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Odd Tips
BE A MEDICAL GUINEA PIG
Here's a slightly odd deal alert. Johns Hopkins University School
of Public Heath is conducting tests of a new oral vaccine against
traveler's diarrhea and is willing to pay participating volunteers.
To earn the $300 to $650 for participation, you must:
Be a resident of the United States over the age of 18.
Plan to be in Guatemala or Mexico at least two weeks before September
of this year.
Be willing to take the vaccine or placebo before you go.
Submit three stool samples and two blood samples while you're in
Guatemala or Mexico.
Complete a health diary while you're enrolled in the study.
Obviously, there's not a lot of time left on this one, but if you're
heading to either of those destinations, want to make some money,
and don't mind acting as a medical guinea pig, this bargain's for
you. For more information, go to
Johns
Hopkins University School of Public Heath
Keep this address for later use.
ONE WAY TO CHOOSE A DESTINATION
Here's a reader's statement on how he goes about choosing a travel
destination, and his comments on how well it's worked for him:
"When I travel for pleasure, I first check out the CIA's list of
places not to travel to, and then pick one. This can save you a lot of
money and make your trip more pleasurable and exotic. A few years ago
when Peru was on the blacklist I traveled there with my family. We
stayed at the most expensive hotels for a pittance. We spent three
days on Machu Pichu all by ourselves--an experience we will never
forget.
"Two years ago we spent a month in Egypt. We spent a week both at the
Winter Palace in Luxor and in the Agatha Christie suite at the Old
Cataract hotel in Aswan for US$65 a night. We roamed the empty ruins
by ourselves at leisure, with tons of security all around.
"I'm not suggesting that you jump on a plane and fly to Sierra Leone
tomorrow, but DO jump on a plane and fly to Cuba. For a cheap and
fabulous holiday, you'll find a lot more in Cuba than Castro."
I can't top those stories, though I've eaten at a few questionable
places in my day! Let's be careful out there, though, and keep in
mind that there are specific reasons why the CIA puts locations on
this list. Obviously, this tip isn't for all travelers, and those
of you who might travel this way are strongly urged to consider all
the facts about your destination, and to weigh all warnings carefully
as you make your travel plans.
The
U.S. State Department's List of Travel Warnings
David Wall works as a writer near Washington, D.C. Write to him at
tr_dave@davidwall.com.
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