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Visiting Mexico? Don’t Be a Victim to Crime

If you are planning a trip to Mexico, there are a number of important factors that you should first consider and prepare for. These factors are considered safety precautions. Traveling to Mexico is fun, but it can be also dangerous, especially if you don’t know what to do or how to protect yourself.

When visiting Mexico it is important to register with the United States Travel Registry to ensure that the government knows that you are leaving the country. This is the first step to staying safe while in Mexico. In the event that you become the victim of a crime, you will receive immediate government assistance. When using the internet to register with the United States Travel Registry, be sure to leave a detailed itinerary of your plans on your computer.

You should also make sure that you leave information regarding your travel plans with a close friend, family member, co-worker, or neighbor. You are encouraged to make copies of your airline tickets, as well as your passport. You want to take a copy with you and leave another copy at home. This will help verify your location if something should go awry. You should also designate someone you know as your emergency contact.

Use common sense in the hotels, on busses, or walking in the streets of Mexico. Don’t take taxicabs that you have just waved down on the streets. Many crimes are being reported of people who haven’t previously arranged for taxis. You should also never carry large amounts of cash, flashy jewelry, or extra credit cards with you. When you are a tourist, shady people will already notice you and single you out. Be on the lookout for and avoid these individuals at all costs.

If you think that you know all there is to Mexico you are most often wrong. Public drinking is often shown in films as the norm, however this is a crime and you can be arrested for being intoxicated in public. You should also use caution when drinking in nightclubs or bars during the evening hours. People who wish to victimize tourists often drug them.

You should always use caution, no matter where you are. Despite being cautionary at all times, you should also use caution when traveling by bus and other forms of public transportation. You should always stay alert during nighttime travel and while traveling during busy bus hours. It is becoming more common for tourists to be mugged while riding on the busses in Mexico. The busses where these crimes are taking place are often the cheapest forms of travel. You may want to ride first class and have someone that you know and trust with you.

If you need help while in Mexico you should contact the United States Embassy. There is also a twenty-four hour hotline for the Mexican Ministry of Tourism. There is also a Mexican version of 911; it is 060 for Mexico City, and 066 for other areas of Mexico. This will put you in contact with Mexican officials immediately. There is also a Mexican Red Cross that will help if you are injured and need medical help. The Red Cross is free of charge and they will provide basic medical attention.

The above mentioned precautionary measures and important phone number are just a few of the many that you should know. Despite what you believe, staying safe while on vacation in Mexico shouldn’t begin as soon as you arrive. You should start taking precautionary measures before you leave for your vacation.

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Visiting Mexico? Check the Weather First!

If you are planning a romantic cruise, wedding, or family vacation to Mexico, you will want to make sure that your trip isn’t overshadowed by torrential rains, storms, or even a hurricane. To plan your vacation, you should follow the local news for both current events and the weather. Planning your trip, according to the weather, will ensure that you will have a wonderful vacation that includes sun filled days. Below is an overview of some of the average temperatures and weather for the top Mexico vacation destinations.

The average climate for Acapulco is between 80-82’ Fahrenheit. The highs run from 87-90 degrees and the lows are between 70-75’. The hottest months are from May to September, with the coolest months being from December to April. Rainfall can range from very little to a large amount. From December to May there is very little rainfall. However, from May to September, rainfall can reach oven 10 inches. The month of the heaviest rainfall is September; this is also the time of year when the hurricane risk is high. If you do not want to experience heavy rainfalls, you are urged to vacation during the months December to May. These months will ensure that your vacation will be a relatively dry one.

Cancun is a beautiful island to visit and its average temperature ranges from the mid 70’s to the mid 80’s. A bit cooler than Acapulco, Cancun’s coldest months are between December and May and the temperatures run from 74’-82’. The warmer temperatures occur from May to November and temperatures rise from the low 80’s up to roughly 90 degrees. Rainfall is more abundant year round, but is not as much rain as seen in Acapulco. From December to May, rainfall averages between 1 ½ inches to 4 ½ inches. The summer months may see as much as 9 inches of rainfall. Cancun will experience less dry months than Acapulco, but you won’t experience as many torrential rainstorms either.

Cozumel has a very steady climate with lows ranging in the high 60’s and the highs ranging between 82-87 degrees The warmest month of the year is August and coldest is in Decemeber. From December until March, you may experience cool weather in Cozumel.

