Have a great vacation, without parents

Going on vacations sans the parents, has become something very regular now. Adolescents and teens flock together to the hit the roads/ go for trips to exotic destinations with their peers. However, there are some times when you may start missing your parents. Its pretty easy to become homesick while on a vacation without parents, that too, away from home. This article will help you in coping with your vacation without the moms and dads, and will make sure you have a blast, if followed. The first and foremost tip is keeping yourself busy and engrossed during your vacation. Generally, vacation packages have an itinerary planned for activities by people who avail them. This will take your mind away from the thought of missing your parents. Hence, you can divert your mind away from such homesickness. Write to your parents, or even call them often when on tour. Parents are also interested in knowing how safe you are all alone by yourself. Hence, giving them a call everyday/ texting them/ emailing them will comfort both you and your parents. If you are away at an international destination, you could use calling cards. These cards are great for traveling around the world as they help you keep in touch constantly. Just make it a point to buy it for more minutes than you think you will need. One is always subject to use more when away from people they love. These phone cards also prove to be economical, as you have restrictions on the minutes you could use, rather than those skyrocketing mobile phone bills. Making new friends is a great way to socialize when on vacations. This could be anyone. Someone whom you meet at your hotel or during the vacation, who has similar interests, could make a great friend, who discusses stuff with you. You could browse for some unique pieces of jewelry or some souvenirs for your parents. It will be fun to find such special stuff for them, and they will be more than amused to see you do something so sweet. They will really appreciate the gesture. Make sure to snap a lot of pictures, so as to show them, your vacation's fun part. These pictures will make some great times to share between you and your parents, as they too will feel more connected to you when they see you having fun. Finally, when you come home, do not tell your parents about how you hated being without them. Least of all , that's not what they want to hear amidst their moribund schedules of work. Tell them the plus points of your trip and maintain positive conversations about you vacation. Despite following all of the above steps to have fun without your parents, speak out to them of your intention to have a nice time during vacations, with them. Help them plan another trip to go on together. Have fun when you chill out, try not to think much of it. Just remember. Your parents are awaiting your arrival back home.

Saving on Quick Vacations

Everyone loves to take vacations, don’t we? What happens if you want to take a vacation, but you want to take it in the next few weeks? Is it possible? Of course it is, and let me give you some great tips on how you can land the best vacation at the last minute.

Last minute = saves you money
What you’re going to find out with last minute vacations is that you’re going to save a lot of money. When you purchase at the last minute, you will find that you can get great deals from the airlines, as well as the hotel. Since they want to book, and fill their rooms, they are willing to get you in at the half the cost at the last minute.
A lot of people are under the assumption that you’re going to pay an arm, and leg when you purchase at the last minute, because they say it’s going to cost the airlines more to process, and such, but think about it. If you ran a hotel, and you had 500 rooms, and someone tried the book a room for tomorrow, and the day after, and you have 50 rooms just sitting there vacant, you’re probably going to want to book them, because a room with people is a lot better than a room just sitting there.
So, if you were going to charge $125 for a room that night, you’re more than willing to give that person a room for $75 if they really wanted it.
With services such as Priceline’s name your own price, the Internet has done wonders when it comes down to saving you money. What you’re going to find out is that a service like this helps you save money. For example, I was able to use it a few months back. What I did was I wanted to visit some relatives a few hours away. Since I knew the area was nice, and I didn’t care where I stayed, I said I wanted to pay $75 for a room. The regular price for the rooms up there was around $125. If you’re fair, and you’re not being too cheap, hotels are going to accept your offer. This works great at the last minute, trust me!
When you’re ready to book your vacation, try and get a travel agent, or do a lot of homework online with comparison sites like Kayak, and Priceline. Compare the prices until you find one that’s best for your family. In my opinion, some of the best vacations are the ones that are done at the last minute. Not only are you able to surprise your family, you don’t have to wait for months to take the vacation. Since I’m a very impatient person, I want to do it right now.
Try these strategies and tips when you’re looking to take a vacation now, and you want to save money. You will find that it’s really easy to save money, and you don’t have to worry about getting ripped off!

