Article One

Tips for Travel (lesson 1) AFRICA

Let’s begin by first explaining to those of you who may think that Africa is one country. Africa is a continent, with many countries. The only part of the continent which has the name of Africa, is South Africa. So if you are ever offered a free trip to ‘Africa’ please make sure you ask which country in Africa. The following basic tips have to do with anyone, but especially females, who are planning a trip to any of the countries in Africa. It is especially important to take advice from many different forums prior to any sort of travel to a country which you are unfamiliar with; have never been to before; may be traveling alone; and/or know absolutely no one who lives in the country.

1. Not Advisable to Travel Alone

Despite the fact that this is just plain old common sense many people just do not heed the advice. You need to understand that you are in a foreign country. Regardless of whether you are in a major city, like Nairobi, or out in the wilderness with an overland group, you are always susceptible to unscrupulous characters and vulnerability.

2. When Travel is with a Group

Your group leader should advise you of any and all rules pertaining to the area you are in at the time. If they do not, then you need to ask questions. You should be advised of any no-go areas within the city, and you need to abide by them. You will not be given special treatment simply because you are not a national of the country, ignorance is not a remedy.

” Again, never travel alone away from the group. Always go in pairs at the very least.

” Always have contact information with you, in your bag and on your person.

” Always ensure that others know where you are going and when you plan to return. More importantly, if you are able, call your group when you arrive at your destination and again when you start your return.

” Do not carry expensive items in a manner which will make you a target. You are already an obvious tourist, which means you are a target, but do not have loads of gadgets hanging all over your body advertising that you have expensive equipment. It doesn’t impress anyone; it just makes you an easy mark.

” Do Not pull all your cash out of your pocket to count in public. You really shouldn’t carry large amounts of cash. If you do the first thing you need to know is that most of that cash should be kept either in a safe at your hotel, or in a safe located in the vehicle used for the group travel. Again your group leader will have the proper method. If you insist on having the cash on your person, then split the money up in to several small amounts and carry them in different places on your person, not just your wallet. Note: Please do not have those fanny packs, or butt-bags hanging on your person with your wallet and valuables inside. Seriously, I know it’s convenient, but again not a good idea. If you insist on using one, then use it for diversionary means only. Keep your sweeties and gum inside.

” Always be aware of your location, and people around you. Basically notice people around you, the faces, and if someone seems to be hovering around you and your movements. Many people put on blinders, again the tourist euphoria syndrome, thinking that they go unnoticed. The truth is that when it comes to career criminals, you have already been spotted.

” Do Not think or assume that every person is trying to get one over on you, or is trying to steal from you. Just be aware, be safe and be cautious and simply follow some basic guidelines to ensure that other know where you are at all times.

Next week…..lesson continued

copyright @tamagibb 2007

Man is designed to live on land. Sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch are all designed to
work on the surface. Try sticking your head underwater with no mask or snorkel.

What can you see? Yes you can see but it is not very clear, the human eye has not been
designed for seeing under water. With a mask there is a marked difference on the ability
of the eye to see but it does create a tunnel vision effect. Also rays of light that strike the
glass in the mask may be reflected and also reduce vision.

What can you hear? Yes you can hear and sound travels very well in water. However
communication is difficult because it isn’t easy to speak clearly underwater without specialised equipment and therefore hand and rope signals are essential.

What can you smell and taste? Without a mask on you had better not try to smell
underwater. You will find water being sucked up your nose and the end result could be
disaster. Smell and taste are closely related. For the diver the only smell that is
experienced is that coming from the breathing set. You may detect impurities in the air
mixture and possibly experience a metallic taste, this may be an indication of nitrogen
narcosis and if you smell or taste anything unusual it is best to abort the dive and clean
out the breathing set.

What about touch? As the other senses decrease touch becomes increasingly important.
Eventually it may be the only sense remaining that is functioning at any useful level. The
diver must learn to recognise parts of his equipment by touch only and be able to locate
each item quickly and operate it effectively. You can be diving in conditions where
visibility is really impaired and touch is basically all you have.

