Travel Rules

Pfft, just the ones I showed you.

Ladiiiies.

 

Zip ties, no matter what size, turn me on


1. Take what you THINK you wont need
2. Plastic bags for dirty clothes
3. 2 extra pairs of socks/underwear
4. Feminine hygiene products ALWAYS
5. Pain pills and muscle relaxers (in case the sex gets more exciting than usual)
6. Take your own pillow
7. Floor fan is a MUST

 

Don't go in my basement. My intent was MacGyver, but it could be mistaken for a love dungeon.

 

I have to agree with her #4

 

I always travel al light as possible.

Since I travel all the time, heck I do it for a living!
Small carry-on (soft shell sports type bag-very important) with 2pair of slacks, 3undies/socks 3shirts, noise cancelling headset+Ipad,Iphone ( entertainment/productivity and all the same charger) a little folder with some important documents. And a little baggie with a small tube of toothpaste,deodorant, cologne.

Anything I need while on the road can be purchased locally.

I travel from the U.S. to Europe to dark Africa to the back ends of Asia. Not much surprises me anymore. Travel is a routine, and I tend to get a little anxious when I see what some people take with them once they get to an airport.

I second the idea about not sitting next to people that have different hygenic standards, but you can't always pick your own seat, and stinking people are a way of life, especially in the warmer climates. I've had gag reflexes before due to to people besides me....

 

• Pack what you need and only what you need (I always fail to do this)
• Don't forget your earplugs and mask for the flight (looks dorky but who cares?)
• Keep fresh underwear, socks and a T-shirt in your carry on (when luggage fails to arrive fresh underwear are gold)
• Keep your meeting notes in your carry on (same as above)
• Always know where your towel is

 

If you are traveling overseas and you are american, tell people you are canadian. Then the provincials will not discriminate against you. Sew a canadian flag to your backpack. Flannel helps. Practice your "eh" and "abut".

 

I never understood why people do this. I mean, if you plan on being an asshat, by all means do this. But otherwise, why not be the decent American that changes a few people's opinions about us?

 

I only have one that I haven't seen above. Always get to the airport WAY early. I'd rather people-watch for an hour than spend a minute stressed about the long line in security torture land.

And lists are a necessity for getting all my required stuff to my destination. Otherwise, I always forget something (like sunglasses).

 

Very Bruce Lee. You pour yourself like water through time and space?

...I guess this means you'll be borrowing some socks from me later.

...

Digital cameras being the tiny marvels they are, there is no excuse not to have pictures of all the cool stuff you see on your various adventures in life.

The most rewarding thing I've acquired from my assorted wanderings is an external hard drive with folders of countless travel pictures. Memory'd.

...

How patriotic. Meh, I tend to enjoy the cool anonymity of travel. I consider it a personal triumph to be mistakenly identified as someone from Europe over an obvious American. If I can sit in an airport and make you guess where I come from, I'm doing it right... especially as a painfully white guy.

Still working on the talking part. My German is horrible.

 

Airplane travel advice from my friends who travel often: To speed up security check, check everything in one large suitcase wheels. Carry-on is a book only.

My advice: ignore my friends. They've never had a 1-hour layover turn into an 18-hour layover because of a storm. I have.
Carry-on: backpack or bag with wheels, with toothbrush/paste, hairbrush, clean undies (ziplock bag for "used" ones), makeup, book that takes more than an hour to read. Earplugs, small headphones, music. If you have a smartphone with unlimited data transfer, get the Netflix app. (in case of layover). Electronics charger. Snacks- not all airports have food vendors open all night.

*A small wallet that hangs around the neck (under your shirt) is great for ID, money, and plane tickets.
*Eye shadow and blush are carry on only. Even if you bubble wrap them, they tend to break apart into dust & chunks if you check them.
*Sit several seats back from a wall. The view grows tiresome.
*Airplane types change without notice. We chose our flight carefully, and were expecting that newer model with movie screens at each seat and a library of films to choose from. It was swapped out for a smaller, much older plane. When they got around to starting the movie, there was one 8x10 screen above for each 5 rows, with terrible sound, and half the movie was in another language with English subtitles that was too small to read. Bring a book.
*if you carry anything like needles and insulin, be prepared to be stopped & searched, so go through security earlier than usual.
*wear comfortable walking shoes. Are those cute little hard sandals you picked up on vacation may leave blisters if you do much walking on an extended layover.
*first class isn't much of a seating difference on older planes. But it IS the reason I knew my next flight was 18 hours away. Many of my fellow passengers had NO idea when they would get another flight, they were on stand-by. I know this because they were very loud about their disappointment in line. Just a thought.

 

Be prepared. Dont depend on anyone to have what you may need/want.
Try to pack light!

 

As was packing last week for my latest trip, I realized that I can pack with my eyes closed. I have been doing this same business trip twice a year for the past 15 years. I don't take days to plan and I don't make lists. I know what I need.

I got home at 6 and had to leave for the airport at 8. I was packed and ready to go at 6:30. I spent the rest of my time hanging out with my son (who would be gone when I got back a week later).

For me, unpacking is more important. All the stuff I won't need again until the next time I fly (passport, power adapters, etc.) all get put away in their place so I don't have to run around looking for them six months later.

 

Always leave early; there WILL be delays.

Bring half as many clothes (other than underwear/socks) as you think you will need.

Bring twice as much money as you think you will spend.

 

I always put contact details on several pieces of paper concealed in several different places. Last time I got the Harwich ferry, at the other side I could as usual find none, but my pathetic traveller smile got me the help of a Scot who spoke Dutch who called directories and my contact, and who also said 'I cant let you travel into Antwerp on your own - you are not safe', so he came to Antwerp and waited at a pavement cafe with me until my contact/lift turned up. A smile is a must for travel. Essentials I cram into pockets.