal phone was back in my pocket).

It was great having the telephone and being able to communicate with family from such a long distance.

Thanks"

Bob Salisbury
Sarasota, FL, USA

--------------------------------------------------------------

Top 10 Deadliest Travel Diseases — If a friend of mine is traveling to some far-flung exotic location, rather than be happy for them and wish them a great trip, I always like to give them a bit of paranoia before they leave. There’s no better way to do this than make them think they’re going to catch one of these nasties. I recommend you try it too…
The 10 Deadliest Travel Diseases

45 Travel Technology To Release Your Inner Geek — Nerds rejoice! I’ve found this website listing all the travel technology you need to keep you buzzing and bleeping your way around the globe (just don’t let any jocks catch you reading it, or you’ll find yourself on a trip to rest rooms to get your head flushed)…

Check out this website to find out more …
http://www.otbeach.com/travel-guides/45-tips-for-travelling-geeks.html

7 Reasons To Go Traveling On Your Own — Do you want to know one of the most liberating things you could ever do? It’s run through a shopping center with no clothes on, but a close second is to go traveling solo. I’ve done this many times and love it (traveled solo, not streaked), but don't take my word for it, take the word of the person who wrote this too...
http://travelhappy.info/travel-tips/seven-reasons-to-go-travelling-solo/

9 Things To Do While Stranded in an Airplane — I find the experience of being on an airplane pretty unique. For 99% of the time you’re bored out of your mind surrounded by the dull roar of white noise, and then in the blink of an eye, you can hit an air pocket or piece of turbulence, and suddenly you’re on the world’s scariest amusement ride with your heart rate going through the roof. That’s why I’m going to try some of these suggestions in the 99% of the time that I’m bored in the hope of getting a more balanced flight.
Nine Things To Do While Stranded in an Airplane

Barbara Chown has sent me these travel tips:

1) When removing your wedding ring is acceptable, even to your partner

"I wear nice looking costume jewelery and a cubic zirconia wedding ring set in place of my good stuff as well as an attractive but inexpensive watch. That way if we were to be mugged, I would offer to give up all of my jewelry in exchange for our safety and hopefully that would appease the mugger."

(Check out Amazon for Cubic Zirconia rings)

2) How to use more than one electrical item at a time when you only have one plug

"For a cruise I always take an extension cord with multiple plugs. Usually the cabin has only 1 outlet and this way I can use my hairdryer in a more convenient spot, while still being able to charge my cell phone, laptop, etc."

(Check out Amazon for extension cords with multiple plugs)

3) How to create an instant travel gear organizer in any hotel room

"I also take 2 over the door clear plastic or fabric shoe holders which typically have 20 individual pockets. I hang one on the closet to hold shoes, keys, belts, scarves and other items, and one over the bathroom door to hold toiletries, etc. I bought a clear plastic jewelry holder with many small pockets that comes on a hanger. I then hang an item of clothing over it so it is completely hidden from view in the closet."

(Check out Amazon for shoe (travel) organizers)

Trish Rickettson has sent me this travel tip:

4) How to never get caught out by a sudden downpour (albeit at the expense of a little style)

"It was pouring as my daughter and I got off the train in Sorrento, Italy. We quickly pulled out the rain ponchos we had packed in our luggage and scrambled to put them on. About five people asked us where we got the rain ponchos before we even made it out of the train station. Very few people were prepared for rain. It rained the whole time we walked to our B&B, and for a couple of hours after we arrived. We were so thankful that we thought to bring the ponchos, which were inexpensive, took up very little luggage space, and saved us from becoming wet and miserable."

(You've guessed it, check out Amazon for rain ponchos)

Judy Thompson has sent me these travel tips:

5) How something that packs to the size of a loaf of bread can make any hotel bed instantly comfortable

"I have at tip for those travelers who find hotel beds at varying degrees of hardness from hard as a melon to hard as a brick. I went to my local camping store and bought a Thermarest three-quarter length inflatable camping mattress. It rolls up to about the size of a loaf of bread for easy tracking. I never travel with out it."

(Amazon stocks these hand Thermarest mattresses too)

6) The magic drink bottle that turns any water mountain-spring fresh

"Also, another tip is that I never travel internationally without a water purifier. It is the size of sports drink bottle and also fits nicely into my carry on or checked baggage. I never have to worry about finding bottled water. Also, in hotels that purify their own water, the water can be very salty because of the method used to purify it. So, if it is water and it is intended to cross my lips, it goes through my purifier first. I have been in some places where the water was just plain dangerous to drink and I have never been sick!"

