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Central America Travel Help,
Central America Travel Help | Central America Travel Tips & Advice | Travellerspoint U sername: P assword: R emember Me Car Hire Travel Insurance Airport Parking UK Cheap Accommodation Hotel Bookings Travellerspoint Travel Community Forums Blogs Destinations Accommodation Travel Help Reunions Tools Links Central America Travel Help, Advice & Tips Travel Help Central America Travel Help Ask these Travel Helpers for information about the Central America region or select a country to find a Travel Helper for that specific country. Please remember that these Travel Helpers provide information on a volunteer basis and when they take the time to help you that a thank you is highly appreciated! Aruba Bahamas Barbados Belize Costa Rica Cuba Dominican Republic El Salvador Grenada Guatemala Haiti Honduras Jamaica Martinique Netherlands Antilles Nicaragua Panama Puerto Rico St Kitts/Nevis St Vincent/The Grenadines Trinidad and Tobago Turks/Caicos Is. US Virgin Islands Anthony Hobson [t] User Profile Log in to ask Anthony about Central America i live in Costa Rica... caroline Briggs Lowrance [carolinel] User Profile Log in to ask caroline about Central America placencia, belize, el salvador, Daniel Dutton [solopolo] User Profile Log in to ask Daniel about Central America three months overland travel (public transport again im afraid) in Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala and Belize. It was a fair few years ago but I remember the highlights and can offer advice on basic travel concerns. Darin McLeod [holdfast] User Profile Log in to ask Darin about Central America Recently drove from canada to Costa Rica where I lived for 6 months Dean Hosgood [hdeanh] User Profile Log in to ask Dean about Central America hi, i have traveled to central america 3 times in the past 18 months. i can help with basic info pertaining to el salvador, guatemala, belize, and costa rica. Donald Lee [caguide] User Profile Log in to ask Donald about Central America I am a travel and tourism specialist for the entire Central American region stretching from Guatemala through Costa Rica, based in El Salvador, a still exotic destination in the heart of Central America. I live and work in the region for over 18 years so am not just another traveler passing through. I speak the language and am deeply immersed in the culture, customs and history of the pueblo(people). Donald T. Lee Gary Power [rugger] User Profile Log in to ask Gary about Central America Accomodation, sights and transport Gerrit Wijns [argoo] User Profile Log in to ask Gerrit about Central America I have visited all the countries of the region and been there three times so far. I don't know much about El Salvador (just passed through there due to lack of time) and know most about Guatemala. Gretchen Wilson-Kalav [Isadora] User Profile Log in to ask Gretchen about Central America I have been a frequent traveller to Jamaica and can help with questions concerning Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay areas. My background is that of pharmacologist so I can help with information concerning vaccinations, medications, etc. also. JOEY FITZ [Grandparat] User Profile Log in to ask JOEY about Central America BEEN THERE AND GOING BACK NEXT WEEK TRAVELED IN NICARAGUA COSTA RICA AND PANAMA ALSO AWHILE AGO IN MEXICO AND GUATEMALA Jules Baker [julescuba] User Profile Log in to ask Jules about Central America I spent 7 months in Central AMerica and loved every single second so I would love to help other people sort out their plans. If im not going on holiday im either looking at this website or lonelyplanet the whole time and also looking at the cheapest flights to furthest possible destinations. If I cant travel then Id at least like to help others to do so and get the most out of their time away. I think I could really help people with their questions of where to go, what type of budget, doing it solo and how far places are from one another.Thank you:) justin winc [fortheride] User Profile Log in to ask justin about Central America traveled throughout....whatcha' wanna know????? laura tapia [taki] User Profile Log in to ask laura about Central America i've gone to cuba a couple of times, so i know well what to do and how to save some money and enjoy more, i've been to jamaica also a couple of times and it is worth recommending! and not so difficult to travel. I've been to dominican republic and it is very easy as well ryan palmer [freebird] User Profile Log in to ask ryan about Central America I founded LiahonaQuest, the only fully licensed foreign-owned tour operator in Central america and southern Mexico. Be in business for 8 years I can help byproviding guidance in travel prep, and in finding accomodations, restaurants and activities. Simon Fisher [surfingfis] User Profile Log in to ask Simon about Central America Placesw to go, things to do, general encouragement and solo travelling. © 2002 - 2005 Travellerspoint Travel Community | Contact | FAQ | About | Terms | Site Map