Pay particular attention to your senses when you begin to dive. Try judging distances
underwater, practice finding essential parts of your diving gear with your eyes close,
using touch only. It pays to become as familiar as possible with how your senses are
affected by being underwater while you are in a relatively safe environment and with
companions who are there to assist and teach. Take turns practicing. Learn your hand
signals they are extremely important and should be second nature to you.

Keep safe and enjoy your diving.

Rex Reservoir - ex diver and submariner

When you need to protect your vehicle from the harsh weather conditions one of the best ways is to get a canvas carport. Canvas is a very strong and durable fabric that is also light weight and can give great shade protection.

They are also waterproof which means that you get the best of both worlds. Whether you have a car, boat, bike, RV, or truck, you can use a canvas carport to provide the ultimate protection for it.

You can get canvas carports in many different colors to match your car or your houses roof or wall so that it blends in and adds an appealing quality to your home. You can get green, black, white, yellow, red, blue, brown, or even stripes.

You can find a great selection of canvas carports online and you can find many styles of cover as well. A canvas carport could have a slanted roof, gabled, rounded at the edges, or for even more protection it might have an extra awning around it.

With the canvas carport that you choose, you will find detailed instructions of how to assemble it as well as the accessories that you will need like the fittings, ball bungies, and poles. The poles are made of galvanized steel so that they are hard wearing and sturdy.

A canvas carport is for everyone, but is especially great for people that hate DIY. The carport will need absolutely no tools to put together and you will be done in a matter of minutes.

It is so easy to put it up and take it down, that you can even take your canvas carport with you when you go on vacation. This will mean that your car or RV is totally protected at all times, even when in use. It is great for places where there is no shade or covering for RV’s and they can get very hot.

You can also use the canvas carport for other things too. You can move it into the garden to provide shade for a barbeque or birthday party. You can also use it at night for a garden party to string lights from it and have people sit around the pool.

It will also double as protection if it suddenly starts to rain. If the canvas carport is for more than one car, you could also use it for a reception venue for a small wedding. It would be the perfect thing to decorate and can be made to look amazing without having to hire a venue or marquee.

This carport is a great idea as it will save you money and protect your car, boat or RV. It can also make you money if you use it correctly. If you have an apartment building or office, you can rent out the carports to employees for the month or even daily.

This means that eventually you will have made back the money spent on them, and will soon start making profits. This is why the canvas carport is a great investment opportunity.

Want to find great deals on canvas carports? Check out Canvas Carport Deals

Touch is an important aspect in every human beings life: the touch of a mother, the touch of your spouse, and the touch of your partner. Since the increase in our understanding of the human body and it muscular structure, specialists have come forth and introduced different styles of massages that stimulate the body such as: foot, chair, hot stone, and spa massages.

A foot massage is correctly performed by first soaking the feet in Epsom salt, and than after the foot is dried (preferably with a soft terry cloth towel, however any towel will work) begin with a gentle rubbing of the whole foot. The next step commences with the by rubbing the top of the feet. The third step moves to the sole of the foot and depending on the needs of the individual receiving the massage continue rubbing gently or firmly. The final step in perfecting the foot massage is massaging the toes.

Traditionally, we think of a massage with someone who is lying face down being rubbed from head to toe, typically naked with only a towel for apparel. However, over the past twenty years David Palmer introduced the benefits in receiving a chair massage. This style is less expensive and can be received anywhere there is a comfortable chair to sit in with the same benefits of reducing tension and stress, however specially designed chairs have been developed to increase comfort and relaxation.

Another emerging style is a hot stone massage, developed in Sweden. This method is perfect for individuals who find the traditional full body massage more rigorous than comforting. Basalt stones which retain heat through out the session are used in this style of massage. These stones weigh anywhere from one pound to five pounds. The masseuse rubs the body with a smoothed stone pressing more firmly in areas where the muscles are tight and tense.

