DECODING MISLEADING TRAVEL BROCHURES

 

 

Tour operators are experts in making holiday prices unintelligible and will leave you in a maze of confusion over the actual price of your holiday and what to expect in that price. Their brochures mentions words and phrases which make it increasingly difficult for holiday makers to judge the how much they are going to spend on their vacation. The Trading Standards Institute (TSI) claims that consumers are mislead into thinking their holiday is one price, and are then subjected to a plethora of supplemented charges, such as transfers to accommodation, meals on the plane, or taking a Saturday flight instead of flying on a weekday. Despite legislation old habits die hard, and even though some of the operators have re-jigged their headline prices, all of them still use the small print to squeeze money out of you. So beware the nicely-turned phrase in your travel brochure or online tour description. These weasel words promise good things, but you don't always get what you expect.

 

All inclusive

Never has a short phrase promised so much. Yet common sense tells you this guarantee is never delivered, otherwise guests would demand champagne and caviar, limousine rides, fireworks, and strippers bursting from giant cakes. Ignore this phrase and head to the small print, which is where you'll really find out what's included – and what's not. One thing is certain: you'll have to cough up more money somewhere along the way, whether for a modest glass of wine or two, or your airfare. So, understand what this phrase means and ignore it.

 

At your leisure

There's nothing wrong with tour downtime that lets you recharge energy or pursue a personal interest. But watch out if this phrase pops up too often on your itinerary. Often, it's code for having to arrange your own sightseeing at your own expense. Tours at bargain prices aren't a bargain if you're not getting bang for your buck. Another meaning hidden in this phrase might be that your tour hotel is so inconveniently located there's nothing at all to do nearby, unless you have a keen interest in semi-industrial suburbia. Yes, I have leisure time but why will I spend it and more money on long distance commuting every day?

 

Centrally located hotel

Locate the hotel on Google Maps before you book a holiday, no matter what the claim. "Central" means different things to a businessperson or a sightseer, and the geographical centre of modern cities might be nowhere near the sights. Also, being central won't be fun if it comes with traffic outside your window, hen parties shrieking past midnight, and dustbins rattling at daybreak. Thirdly, companies often use this description for big tour-group hotels, so prepare for crowded breakfast rooms and long waits for lifts. I usually avoid them.

 

Within walking distance                      

This is another phrase open to interpretation, whether it refers to a hotel, sight or town centre. Who is walking? After all, everyone has their own idea of how far they're prepared to walk and, while you wouldn't go too far for a beer, you might trek up a mountain for a view. Presumably to some people, South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula is within walking distance of the Flinders Ranges, since it's linked by Australia's longest designated hiking track (1200 kilometres). Besides, saying an urban hotel is close to restaurants, bars and public transport is stating the obvious. Isn't every other hotel in town as well? So open your Google map and see where your hotel is with respect to airport, walking treks, restaurants, museums and other city delights.

 

Optional excursions

Only on the most deluxe package tours and cruises does "optional" refer to genuine choice between various cost-included excursions. Most of the time, "optional" means "at your own expense" and you'll be charged an extra $ 100-120. The same applies to optional meals, concerts and scenic flights. Check how much it would cost you to organize the activity yourself. Tour companies and cruise lines make big margins from add-on excursions which, although they offer convenience, are seldom great value. If you are on a cruise then getting down on ports and exploring the city by bus may be included in your ticket price but don’t assume it, confirm it.

 

Skip the queue

We have all experienced the serpentine queue entering the Louvre in Paris and trust me skipping the queue outside most likely means battling crowds inside. A regular promise on organized tour holidays is that you won't have to wait in line at museums and palaces because you have privileged access to the delights within. This is a genuine advantage when lines for some top European museums stretch for two hours. But "skip the line" ought to be a warning that, once inside, crushing crowds will be milling in front of famous paintings and statues. Don't expect quiet contemplation with ‘Monalisa’ or some solitude to absorb the essence of ‘The Scream’. You will not find solitude unless you skip the entire museum. There are always very rewarding but underrated alternatives, such as the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj in Rome and the Musée Carnavalet in Paris.

