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Packing Seminars
couple packing suitcase

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



I Didn't
Know That!
 
Here are some totally random and utterly silly  facts 
   
~~~~~~

Apparently, children grow faster in the spring time. 
 
 
 ~~~~~~
 
Elephants are the only animals on earth with four knees.
 
 
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In a study of online dating, it was found that women's biggest fear was meeting a serial killer.   
 
   
Men's biggest fear was meeting someone fat.
 
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You can housebreak an armadillo.
 
 
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If you live in New York, you could try a new restaurant every night of your entire life and never hit the same one twice.
 
 
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If it's colder than 62 °F, a grasshopper can't jump.
 

 
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Because of the position of a donkey's eyes, it can see all four of its feet at all times.
 

 
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The average lifespan of an eyelash is about 5 months.
 
 
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A giraffe can lick the inside of her own ears clean.
 

 
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Soldiers in every country on Earth use their right hand to salute.
   
 
~~~~~~ 
 
Slugs have four noses.
    
 
~~~~~~ 
 
The average man uses around 2,000 words every day.  
 
 
The average woman uses around 7,000.
 
~~~~~~ 

When ants wake up, they stretch.   
 
   
And speaking of ants, there is no height you can drop an ant that will kill it.   
 
 
It's just not heavy enough.
 

Travel Tips 

Planning on travelling to another country?
 
Here are some tips, courtesy of the good ol' Reader's Digest.
 
~~~~~~ 
 
Service at restaurants and hotels will likely be exceptional in Japan , but tipping isn't done; and it could be seen as degrading. 
 
 
 
~~~~~~ 
 
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.
 
~~~~~~ 
 
In Germany, don't talk with your hands in your pockets, 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.
 
~~~~~~ 
 
In China, polite guests don't eat every last morsel of food left on their plates.   
 
 
Doing so signals the host that he or she didn't provide enough food or a filling meal.
 
 
Along with leaving a little, it's fine to burp after eating, as a compliment to the chef. 
 
~~~~~~ 
 
Here's something you should never do in India: Use your left hand.   
 
 
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. 
 
~~~~~~ 
 
Something you should never do in Norway?  Honk your car horn.  
 
 
In Norway, the horn is only used in an emergency, so your unnecessary beeping could cause drivers to panic.
 
~~~~~~ 
 
Don't forget to 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.  
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
       
Watch Out
For These Scams
 
The Airport Security Theft Scam

Thailand   
 
How it works: 

This story is told by Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott, in Uncornered Market 
 
"When we put our items through the X-ray scan we put a money belt on its own in the tray.   
 
 
We were hurried through and lost sight of the tray for a few moments.
 
In that time, one (or more) of the airport security staff went into our money belt and took all the big Thai baht bills (but they left the small ones).
 
 
We realized what happened while we were waiting for our flight and raised the issue with the security staff.  
 
We asked them to review the CCTV videos to find out what happened.
 
 
Before we boarded our flight the security manager acknowledged that one of their staff had taken our money, asked us to fill out forms for the theft, and gave us his contact details.
 
 
It was a strange series of communications, but eventually, we received our money back by bank transfer."
 
What you can do:
 
"When you go through security at the airport, secure all small items in a backpack or another bag behind a zipper or a lock."
 
 
   
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  
 
The Map Scam

This can happen anywhere

How it works:
 
You may be sitting at a table outside a restaurant, when someone comes up to you with a map in his or her hands.



Your "new friend" will ask you for directions, putting the map down on the table for him to point at.

After he leaves (with or without receiving help from you), you may discover some of the valuables you had on the table are missing!

 
That's because, when your "New Friend" picked up the map to leave, he or she also picked up the items of value that were underneath the strategically placed map!


What you can do:
 
Don't leave your valuables laying around in plain sight, even if you are right there at the table.
 
 
And always be super protective of your stuff when strangers come up and speak to you, even if it's to ask for your help. 
 
The Pipestone Patter
August 2018
Welcome Back Loyal Readers!


Welcome back everyone.  
 
We are now in the second half of summer, fast approaching "Back to School" time.
 
 
 
Can you even believe it?
 
It has been a gorgeous summer so far, but we do have to face the fact that our days are getting shorter and our nights are getting cooler.
 
And, not to be a buzz-kill or anything, these little facts mean summer is on it's way out.
 
So, let's enjoy it while it's here.   
 
Just remember, the advent of fall also means the fall lines will be hitting our stores within the next month or so.
 
 
 
There - you see?  Maybe fall isn't such a bad thing after all! 



Spotlight On ...  

   
 
 
 
Multi-Purpose Packing Cube 
   
   
 
Ladies and Gentlemen!
 
Step right up to learn all about the amazing
 
Travelon Multi-Purpose Packing Cube!
 
It holds your socks.
 
It holds your under garments.
 
It holds your shoes and belts.
 
It holds your clothing and your jewellery.
 
In fact, it holds almost anything you can think of.
 
All of this in one very versatile cube!   
 
 
 
 
  • Multi-purpose packing cube keeps clothes and shoes organized
  • Goes from suitcase to dresser drawer for simplified packing and unpacking
  • Three mesh pockets hold socks, tank tops, 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, undergarments or whatever you want
  • Piped edges provide structure to the cube
  • Folds flat for easy storage
  • Made from lightweight, water and stain-resistant ripstop
  • Measures 13" x 9.25" x 4.5"
 
And, Ladies and Gentlemen, you can get this fabulous cube for only   
 
$25.95!
 
But wait!
 
We were able to get a great deal on a shipment of these Multi-Purpose Cubes - and, of course, we want to pass the savings on to our wonderful customers.
 
That means we are offering these incredible cubes at   
 
 
 
 
 
 
That's right.   
 
