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Research, research, research.
Find out everything you can about the area you will be visiting. Make notes
from all the guidebooks and articles. Contact the local chamber or commerce
and the tourism office and have them send you everything.
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Before you leave, get a map
of the area you are going to visit and plan out each day geographically.
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Be sure to learn the customs
of the area. Some areas like Italy have a lunch hour siesta that closes
most of the country from 1pm to 3pm. Some countries close their museums
on Mondays, others on Wednesdays.
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Learn the history of the area.
How was it founded? Was the region shaped by a long dead industry? Former
battles? Are there local legends?
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When you arrive at the airport
and hotel, grab every piece of literature and pamphlet you can.
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Get the name of any friends
of friends in the area and try to spend time with them. This is another
place you can get easy local color.
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Get the local paper. Read it
cover to cover.
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Be open to the surprises that
life hands you. Be prepared to toss your plans out the window.
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Take a guided tour bus. Sit
up front, near the guide. Follow along with your map. Ask a lot of questions.
Get the name, address and phone number of the guide. Write or call them
if you have any questions during the writing stage.
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If you are visiting a landmark,
find out when the busiest hours are and also what times of day it is best
photographed.
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Wherever possible, go where
the locals go, eat where they eat.
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Like any good writer, observe
and eavesdrop.
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Talk to strangers. Ask questions.
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Keep a journal. A journal is
a good place to keep your nightly observations about the culture and the
day's events. It can work as a rough draft for some element of the piece.
When choosing the book for your travel journal, pick one that you can easily
carry with you. There will be many times you'll want to jot down a note
on a bus or after talking with a local. A bus isn't the place to whip out
the laptop. The journal is a tool to help you increase your power of observation
and your attention to telling details.
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