Many say that Los Cabos feels like the desert with dry heat. Humidity is rare and so are torrential rainstorms and downpours. However, the ocean will deliver a cool and refreshing breeze. The warmest month of the year is July, when temperatures can reach 100’. The coolest months are from January to May where the temperatures average between 51-66’. The average lows during the hot summer months are between 73-75’.

Mazatlan is known for being one of the largest beaches that Mexico has to offer. The weather is typically warm and beautiful, however during the summer months it can become very hot and humid. The warmest month is August, where temperatures can reach a high of 90’. The coolest temperatures are between the months of December to May, and the averages temperature is round 60’.

Puerto Vallarta is surrounded by the Sierra Madre Mountains. This tropical climate is host to a heavy rain season from June to October. The high temperatures during these months range from the high 80’s – mid 90’s. The temperature is very steady year round; however, Puerto Vallarta is known for its large amount of nighttime rains.

While it may be difficult to keep track of the varying weather conditions in Mexico, it is advised that you do. Unfortunately, many vacationers believe that Mexico is warm and sunny all year long. This is simply not true. By knowing what the weather will be like, you can easily plan and prepare for you vacation in Mexico.

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Vinyl Shutters VS Wood Shutters

Interior shutters have always been one of the most
popular window treatments. They maintain their
value a lot better than any other type of window
covering, and they aren’t only attractive and
enhance your home’s appeal but they also help to
regulate light, insulate, and fit in to almost any
decorating style to make your window appear amazing.

These days, indoor shutters are more popular than
ever before. Therefore, it’s really no wonder why
many new manufacturers are trying to get into
the shutter industry. The most notable addition
is the vinyl compound shutters.

Wooden shutters
There are many reasons as to why you should avoid
using vinyl shutters. Many prefer to have real wood,
just as they prefer clothing that is made from
cotton or wool as opposed to synthetics. For a
warm, authentic, traditional look, wooden shutters
are a great choice.

There are however some limitations of vinyl type
shutters. They are normally made only in white and
off white colors. Therefore, you can not precisely
color match, making staining impossible. Most
interior vinyl shutters are cheaply made with cheap
components and poor quality, and should be avoided
for that reason – despite the low cost.

Vinyl shutters
Vinyl shutters of quality are definitely worth a
consideration. The best types of interior vinyl
shutters cost less than custom window shutters. The
most important features are those that are practical
in nature. Vinyl shutters won’t crack, peel, fade,
or deteriorate like wood will.

Vinyl shutters are also perfect for humid areas such
as showers and sinks. Since they are moisture
resistant, they are also a great choice near the
swimming pool.

They are also flame retardant and insulate much better
than interior wood shutters. They are easier to
clean and won’t show any dents or scratches, which
makes them ideal for children’s rooms. The time
it takes to manufacture them is also half the time
of a true custom wood shutter.

Making that final choice between vinyl and wood all
comes down to the type of home you have and your
personal preference. Each type certainly offers
good and bad points, although wood is the most
popular style. Vinyl is quickly gaining in
popularity, as they are much easier to clean than
wood.

Before you make your decision, always compare and
shop around. The prices will be different, although
you shouldn’t base everything on price. Check the
quality of the manufacturer and compare with the
types of windows you have. Once you carefully put
some research into it, you’ll have the windows you
need in no time at all.

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Vinyl Mini Blinds

For high humidity rooms such as the kitchen, bathroom,
or waterfront locations, vinyl binds are an ideal
choice. Vinyl blinds with the standard braided
cords and non textured gloss stats are easy to
clean, unbreakable, and very resistant to sun
bleaching.

The richly textured embossed prints, elegant
neutrals, and wood tones all help to a add a
decorative dimension that isn’t found in horizontal
blinds. Vinyl blinds are available in both solid
colors and embossed finishes, and are also
available in many different sizes as well.

PVC blinds are great as well, as they are a very
durable and fashionable solution as a treatment
for your windows. They will also remain durable
and easy to maintain regardless of the humidity
or other weather factors.

Lightweight vinyl blinds are the least expensive
type of vinyl blinds available, although the
thin slats can sag a bit, the cords can shred,
and the mechanisms used with the blinds can
break or malfunction.

On sale, you can find vinyl blinds as low as
$5.99. The darkening mini blinds on the other
hands, are better quality with less space
between the slats, and run as high as $10.99.