 

Enjoy a local performance

Does anyone really want to see this on their itinerary? In theory, it sounds like a great idea to see a demonstration of the local dance, folklore or handicraft skill, but too many times I have been disappointed by so called folk artists. There's only so much enjoyment you can get from a dance said to imitate the romantic story of lovelorn yak herders. Besides, chances are these "authentic" performances have been invented for tourists. Only one phrase is more horrifying, and that's "audience participation welcome". Sober fellow tourists dancing are bad enough but gyrations of random wine-fuelled tourists is not exactly my choice of entertainment.

 

Pet Friendly

Pet friendly may not mean easy access of your Saint Bernard to your room. Hotels and motels usually will not allow pets in even if other guests do not object. It may mean leaving you pet in the backyard exposed to the cold winter or in a cage under the stairs with scarce ventilation! The fact that you are allowed to stay despite the pet makes the facility pet friendly.

 

English speaking tour guide

He is speaking all right but why do I not understand? Tour guides can be an asset but on occasions they become a necessary evil. Maybe they speak English in local accent but it is far better to offer us recorded cassettes with ear-phones. Worst is when the driver is your English speaking guide, who may actually want a tip. Often it’s not a tour as much as it’s just transport with a mandatory stop at some shops on route that will sell you over-priced junk like tanzanite jewellery, jade or other things you don’t want to waste time on.

 

Beer and wine included with meals.

In plain English this means a local wine that tastes like vinegar and a local beer you have never heard of. No, every time they are not bad but they are included only while eating. Then you will be party to a slugfest before and after dinner at the bar.

 

Special tour dinner

It is invariably overpriced and probably a place locals will never eat at. It is far smarter to ask a local which is the best Thai or Mexican or Japanese restaurant and which is the classiest bar and the choicest ice cream parlour. That is going to make tour dinner far more special.

 

Suite

Suite is supposed to mean separated lounge and bedroom, two separate rooms. It cannot be just a slightly larger room with a table or small partition.

 

 

Deciphering what is printed in a travel brochure and more importantly, what is written between the lines or in unintelligible font size is an art which comes with experience. Tour operators will use every trick in the book - from purple prose, to soft-focus photography and confusing price structures - to give the best possible impression of what they are selling. So, whether you are downloading a virtual pdf brochure or leafing through the real thing, it's worth reminding yourself exactly what you need to take seriously and when to dispense your pinch of salt. "Golden sands", "luxury hotel", "idyllic tropical island" - you don't have to look far to find the cliches. The best corrective is a second opinion, and in this respect, the internet is a great help.

 

Don’t let this blog dissuade you from planning your next trip but only do it more carefully. Travel brochures help but you need to spend some time decoding them.

 

MY TEACHER PROF. T.C. GOEL - A LIVING LEGEND

 

 

Prof. Trilok Chandra Goel still remains one of my most favourite teachers who continue to inspire me and guide my destiny even two decades after his retirement and three decades after my post-graduation. He is a teacher who, by being himself, has taught me some invaluable lessons in life. He was always a class apart both in perseverance and in attitude and was never apologetic of his high standards, knowing fully well that those people who really wanted to be in his life will raise their standards to meet him. This is an invaluable life lesson, which I still see him living out and mediocrity was never an arena in which he was ever prepared to play.

 

Prof. Goel is a Hewett Medalist (1962) and started as a lecture in the Department of Surgery in King George’s Medical College, Lucknow, a position to which he was promoted from Chief Residentship by the then Professor and Head of the Department of Surgery Prof. S.C. Mishra. It was his single minded dedication towards the clinical teaching of Surgery that soon made him the favourite of every student.