A spa massage differs from your traditional full body massage because it adds sweet smelling aromas, oils (lavender is preferred), gentle music, and creams to create a more relaxing atmosphere. With a spa massage you will hear more about presentation and atmosphere than about the massage itself.

For more information about Massage Therapy go to www.free-body-massage.info.

By A. Exon

www.free-body-massage.info.

Andrew is a Marriage, Family, and Human Development graduate who enjoys swing dancing, camping, fly-fishing, and other recreational sports which provide physical excercise and relaxation.

A HELOC is another name for home equity line of credit, or also known as a home equity loan. HELOC is a loan that is set up as a line of credit for a maximum available amount, rather than a fixed available amount. Typically, a home equity line of credit is used as a second mortgage. HELOCs are also used as first mortgages, if you decide to refinance your existing primary mortgage. The latter is a popular financing vehicle people use today, in a high end real estate market.

Equity In Your Home

The majority of people with poor credit believe that they could not qualify for a home equity line of credit. This is not necessarily the case. It is important for you to know that even though you may have poor credit, the important factor when applying for a home equity line of credit is majorially based on how much equity you have in your home.

Equity in a home is the amount of ownership you have in your home. For example, if your home has a market value of $250,000 and you owe $200,000 on your mortgage, then the amount of equity you have is $50,000. Therefore, when you go to apply for a home equity line of credit, the maximum amount of credit you can receive is $50,000.

Lower Credit Limits

People with poor credit can still receive home equity lines of credit. However, when you have poor credit the amount of credit you are allowed may vary. For example, let’s say that you have $50,000 worth of equity in your home. Due to your bad credit you most likely will not be able to receive a home equity line of credit for the entire $50,000, but you should still be able to receive some credit. And regardless of the amount of credit that you are allotted, you will most likely pay a higher interest rate than you would if you had excellent credit.

Adjustable Interest Rate

There are certain lenders that specialize in bad credit HELOC loans. Be aware that these loans are often difficult to get fixed rates for. You are most likely required to get an adjustable rate home equity line of credit if you have bad credit.

There are some lenders who give bad credit HELOC loans for more than the amount of the equity in the home. They do this based on the assumption that your home will increase in value, so the amount of the loan will be covered. The risk of this type of HELOC is that your home may not go up in value. Then when you go to sell your home, you will be stuck with owing money; rather than profiting from the sale of the home.

Whatever your current financial situation, if you have bad credit and want to obtain a HELOC loan, then you better make sure that it will be beneficial to your budget and your overall financial goals.

Recommended HELOC Lenders for Borrowers with Poor Credit - We maintain a list of recommended mortgage companies online and update the list regularly.

Poor Credit? Here Are 50 Ways to Raise Your Credit Score.- Read this article to learn 50 tips to raise your FICO credit score.

Affiliate marketing has many descriptions, yet all have the same meaning. Affiliate marketing is a huge business piece on the Internet. It is a cooperative effort between merchants and an affiliate’s website. For many years now, affiliate marketing has proved to be a cost-efficient, measurable method of delivering long-term results. It has become famous for Internet sites who are trying to make some extra or additional income for their site. Every day, people get interested to affiliate marketing and want to make money out of it. But in many cases, these new affiliates do not fully understand the affiliate world and make costly mistakes. In other words, affiliate marketing has often been misunderstood.

One of the common misconceptions that are being associated about affiliate marketing is “selling”, though selling is an important activity of affiliate marketing and the central function of a business operation. Another is that affiliate marketing is commonly linked with “advertising”. While the importance of advertising in marketing a certain product is not to be underestimated, the fact of the matter is, advertising like selling, is merely a part of the many functions of marketing.

In affiliate marketing, an affiliate is compensated for every visitor, subscriber and/or customer provided through his efforts. The said compensation may be made based on a certain value for each visit. The most attractive aspect of affiliate marketing from the merchant’s viewpoint is that no payment is due to an affiliate until results are appreciated.

