5 Lies to Tell When Traveling

Lying is almost always wrong but when you're traveling there are certain situations where it's a good idea to do 

so. As travelers, we're often prone to scams, harassment, and many other terrible experiences and a simple white lie is often all it takes to deflect this unwanted attention.

Here are 5 lies you can tell to keep yourself safe on the road.

1.      "No, This Isn't My First Time Here" - This lie can be used in many situations and to avoid all kinds of unpleasant experiences. When you take a cab from the airport, your driver will likely ask you if it's your first time in the city. While it can be tempting to say yes and see if you can gather some insider knowledge, it's best to say that you've been here before. If the driver knows this is your first time in a city, he can take you on a long and winding journey and make you pay double. If the driver thinks you've visited before, he'll be much more likely to take you directly there. This can also be used when meeting locals. If someone finds out it's your first day in a city, they can use that to scam you. You're basically telling them that you don't know where anything is, you don't know how the city works, and you're an easy target.

2.      "Yes, I have a Boyfriend" - This is more for the solo female travelers out there, and can be used to deflect unwarranted attention. If a guy's annoying you at a bar and won't leave you alone, tell him you have a boyfriend. Take a photo of you and a male friend before you leave to travel and show them the photo of you together.

3.      "Sorry, I Can't Remember the Name of My Hotel" - If you meet someone that seems to be taking a little too much interest in who you are, be sure to put your guard up and make sure you don't give too much away. If someone asks where you're staying, pretend that you cant remember the name of your hotel and only describe it to them in ague terms. The last thing you want is someone knowing exactly where you're staying.

4.      "No Speak English" - In some parts of the world, the touts can be unbearable. In these situations, simply telling them you don't speak English and shrugging can be enough to deter them. If they try and find out which language you do speak then continue to shrug until they give up and walk away. It'll give you more space and a less stressful travel experience.

5.      "I'm Traveling With a Friend" - As frustrating as it is, solo travelers are targeted more than any other type of traveler. If you're in an uncomfortable situation or don't want to give too much of yourself away, say that you're traveling with a friend but spending the day apart to explore different parts of the city. It'll make you seem like less of an easy target, especially if you're female.

this article is taken from:
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Manitoulin Anne

Now you see me

Now you still see me

Now just a pale reflection !

Boy with a bike at Sauble Beach at dusk

Sauble Beach at dusk

Delightful walk at dusk with my friend from Scotland Lore last night

here are some of the pics!

Anne - at the salon

We were passing time at the market in Murun Mongolia waiting for our flight.

Bev caught me in this reflection and thought  I would post it.

Shaman visit in UB

This was very interesting. Mongolians actually believe that Chinggis Khaan was a shaman aside from being the most ruthless - and most successful - warlord of all time. They think Chinggis helped raise awareness and belief in shamanism.  Anyway what is interesting about Chinggis Khaan is that he was not threatened by other people's religion when he was busy conquering Arabia, China, South East Asia and India. His soldiers never destroyed any religious monuments - this is quite unlike many many other territorial conquerors. In 1937 when Stalin came to Mongolia, his warriors did a great job destroying pretty much  all of the Buddhist temples. Anyway back to our Shaman visit this afternoon. 

"Our" shaman was quite young –about 30 years old we think - and had been doing this for 5 or 6 years. His mother was sick and this was causing many problems in the family until finally they all realized it was because Sukhbaatar (his name) was not fulfilling his true destiny to be a shaman. Once he did that, the mother got better. 

He is also a throat singer as well as a horse head fiddle maker. Quite the accomplished guy! It was quite interesting to watch him perform mini-displays of how he normally gets into the trance in order to help people. The wolf is his protector so that is why he is a wolf on his drum. Each shaman will choose the animal that best suits him.  

He had lots of potions and masks and skulls and bells and icons and bowls full of rocks and water and stuff. 

He also had a couple of capes I shall call them. The one he wore for us had snakes on his back to protect him. He was working with some people who had a bad aura and he felt in danger so after that he put the snakes on this back. He does not want any bad spirits sneaking up on him from behind and taking some kind of control. 

He also has string hanging down on front of this face. The string is to protect his face in case of seeing bad things – he does not want to harm himself by seeing these things.

And then our leader asked if he would rid any of us who wised to be cleansed of any bad "aura". 

Of course he said he did not think we had any but a few of us asked to be "cleansed". 

So Bev took this of me being cleansed.  

Another successful selfie - with Chingiis Khaan

Since I have been so successful with taking selfies - NOT - I thought I would try again this morning when we went to the 120 ft. high statue of Chingiis Khaan near Terelj National Park in Mongolia.

The statue is 120 ft. high and you can take an elevator up to the mane of the horse so that is where I am standing at this point.