Europe for Costa Ricans (Visa Stuff)

AS OF 9-01-2008
Being a Costa Rican, I made some research on the current visa policies of European Countries regarding Costa Rica. Green nations are visa-free, while red countries require a visa. Yellow countries ask for a visa, but you can get it at the airport and/or land border (Check before). Orange (Moldova) asks for a visa that has to be gotten before getting there, but if you enter the ''rebel'' area (Republic of Transnitria) you won't need any visa, and once inside you can go into the rest of the country without any visas (illegaly...), just make sure you exit thru Transnitria ... Pink is Iraq, just don't go there....
Source: http://projectvisa.com/ + consulate/embassy websites of different countries.

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Why is this blog's picture important?

When I was backpacking in La Paz, Bolivia I walked across this ''military zone''. There were no warning signs indicating that pictures were not allowed, but unlike other countries, taking pictures of military buildings is prohibited. When I saw this building (left pic), I knew I had to take a picture of it. Why? as you may know, Bolivia is a landlocked country, but they still have a navy ! I couldn't understand why such a poor country like this would want to waste money in things like this, but then I did, and it has a name: Lake Titicaca... Anyways, when I was about to take a second picture a soldier approached me and told me that if I did so, my camera would be taken away... what they didn't know is that I had already taken one! After this, I went to downtown La Paz, and saw some guys coming out of a prisoners' bus and going into a prison, I took a picture (right pic), and when I was about to take a second one... an undercover cop came and stopped me... there is no freedom of the press in this country... take that into account if you ever visit it.

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Detroit's People Mover (Metro)

The people mover is a nice elevated train that goes around Detroit's downtown area. At just $0.50 per ride, it is an excellent and cheap way to get around downtown. You can even see some landmarks and some scenic views (at one point it borders the Detroit river, and you can see Canada at your right)... The complete ride takes about 15 minutes (20 or so at rush hour). By the way, make sure you check out the modern art at the stations, its quite interesting.

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Get a map

As soon as you get there, go to some public tourist information center or any big public transportation station (bus, metro, etc). They usually have them for free...or at an affordable price. And believe me when I say this: traveling around in a big city without a map is far from clever. You can get to many more places with less money and spending less time too if you just use a map...

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