 

His punctuality still remains in the Georgian folklore and his morning attendance always started at 9 AM sharp and never at 9.01! This would be followed by an impromptu class in which he would teach us an X. Ray or an surgical instrument or gadget or a surgical pathology specimen or an interesting case. In 10 minutes the message would be conveyed and in the next 5 minutes he would ask us questions with the sole intention of ascertaining whether his teaching has achieved ‘Antyodaya’. The Albert Einsteins , the Jagdeesh Chandra Boses and the Madam Curies  of the batch were not his only concern, he would not rest till even the ‘Pappu’ of the batch had also understood the subject. This was followed by a ‘Jiggyasa session’ and each of us had to carry a ‘Jiggyasa Dairy’ in which we must have noted a ‘jiggyasa’ or a question of the day, which we all tried to answer and differences of opinion were encouraged and ironed out. Then we were off to our clinical wards, fully charged for the day! For all those who missed the 9 O’ clock attendance it was ‘Garhi choot gai lalloo!’, no excuses and naturally no attendance.]

 

Throughout the hospital and college hours Prof. Goel, all his working life, was 100% immersed in his passion for teaching Surgery. Whether in his room or in his wards, or in his class or in his operating theatre he was always teaching students and residents of both MBBS and BDS streams as well as his post-graduates and residents. What was most remarkable was that when he was alone in his room he was either studying books and journals or preparing teaching material for his students. Those were pre-computer days and every material was written in longhand and categorized. These teaching materials kept on accumulating and provided him with ample literature to write countless books in various aspects of Surgery. He realized that there were no good text books of Surgery exclusively for the dental students and so poured in all his resources and produced what is today the best text book of Surgery for dental undergraduate students [KGMU Textbook of General Surgery for Dental Students (Theory and Practical). 2018, Wolters Kluwer Health (India), Gurgaon, Haryana. ISBN 978-938-79-6339-9]

 

Prof. Goel had a passion for Hindi language and has published many books of poetry, prose and satire in Hindi. He soon channelized his excellence in Hindi to its best use by writing the first text book of modern Surgery in Hindi, a book which is very popular in this part of the country [Adhunik Shalya Chikitsa Vigyan ISBN 978-93-5152-542-4.] Many books in various aspects of Surgery followed and he was not translating text but creating genuine and authentic content in Hindi for posterity. He would often call us, his old students, on the phone and ask us to contribute illustrations – photographs, diagrams, X. Rays, Ultrasound, C.T and M.R.I images for his books and they were invariably published with acknowledgement to the contributors.

 

My personal association with Prof. Goel goes back to 1977, when I was an under-graduate student of Surgery. But it was as his Resident that I first realized how much effort he was putting in day in and day out to improve the quality of teaching in our Department. He conducted my M.S. General Surgery practical examination and I still remember it was a Wednesday, the day after our Tuesday Emergency. With his customary parental concern he enquired whether I was still nil orally. It surely must have been obvious because soon enough breakfast arrived and Mohan, our canteen boy, called me in. I was first to finish my long case and was striking a beat on the bed-side table, so that I do not doze off. He pointed it out to Prof. Dubey and our two external examiners and said that “I think he is ready”! What followed was a 45 minutes viva on Osteogenic Sarcoma – its cell of origin, its varied pathology, the difficulties in histological diagnosis, clinical variations, radiological findings, treatment modalities, recent advances ending in the logic of High Dose Methotrexate with Leucovorin rescue. I do not know what the external examiners thought but I did not miss Prof. Dubey embracing the young Prof. Goel in excitement and pumping his deltoids.

 

After my M.S I got selected for M.Ch in Paediatric Surgery in K.E.M. Hospital, from where our teacher Prof. A.K. Wakhlu was trained but for some strange political reasons (a strike by Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors against outsiders) it did not materialize. Back in Lucknow Prof. Goel rationalized the situation and said that it was a Divine wish that I stayed a bit longer in the Alma-mater. Subsequently I became engrossed in Plastic Surgery training under the guidance and tutelage of Prof. S.K. Bhatnagar, Prof. S.D. Pandey and Prof. R. Chandra, but my association with Prof. Goel continued through the Thursday morning Surgical meetings in N.S.B( New Surgical Block). It is in one of these meetings that I presented the anatomical dissections and surgical cases of my ‘Island Tongue Flap’. Prof. Goel greatly appreciated the simplicity of the flap and later allowed me to do it in his patients. This research fetched me the prestigious Peet Prize of the Association of Plastic Surgeons of India.