Affiliate marketing is typically being run by affiliate networks and this affiliate networks are composed of two functional bodies, the group affiliates and the group merchants. Each has their special function and role when it comes to affiliate marketing. The affiliate network acts as a third party between the merchant and the associated affiliates. The network provides the technology to deliver the merchant’s campaigns and offers. The affiliate network also collects commission fees from the merchant and then pays the affiliates which are part of the program.

The merchant is any web site owner that wants or desires to take advantage of performance based marketing. The benefits to the merchant are many. First, the merchant maintains and operates the affiliate program. If it would be extracted, the merchant needs to do their part by researching interested affiliate websites to ensure that they are a good fit for that particular website. Finding a fit for their merchandise would be the key to more generated income. The merchant has access to markets and customers without him spending valuable time searching out. Banner ads on affiliate sites are not distracting to the site user. It might produce interest for that product and drive the consumer to the merchants’ website. It is also the merchant who decides how much he is willing to pay for each sale that results from a visitor sent from an affiliate.

The affiliate or the affiliate marketer also sees a lot of benefits. The affiliate is a web site owner that promotes one or more merchants and their affiliate programs. Affiliate marketing can generate a full-time income for the affiliate. But this is not an easy task to accomplish. The affiliate needs to have a better understanding with the merchant what the commission will be, expected payment method and time involved in the contract. The affiliate has also the responsibility to stand for the merchandise their user based would be most interested in. For example, if the site has a user base of mainly stay-at-home mothers, then on-line job openings such as surveys would be a good match for them. This group would also appreciate direct links to children’s products and informational sites. Merchandisers often provide targeted, best-seller items and personal support to their affiliate. They often offer sales promotions that will benefit the merchandiser as well as the affiliate.

Affiliate marketing is a great situation for both the marketer and the affiliate. If they would work together, they can be an advantage to both. Plus the fact that it seems to make sense, it is easy and inexpensive way to start, and you can be up and running within a few days. But there is one thing to consider, it is how to get traffic and make your offer different than all others.

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If you are looking for a cost effective way to protect your car, truck, motorbike, or RV from the harsh elements, then you can choose a canopy carport to make your life easier. When you buy a canopy carport you will be choosing great quality, heavy duty material that will last a long time to protect your vehicle.

The canopy carports can also come in different sizes and shapes, with awnings or without, and you can find them just about anywhere. These canopy carports are also very easy to assemble and they are light weight so they can be taken on vacation if needed.

You can find a canopy carport in just about any color you like and you can even get the exact color to match your car. These colors can be red, yellow, white, blue, green, striped, black, and much more.

The canopy carports will also come with all of the accessories and extra bits and pieces that are needed to assemble it like the poles which are made from sturdy aluminum or steel, pegs, pads, and fittings.

Depending on the area that you live in, you may want more from your canopy than other people. Or example you may live in a very rainy , stormy are prone to rain, in which case you will need a canopy carport that has extra side coverage and even doors that will be zipped up.

The canopy carports material is heavy duty and is usually made from canvas or tarpaulin. This canopy carport will also offer UV ray protection is heat protection as they will not hold in the heat like a metal carport would. They are also waterproof and weather resistant.

This type of carport is great for people that are hopeless with construction or even ordinary do it yourself jobs, because you will need no tools to put a canopy carport together. You will get instructions that tell you which leg goes where, where the ball bungies should fit and there you have it, your very own canopy carport.

These are so simple to set up that you can also have some for your employee’s cars at the office. This will make them feel a whole lot better knowing that their cars are well taken care of. With a canopy carport structure like this, you can even use it as a tent for parties or weddings. You can host garden luncheons by the pool and have lots of fun.

So, there you have it; canopy carports are the best way of protecting your vehicle and having your own portable entertainment area in one. It costs next to nothing and is very easy to assemble.

You can find a canopy carport at many online stores and carport companies who also offer to set it up for you and will give you advice if needed on designing your own carport. Take a look at a few of these sites before you decide. Make sure that the company is reputable and that they offer a guarantee on the canopy carports that they sell.

