Packing Seminars
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| Our informative packing seminars are free of charge. Learn how to keep your suitcase as highly organized as a filing cabinet! Click here for details. |
Locations
South
#480 WillowPark Village
10816 Macleod Trail South
Calgary, AB T2J 5N8
(403) 777-1767
North
#165 Dalhousie Station
5005 Dalhousie Drive N.W.
Calgary, AB T3A 5R8
(403) 239-7084
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Here are some more great fun facts about various places in the world.
These might make good conversation starters at your next holiday party!
In the UK it is illegal to eat mince pies on Christmas Day.
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Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world where there are no rivers.
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Stockholm's metro system, with 90 of its 100 stations being filled with fine works of art like mosaics, sculptures and paintings by over 150 artists, is famous as the world's largest underground art gallery!
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Limerick in Ireland, is known as 'Stab City' as all criminals here carry knives because guns are not easily available.
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Besides music, Nashville TN, USA is also known for coffee that's 'good to the last drop' - Theodore Roosevelt actually coined this phrase while drinking locally produced coffee at Maxwell House Hotel, and the coffee was Maxwell House Coffee.
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Did you know that there is not a single traffic light in Thimphu the capital city, or in fact in the whole of Bhutan!
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Tourists can take advantage of free travel in Interlaken, Switzerland.
On check-in at your hotel, just ask for your Interlaken 'Guest Card' - this allows you to travel on the local buses completely free of charge.
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To own a dog in Berlin you have to shell out an annual tax of €150!
So in Berlin, it would cost us about $450 Canadian for our two babies - but they are totally worth it!
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Travel Tips
Sometimes I give you tips about packing for your trip, sometimes I give you tips about planning for your trip and sometimes I give you tips about things to do while on your trip.
Well, this time I'm going to give you tips about what not to do while on your trip!
Every country has their own customs, and while you don't need to know every single custom for every country you visit, these tips I found on the Reader's Digest on-line page are some things you should definitely be aware of before visiting the following places!
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Don't honk your horn while driving in Norway
In Norway, the horn is only used in an emergency, so your unnecessary beeping could cause drivers to panic.
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Always say hello in France
"Bonjour madame, monsieur" should be the first words out of your mouth, otherwise you're subtly showing you feel the person is beneath you.
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Don't use your left hand in India
The left hand is thought of as unclean in
Indian culture, so always use your right hand to greet someone,
exchange money, or pick up merchandise.
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Don't talk with your hands in your pockets in Germany
Don't talk with your hands in your pockets while you're in Germany, as it's considered rude.
It's also customary to keep your hands on the table while eating, rather than resting them in your lap.
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Don't smile at strangers in Russia
Russians see smiling as an intimate gesture, indicating a genuine affinity toward another person.
If you smile at a stranger, they might consider you insincere.
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Don't leave a tip when travelling in Japan
Few customs vary from country to country quite like tipping.
In one nation, you might be expected to leave a 20% tip to recognize outstanding service at a fancy restaurant, but cross the border, and you may find that tipping is something you should never do.
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Watch Out
For These Scams
Robbed Fellow Traveller
Southeast Asia and South America
How it works:
This scam is ugly because the con artist is someone your instinct tells you to normally trust, namely a fellow traveller.
It goes likes this; you get approached by a traveller who claims to have been the victim of a robbery.
Having lost everything, he is asking for $20 US or so, to be able to fax/call/get to his embassy.
Luckily, the con artist is always some dodgy looking guy and not some trustworthy looking lady (who probably could make a fortune if she had no morals).
We heard of a traveller who, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, met the same unlucky "robbed" guy within months intervals'
The scam also seems popular in the more touristic parts of Thailand.
What you can do:
Always use your good judgment before handing over your cash to someone.
Of course, you can always help by pointing them to the nearest police station so they can report the robbery officially.
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Old Money Scam
Worldwide
How it works:
In countries who devalue their currency by printing new money with less zeroes, there is a good chance to be given change in old money.
Old money is often worth only a fraction of the new one, or, in worse cases, nothing.