Beginning August 27, our customers will pay only
 
$12.98 
 
for one of these incomparable cubes!
 
 
But wait! 
 
Because we appreciate our loyal Newsletter readers, we have an even better offer - for you, and you alone!  
 
You all know how quickly these special sales fly out the door, so we have decided our Newsletter family can shop the sale early!
 
Starting right now, you can come into one of our stores and claim your cube(s) at this extraordinary price!
 
That means you have from now until August 27th to get first dibs on this outstanding offer!
 
Of course, our staff has to have some way of knowing you're a Newsletter reader, and eligible for special treatment - so, we need a code phrase.
 
When you come in to see us, just say:
 
  "Pack it Jack"
 
and you can walk out with your cube at this very special price.
 
Easy, right?
 
So why not come in, right now, and check this cube out?
 
And, don't forget - these cubes are a wonderful gift idea! 
 

Colour:  Wineberry
 

Sale prices are in effect while quantities last
 
All sales are final 
   
 
 

Tales from the Road    
 
 
     
Things I've Learned
While Travelling
 
 

You know, I've always said that travelling is the best education - and I truly believe that.

You learn about history, geography, current affairs, languages, philosophy, psychology, the culinary arts, and so much more.

I see so many young people come into the store that are travelling with their parents, or for their schooling, or just for fun - and I can't even imagine what it would have been like to have that opportunity when I was young.



But I do know that when young people travel - or any people, really - they come home a little bit different somehow.

Maybe more grateful, maybe more tolerant, maybe more confident - but definitely different.

Way back a million years ago, when I first started travelling, (and at the time I wasn't a "young person" by any means!) I didn't realize how much I would learn along the way.

Of course, I did learn some history and geography and languages, but it occurred to me recently just how much more than that I have learned.

Let me give you some examples.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


One of the very first trips we took was ages and ages ago.

My Wonderful Husband was coaching a hockey team of 16 and 17 year old boys, and they had a tournament in Phoenix.

Well, of course, I didn't want to miss out on a trip to Phoenix (remember, I really hadn't been anywhere at this point) so we decided to make a bit of a family trip out of it.



We had a great time watching the hockey games, laying by the pool, soaking in the sun, and our Son loved being able to spend time with the older boys!

One day, the coaching team decided to take the boys to a nearby lake for a day of frolicking and fun in the sun.  Seeing as it was a team function, my Son and I were staying back at the hotel for the day.

We had a wonderful day, just the two of us  . . .  until it was time for lunch.

We had been playing in the pool and expending a lot of energy, so we were more than ready for something to eat.

We got changed, and I grabbed my purse so we could leave.

As I grabbed my purse, I got a sinking feeling in my stomach.

I remembered that I had no cash - I was going to get some from my Husband before he left, and I forgot.

Well crap!  What do I do now?



Wait a minute!  I know we have some Traveller's Cheques (yes, that's how long ago it was when this story takes place!) - I'll just use one of those.

After much searching (my Husband likes to hide his valuables), I found the Traveller's Cheques and we were ready to go.



 
     
Handy Gadget 


 
 
 
Lumena Portable Fan
       
Last month I told you all about a personal air purifier that cleans the air for you.

Well this month, I'm going to tell you about a nifty gadget that cools the air for you!

That's right - we now carry a travel size Portable Fan!

And, it's not just any fan.

The hand-held Lumena Portable Fan is quiet and powerful, and a perfect accessory on those hot vacation days.
 
It measures 4.2" x 7.6" x 1.7" and weighs only 5.7 ounces - so you can carry it with you everywhere.

The fan is rechargeable, using a USB port - with a total charging time of 3 hours and 30 minutes.

When fully charged, the fan will run for 12 hours on the minimum speed, and for 3 hours on the maximum speed.  There are 3 levels of fan speed.

It's powered by a brushless DC motor with up to 4W of output power.

That translates to air flowing at about 23km/h within a distance of 3cm. The wind can reach a distance of 4.5m when at maximum speed.

And best of all, with the built-in stand cradle, you can use it as a stand-up fan in your hotel room, on your office desk, or at home.

So next time you're heading off to somewhere nice and warm, don't forget to take your portable fan along with you!


Colours:     Blue and White

 
$49.95

 


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    
 
 


RFID Hideaway Pouch  
 
Have you ever been on vacation, and decided you wanted to go out and about for a bit?
 
Maybe you want to go for dinner - or maybe you want to go for a stroll and stop for an ice cream or a drink.
 
In either event, you don't feel like taking a day bag or purse with you - you just need a bit of cash or a credit card.
 
Of course, for security reasons, you don't want to carry these items in your pocket, so what are you to do?
 
This handy-dandy little gadget is the answer!
  
The Austin House Hideaway Pouch provides security for credit cards, small valuable and currencies.  
 
With a wide belt loop, you can attach it to your belt, hide it under your clothing or in your waistband - and still get to your money quickly and discreetly.
 
The pouch measures 3.5" x 5", and has a zippered compartment.
 
 
Made of ultra-light, ultra-durable polyester materials, with a soft and padded breathable back panel, this piece is super comfortable.   
 
And, it is even RFID protective, so your credit cards cannot be compromised! 
 
You can use this "extra pocket" every day, or just when you want to travel light - the choice is yours.   
 
But, whenever you want to use it - you'll be glad you have it!    
 
 
Colour:     Black  
 
 
$11.95 
 
 
 
Quote 
  


    
 
 
 
 
Well, we made it all the way to the end again.  Thanks for staying with me.

As always, you can send us stories or feedback by sending an e-mail to pipestonetravelstore.com

See you next month!
 
 
   
 
© Pipestone Travel Store 2012. All rights reserved