Travel to London Snow

London has been embraced with snow fall this week, with the help of twitterers and a great new web 2.0 style site twitter members all over the UK are able contribute to create an instant snow map. Twitterers add #uk snow, the postcode they currently see snow and the amount of snow determined as..0/10 for nothing, 5/10 for steady snow and 10/10 for arctic blizzard conditions… we think its genius. This is one major geographic collaborative event the UK has a reason to twitter for, literally hundreds of people will twitter whether it is snowing in their area every few seconds. A fully fledged twitter enabled web map created by Ben Marsh can be submerged in white dots in minutes. Users can either take a photo on their web enabled phone and attach the image onto the snow map.
As much as most of us in the UK adore a white Xmas we would like to ask for your caution on the roads as driving conditions get tougher in our heavily congested city. Whether you drive a small car or a big limousine when snow falls you need to make sure you are prepared, not just for your safety but also for pedestrians who will have less visibility. Gritters can not cover every square inch of London and sometimes forecasters get it wrong, it has been known in the past for the councils to have not had a true forecast in order to get grit on the road in time for severe weather changes.


Here are 5 tips for safe travel practice when snow falls…..

1. Don’t drive at all!

We may still complain but London has been voted as having the best public transport system in the world, so folks… use it! You can check your route and any delays via the transport for London website. The website is also compatible via most mobile enabled handsets.

2. Prepare your car

Check the tyres for air, sidewall wear and tread depth. Check antifreeze levels. Check the ignition, brakes, wiring, and hoses. Checking the air, fuel and emission filters, and the PCV valve. Inspecting the distributor. Check the battery.

3. Keep the necessary tools in your car at all times

Keep an ice scraper, defroster and cloth in your car Ensure you have a full tank of petrol in case your route gets diverted

4. Plan your route carefully

Many of you will now be using a sat nav system, perhaps select ‘travel on main route’ / ‘lorry type vehicle’ option ensuring you are minimising minor roads which may not have been gritted.

5. Drive cautiously

Ensure there is at least 10 seconds distance between you and the car in front. Drive in as high gear as possible minimising the risk of skidding, ensure smooth, slow turns. If your vehicle skids DO NOT hit the brakes, ease off the accelerator and try to steer gently into the direction of the skid.

Importance of Travel Books

With the world speeding down the information superhighway, the time for books, it seems, is over. With every bit of information that you can possibly ask for, available on the internet, non-fiction books have been worst hit. For example, when you are planning a trip abroad, you now rely on whatever information the web has to offer. It’s no more like the old times when you would try to get your hands on a travel book or two, in order to know more about your destination. So, does this mean that travel books will die a slow death? Certainly not, because if you consider the importance of travel books, you’ll understand that they are here to stay.

What do Travel Books Tell You?
In a systematic manner, travel books tell you all that you may want to know about different places on earth. From the very exotic locales to the bustling metropolises, there’s hardly a place not described by travel books. These books offer amazing insights into the pros and cons of visiting a place and other details about the weather, famous landmarks, festivals, culture etc. In fact, no matter what kind of holiday you are planning, travel books can help you a lot.

The three major types of travel books deal with adventure holidays, cultural diversities and recreational traveling.

Travel Books and Adventure Holidays
The books in this category tell you about a wide variety of adventure travel destinations round the globe. So take your pick from the wildlife safaris of Africa, Polar expeditions, traveling across the Sahara desert or exploring the virgin forests of Sumatra. You can also get loads of information how to trek, hike, snorkel, dive and do many other thrilling activities.

Travel Books and Culture
Though travel books may not be dedicated wholly to cultural aspects of a particular place, they can give you a clear picture of the different cultural intricacies of a region. If you are looking to be a part of different cultural festivals around the world, these books may be just what you need.

Travel Books and Recreational Traveling
Leisure traveling is what most tourists around the world indulge in. The idea is to spend your free time roaming the world and travel books can tell you how to get the best out of every moment. You can get to know how to plan your tour and which places to see, where to stay and how to travel. What more can you ask for?

Why Travel Books are Forever:
When you are traveling to a distant place, your best friend is the travel book you pack in your luggage. It is a ready-reckoner for times when an unknown land can seem a bit puzzling. No matter how much tech-savvy you are, a travel book can be the only way to access information in some remote locales. Moreover, if you are a person who doesn’t have the resources to travel, you can easily take flight on the wings of imagination, thanks to travel books!

