Travel Tip #231
Posted on October 8, 2009 by Ching under Tips, Travel.
When traveling to a third world country and staying at an unfamiliar hotel/resort, the important question is not to ask whether there is wireless internet connectivity (free or otherwise), on-site restaurant, room service, complimentary, breakfast, etc. The most important question (at least for me) is whether the facility has a backup generator in case of a power outage. In third world countries where the infrastructure is dubious at best, power outages (or brown outs as they are known in the Philippines) are quite frequent. In a climate where the heat and humidity is barely tolerable, even in the wet/monsoon season, fans and/or AC units are a necessity specially to those who are not accustomed to the tropical climate.
This is one of the most important things I learned on this trip. Here are some examples of how to ask the question in the native language:
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Tagalog/Filipino: Meron ba kayong backup generator para sa brown out?
Bisaya/Cebuano: Naa moy backup generator para ug mag-brown out?
Now you are ready to embark on your own third world adventure. LOL.
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