My roommate drank the water the night before and had just thrown up on my leg.

We were so weak from the heat that we hadn’t heard a word our guide said.

I could feel the fierce sun burning my skin.

I was in Egypt, and I was in a bad mood.

With more than 23 million people living in the Seoul area, the Korean capital city proves itself as a thriving and electric megalopolis.

Seoul is comprised of several distinct districts, ranging from the traditional to bohemian, each allowing travelers to experience the city’s complexity and offering a glimpse into the lives of local “Seoulites.”

On the itinerary of many a world traveler is greeting the sunrise from the top of Indonesia’s Mount Bromo. It’s considered a kind of spiritual must-do.

But the downside of a “must-do” is that so many people are doing it.

So now blogs and travelers complain that what was once an inspiring, contemplative wonder has become a crowded and noisy hassle.

Emily Post would tell you that having good manners is still an important skill. Here are some ways for to brush up on proper etiquette, even when you’re on the road.

If you’re one of the lucky travelers heading to China for the Olympic games, you already know that there’s a certain amount of culture shock involved with going halfway around the world.

If this is your first trip to China, take these travel tips with you to minimize the shock and maximize the enjoyment of your trip.

Whether you’re headed to China for the Olympics or beyond, one thing is for sure … “authentic” Chinese food is a world away from the stuff you probably get at the corner restaurant.

In China, there is no such thing as chop suey.

This is the real deal …

My four-month study abroad sojourn in Stirling, Scotland was just like the pamphlets claimed: an educational immersion into a local university.

But, for all the counselors, books and informational sessions meant to make my adjustment easier, nothing prepared me for being chased from pubs by men in kilts, from offending locals when I declined a cup of coffee, and all the other misadventures I experienced as a college student let loose in Europe.

While I still maintain that experience is the best teacher, here are a few tales of caution from those of us who have been there:

According to all the dictionaries, tips are something given voluntarily or beyond obligation usually for some service. What we experience, however, is the expectation of a tip, whether or not the service has been exemplary.

In the United States, we are used to tipping in restaurants and taxi cabs. We tip for personal services such as deliveries, doormen, massages, manicures, and hairdressing. If we live in a large city we generally tip between 15 and 20 percent. In smaller towns, 10 percent is often the norm but 15 percent is especially appreciated.

However, when we travel, the rules change and if we are not …