Russia Travel. Adoptive parents
Adoption travel to Russia - travel visas. Adopt your child in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan or other CIS country, adoption documents TRAVEL AGENTS Home Train Reservations Full visa services - Armenia - Azerbaijan - Belarus - Georgia - Kazakhstan - Kyrgyzstan - Moldova - Russia - Turkmenistan - Ukraine - Uzbekistan Visa support only - Armenia - Belarus - Georgia - Kazakhstan - Kyrgyz stan - Moldova - Russia - Ukraine Fiancee visa - The Process - Services - Who we are Travel services - Cell Phone Rental - Guide and translator - Transport services and airport transfers - Tours and packages - VIP services - Travel Insurance Airport Transfers - Moscow Transfers - St.Petersburg Trans - Kiev Transfers - Odessa Transfers Hotels & Apartments - Hotels in Russia - Hotels in Ukraine - Apartments in Moscow - Apartments in St.Petersburg - Apartments in Yoshkar-Ola - Apartments in Ekaterinburg - Apartments in Kiev - Apartments in Odessa - Apartments in Lviv Airline Tickets - International - Domestic Adoption travel - Doing your own research - Buying your tickets - Airline recommendations - Passports - Travel visas - Hotels in Russia - Getting to your hotel - Safety Travelers essentials - Russian visa - Arriving by plane - Arriving by train - Foreign Embassies - Phone services - Internet Access - Exchanging money - Medical help - Time zones - Russian mail US Passports - New US Passport - Passport Renewal - Lost Passport - Second Passport - Adding Pages - Child US Passport - Child Lost Passport - Name Change Russia in Pictures Newsletter Internet Specials Gift Certificates Flower Delivery About us - What our clients say - Our staff - Our partners - Job Opportunities Travel visas Russia , Ukraine , Kazakhstan and all other CIS countries require entry visas. Whatever the urgency, we can assist you in obtaining your visa in as fast as one business day. Please consult your adoption agency on details regarding your entry visas. Your agency may require you to send documents directly to the consulate in certain cases. There are many different types of visas, and although we can usually obtain any type of visa for you, check with your adoption agency on what you will need for your particular trip first. We have our own couriers in Washington, D.C., and process over 50 visa applications daily. Over the years, we have developed personal relationship with the Consul General of Russia, Consul Generals of Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and other countries. What may be impossible to achieve for others is usually easy with Go To Russia Travel. Adoptive parents always get $10 off our regular visa processing charges at Go To Russia travel. Our visa processes are mostly automated and if you can scan your visa pictures and fill out online application you will only need to send us your passports by mail or courier. Everything, from filling out your visa application, to tracking your visa online is automated with Go To Russia. [ Welcome letter ] [ Airline recommendations ] [ Doing your own research ] [ Buying your tickets ] [ Passports ] [ Hotels in Russia ] [ Getting to your hotel ] [ Safety ] GO TO RUSSIA Travel 309 Peters St., Unit A Atlanta, GA 30313 Phone: 1.888.263.0023 , 404.827.0099 Fax: 404.827.0435 Office hours Mon-Fri 9AM - 8PM EST Saturdays 11AM - 3PM EST 2004 GTR - Russian Visa All rights reserved Russian Visa Services
air travelers. These proposals
Air Travel Privacy Air Travel Privacy Latest News | Resources | Identification Schemes | Profiling | FOIA Documents | Other Documents | Analysis | Previous Files The right to travel is a part of the "liberty" of which the citizen cannot be deprived without due process of law under the Fifth Amendment ... Freedom of movement across frontiers in either direction, and inside frontiers as well, was a part of our heritage. Travel abroad, like travel within the country, may be necessary for a livelihood. It may be as close to the heart of the individual as the choice of what he eats, or wears, or reads. Freedom of movement is basic in our scheme of values. "Our nation," wrote Chafee, "has thrived on the principle that, outside areas of plainly harmful conduct, every American is left to shape his own life as he thinks best, do what he pleases, go where he pleases." -- Justice William O. Douglas, Kent v. Dulles (1958) Post-September 11, several measures have been considered to improve aviation security. Some of these proposals, such as improved training for airport screeners, checking all bags for bombs, strengthening cockpit doors, and placing air marshals on flights, do not implicate privacy interests and are sound security measures. Others, however, present