There are some vinyl mini blinds that are
imported that will contain lead, which is a
serious hazard for your health. Lead poisoning
is acute for pregnant women or tiny children
because of their fast growing vulnerable tissue.
The vinyl blinds that are made in the United
States however, are lead free.

Vinyl blinds are also the easiest types of mini
blinds to maintain. You can clean them by
hanging them on a clothesline pole then spraying
them down with a garden hose.

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Video iPod`s package

The trend that the Apple company set for their packages is redefined with every new appearance of a product. Actually, the permanent search in finding the right package and aesthetics and adapting the box to both the product and the customers` needs is focused on discovering a more compact way of packaging and, at the same time, with an expressive, yet subtle artistic touch. Due to the characteristics of the product, the packaging of the video iPod tries to be both practical and aesthetic, in order to symbolize somehow the visual characteristics and quality of the new product.

The original package of the iPod was a 6″ cube box. The box was supposed to be removed out of the sleeve, after which, it was unfolded as a flower. The first iPod package reflected the image that the company was trying to promote: exuberant style, expressive elements, brisk and intense colors and sounds. After the appearance of the next types of iPods, this image of the product changed into a more mature one, an image which was expressed through the campaigns, the package and the general design of the product.

The main color of the iPod video is plain black, which is rather risky, yet original, considering the fact that the main aspect that the device has is the video, meaning colors, motion and diversion. Still, there are various silver accents on the box, which represent the Apple logo and text. Still, the color of the box fits with the colors of the actual iPods: black and white, just like the iPod nano. By choosing these colors and this style of packaging, Apple wanted to create a more sophisticated and stylish look of the new product; together with this, the ads for the product changed to a more series and mature tone.

The shape of the box differs, as well, from the first flower-like box of the first generation of iPods: this iPod`s video box is rather flat and square, more stylish and more serious looking. Actually, this box works as a sleeve, as well, with one open end, similar to a DVD box set, but it also contains another inner box, which is very well fixed inside. The inner box opens in 2 distinctive parts: one part contains the iPod device and the other contains a monolith.

The package lacks a manual guide (still, it has a small Quick Start Guide); instead, it has a CD which contains all the needed usage instructions of the iPod video. Besides these, the box contains a relevant and think copyright statement and a protective sleeve for the actual iPod. The CD which contains the instructions displays an appropriate PDF file that suits any computer, using the languages English, French, German, Japanese and Chinese. Another inside package contains an USB adapter cable and the ear buds; this type of iPod has even smaller ear buds, which need to be protected while opening the box.

The new product iPod video has, besides various improvements in the technical department (among which, the video feature is the most relevant one), another package, another image and way of presentation. The new package manages to remain practical, yet it becomes safer. Besides these, the new package offers a more sophisticated and elitist image of the product, concentrating on refined touches and neutral colors.

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Video iPod`s ads

IPod video was a surprising new device at its appearance, due to the new and exiting quality that it could offer: playing videos. Besides this, the iPods have known, since their appearance on the market, a constant evolution, which lead to the fact that the public and the potential customers had more and more expectations regarding this product. With a new offer and design, the new product iPod video had a series of new ads, some authentic and some suspicious, because of their fake or less real aspect.

Due to the fact that the product was not yet in stores and people didn’t expect such a product to appear, there were a number of teasing and controversial ads (regarding their authenticity) which appeared and circled on the Internet. By bringing a new and relevant feature to the device, such as the video feature, the potential customers were surprised by the evolution of the product and so, the ads purpose was established. One of these ads represents the iPod video in an unreal shape (meaning that the authentic iPod has other optical features and another design). The ad was very short, as it lasted only 15 seconds. The video begins with presenting some corners of the new device, which are revealed in a computerized manner.

This one side of the device turns and the other one presents a screen which played the most recent music video belonging to the band Black-Eyed Peas (Pump it). The music and rhythm were dynamic and fast and so were the characters, who were dancing while driving. Suddenly, the slogan Introducing the new hand held movie theatre appeared and shortly after, the phrase new hand held movie theatre was cut out and the new phrase new iPod appeared on the screen, resulting Introducing the new iPod.

The controversy around this ad is focused on the fact that the actual iPod video doesn’t have the same characteristics as the one in the ad: the actual device looks very similar to the 1st to 4th generation of iPods, meaning the screen is over the buttons, but the one revealed in the ad presented a very large screen, which completed one side of the device.

