Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
you go out. Beer and wine often can be purchased at supermarkets, but
liquor laws vary from state to state.
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.
Electricity
Like Canada, the United States uses 110-120 volts AC (60
cycles), compared to 220-240 volts AC (50 cycles) in most of Europe, Aus-
tralia, and New Zealand. If your small appliances use 220-240 volts, you'll
need a 110-volt transformer and a plug adapter with two flat parallel
pins to operate them here. Downward converters that change 220-240
volts to 110-120 volts are difficult to find in the United States, so bring
one with you.
Embassies & Consulates
All embassies are located in the nation's capital,
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 for directory information in Washing-
ton, D.C. (
&
202/555-1212
) or log on to
www.embassy.org/embassies
.
The embassy of
Australia
is at 1601 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washing-
ton, DC 20036 (
&
202/797-3000;
www.austemb.org). There are con-
sulates in New York, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
The embassy of
Canada
is at 501 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC
20001 (
&
202/682-1740;
www.canadianembassy.org). Other Canadian con-
sulates are in Buffalo (NY), Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle.
The embassy of
Ireland
is at 2234 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington,
DC 20008 (
&
202/462-3939;
www.irelandemb.org). Irish consulates are in
Boston, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco.
The embassy of
Japan
is at 2520 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington,
DC 20008 (
&
202/238-6700;
www.embjapan.org). Japanese consulates
are located in many cities, including Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, New York,
San Francisco, and Seattle.
The embassy of
New Zealand
is at 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washing-
ton, DC 20008 (
&
202/328-4800;
www.nzemb.org). New Zealand con-
sulates are in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, and Seattle.
The embassy of the
United Kingdom
is at 3100 Massachusetts Ave. NW,
Washington, DC 20008 (
&
202/462-1340;
www.britainusa.com). Other
British consulates are in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston,
Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle.
Emergencies
Call
&
911
to report a fire, call the police, or get an ambu-
lance anywhere in the United States. This is a toll-free call. (No coins are
required at public telephones.)
If you encounter serious problems, contact the
Visitor Aloha Society of
Hawaii
(
&
808/926-8274;
www.travelersaid.org). This is a branch of Trav-
elers Aid International, a nonprofit, social-service organization geared to
helping travelers in difficult straits. It offers services that might include
reuniting families separated while traveling, providing food and/or shel-
ter to people stranded without cash, or even emotional counseling. If
you're in trouble, seek them out.
