Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Do not carry open containers of alcohol in your car or any public area
that isn't zoned for alcohol consumption. The police can fine you on the
spot. And nothing will ruin your trip faster than getting a citation for DUI
(“driving under the influence”), so don't even think about driving while
intoxicated.
See also the “Liquor Laws” entry in the “Fast Facts” at the end of
chapter 2.
Electricity
Like Canada, the United States uses 110 to 120 volts AC (60
cycles), compared to 220 to 240 volts AC (50 cycles) in most of Europe,
Australia, and New Zealand. If your small appliances use 220 to 240 volts,
you'll need a 110-volt transformer and a plug adapter with two flat par-
allel pins to operate them here. Downward converters that change 220 to
240 volts to 110 to 120 volts are difficult to find in the United States, so
bring one with you.
Embassies & Consulates
All embassies are located in Washington, D.C.
Some consulates are located in major U.S. cities, and most nations have a
mission to the United Nations in New York City. If your country isn't listed
below, call directory information in Washington, D.C. (
&
202/555-1212
),
for the number of your national embassy.
The embassy of
Australia
is at 1601 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washing-
ton, DC 20036-2273 (
&
202/797-3000;
www.austemb.org). There is no
consulate in Seattle; the nearest is at 625 Market St., Suite 200, San Fran-
cisco, CA 94105-3304 (
&
415/536-1970
).
The embassy of
Canada
is at 501 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington,
DC 20001 (
&
202/682-1740;
www.canadianembassy.org). There is a con-
sulate in Seattle at 412 Plaza 600 Building, Sixth Avenue and Stewart
Street, Seattle, WA 98101-1286 (
&
206/443-1777
).
The embassy of
Ireland
is at 2234 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington,
DC 20008 (
&
202/462-3939;
www.irelandemb.org). There is no consulate
in Seattle; the nearest is at 100 Pine St., 33rd Floor, San Francisco, CA
94111 (
&
415/392-4214
).
The embassy of
New Zealand
is at 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washing-
ton, DC 20008 (
&
202/328-4800;
www.nzemb.org). There is also a con-
sulate near Seattle at 10649 N. Beach Rd., Bow, WA 98232 (
&
360/
766-8002
).
The embassy of the
United Kingdom
is at 3100 Massachusetts Ave. NW,
Washington, DC 20008 (
&
202/588-7800;
www.britainusa.com). There is
a consulate in Seattle at 900 Fourth Ave., Suite 3001, Seattle, WA 98164
(
&
206/622-9255
).
Emergencies
Dial
&
911
to report a fire, call the police, or get an ambu-
lance. This is a free call (no coins are required at a public telephone).
If you encounter serious problems, contact
Traveler's Aid Society Inter-
national
(
&
202/546-1127;
www.travelersaid.org) to help direct you to a
local branch. This nationwide, nonprofit, social-service organization geared
to helping travelers in difficult straits offers services that might include
reuniting families separated while traveling, providing food and/or shelter
to people stranded without cash, or even emotional counseling.
Gasoline (Petrol)
Petrol is known as gasoline (or simply “gas”) in the
United States, and petrol stations are known as both gas stations and