privacy and security risks to air travelers. These proposals concern efforts to identify passengers and schemes to distinguish the "good guys" from the "bad." EPIC will make available on this page aviation security and privacy related documents it obtains from the government under the freedom of information law to promote and inform the public debate over these new schemes. In earlier responses to security threats the FAA issued a secret regulation that allowed airlines to demand photo identification and instituted a new profiling program called CAPPS (Computer Assisted Passenger Pre-screening System) based on travel data airlines routinely collected. See Previous Files . New proposals advocate using biometric credentials for "trusted travelers" and using extensive data mining of credit history, criminal records, and travel patterns to profile all airline passengers. NASA has even suggested developing "non-invasive neuro-electric sensors" or brain scans at the security gate to see if people are having suspicious thoughts. The stated goal of these new proposals is to rely on technology to reduce the "hassle factor" in airports and to reduce security threats. The core idea is to focus security resources on suspicious travelers, while ensuring that most people are not inconvenienced by heightened security. Terrorists, however, have been known to go to great lengths to look like most people. Former Transportation Security Agency chief John Magaw refused to endorse a "trusted traveler" card, fearing that it would be the first thing a terrorist will try to obtain. New profiling and identification programs will convert airport security into all-purpose police stops where criminals, deadbeat dads, and others seeking to avoid law enforcement for non-aviation security related reasons face the risk of being arrested. The basic structure of passenger profiling is to use an algorithm to determine indicators of characteristics or behavior patterns that are related to the occurrence of certain behavior. The CAPPS-II initiative will expand the range of databases searched for suspicious activity so that each airline passenger will be subjected to an extensive profiling. John Pointdexter's office in the Defense Department is considering developing a similar Total Information Awareness system. Each structural element of the CAPPS-II profiling system, however, raises a host of complex questions: Algorithm: What logic will be used? What is the basis for developing the algorithm? What are acceptable false positive and false negative rates? Indicators: What indicators are relevant? Are these indicators available? Who will collect and store the relevant indicators? Related: How are the indicators related to particular kinds of behavior? Is that relationship reliable? Behavior: Who determines what behavior should be targeted? What types of specific behavior will the system try to catch? In addition there are several technical issues such as how reliable is the data used to make profiling decisions? What kind of data should be collected and how long should the data be retained? Who will have access to the data and for what purposes? The policy issues also need to be addressed: what will be the rights of individuals to control their personally identifiable information? What recourse will be available for someone wrongly identified or denied a service? Will profiling based on deep data-mining stand up to charges of equal protection and due process violations? The new proposals directly implicate long standing constitutional protections under the fourth and first amendments, including the right to travel, and must be clearly understood and properly considered by the public. Latest News EPIC Joins Campaign Against Biometric Identification. Civil liberties organizations have sent a letter to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regarding their plans to include biometric identifiers such as fingerprints and facial scans on all newly issued electronic passports. The letter, organized by Privacy International , warns this will lead to the first truly global database of biometric information. For more information, read the letter from the Campaign, see EPIC's biometrics page, and read a story by the BBC . (Mar. 30) EPIC Suit Uncovers Watchlist Errors. EPIC has uncovered agency documents through the Freedom of Information Act that raise important questions about how the Transportation Security Administration currently operates the "No-Fly" watchlist. The concerns surrounding the agency's administration of the list previews several potential problems with the proposed roll out of CAPPS-II , the Enhanced Computer Assisted Passenger Pre-screening System. For more information, see EPIC's analysis of the FOIA documents. (Apr. 1) Senators Want Answers on Air Profiling. The Senate Commerce Committee has unanimously agreed to an