Planning For Beach Vacation (Checklist)

Everyone looks forward to a beach vacation--building sand castles, collecting seashells, diving under waves--so it's no wonder that in the rush to get there, you forget a swimsuit, sand bucket or folding chair. Here's a checklist to make sure you've got everything you need for the sand, surf and sun.
Some people are naturally gifted organizers who never pack too much or too little....then there's the rest of us, who need just a little help in figuring out what to bring and what to leave behind. Fortunately, we have someone on our staff who is one of those naturally gifted people we all hate....err, I mean envy... and she helped us come up with this basic packing list. Your Personal Travel Consultant can help tweak this list for the specific itinerary you book through us, so that your list will be perfect just for you!
All of our homes are equipped for normal housekeeping. They are furnished to the owner's taste, so please care for these items as if they were your own. You'll need to bring all of your linens except for mattress pads, bedspreads and pillows. Our homes will have no paper products, staple items, or cleaning materials. This brief checklist is provided in an attempt to assist you with your packing and shopping.
Traveling broadens our perspective of the world in which we live. Going to foreign countries provides exposure to different cultures, different food, and different languages. Many countries encourage international tourism as a way of boosting their local or national economies, but there are some countries and cultures which view foreigners with suspicion and do not particularly care for strangers in their land. Even in some popular "civilized" travel destinations it is easy to become a victim of thiefs and criminals who will take your luggage, assault you to steal your jewelry and valuables, or cheat you in the price of taxi fares or other services. Your best protection is to be alert, book your tours through trustworthy agencies, and never travel alone to an unfamiliar destination. Make sure that you know the traditions of the land where you want to travel before you start your trip.
Planning a trip can be exciting, as long as you take the necessary precautions. Travel advice will help you decide what you need to bring with you, like travel clothing and supplies. Contact your travel agent if you have any questions during your trip preparation.

Travel arrangements:
Scheduling your trip involves careful planning. Travel agents can help you to organize some of your preparations. First of all, take care of your travel documents. Some countries require only passports, but others require passports and visas. Do not wait until the last minute to obtain your passport because this may require several weeks. To get the best deals for your transportation and hotel accommodations, you will need to make your reservations well in advance of your travel. The best bargains can be obtained during the off-season when demand has diminished. Airlines that provide food service can accommodate special dietary requirements if you give them at least 24 hours advance notice.
Along with your passports and visas, you may need to take along vaccination certificates, and prescriptions for any special medicines that you need. Before embarking on a trip, check to make sure that you are allowed to travel with your medicines. Some medicines sold over the counter in the United States may be considered illegal in other countries and vice versa. There is nothing more unpleasant than starting a vacation on the wrong foot by having to explain to the customs authorities why you are carrying so many "drugs".
As a result of terrorist activities, airports have increased their security inspections before allowing passengers to board. Get to the airport with plenty of time to manage the check-in congestion. Also, don't exceed the container size limits of carry-on liquids, gels, and aerosols, otherwise, your toiletries will be confiscated. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce (84 milliliters) or smaller containers, and they must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.

Trip Preparation
- Visas
- Passports - check the expiration date two months before your trip
- Vaccinations
- Hotel reservations, take along confirmation numbers
- Travel reservations, take along airplane tickets
- Travel insurance to cover the duration of your trip
- Driver's license, registration, insurance cards
- (leave unnecessary cards at home)
- Money or foreign currency (cash, traveler's checks, credit cards)
- Carry some emergency cash in a thin sock attached with a safety pin to the inside of your underwear.
- Car keys, house key. (leave unnecessary keys at home)
- Stop the newspaper and mail.
- A pile of newspapers or a stuffed mailbox tells thieves that you are not at home. You may come back from your trip to an empty apartment or house.
- Turn down thermostat at home
- Arrange for someone to water your plants and take care of your pets.
- Don't forget to leave the keys and itinerary.
- Do not pack your travel documents or money in a suitcase that may get lost. Take your important documents and money in a wallet or purse that you can access at all times.
- Make sure that your luggage has a tag with your name, address, and telephone number.
- Tie a colorful ribbon or attach distinctive stickers to your luggage so that you can identify it easily, and other travelers will not take it by mistake at a busy terminal.

