I frequently am asked "when going abroad, do I need a converter or an adapter or both?"

What is a power converter?

A converter takes energy from the wall in one format and turns it into another. So, in Argentina the power is 220-240v, 50 Hz, AC. That means the voltage is 220 to 240 and it comes in 50 alternating cycles per second. For comparison the United States of America is 120 volts at 60hz. You can see different standard power measure from around the world at http://www.kropla.com/electric2.htm

Now, will that work for you? Most electrical products should say in tiny little writing something like

Input: 100-240v, 50-60hz.
Output: 6.5-18.5v, 4.6A max.

San Cristóbal de las Casas is a charming colonial town nestled into the green mountains of Mexico's southern state Chiapas. Home of the Zapatista uprising of 1994, the feeling in town these days is much more refined than revolucionario. A few things to check out:

Although we didn't see nearly as much as we hoped with museums and events closed for swine flu, here are some great things to check out in Mexico City.

1. Any trip to Mexico City should start by reading David Lida's First Stop in the New World: Mexico City, the Capital of the 21st Century. The book is chock-full of fun facts and interesting insight into a fascinating city.

Do people speak Spanish in Argentina?

On a 4-month tour of Latin America, one of my friends arrived in Buenos Aires after spending a month in Mexico, and came to the conclusion on the first day "I guess they don't speak Spanish in Argentina." True, the Spanish (castellano) spoken in Argentina is so different it literally seems like another language. Here's some things to keep in mind language-wise on your trip to Argentina:

• Accent: The biggest difference with the Argentine accent is that "ll" and "y" is pronounced as "sh", so yo me llamo becomes sho me shamo. There's also a very distinct rhythm/cadence to the language that is different from any other Spanish speaking country.

A question comes in from a wanderlusting reader:

Hi Brook….I am visiting Mexico City “again” in October. I have seen all
the main attractions on a typical tour such as the Zocalo, Murals in Natl
Palace, Museum and Castle in C. Park, Guadalupe Shrine, Pyramids, Insurgentes
Market, Ballet, Xochimilco…What is left? I am presently trying to hire a
guide friend to pick me up in her car, and take me to other interesting
places not hit by the tours. Do you have any suggestions for requests I
should make? We will be in the DF for only ONE day (a Sunday) before heading
up to San Miguel Guanajuato, etc. on our tour bus with the rest of our group.
Thanks if you have time…Sharon in South Carolina

Hi Sharon,