(Is there anything Amazon doesn't sell? Check out their filter bottles)

Cheryl sent me these travel tips:

7) How to guarantee a comfortable trip

"Also, I never buy new clothes for a trip (except required special equipment, such as bike shorts). I take clothes so old I know how to wear them and with what; they will not surprise me by wrinkling or binding or being too hot or not warm enough, etc. (No one you meet for the first time on a trip is tired of seeing the clothes you have been wearing at home). If they finally rip (because they are old) I simply discard them, with sorrow for loss of an old friend. If they are lost with my luggage or accidentally left behind, I won't regret the loss so much as I would a new purchase."

(Finally something that Amazon doesn't stock! haha)

8) The 2 reasons to wear black clothes

"I'm a New Yorker, so for cities I wear mostly black t-shirts, brightened with accessories and jackets (one each for rain, cold, sun protection (linen bigshirt), and dressy). Black is slimming and doesn't show dirt."

Our online support section was a problem, and we couldn't solve it. We couldn't find the A-Team, so what did we do?...

We turned to obsolete 70s super hero, Wonder Woman.

Our support section needed some serious work to get it up to scratch so we forced Georgia to dress up as Wonder Woman* and have a go at re-writing it.

Now it answers most of the questions you might ever have about your Mobal World Phone.

You can check out her super hero work here: www.mobal.com/support

If you cannot find an answer to your question, email customer services at info@mobal.com or call customer services on 212-785-5800.

*We didn't force her by the way, she loves dressing up, and I mean LOVES dressing up. Seriously, this girl owns more fancy dress costumes than a sane person should -- she proved half the costumes for Section 4 above!

New Travel Craze: Test The Springiness Of Your Hotel Bed And Keep Fit — Mobal Member Michael Neustadt alerted me of this little gem.

If you find that a day walking around the tourist sites doesn’t burn off enough calories, and that your hotel bed’s just too damn hard, then here’s a way to tackle both problems in one go…

It's called Bed Jumping and you heard it here first…
http://www.hotelsbycity.net/blog/bed-jump/

How To Organize Your Packing For Ultimate Convenience — My esteemed colleague here at Mobal, Dr. Karl Blanks, told me about this website. Basically, if you’ve ever wanted a system to organize your packing, and you want the title of each section of the system to cleverly spell out the word “travel”, then you’re in luck.

Check out this website to find out more …
http://www.travelite.org/packpourri/organize.html

How To Create Your Own Travel Guides — Mobal Member, Kameko Nichols sent me this great website. This is an online travel guide written by travelers. And the cool thing is, you can sign up to add or edit the guides yourself with your own tips and suggestion. You can also create your own world map showing where you've traveled.

To create your own travel guides visit...
http://www.world66.com/

Discover The Unexplained Mysteries Of The World — Ok, so this isn't strictly a travel website, but this forum does talk about locations around the world so I've let it sneek in under my radar. Plus, we all love a good unexplained mystery!

Live out your X-Files fantasies here...
http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/

I don’t know who first coined the phrase “never accept the first offer”, but...

...ever since we humans started making offers with each other — like when the first caveman discovered the art of salesmanship and convinced another caveman to buy his old cave for a slab of mastadon meat * — the more savvy among us have never accepted the first offer on anything. And this goes for booking hotel rooms today.

I’ve learnt 8 ways that you can get a better deal on the list price…

*By the way, I have no idea at which point during our evolutionary history we developed a barter economy, but I'm guessing it was around our “Caveman Period” as I like to unscientifically call it, hence the picture of Fred Flintstone (see, everything makes sense in the end!).

1. Check what is and isn’t included in your room rate

If during your stay you need anything other than just a bed for the night, check to see if it comes included in your room rate. This can include things like parking, using a safety deposit box and getting Internet access.

2. Try making an online bid

You can now find websites where you can bid for how much you want to pay for a certain level of hotel in a certain area. Some people have saved up to 30% off the list price using this method. To get the real bargains you should look for a hotel in an area next to where you want to be, as it will often have far less demand and be much cheaper, but still be within distance of where you want to be.

3. Try an expensive business hotel, at the weekend

Go for a weekday rate in a high-end business hotel and you will pay a ton, this is a world of expense accounts and the hotels know people will pay what they charge. However, come Friday night and the business trade dies. Rather than have empty rooms many hotels will dramatically drop their prices, meaning you have a bit of luxury on a budget for a few days.

4. Try your negotiating skills

Don’t be afraid to ask for a better deal before you book, especially in the lower season as often it is better to have lower paying guests than no guests at all. If you have a bad experience during your hotel stay, or feel you have been over charged, don’t be afraid to speak out. Many hotels will cut or waive the bill for the sake of their reputation.