Personal Items
- shirts, blouses, pants, dresses, hats, coats, sweaters
- rain protection - travel umbrella or raincoat
- underwear, socks
- toiletries, cosmetics, shaving needs, deodorant, shampoo
- dental floss, toothbrush, nail clippers, nail file
- contact lens preparations
- camera, batteries, recharger, voltage converter, small flashlight, travel alarm clock, hair drier
- swimming suit, beach towels, sun block cream
- slippers
- sleeping bag, backpack
- Cell phone
- A printed list of emergency phone numbers or address book may be handy if your cell phone batteries die or you lose the phone.

Food
- food supplements
- vitamins
- canned food, can opener
- For international travel, do not take fruits and non-sterile foods such as dried sausages because they can spoil and are usually confiscated by customs.

Car Trip
- Check tire air pressure, including spare
- Tools for changing a tire
- Check oil and gas level
- Flashlight
- Maps
- Sun block, sunglasses
- This is important on a long trip when the sun may be shining on your arms and face for a long time.
- Trash bags, moist towels, napkins
- Insulated bag for cold drinks and fruits
- Take water for drinking, for the radiator, or windshield washer.
- Soft drinks may be OK for you, but they cannot be used for the car.
- Granola bars or other emergency food
- You may be stuck in traffic for a long time when you least expect it.
- Cellular telephone

Camping or Beach Vacation
- Dry snacks (granola bars, nuts, trail mix, jerky) and bottled drinks
- Ice chest
- beach umbrella, folding chairs, beach towels
- sunblock, sunglasses, wide-brim hat
- Swimming suits
- Life vests, inflatable flotation devices
- Sports equipment (baseball, bats, beach ball, surfboard)
- Sleeping bag, air mattress
- Tent, stakes, ropes, hammer, shovel
- Portable stove, pots, pans
- Lantern, kerosene, batteries
- Emergency signaling equipment (cell phones, radio, mirrors)
- Maps, compass, Global Positioning System (GPS)
- Survival Gear (knife, ax, waterproof matches, saw, fish hooks, fishing line)
- Water purification tablets
- Insect repellent, snake-bite kit, first aid kit
- Backpacks
- Hiking boots, jeans, long sleeve shirts, coat
- Before a hike, spray insect repellent on your shoes, socks, and pant cuffs to discourage ticks and insects from crawling up your legs
- Hunting equipment (rod and reel, guns, ammunition, bows, arrows)
- Make sure that you have proper permits for guns and licenses for fishing and hunting.
- You may need a tape measure and a spring scale to make sure that your catches are of legal size. Use guns safely!

Must Have:
- Wallet and/or purse and cash (we often forget the most obvious things)
- Credit cards and/or traveler's checks (plus list of numbers of both)
- Car and house keys (plus duplicate sets kept in different bags)
- Eyeglasses and/or contact lenses (plus lens cleaner)
- Medical insurance cards, list of phone numbers
- Prescriptions and other medications
- Itineraries, tickets and reservation confirmations
- Maps and directions
- Camera, film, digital camera memory cards, batteries

Must Do:
- Pick up trash / Remove trash from home before departure
- Buy travelers checks
- Tune-up car, check tires, battery, major fluids, brakes etc...
- Replace expired prescriptions and medication and replace expired sunblock, most SPF lotions lose potency over years time
- Replenish Toiletries kit
- Hold incoming mail and newspapers
- Notify neighbors of your vacation and give phone # for emergencies
- Mow your lawn just before you leave
- If you're leaving your car, leave it parked in the driveway
- Lock all windows and doors before you leave
- Unplug small appliances
- Turn off AC/Heat
- Make arrangements for any pets you have

Packing Clothes:
- Complete change of clothes for each person per day (think cool, comfortable clothing) — though if you are renting a place with laundry facilities, you may be able to get away with less
- Lightweight sweater or jacket and long pants for cooler evenings
- Swimsuits (two per person, so you'll always have a dry one)
-Beach towels (again two per person is ideal)
-Beach cover-ups or roomy T-shirts (to throw on over swimsuit when you've had enough sun)
-Baseball caps or wide-brim hats (to protect faces from sun)
-Sunglasses with UV protection for adults
-Sandals (rubber, plastic or waterproof are best)
-Beach Bag
-Family size Beach Blanket