Sometimes, the currency is renamed "new", like Peso vs Nuevo (New) Peso, but it's not always the case, and the new bills and coins might not even look that different.
What you can do:
Do your homework and check on the web to see what a country's money looks like before arriving.
If possible, familiarize yourself with the old currency too.
The same warning applies to countries with double currencies like Cuba, who has Cuban Pesos and Convertible Pesos, where 1 Convertible Peso is worth 26 Cuban Pesos!
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Getting Drugged
How it works:
Unfortunately, you don't have to be a patron at a local bar or nightclub to fall prey to this scam.
This trick is particularly famous in the Philippines, but it could happen anywhere from Europe to South America.
At the bus or train station, you are chatted up by some friendly locals.
Maybe they are going on the same bus or train as you; maybe they are just waiting like you.
After a while they offer some sweets which you, out of politeness and respect, don't feel like you can refuse.
Unfortunately the sweets contain some sedative drug and when you wake up, you find yourself without any of your valuables.
What you can do:
This one is hard to see coming and there is no reason to be overly paranoid.
But do be wary if travelling alone or otherwise vulnerable.
And NEVER accept food or drink from someone you don't know!
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The Pipestone Patter
December 2017
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Welcome Back Loyal Readers!
Welcome back everyone.
I know!
It seems like I was just barely talking to you with the November Newsletter, doesn't it?
Well, in fact, the November Newsletter wasn't really all that long ago; I just wanted to get the December version out to you nice and early this year.
And I did! 
And I'm pretty ding-dong proud of myself for getting it to you this early, if I do say so myself.
The fact that I was so efficient means two things:
1)
You now have lots of time to come on into the stores and finish up your holiday shopping (or maybe to START your shopping) - and by the way, don't forget the stocking stuffers!
2)
I get to take a bit of a break and get started on all my Christmas duties - and I'm sure I don't have to explain to most of you out there just how much work that entails!
And just because I know how much 
you like it, I'll mention that as of December 4th, Christmas is only 21 more sleeps!
This issue is full of shopping ideas for you. From so
c
k
s for the stockings, to luggage for yourself - you'll find something for everyone.
And to help out just a little bit, please note that during the month of December - up to and including December 24th - our stores are open on Sunday from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.
So, let's get started!
And, Happy Holidays everyone!
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Spotlight On ...
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
The LifeStraw personal water filter, a "Best Invention of the Year" (Time magazine) winner, enables users to drink water safely from most contaminated water sources.
LifeStraw is ideal for emergency preparedness, as well as for campers and hikers who may be drinking from rivers or lakes and are unsure of the water safety.
Because LifeStraw is lightweight and compact, it is also great for travelers who do not want to rely on the quality of local water.
LifeStraw is the most advanced personal water filter available today.
It surpasses EPA guidelines for E. coli, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium oocysts.
Since 2005, LifeStraw has been used in developing countries to assist in achieving the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals for clean drinking water.
Features & Benefits:
- Filters up to 1,000 liters (264 gallons) of water
- Removes 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria (>LOG 6 reduction), including E-Coli
- Removes 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites (>LOG 3 reduction), including Giardia & Cryptosporidium
- Reduces turbidity, filtering down to 0.2 microns
- Ultralight: weighs only 2oz!
- Does NOT use iodine or iodinized resin
- Contains no chemicals (and is BPA-free), uses no batteries, has no moving parts
- Very high flow rate; no after taste (because no iodine or chlorine are used)
- Easy to clean. Can be stored and used periodically. Just keep uncapped so it can dry thoroughly.
- Very durable
- No shelf life. LifeStraw can be stored indefinitely.
- Award winning & internationally recognized
The regular price for this product is $27.95, but, of course, we can do better than that for you!
Right now, you can purchase an award winning LifeStraw Personal Water Filter for only
$19.95
Come on in and see us to check it out. This would make a wonderful gift for that traveller on your list - or maybe, for you!
The sale price is in effect while supplies last; and, of course, as with all sales items, all sales are final.
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Eagle Creek Tarmac Luggage
and ORV Trunks
Okay Ladies and Gentlemen - this is the one everyone has been anxiously waiting for!