 

After returning from overseas I continued to attend the Thursday meetings and in one of them I presented my first free flap I performed in Lucknow, a penis reconstruction by free radial forearm flap. All my teachers including Prof. Goel blessed me and it is because of those blessings that I was able to establish my practice in the cities of Lucknow, Gorakhpur and Moradabad. When I became the Editor in Chief of the Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery in 2009 Prof. Goel gave me an invaluable advice. He told me that if the science is good and the language is not, always accept the paper, rewrite it from Title to Bibliography if required, but keep the scientific research alive. Otherwise how will we generate Indian content and offer Indian contribution…… after all, all of us are not good in English! In 2017 when the Prof. Karoon Agarwal’s ‘Text Book of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery’, the 6 volume extravaganza started publication, I took the two volumes I and III, of which I was the Sectional Editor, to Prof. Goel. He was so thrilled looking at them and without an iota of hesitation I told him that it was he who had inspired me to think big and achieve bigger!

 

His unwavering dedication towards teaching and documentation is an inspiration to many of us. Not only has it helped us navigate through the gates of higher education but it has also helped me personally to understand that we have very little time to spare as there is a lot to be learned and we are just scratching the surface of wisdom. Time is the most precious possession that we have and he has taught me to spend it in the most intelligent way. I have never seen him sitting with other staff members in a Darbar and sipping tea or reading a magazine. He would always be there, in his room, in his desk, studying and enriching himself. Though today he is well beyond 80 years in age but his mind is still young and imbibing newer ideas and quenching his thirst for the unknown. He is busy writing a book of Urology in Hindi, and there are many newer ventures in his pipeline.

 

King George’s Medical University reappointed him as Emeritus Professor in 2015 and decorated him with the Doctorate Honoris Causa degree in 2017. His interests did not wane once his formal teaching responsibilities ceased to exist after retirement. With time in hand he became even more productive. He has till date published many medical and non-medical books which can fill a few racks in the library.

You can visit his Wikipedia page to know about him https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trilok_Chandra_Goel

 

He started off as a Lecturer in Surgery but has become an institution in himself and in his lifetime my teacher Prof. T.C. Goel is today a living legend!

WHY NOT LIVE SOMEWHERE ELSE FOR A WHILE?

 

 

There is no place like home.....right? But I have a piece of advice for you....maybe you won't do it now, maybe not even in the next decade but sometime in your life, plan to live in another country. Do this for a year, at least. Properly experience another way of life. Come to understand a different culture. Get to know a destination in a way that is impossible for a short-term visitor. You will never regret doing it.

There are many reasons to relocate abroad — for work, study, love, retirement, a fresh start, or a better quality of life. No matter what your reason is, living abroad is worth it; if not for the numerous benefits –– like making life-long international friends and having better career prospects  and if nothing else then at least for unearthing what you don’t like and what you’re capable of doing on your own.

Whether you’ve already decided to settle in another country for a short time or you’re on the fence, this list will open your eyes to 14 great reasons why thousands of people are choosing to live overseas each year.

 

1. Stepping out of your comfort zone

Moving abroad is not just about stepping out of your comfort zone, it’s more like jumping off the bungee jumping [latform . This is especially true when you’re leaving a small, quiet city like Lucknow or Pune to find yourself in a bustling metropolis like Melbourne, Barcelona, Berlin, Paris or Milan. Not only will you find yourself in a new city, where you may or may not speak the language but you’ll also have to find housing abroad, plan your finances, make new friends, embrace a new culture, and much more. But don’t see this as an anxious, overwhelming experience. Most people who move abroad say that they needed this boost to understand their true potential or simply to get out of the rut of their everyday life. Life was becoming too boring, monotonous and predictable, they felt.