Still, there are many ads of the new iPod video which are, for sure, authentic. The main idea of these is the fact that music can be seen, as well, besides just being heard. This is why the Apple company opted for integrating famous artists in the ads for their product: one of the ads featured U2’s Original of the Species from the Vertigo – Live From Chicago DVD and another two featured Eminem and Wynton Marsalis. The ads featuring these artist were much longer than the usual ones and they basically played famous songs, but not together with their videos; instead, the producers opted for some more authentic images illustrating performances of these artists, which would look natural and more spontaneous. The ads for this new product were focused on the video playing capabilities of the device and the producers wanted, at the same time, to symbolize the new range of possibilities that the new model of iPpod had to offer.

The main idea of the ads was clear, even though these 3 ads had very different targets. Based on the fact that the clients of the new device come from different backgrounds and are of different ages, the producers and the marketers managed to pick some artists that represent generations and symbolize best their tastes and lifestyle: Eminem stands for teens and hip hop music, Wynton Marsalis is representative for adults who like classical and jazz music and U2 is somewhere in between the other 2 opposite styles.

In parallel, the ads with the dancing silhouettes continued with more specified backgrounds, which were representing the video options. The iPod`s video ads show that the product has definitely evolved, has a more mature image and optimized new features.

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Video iPod`s accessories

Different accessories are compatible with iPod video, fact that increases the importance and great success of the new video device. There are cases for all tastes, requirements and preferences. You may not worry about the age or special preferences of the persons you may bring as a gift the iPod and the case for it.

Other accessories are the chargers, the earphones, headphones of different models. There is also a speaker especially created for the new iPod video. You may also find different types of skins, sticker decals, carrying cases, pouches, remote control, iPlug 3.5 splitter, backpack w/ speakers and, of course, various connection cables and adapter very useful for the new iPod video.

There are also different available adapters – iPod video cassette adapter for 3.5 mm devices, iPod video 3.5 mm to RCA audio cable adapter, iPod video car charger cigarette lighter adapter for Apple iPod, iPod video USB black car charger cigarette lighter adapter, iPod video USB travel/home charger adapter, iPod video car charger adapter, iPod video wall-car charger 12V-AC adapter. You may also find different transmitters for the iPod video and this is the case of the iPod video tune-free audio FM transmitter and the iPod video WALL-II audio FM transmitter.

Various cables are also of great use and are needed while having the iPod video – iPod video firewire 1394 data dync dable for Apple iPod & iPod mini, iPod video retractable USB 2.0 data sync cable for Apple iPod, iPod video USB 2.0 extension cable, iPod video USB 2.0 data sync cable for Apple iPod. You may also need iPod video USB data transfer key fob, extended battery pack w/ carrying case for the iPod video, walet carrying cases, metal cases of different colors, protector shields of various colors.

There are also some other useful accessories for the new iPod video and you may choose from different types of cases – Kroo G5 belt clip leather cases, Kroo Melrose belt clip carrying cases, iPod video Optimum Armband carrying cases.

You may also buy an iPod video Cellet universal PDA holder and a special holder for the iPod especially designed for the car. Other accessories are also useful and have an interesting design – iPod video Cellet Rhinestones 100, iPod Cellet Rhinestones assorted.

Some other accessories point out the new generation style technology – iPod video creative CB2530 bluetooth digital wireless headphones, iPod video Naztech boom station N20 speaker and docking station, iPod video fold-up amplified portable speakers for MP3 and music players. Other accessories are iPod video desktop dock cradle, iPod video idock desktop dock cradle for Apple iPod w/ USB and FireWire.

All these accessories denote the fact that a simple portable audio device is of a great importance taking into account all different designs for the carrying cases and skins. The iPod video has many accessories, some of them are designed for suiting the lifestyle, the preferences and the tastes of the customers. Others are needed for transferring the information, for adapting or other useful activities in the technologic domain.

Another important aspect to mention is the fact that all the accessories are especially designed for the thinner models of the iPod video with a larger screen and smaller dimensions. The cases, skins and sticker decals have the role of pointing out the beauty, simplicity or vivid colors. On the other hand, they have a protective role and a decorative one, pointing out the personality, the lifestyle of the user. These aspects are extremely important for the younger users of the iPod video – the teenagers.

The other accessories are more or less needed taking into account how much into the fever of the iPods the user is and how much he uses all the other activities related with the iPod video. Anyway, in a world in continuous movement, almost all the accessories and special devices may be of great need for a modern person with a modern lifestyle.

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