5. If the hotel has its own website, check that first

It is normally always cheaper to deal direct and cut out all the middlemen. This can certainly be the case with hotels, as very often the price that a search engine will quote you will have extra charges to cover their costs. In some cases, a company will buy all the available rooms in a hotel, and then remarket them themselves with a mark-up!

6. Use frequent flyer discounts if you can

If you are part of a frequent flyer program, you may find that many hotels offer discounts to frequent flyer members. The best thing to do is ask the company that provide them to you.

7. Try and go at low season

Obviously somewhere is going to be cheaper during the depths of the low season, and for good reason as many places shut down. However, if you are booking near the start or the end of the high season, by just changing your dates by a week or so either side you can book at low season rates, but get more of the high season experience.

8. Book your room at unsociable hours

Today’s online booking technology is very sophisticated, so a website can change its advertised rates based on the demand that they are getting. Therefore, if you book at times when not many people are booking, such as in the early hours of the morning, you may be able to get yourself a bit of a discount.

Here are some hotel websites you can use to start your bargin hunting...

www.easyclicktravel.com

www.lastminutetravel.com

www.orbitz.com

This month, meet Pat from Mobal's Customer Service Team...

...and learn 10 pieces of information she's agreed to share with you...

I thought I'd give you a break this month from sending you pictures of us dressed up in various ridiculous — and let's face it, sometimes degrading — costumes.

Instead, I'm going to introduce you to individual members of the Mobal team by asking them to share 10 facts about themselves.

You'll be able to put and face to the name (and, no doubt, do your own psycho-analysing after reading their answers).

The first person I'm serving up for your enjoyment is Pat.

1. How long have you worked at mobal?

"1 year, 4 months"

2. What is your position at mobal?

"Customer service rep"

3. What is you best mobal world phone tip?

"If someone asks you if your cell phone just rang, most people put their hand to their pocket/bag to feel for it. Which means a potential thief knows whereabouts your phone is...

Just say no, and then check discreetly when you get a chance."

4. Have you ever had a time when abroad when your cell phone has been invaluable?

"I got separated from my youngest daughter in a shopping mall. She had a phone and so did I, but she was only 9 at the time, and with the mall being so big, I just panicked.

I called her on the phone and some woman answered which panicked me even more!

Luckily, she explained that she was Security and they were just going to ring me on my cell phone to tell me they’d found my daughter."

5. What was your best holiday experience ever and why?

"Going to Surfers Paradise in Australia. I spent Christmas day there. It was hot and the beach was full with people singing Christmas carols, but it was so awesome."

6. Your worst holiday experience and why?

"Going to Rhyl, North Wales. It tipped it down with rain, and I couldn’t even see the sea for all the mist."

7. What is your dream holiday destination?

"The Canadian Rocky Mountains"

8. What is your favourite travel tip or product?

"When your flight has been called to board, don't rush just to stand in another queue. Sit on your chair and watch everyone get frustrated in the slow moving line.

Just remember (in most cases!) you already have your seat booked and the plane isn't going to fly off in the middle of boarding."

9. If you could describe yourself as an animal, what would it be and why?

"A cat: I love to lounge about, be fed with treats and have no responsibilities except for maybe the odd mouse chase."

10. If you had the choice, would you rather be able to fly or make yourself invisible, and why?

"Fly no wait...invisible...hmmm hard choice. Ok...flying for sure, I mean think of the savings on airfare. The downside would be competing with the geese for airspace, and the odd superman flying about, and the rain. Hail may be a slight problem too, come to think of it...can I change my mind?"

It's a funny thing, but...

...often the times when we want to be completely isolated, and not worry about our cell phones, are the times when we might need them most.

Mobal Member, Samuel A. Blackwell lll’s tale highlights this point...

When he was on Safari on the Zimbabwe/Zambia border, he met a fellow traveler who was desperate to contact her children.

Her only hope was Samuel's Mobal World Phone and the "Telephone Mountain"...

“Hi Michael,

While on a remote safari in Zimbabwe, I was approached by a fellow hunter who was frantic to speak with her children after having been out of touch for ten days.

Unfortunately, the nearest hope for any signal (from Zambia) was two and one-half hours away at the "telephone mountain."

The "telephone mountain" (elevation 1000 feet) requires a one-hour climb to get a signal from neighboring Zambia if the conditions are ideal.

I loaned my Mobal phone to my fellow hunter in hopes that she could use it if she failed to get a signal with her equipment.

Much to our surprise, when she returned six hours later, she and the professional hunter had nothing but praise for my Mobal phone.

My phone was so superior that she did not find it necessary to climb the "telephone mountain" nor did she have anything but a clear signal from the base of the mountain.

She thanked me profusely and said that she would be purchasing a Mobal phone upon her return to the United States.