 

2. Becoming self-reliant and resourceful

When you live abroad, there’s a lot you need to do yourself. You’ll have to face new challenges, bureaucracy, deal with homesickness, manage budgets, etc. There’s no doubt you’ll have hundreds of questions. How do I pay taxes here? Or even simple things like how do I change the light bulb?

Even though you might not have all the answers at first, you’ll be surprised at your resilience and resourcefulness. I managed to find a flat to stay within 5 days in Melbourne and within a day in Adelaide! Doing things yourself things that, you never thought you could do yourself or manage alone,  let alone in a foreign environment , will make you realize your true potentials! The new skills that you develop will make you feel strong and your self-confidence will skyrocket. You’ll feel prepared for anything that comes your way.

 

3. Adapting to situations easily

Living abroad will mean coming across unexpected situations or perspectives that are deeply, culturally rooted. Finding out that almost everyone cycles in The Netherlands as it’s the most popular means of public transport was something new to a middle class Indian in me who associated bicycles with students, poor people and health freaks. Or learning that you’ve to be quiet on Sundays in Germany because of the “quiet hours” and adopt Fridays as weekly off instead of Sunday in Dubai were all about adopting to the local culture.

The local culture, tradition, and beliefs of people will be different and getting used to these differences might feel uncomfortable. But adapting to these new situations is the best way to integrate. And remember, adapting doesn’t mean changing your own beliefs or habits for others. It just means being respectful of others and being accommodating.

 

4. Developing cultural awareness

Living abroad will heighten your awareness of the many fascinating cultures around you. If you live in a small town, you’ll experience total cultural immersion; perfect for language learners. If you’re planning to live in a metropolitan city like Munich or Rome, you’ll come across a multitude of languages on the streets.

Having a mix of local and international friends will also introduce you to new music, local cuisines, foreign movies or shows, and so much more. You’ll even uncover some interesting cultural habits and find out just how true those stereotypes are or aren’t. For instance, in Germany almost every video is dubbed and in Spain siestas are on their way out, not like Kolkata.

 

5. Making friends from all over the world

With so many people deciding to work or study abroad these days, there’re plenty of vibrant expat communities for you to become part of or live close to. The best part is that these people are in the same boat as you and connecting over shared experiences or interests is a great way to make lifelong connections abroad.

The biggest mistake people end up doing abroad is looking for Indian friends to befriend and Indian food to eat. That is not why you left the comfort of your home! Experience newer cultures, newer cuisine and most importantly new people. Join the many student organizations at university, join a sport club, take up a hobby, go fishing or watch cricket or soccer with new friends and start belonging to your new found hometown. You may have to deal with homesickness or some degree of a culture shock. But it’ll pass. As long as you’re open to jumping into conversations, saying yes to those invites, and exploring the city with your new acquaintances, you’re going to have a new group of friends before you know it!

 

6. Having more opportunities to travel

One of the best “side effects” of moving abroad is the newfound love for exploring new places. And since most European cities are well connected by multiple modes of public transport, you’ll be able to visit nearby cities or countries easily. If you’re a student or below 26, you’ll most likely get free entry to museums and big discounts on travel using a Rail Pass.  Imagine taking the cruise from The Netherlands to Norway or living in Barcelona and driving up to Valencia or Paris for the weekend!

 

7. Learning how to effectively manage a budget

This might be the very first time that you’re living on your own. Or it’s the first time that you’re dealing with a country that has a different currency or a significantly different cost of living. Figuring out how much to budget or more importantly, how to stick within budget is a life-saving skill. You don’t want to spend all your hard earned money within a week and survive on cup noodles for the rest of the month. Been there, and done that….it feels both stupid and awful!

That’s why it’s important to research the cost of living to make a realistic budget. And this means knowing how much you’ll spend on rent, groceries, leisure, and more. The internet is resourceful and you can easily look up cost of living in Spain or specifically look for living on a student budget in a city like Milan.