amendment (pdf) by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) that would require the Transportation Security Administration to report to Congress on the privacy and civil liberties implications of the controversial CAPPS-II air passenger profiling system. See EPIC's Passenger Profiling page for more information. (Mar. 13) EPIC Comments on Air Travel Database. EPIC submitted comments on a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) proposal [PDF] to create a new database of Aviation Security Screening Records on all airline passengers. EPIC argued that the proposed system did not provide sufficient information for the public to contribute meaningfully to this rule-making procedure, and that the proposed system would infringe on the Constitutional right of association and travel. See TSA Docket for more information and public comments. (Feb. 24) EPIC Criticizes Gov't Rule on Citizen Travel. EPIC has filed comments [PDF] on the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)'s proposed rule to collect passenger manifest information on all international travelers, including American citizens and legal permanent residents. The comments argue that the proposed rule is legally deficient because the INS has not complied with the Privacy Act in creating this new "system of records." EPIC has asked the INS to reissue its notice and meet the requirements of the Privacy Act. The comments also note that, by collecting and sharing travel data about citizens, the INS is placing a burden on the right to travel and the rights of anonymous association. (Feb. 4, 2003) EPIC Files Suit for "No-Fly List" Information. Seeking information about aviation security watchlists, EPIC has filed a lawsuit [PDF] against the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in federal court in Washington. The legislation creating TSA authorizes the agency to maintain such lists, which reportedly have been used to interfere with the travel of political activists. (Dec. 12, 2002) Resources EPIC's presentation for the National Academy's seminar on Concealed Threat Detection , March 2005. Transportation Security Agency Aviation and Transportation Security Act of 2002 EPIC v. TSA FOIA Lawsuit seeking information on new identification and passenger profiling schemes Implementation of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act with a Focus on the 60-day Deadline for Screening and Checked Baggage House Transportation Committee, Subcommittee on Aviation, Jan. 23, 2002 Audit Reports on Aviation Security Office of Inspector General, Department of Transportation White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security web page. EPIC's Profiling Page. EPIC's National ID Page. EPIC's Biometrics Page. EPIC's Face Recognition Page. EPIC's Terrorism Page: Information on pending efforts in Congress to increase wiretapping and gather personal information. EPIC's new page on Surveillance of European Air Travelers . Identification Schemes Gilmore v. Ashcroft -- FAA ID Challenge Aviation Security Biometrics Working Group [see Steering Committee Analysis for detailed information on proposed biometric identification schemes] Airlines Plan Quick System For Identifying Passengers Washington Post , June 22, 2002 Smart Check-In Cuts Airport Lines Wired News , Feb. 5, 2001. [Trusted traveler schemes have been contemplated well before 9/11] Maximus Flysecure proposal Profiling Trading Freedom for Security . The New American Magazine , May 5, 2003. EPIC's new Passenger Profiling page. Air Security Focusing on Flier Screening . Washington Post , September 4, 2002. Intricate Screening Of Fliers In Works . Washington Post , Feb. 1, 2002. Carnival Booth: An Algorithm for Defeating the Computer-Assisted Passenger Screening System . MIT/Harvard Law School Student paper. Electronic Record Systems and Individual Privacy . U.S. Congress Office of Technical Assessment OTA-CIT-296. House Transportation Hearing on Airline Passenger Profiling . Feb. 27, 2002. ACLU Passenger Profiling Complaint Form Documents Obtained under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) EPIC Suit Uncovers Errors in TSA's Watchlist , April 2003. NASA Ames Research Center Northwest Airlines Briefing . December 10-11, 2001. Other Documents Final Report of the White House Commission. Initial Report of the White House Commission (September 9, 1996). Executive Order 13015 creating the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security (August 22, 1996) ( PDF version ) Initial Federal Register notice of public meeting of White House Commission. Revised Federal Register notice announcing that part of the Commission's meeting will be closed to the public "in the interest of national security." 