What to find simply the best deals on canopy carports? Check out Discount Canopy Carports.

Diving has been around for hundreds if not thousands of years. Firstly this was in the form of free diving without any apparatus. Using hollow reeds as a snorkel and primitive goggles to create clearer underwater vision followed this.

Diving suits were designed to allow air to be pumped down to the diver. This continued and allowed man to do tasks underwater and to explore the underwater environment.

In 1828 a patent application was lodged in France by D’Augerville for a diving apparatus similar in design to modern day equipment, but this faded into obscurity.

In 1943 Jaque Cousteau and Emil Gagnan invented the modern scuba equipment and this has opened up the underwater world to millions of people.

Advances continue to be made and these enhance the enjoyment of today’s professional and recreational divers.

If you are considering scuba diving this is something you MUST DO.

Locate and join a diving club. This is where you will get proper training and the best advice. Don’t just buy a snorkel and fins at your local sports shop, try it out at sea and think, “Hey this is easy!” then buy a used tank and regulator and think you are ready to go. This is a recipe for disaster.

A good club will not only teach you how to dive, they will teach you about potential hazards, what to do and what not to do. They have divers with 10’s of years of experience diving in many different conditions. They have access to the best equipment; know about good location for the beginner and the very experienced and they love to get new people involved.

You will find good clubs all over the world. You can even take a vacation with a “Learn to Dive” theme to start you off. Look on the Internet, all good clubs have a website that will provide you with the contact details to get you started.

Remember, you must get good training, being underwater is a foreign and potentially dangerous environment so get yourself off to a good start and JOIN A CLUB.

This is just the beginning. You are about to enter a marvelous world where you will discover as much about yourself as you do about the underwater environment.

Rex Reservoir - ex diver and submariner

What is it in bass fishing that compels so many people to take part in this activity? People really like bass fishing that is why when they hear a trend about it this peaks their interests.

“Where are the what…? Where are the bass!” How many anglers (recreational and tournament) find a body of water that they have not fished before, get the boat in the water, then, they ask themselves this question? This is most likely one of the largest issues in bass fishing that an angler needs to understand.

Here you will get advice on how to find areas best for bass fishing.
Finding bass and understanding the water would be the most important question of many bass anglers. The next question that is asked the most would be what type of bait they need to use to reel in a large bass.

Now when you consider it, there are actually only two main ideas that go together when it comes to bass fishing. The more you understand about these two, the more it will help you to become a much finer angler, and they are:

1. Learning how to find the best bass locations.

2. Learning about the different baits,techniques and presentations to help you catch a bass.

Trying to find a good place for bass can be challenging to most anglers because there are many factors that need to be considered such as:

1. Learn map reading - this is a basic skill that needs to be learned because through a map it will be easier to find good places for bass fishing.

2. Discovering the best places to find active Bass soon after cold fronts and during late fall and early spring times. You should definitely consider the water conditions.

3. Judging the depth of the water- this is a vital aspect because the depth of the water will be a determining factor if you are in a good location or not.

4. Clarity of water- you might find bass fishing easier if you are well-aware of the water clarity in your area.

5. Temperature of the water

6. Seasonal patterns- there can be a related trend of bass fishing.

7. Structure area location

8. Locating areas of vegetation

There is even more! Being a bass angler that is consistent includes more than just jumping in your boat, getting in the water, and casting your baits. That’s why it can get so exhilarating and aggressive at bass tournaments, because as you gather more information about finding bass the faster you can begin to catch them right? And hey, thats half the struggle?

Let’s begin by taking a look at a map of a lake. There are usually two varieties of lake maps that a majority of anglers will handle which are referred to as the: “Topographical” and “Hot Spot” maps. The “Hot Spots” map displays the best fishing spots whereas the “Topo” map will present more detail.

