> Thanks for all the replies!  I didn't expect them to come so quickly,
> so I haven't had a chance to reply to all of them.
>
> First of all, y'all are assuming that I'm American. :)  Think further
north. :P

Watch the cost of getting money.
Banks charge about ?US7? per VISA cash withdrawal and similar on EFTPOS.

Credit cash on VISA can be bad I'm told.
We ran VISA in credit and got out largish sums at a time to keep cost low as
a %..

Avoid money changers like the plague - even the official ones at airports
etc .
They show rate charts (usually electronic) which look OK BUT they also add
commissions and may have a flat rate up front fee. Smallish sums can attract
a vast percentage cost. Far better to establish exactly what VISA etc costs
to use your own money and stick with that.

We found VISA was accepted everywhere in Europe and USA. Some places may not
like some EFTPOS cards.

We were warned about pick pockets, bag and pack snatchers, strap cutters and
more. Saw none of this except one incident on outside restaurant by Thames
in London. Children at work. (And I had a water bottle stolen while queuing
for Eiffel Tower on Bastille Day - super hot day.)

Some advise to carry packs on front for security. I had steel wire in camera
strap and in belt. Never tested in anger.

        RM

--
http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different
ways.  See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.