Navigating Eastern Europe

A trip to Eastern Europe will be a lot smoother if you are armed with some very important knowledge. Below, I have listed some of the key pointers to keep in mind if you decide to go to Eastern Europe.

1) There are ATMs most everywhere. Use those when you can, because while there are money exchanges everywhere too, you may find it difficult to get a good rate.

2) Be warned that public toilets often come at a price. Usually not more than the equivalent of 25 or 50 cents, but still...you need to be sure to have some change. Sometimes, there are coin-op turnstyles that admit you once you deposit your coins, but in many places, there is a toilet guard. The guard will either insist upon your payment upfront or go chasing after you once you are done, if you do not pay on your way out. You won't mind paying if the toilets are maintained nicely and are very clean, but sometimes you have to pay even when they are filthy and rundown. That's just insulting.

3) If you want bottled water - watch out. There's nothing worse than twisting open the cap and hearing the hiss of the gas coming out. Europeans love their gassy water. Depending on the country, you will have to learn to read the label and discover which words means "no" and "gas". If ordering it over the counter or at a restaurant, specify "still" or "no gas".

4) Most people in the touristy areas will speak at least a little bit of broken English. Shouting at people if they don't understand you will not help. You'd be surprised how far pointing and gesturing will get you. Always smart to know the key words of the different languages...words like "please", "thank you", "toilet", and of course, "beer".

5) Before hailing a taxi, be sure that you negotiate with the driver or else you may be taken for a ride...a very costly one. First, in some places, you may be able to negotiate a flat price, like in Prague. "400 Czech crowns? No? 450 tops!" If you can't do a flat rate, then at least make sure the driver turns on the meter and is operating only on that. If in a group, get as many in a cab as you can to save money. Also, it doesn't hurt to try to talk to the driver. Any small chit-chat will do. If he likes you, he may go the shortest route.

6) Always buy a metro card or token or whatever it is you need to ride on some of the trams, buses, and subways in Eastern Europe. Make sure you validate your ticket where necessary, too. Failure to do so could result in a hefty fine and the "I'm a naive tourist" spiel won't cut it. In Budapest, you can hop right on a bus without a ticket or validating anything, but then all of a sudden, a plain clothes guy will come up to you wishing to see your ticket. Make sure you have it.

7) Gratuities at restaurants are typically around 10%. Check the bill to make sure the gratuity is not already included, otherwise you could mistakenly double-tip. But gratuities are rarely, if ever already included.

8) Some of those Eastern European girls are hot. Oh wait, that's not really a tip, is it?

9) Eastern European beer is good. Mind the German beer...it packs more punch than you might expect. We're not talking your typical Beck's or whatever. I mean the real German beer. Polish beer is nothing to sneeze at either. Goes down easy. In the Czech Republic, the pilsner is pretty popular. In Poland, you have to do the vodka shot - the vodka with the grass in it! In Prague, you need to try at least one shot of absinthe, and in Hungary, their national drink is Unicom.

10) Live it up. Plenty of clubs and bars abound and many of them put ours in the States to shame!