The important thing you need to do when using a lake map would be to sector the map. You will need to analyze the map. Check for areas where you think fish might be. Next, You should separate the map into sections depending on the time you are allowed to pre-fish for an upcoming tournament or how long you have to just fish for enjoyment in the body of water.

The size of the sections will vary according to structure, contours, and the number of places you may want to investigate throughout the day depending on what is shown on the map. You should not just cast your bait a few times then leave. Try a variety of baits if you detect signs of fish in any particular area to try to provide a working system.

Here are some vital things that you can probably check for when trying to find bass on any particular water body:

1. Areas of Vegetation

2. Contours that are uneven

3. Shallow water near deep water areas

4. Point drops and point

5. Different kinds of structure

To find more great Bass Fishing tips please visit: http://www.MyBassFishingGuide.com

When someone asks you about what you do, do you have a ready answer? Or do you stumble and stammer trying to explain your business?

I was recently at a writer’s conference where one of the main focuses was learning to create a successful book pitch. My instructor emphasized what a good pitch can do for a writer. She explained that when an editor asks an author about their writing project, they have one shot at sharing their pitch and getting the editor excited about their project. A great pitch makes a great first impression and can translate into a book contract. On the other hand, a pitch that is not well thought out can cost an author the chance of selling that project.

A good book pitch is a summary of the author’s idea, but more than that it’s a summary with a sizzle. At the conference, I learned that many authors spend hours crafting and memorizing their pitch. Then, when asked about their project, they are able to give a quick, concise synopsis that not only explains their idea, but makes the editor want to learn more.

I believe that the concept of creating a pitch can also apply to the home-based business world. As entrepreneurs, we can put together a summary of our business that will not only explain what we do, but grab the attention of whomever we’re speaking with.

A good business pitch summarizes the business concept in one to two short paragraphs, usually a total of 50 words or less. To begin, write out a list of the five most compelling aspects of your business. Try to think about your business as if you were on the outside looking in. What would interest you? What would make you want to learn more?

Try to answer these questions:

• Who is my target market?

• What are my top selling products/services?

• What about my company makes it stand out? If I were looking at starting a business, what would interest me about this company?

• Why did I choose this company?

Put your answers into sentences and you have the beginning of your business pitch. Try to keep your sentences short and use simple words. You want anyone who asks to be able to understand your answer, not get lost in your words. Take special care to describe what you like about your business. These same things will generally appeal to others as well.

While you want to keep your pitch simple, you also want it to give a picture of your business. Let’s say, for example, that you run health and wellness business. You wouldn’t want to use the statement, “I run a health and wellness business,” as a reply about what it is that you do. You want to add in a short description and catch the listener’s attention. For instance, you might say, “I operate my own business. We offer products such as chemical-free shampoo and natural snack foods to help others lead healthy lives.”

When I began my website, I was often caught off-guard when someone asked me about it. I would fumble for words and struggle to express exactly what it is that I do all day. I usually walked away from conversations like this feeling frustrated, and I’m sure the person I was speaking with was more confused than they were originally.

After learning the art of pitching, I can now give a short and snappy reply. “I run a Christian-based website for work-at-home moms,” I’ll say. “I offer resources to help them in their search and am able to make an income by offering advertising.” This usually leads to more questions about my website, which is exactly what I hope for. It gives me an opportunity to talk further about my business to those who are interested.

The next time someone asks you about your home-based business, remember to share your pitch with them. Take the time to hone your pitch to be as short, yet descriptive as possible. Over time, you’ll find yourself refining your words and your answers will become well-crafted summaries that pique the interest of anyone who asks. Word of mouth is one of the easiest ways to build your business and your pitch is a great way to get others talking.

Jill Hart is the founder of Christian Work at Home Moms, http://www.cwahm.com. Jill is a contributing author in The Business Mom Guide Book and I’ll Be Home For Christmas and co-author of the upcoming book, Home Based Blessings. Jill has articles published across the web on sites like DrLaura.com and Clubmom.com. Jill and her husband, Allen of http://www.cwahd.com reside in Nebraska with their two children.