1994 statute authorizing FAA research into security matters (including "behavioral research") and exempting information relating to such research from disclosure under the FOIA. Analysis Image of a person scanned using a new x-ray device from AS&E. National Academy of Sciences report " Airline Passenger Security Screening: New Technologies and Implementation Issues " Paper on the limitations of profiling , Roger Clark, Australia National University. ACLU testimony before White House Commission on "Civil Liberties Implications of Airport Security Measures" (September 5, 1996). Letter to Privacy Journal editor Robert Ellis Smith from the FAA denying Smith's request for a copy of the FAA Security Directive on identification of airline passengers. HotWired article " Fear of Flying " on proposals. (September 11, 1996). Previous Files FAA Proposes Profiling Regulations. The Federal Aviation Administration published proposed regulations on April 19, 1999, governing "Security of Checked Baggage on Flights Within the United States." The draft rules detail the use of computer profiling techniques to identify suspicious passengers. Public comments can be filed until June 18, 1999. Airline Passenger Profiling Goes Into Effect. The Computer Assisted Passenger Screening System is scheduled to be phased in nationwide beginning on January 1. Under the system, passengers who "fit the profile" will be selected for heightened security measures, which can include a thorough search of their luggage, intrusive personal questioning, tagging of luggage with orange tape, and a physical escort from the check-in counter to the airport gate by security personnel. The ACLU is providing an online complaint form for passengers targeted by the profiling system. Microsoft Chief Architect Charles Simonyi tells what happens when you "fit the profile" (from Slate ). Proposed FAA rule for collecting personal information including name, address, Social Security Number, Date of birth and next of kin for every domestic passenger. General Account Office report, Aviation Safety and Security: Challenges to Implementing the Recommendations of the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security (Testimony, 03/05/97, GAO/T-RCED-97-90). The Gore Commission has released its final report recommending passenger profiling. A coalition of 17 groups has sent a letter to Gore opposing ID checks, profiling, new x-ray technologies and excessive secrecy by the FAA in making decisions. EPIC Privacy Page | EPIC Home Page Last Updated: March 29, 2005 Page URL: http://www.epic.org/privacy/airtravel/default.html
Central America Travel
Costa Rica Travel Information | Lonely Planet Destination Guide worldguide | shop | thorn tree forum | travel services | travel ticker | theme guides | on the road | postcards | travel links : Explore Costa Rica Costa Rica More coastline than you can shake a surfboard at. At a Glance Fast Facts WORLDGUIDE Introduction Background Info See Image Gallery Events Transport Money RELATED Thorn Tree Forum Postcards Travel Links More Places Check out our other destinations: Within Costa Rica San Jose View Map Click here Feature Attraction Península de Nicoya This area on the northwestern Pacific coast is difficult to traverse because of the lack of paved roads; however, it's well worth the effort because ... more Costa Rica is Central America's jewel. It's an oasis of calm among its turbulent neighbours and an ecotourism heaven, making it one of the best places to experience the tropics with minimal impact. It's also mostly coastline, which means great surfing, beaches galore and a climate built for laziness. Costa Rica's enlightened approach to conservation has ensured that lush jungles are home to playful monkeys, languid sloths, crocodiles, countless lizards, poison-dart frogs and a mind-boggling assortment of exotic birds, insects and butterflies. Meanwhile, endangered sea turtles nest on both coasts and cloud forests protect elusive birds and jungle cats. Factoid He Killed Kenny The world record for a musician holding a single note is held by Costa Rican saxophonist Geovanny Escalante of the famed local band Marfíl, which has played in Costa Rica for many years. In 1998, the then 24-year-old artist held a steady 'A' for 90 minutes and 45 seconds, almost twice as long as the previous record held by the US saxophonist Kenny G. SPONSORED LINKS Enquire Travel Services · Flights · Hostels · Hotels · Travel Insurance More Services › Disclaimer: We've tried to make theinformation on this web site as accurate as possible, but it isprovided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injuryor inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.You should verify critical information (like visas, health and safety,customs and transportation) with the relevant authorities before youtravel. text & images © lonely planet 2005 about us | privacy | feedback | advertising FAQs worldguide | shop | thorn tree forum | travel services | travel ticker | theme guides | on the road | postcards | travel links