Regards,

Samuel A. Blackwell lll”

Dress Like A Priest If You Don’t Want To Be Hassled — Chuck sent me this brilliantly left-field suggestion, that he discovered by accident, if you want a little more respect when you’re abroad…

“Hi Michael,

My partner and I have been traveling in Europe each year for a long time and we have found one interesting travel hint, that for us, has made all the difference in the world on how we are treated by the people that we have met along the way.

We always travel in very conservative clothing, predominantly blacks and greys. That is because it is very practical and these colors travel well. In addition, one does not stand out in the crowds. We have never been mistaken for typical American Tourists. We have been known to wear black mock turtle sweaters with a hint of white around the neck, say, in the form of another white mock turtle underneath.

On first glance, we might very easily be mistaken for priests.

Believe me, there is a remarkable difference in the way people treat us. We are not bothered by street peddlers, we are usually given excellent seats in restaurants and we are treated with respect and courtesy everywhere we go. It is amazing how that little touch of white at the neck proves to be such an asset.

Thanks for a great newsletter,

Chuck”

How To Save Luggage Space And Protect Against Leaks — Marty Phoenix tells you why this little tip is a “no-brainer”...

“Hi Michael, Gallon Ziplocs are a great way to organize socks, u-wear, etc. You can draw the air out, and they compress down, EZ to unpack, and stay simply organized, and then reuse for needed launder. And if something breaks, or leaks they are protected, this is pretty much a no brainer. Marty Phoenix”

Keeping The Bugs At Bay Using Drugs — Buddy Roberts’ doctor recommended some antibiotics for him to take while traveling, and after a trip to Croatia, he’ll never travel without them again.

“Hi Michael, I never travel without an antibiotic. My Dr. gave me Zithromax, which is a full course of therapy in 5 doses and takes up the size of a few index cards. It saved the day when we were in Croatia,

Buddy Roberts”

Turn On Your Noisy Air Conditioning To Get A Better Night’s Sleep (And Other Tips) — our second Chuck of the month has sent me a whole bag of tips (figuratively speaking), including this novel way of getting a better night’s sleep.

“Hi Michael,

[On Noisy hotels…]

I have learned that taking Melatonin (3 mg) for sleeping in loud hotels (whatever) can really help. For those really loud hotels in Mexico, I take an Excedrin PM with it and get the sleep I need. It's a lot better than being half groggy the next day.

I also turn on the air conditioner fan to drown out the noises.

What? You say a lot of hotels out side the US don't have or need AC? Ask the front desk for an electric fan. That has saved us in Mexico, the UK, Ireland, Scotland and many other places where all the street noises come right through the walls and doors.

And those hotels can be so called "Super First Hotels", which are much like the US motel 6 types. Don't believe the land travel descriptions of how good the hotels are on their literary, because they flat out lie like a dog and they don't care.

[On taking a big enough supply of medication]

I told my son before his last trip to Spain and France to take the really big bottle of IB Profine, not the little one, because if he's walking a lot, then he would need it to reduce the pain, etc.

He did not.

He ran out quickly of his small supply and had to purchase the same pills in Spain at an unbelievable high price.

Since we travel a lot, we know to bring extra med's of all sorts. Therma Flu packets, Aspirin (big bottle), IB Profine (really big bottle, enough for at least 4 people at 8 pills a day), upset stomach pills, sinus pills, a few small salt packs for sour throats, Melatonin for peaceful sleeping, etc. Leave all pills in their original bottles as some countries may require it.

This may sound like a lot, but it is not. All this is in my carry on bag with the other medications. A few coffee and tea bags and away we go, ready for all things that come our way.

Of course we get medical insurance, best deal going for most situations that you may find yourself in.

[On reducing your luggage size]

As for packing, most people should lay out all the clothes they want to take on the bed and then take away 25 percent of the duplicates, but 25% none the less. Smaller suitcases are so much easier. And yes ladies you know I'm talking to you. Bless you all.

Cheers,

Chuck Huntoon”

The Secret To Packing Light Is To Throw Your Underwear Away — Angie Morris has a ruthless way to pack light, or to create room in your suitcase for souvenirs.

“Hi Michael,

If you’re really trying to travel carry-on or need room in the suitcase for new purchases: pack along items that you will not need to bring home (as in throw away). It’s difficult to say this but items that fall into this category are - undergarments, nightshirts, socks, etc.

Basically – items only your travel mate will see and not the public. I’ve also been known to add shirts, especially if I buy something new.

And my favorite rule for new or inexperienced travelers:

As you plan for the trip and remember items that need to be packed – place them somewhere together – I use the formal dining room table. This would include items such as the travel umbrella, books, clothes, translator, etc. Then pull out all the clothes you plan on packing – place them on the bed – and put ½ back!

Thanks,

Angie”