A budget helps to set goals and save up for something. You can also download one of the free expense tracking apps, at least for the first few months, to know how much you’re spending and on what. If any money is left at the end of the fortnight put it into savings for a rainy day or treat yourself to something nice….may be a short trip to a nearby city!

 

8. Discovering how to manage relationships

Once you’re away from home, you’re going to learn a lot about keeping up with multiple types of relationships. Not only will you need to remain in touch with your friends and family back home, who may be in a completely different time zone, but you’ll also need to set aside time to nurture the new relationships that you’re trying to make.  If you’re finding it hard to manage, pick one night a week to reach out to loved ones over video call and try to spend the rest of your time making new friends and figuring out your life abroad.

 

9. Learning a new language

Unless you’re moving to an English speaking country, chances are that you don’t know the local language of the area. Or maybe you studied it in middle school but that’s not going to cut it in the “real world”. While English can usually get you by in most student or expat communities, learning a bit of Spanish before you move to Spain or German before you take off to Austria or Germany will make your life so much easier. And if you’re moving to integrate completely and become fluent, then you’re in for a treat once you arrive. You’ll pick up even more from everyday interactions, such as going to the supermarket and interacting with the locals.

 

10. Improving both verbal and non-verbal communication

Different cultures have different ways of communicating. Some cultures are more expressive with their emotions and hands, whereas other cultures prefer brevity and directness. When you’re living abroad and are surrounded by a multicultural group of people, you’ll notice how each person communicates, both verbally and non-verbally. Over time, you’ll become sensitive to these differences and communicate with others in a way that is respectful and inclusive. An asset in this multicultural world!

 

11. Better career prospects

The biggest reason people move overseas is because they’ve found a job abroad. Maybe you want to leave overworking behind or the lack of paid leave and work in countries like The Netherlands or Germany where these things are given more importance. No matter what your reason is, a great benefit of moving abroad for work includes a better job prospect. And maybe you don’t even have to move abroad. If you’re already studying abroad, then finding a job or internship would be a great next step to better your career prospects in the long run.

When you work or intern abroad, you’re able to show that you’re someone who is willing to take risks, you’re adaptable, independent, quick to learn, and good at intercultural communication; all skills that are valuable in the eyes of an employer.

 

12. Expanding your professional connections

When you move abroad, it’s highly likely that you’re on your own and without a solid network to rely on. When it comes to switching jobs or finding your first job, connections can be crucial. Especially in countries like Italy or Spain where word of mouth and strength of the professional relationship can often sway who gets the job (sometimes even before it is publicly advertised).

So it’s very important to take some time and be a little brave when it comes to making new professional connections. Attend networking events or if you’re more of an introvert, add your colleagues and other thought leaders as a LinkedIn connection. Either way, stay in touch and develop that relationship. You never know where your next job will come from!

 

13. Gaining a global mindset

It doesn’t matter if this is your first time living overseas or you’re a seasoned expat; moving abroad to a new country will undoubtedly help in developing a global mindset. Having a global mindset means gaining cultural awareness, becoming aware of your biases, and becoming great at adapting to people from different cultural backgrounds. And while you can read or watch videos to prepare yourself, there’s no better way to gain a global perspective than to live abroad.

Having the adventure of working or studying abroad is a fantastic way to find yourself in circumstances that you’d never encounter otherwise. It presents you with an opportunity to “learn by doing”. Over time, you’re bound to develop a global mindset without even trying hard.

 

14. Learning Patience

When you live in a new city, there will always be a learning curve. You’re going to get lost a few times on your way back home and communicating with a language barrier and making new friends can be difficult at best. But it’s all about pushing through and having the patience to make it through the adjustment period. Like with all things in life, living abroad gets easier with time.

 

So if you are just finishing school, or college, or on the verge of a professional career, or if you are sick of life’s monotony, or are thinking about an interesting retirement, choose the city of your dreams and plan to spend a few years there! You will be surprised to discover a much improved 2.0 version of yourself, far more efficient than the older version who left home!!