Toiletries:
- Bath Soap
- Toothbrush/Paste
- Deodorant
- Mouthwash
- Cologne/Perfume
- Contact lenses
- Razor Kit
- Shaving Cream
- Tissues
- Cotton Swabs
- Matches
- Mouthwash/Dental Floss
- Bottle Opener
- Sunscreen
- Nail clippers/tweezers
- Cosmetics
- Cotton Balls/Qtips
- Combs, Brushes

First Aid Kit:
- Band Aids
- Aspirin
- Moist Towelettes
- Sunscreen
- Gauze
- Motion sickness tablets
- Birth control
- Adhesive strips
- Antibacterial handsoap
- Cold Medicine
- Insect Repellant
- Lotion for Insect bites
- Thermometers
- Aloe Vera Gel
- Lip Balm with sunscreen

For the Baby:
- Baby Powder
- Teething Ointment
- Diaper Rash Lotion
- Baby sunscreen
- Baby Wipes
- 2 outfits per day, sleeping clothes
- Cool clothing
- Stroller
- Baby formula, Bibs
- Diapers
- Changing Pad
- Zippered plastic bags
- Bathing supplies
- Baby food and spoon
- Pacifiers
- Blankets

For Older Kids:
- 1 outfit per day, 2 extra tops
- 2 swimsuits per child
- 1 nice outfit
- 1 out-of-season outfit
- 2 towels per child
- Beach toys, Frisbee, paddle ball *usually available upon arrival

For Traveling:
- Travel Games, Books
- Crayon, Clip Board
- Cooler with drinks and snacks

Safety Checks:

Upon arrival to your destination: Make sure the pull-cord loops on older window blinds and drapes have been eliminated or secured. Cut the loop of the pull cord just above the tassel to result in two cords, or keep the loop taut with a tie-down device that fastens the cord to the floor or wall.
Hand-test the hot water temperature. A child can suffer third-degree burns in a matter of seconds if exposed to water above 120 degrees F. Most rental homes do not have anti-scald devices or renter access to the water heater thermostat. Hand-test the water upon arrival to avoid accidental scalding in the bath or shower.
Examine bunk beds for proper installation and support of the mattresses. Bunk bed guardrails, like crib slats, need to be close enough together to avoid head entrapment. Avoid allowing children under the age of 6 to sleep in the top bunk.
Place all household cleaners and other potentially dangerous chemicals in a locked cabinet or closet. Inspect the rental crib to make certain it is sturdy, properly assembled and in good condition.

Nice to have items:

- Folding beach chairs, Umbrella
- Beach Cooler
- Flashlight
- Pillows
- Video Recorder
- CD Player
- Books / Books on Tape
- Alarm Clock
- Cell phone and battery charger
- Travel journal
- Water-proof sheets

Dressing Tips While Traveling

Dressing in Germany
German fashion - think Karl Lagerfeld, Joop,Jill Sanders, Mont Blanc, BMW, Mercedes...sleek, stylish, lots of black. Looking like a German is easy once you get a few things down.
Don't wear trainers (sports shoes) unless they are the latest in Pumas or another like brand.
Don't wear running gear unless you are running. Wear lots of black - black skirts, black dresses, black shirts.
Women, complement your wardrobe with a scarf, you don't need jewelry, just a nice scarf - and no one is going to steal a scarf from your hotel room.
Jeans are always OK - add a jacket for the evening but don't wear your jeans with tennis shoes and white socks.
Try to avoid wearing shorts - a sure indication that you are not a German.
Wear Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, or other American designers-actually most designer labels are OK. Of course, if you can afford Hermes, that never hurts.
Back packs are fine if you are touring, but don't wear a fanny pack unless it is of leather. When in doubt, jeans and a simple black tee shirt will do, whether you are a man or a woman. Don't walk down the street in the rain without an umbrella - you will get wet. If you are staying in a hotel that offers robes and slippers and you want to go down to the pool or sauna, use them, don't go down to the sauna in your gym suit unless you are planning to work out.
Don't wear your bathing suit in the sauna. Dress up when you go out at night - it's fun and a lot of German night clubs still have dress codes. All that being said, Germany is becoming increasingly casual, wear what you like and be comfortable. Enjoy yourself and make sure you have good walking shoes - even if they are not designer trainers. Bottom line is, nobody cares as long as you tip well and are polite. But if you are like me, you want to blend in just a bit, so knowing how to dress never hurts. You can do it on no budget at all (think monochromatic), and it is rather fun to be mistaken for a German when you walk in the door to a restaurant.