As most of you know, Eagle Creek luggage very, very,
very rarely ever goes on sale.
So, how excited are you going to be when you find out
that's exactly what's happening?
We currently have a supply of
Eagle Creek Tarmac Luggage and
ORV Trunks that are on sale for a whopping
See! Didn't I tell you it was amazing?
So, if you've been waiting and waiting for the right time to purchase some luggage - by George, this is it!
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Tarmac 21.5" Carry On Luggage
Regular Price: $315.00
Sale Price: $252.00
That's a savings of $63.00!
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Tarmac 26" Luggage
Regular Price: $385.00
Sale Price: $308.00
That's a savings of $77.00!
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Tarmac 29" Luggage
Regular Price: $405.00
Sale Price: $324.00
That's a savings of $81.00!
Tarmac Luggage Colours:
Blue, Black & Green
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ORV Trunk - 30"
Regular Price: $405.00
Sale Price: $324.00
That's a savings of $81.00!
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ORV Trunk - 36"
Regular Price: $465.00
Sale Price: $372.00
That's a savings of $93.00!
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Sale prices for the Tarmac Luggage and the ORV Trunks
are in effect while supplies last,
and all sales are final, so hurry in right away!
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Tales from the Road
When you ask almost anyone what's on their "Bucket List", one of the items is, almost invariably, "Travel".
Some people mean travel in a generic way. They haven't travelled at all yet, and they want to go, well - anywhere!
Some people are more specific - they want to visit Africa or Europe or Asia or . . .
Some people want to travel to see a particular attraction - Machu Picchu or The Taj Mahal.
Some people dream of travelling to experience a certain thing - going to
Oberammergau, Germany to see The Passion Play or taking a religious pilgrimage through Israel.
The reasons why we travel are probably just about as varied as the places we travel to.
I always thought the reason I loved to travel so much was because of all the things I saw - all the people I met - all the experiences I had.
And, to be honest, all of those things
have been wonderful, and continue to be.
But recently, I was going through my (rather large) database of digital photos. I have them all saved in an external hard drive, and they're all organized into folders.
So, I might see a folder for "Fergus and Murphy". Fergus and Murphy are our dogs - and
yes, I do have a folder devoted to photos of them!
I might see a folder for "Mom and Dad's Anniversary". That was the last Anniversary they were able to celebrate together, so those photos are precious to me.
Or, I might see a folder for "Pipestone" showing photos of our stores, all the way from the beginning, through to various store openings and renovations.
But, you know what I mean, right? I'm sure all of you have the same kind of thing you browse through every once in a while.
While I was browsing, I came across folder after folder of photos taken on various trips.
And do you want to know something?
Every single folder name evoked memories.
Without even opening up the folder to look at the photos inside, I was already remembering parts of that particular trip.
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Handy Gadget
Multi Purpose Packing Cube
Whether you're staying in one place or moving around every few  days, these multi-purpose packing cubes are great for keeping your clothes and shoes accessible and organized while y
ou're travelling!
- Goes from suitcase to dresser drawer for simplified packing and unpacking
- Three mesh pockets hold socks, camis, ties or underwear
- Removable nylon pouch is perfect for keeping dirty clothes separate or for discreet packing of personal items
- Deep cube holds shirts, pants, ties, undergarments or whatever!
- Piped edges provide structure to the cube
- Folds flat for easy storage
- Made from lightweight, water and stain-resistant ripstop
Colours: Aqua, Lime and Wine
Price: $25.95
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Of course, we have so many more gift ideas in the stores for you!
Unfortunately, there just isn't room to include them all in this Newsletter.
So, I have put together a bit of a Holiday Gift Guide for your perusal.
You'll find gifts for Him, gifts for Her, and gifts for the Kids.
There are gifts to use on the plane, gifts to use while you're on your trip, and gifts to keep you and your belongings safe during your trip.
We even have great stocking stuffer ideas under $10.00!
Really - just give it a click. You'll love what you see!
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Don't forget, Pipestone Travel Store sells Gift Certificates.
We make it nice and easy to get the perfect gift for that special traveller on your list!
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