Hello Pals,

Before you go to any country you should learn some basics but double check those important things such as Visas and Vaccines.

🛂 VISA  Depending on where you’re from, you’ll be eligible for the ESTA – Visa Waiver Program which is USD 25. Check eligibility here.	💉 VACCINES Click here to make sure you’ve got the necessary jabs!
💬   LANGUAGE The United States has no official language but English is the most widely used. Spanish, second. You can read an interesting article about the dialects of American accents here.	💰  CURRENCY United States dollar. Code: USD . Check your exchange here. American paper currency comes in seven denominations: $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100.

Here’s a list of things you should know before you travel to the USA.

In this article, you’ll find: (click to be taken there)
Key Dates: Things to be aware of.
The important things to know: Cultural Aspects, Dress Codes, Driving, English, Toilets
Money exchange, tipping and working atms.

Key Dates

July 4: INDEPENDENCE DAY.

The tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. The 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence – from History.com

31 October – HALLOWEEN

“Halloween” comes from “All Hallows Eve,” or the day before All Saints Day, a traditional holy day for Christians. Halloween originated in Europe but during the 19th century, immigrants brought it to North America, where it spread in popularity and evolved in many ways. According to tradition, the spirits of the dead come back to life to harm people and crops in the physical world.  It’s a day to get dressed up and go to a party.

THANKSGIVING

Held on the 4th Thursday in November. The modern-day Thanksgiving Day is for Americans to give thanks as the Pilgrims did with their Native American neighbours after their first harvest in Plymouth (now in Massachusetts) in November 1621. On October 3, 1863, during the Civil War, Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving to be celebrated on Thursday, November 26.

IMPORTANT

To Note:

• Tipping is a huge part of American culture. Everyone will have different versions of who/how/what/when.
• An entrée is the main course in America (this has got me multiple times.)
• Sales Tax is not included in the price unless in Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon.
• Alcohol and Tobacco is 21+
• Museums and Parks can require reservations. Plan in advance.
• Lemonade is like a Solo Punch, order Sprite if you want that.

Cultural

• Don’t start controversial political or religious conversations unless in good nature.
• People like their personal space, try not to stand too close to people.

Dress Code?

• The USA doesn’t have a dress code. If going into churches, try be respectful.
• Depending on the season and state the summer gets hot and the winter gets cold, bring the appropriate clothing.

Driving?

• You’ll be driving on the right-hand side and people will pass you on the left.
• You need to be a minimum age of 21, cheaper for those over.
• You’ll need a credit card and license (in English) in your name when renting a car.
• New Jersey and Oregon don’t allow you to get your own gas. You’ll be required to be seen by an attendant.
• ARTICLE: DRIVING TIPS IN THE USA

English?

• Everything is in English however multiple signs/announcements are in both English and Spanish.

Insurance?

• You should always have travel insurance when going overseas. At least just to cover you for medical.
• If you’re already overseas and need to extend/buy new insurance – WorldNomads (which you’ve probably heard of) allows you to do this.
• Register your trip details with Smart Traveller (Australia.)

Toilets?

• Public Toilets are hard to find. Museums and Libraries, some train stations will have them.
• Download Toilet Finder. Apple  Google Play
  

Transport?

Domestic Airlines Frontier, Allegiant, Spirit are cheap options if they fly your route. Popular: Delta, United, JetBlue & American Airlines.	Bike: Most cities will have bike rental app options and it’s a great way to get from A>B.
Walk: The USA is such a large country and not all places will have reliable public transport. Walking isn’t as common everywhere – Take transport options when you can and walk when needed.	Metro:  Major cities will have light rail (similar to trams.) You can find the Metro in New York (apple/google pay) Washington (Smart Card) Chicago, Boston, San Fran, New Jersey, Philadelphia, LA, Atlanta, Baltimore, Miami.
Buses: Local: Large cities will either allow card pay or you will require a transport card. Greyhound, Megabus and Flixbus are all popular bus companies.	Train: Amtrak covers majority of the USA and cheaper to book in advance. There are local commuter ones in California, Texas & Florida for example.
Car Share Uber, DiDi, Lyft	Taxis: You can hire taxi’s from the street or from line ups.
Car: There are plenty of car hire places in the States. Cheaper to go pick up / drop off in the same location.

ARTICLE: VOX: The real reason American public transportation is such a disaster

Water?

• You can drink tap water in over 90% of the country.
• Museums and Parks mostly have refill stations available.

Weather

Spring	Summer	Fall (Autumn)	Winter
March – May	June -August	September – November	December – February

MONEY

*Remember to contact your bank and let
them know you’re going overseas!*

Tipping?

• A service charge may be included automatically, particularly if you’re part of a large group.
• Currently, 20% is the average for the service, excluding tax.
• CHECK the screen before clicking, some places will go 30/25/20. You can always click “custom tip” or leave cash.

Working ATMS.

• Try to only use ATMS in Banks (some are located within the bank and are closed on weekends) or within Shopping Malls & Service Stations. A lot of small, street ATMs are known for scamming.
• Check the ATM screen, keys and around – if it looks dodgy it probably is.

OTHER

📡FREE WIFI.	🔌 POWER
–Cafes & Bars & Restaurants – Hostels, Hotels & Airbnb. – Museums, Subway Stations.	two flat parallel pins + grounding pin. Voltage: 127. Plug A + B. Also : Nortinh America, Central America, China + Japan.
🥫 FOOD	🥃 DRINK
– Smores – Biscuits and Gravy – American Style Pizza – Philly Cheese Steak – Texan BBQ – Buffalo Wings – Corn Bread – Peach/Pumpkin Cobbler.	– Half & Half (Arnold Palmer – half cold tea, half lemonade) – Root Beer, Cream Soda. – Craft Beer (21+) – Dr Pepper – Old Fashioned (21+) Sazarac (New Orleans)

FUN FACTS

• The USA has all five major climate zones: tropical, dry, temperate, continental, and polar.
• The United States flag was designed by a high school student.
• The Capital of New York City is Albany. New York City was once the capital of the USA.
• The USA placed home to the world’s first ferris wheel during the 1893 World Fair.
• The Hollywood Sign originally said “Hollywoodland”