Dressing in Europe
Any visit to Europe involves going in and out of churches to look at the art. The churches are full of fabulous art, but many are also regular churches being used by local people. You are entering a place of worship and are expected to dress and act accordingly. Do not talk loudly. If there is a religious ceremony going on, wait until it is finished to examine the art near the altar.
Some churches have signs telling you what type of clothing is acceptable, some have people at the doors turning people away who are not appropriately dressed, some do not have a dress code enforced. It varies from church to church. It is best to dress appropriately in case they are turning people away because of inappropriate dress.
This photo shows a sign on the door of the Orvieto Duomo in Italy. This is what it is trying to say:

- Not Permitted: Men and women cannot be in short shorts or sleeveless tops.
- Permitted: Men can wear long shorts (to the knee) and women can wear skirts to the knee.
- No dogs, no cameras.
- Usually sleeveless tops are not permitted for either men or women. A woman can carry a light shawl to cover her shoulders and upper arms when needed. Frequently shorts are not acceptable. We usually wear long pants in Italy; lighter weight ones in the summer.
On average, Europeans tend to dress better than Americans. Steve and I dress a little better when we are in Europe. Things are more casual now than they were 10 years ago and we no longer bring a jacket and tie for Steve for restaurants, but we do bring one or two casual shirts for going out for dinner. We also wear nice looking leather walking shoes instead of running shoe-like walking shoes (although running shoes are starting to be more popular in Europe). You need comfortable footwear because you spend a lot of time walking, but pick a shoe that looks nice too. Be sure your shoes are well broken in before your trip.
The topic of blue jeans in Europe comes up regularly on all the travel message boards. Here is my opinion. Ten years ago wearing jeans in Europe was out of place. This is no longer the case. You will see Italians in jeans (and even in jogging suits and running shoes). Do not avoid jeans because you think they will make you stand out as American.
I personally love jeans and always bring them to Europe. Jeans are good because they don't show the dirt. You can easily go a month without washing them and they don't look outrageous. You can wear them hiking, or put on a nicer top to go out for dinner. But jeans are heavy to pack (I always wear mine on the plane) and if you wash them they can take days to line-dry in the wet season. Most laundries charge by weight so it is expensive to get them washed and dried.
I think it boils down to whether or not you are a blue jeans person. If you are, then bring them. Cotton pants are more sensible in the hot weather, but when you are away from home it is sometimes comforting to wear your favorite clothes.

Dressing for Air Travel
It's really embarrassing to set off the metal detector while you frantically pat your pockets. It's worse to get called aside to for a secondary X-ray search. This can happen over a simple, forgotten tie tack. A secondary inspection involves:

- An intimate pat down with someone's hands,
- And a metal detector web wand set at an absurdly high sensitivity.
- This is all in full view of everyone passing through the gate. This is pretty irking, but even worse, can make you miss your flight during peak travel times.
Best to just be proactive; dress simply, in loose, comfortable clothing. Wear shoes that slip off - you will have to take them off anyway for X-raying. No hair ties, belts, jewelry, doodads or watches (check the time on your cell or PDA instead).
Wear a comfortable, clean outfit with elastic, like an attractive jogging suit or other stylish or sporty casual wear. This will be much more comfortable on the plane for prolonged sitting, and attempted sleeping.
This kind of attire won't wrinkle, either. No one says a business traveler has to look like a cardboard cutout in a power suit. Find some leisure-wear that says "expensive" and no one will question your judgment or taste in business class. Try shopping at Nordstroms - tell the sales staff exactly what you are looking for. This should not be a new request to them.
Wear slip on shoes. You will have to remove your shoes for the security check, for one thing. And for another, feet will swell during flight, so slip on shoes are a great choice. Wear fresh socks in consideration to others if you have smelly feet.
If you are traveling without a carry-on bag, you will need to place all your personal items through the X-ray conveyor belt in something. Don't hold up the line while you check all your pockets. Have everything ready to go in a Ziplock or other see-through plastic bag. Lay the bag on the conveyor belt in the provided bins. If everyone did this ahead of time, security checkpoints would be a breeze. Remember that jackets go through the X-ray machine as well.