2. If a motel deliberately misspells its name, avoid it like a cash strapped relative. Y’all know types I’m talkin’ about - motels that have names like, “Thriftee Inn, “Sleepee Inn” or something else disgustingly similar. The folks running those joints want you to think they’re one thing, but, when you lay down and find that Mr. Cockroach and his family are in bed with you, it‘s too late. Hard to sleep when you’re perched up on top of a nightstand for rest of evening.

3. A “pay per hour” option is offered. No need to say a whole lot more about this, but if you still go ahead and book one of these joints you’ll find that bed in room is in real bad shape, but furniture is in near perfect condition. Go figure.

4. If place offers adult movies on their TVs, and you decide to watch one and it seems like action is occurring in a room that looks a whole lot like yours, consider writing off rest of evening, packing up, and quickly riding on down road. If you don’t, not only might you become an accidental adult film star, but you might also discover that some of these “reality based” adult films feature haints that not only shouldn’t be filmed, but probably shouldn’t even be allowed outdoors in daylight. Just my opinion, though.

And there you have it. Practical guidelines for keeping a fleabag joint out of your moteling future. I’d write more, but I’m doing this on a laptop computer out on road, and this motel I’m staying in is charging me a dollar a minute for electricity, and don‘t even ask me about eight dollar rolls of toilet paper.....

Most traditional health insurance plans would not cover an unexpected illness or injury during international travel. But travelers with international medical insurance would have protection for scenarios ranging from a local ambulance trip to an emergency evacuation for care at nearest qualified medical facility. Some even offer repatriation flights out of country where traveler is located back to US.

Available plans can cover individuals or groups for specific periods of time abroad and can be in effect should they be stationed abroad for an extended period of time. There are policies for corporations to insure their personnel, plans to cover missionaries who are on an outreach program and for those participating in extreme sports. International travel medical insurance should be considered for anyone traveling or living abroad.

©David M. Schmader, Solon, Ohio January, 2005 www.brownschmader.com