Ok, if you haven't heard from me for the last month it's because I've been providing any and all updates via my cell phone in airports and hotels using their sometimes spotty wireless while trying not to lose my mind. I was traveling for work for a bit, and I'm about to head off on my own Spring Break (because I haven't been on enough airplanes and slept in enough hotels yet, apparently). As I've been out and about for this spurt of travel - and it always happens in spurts grouped together- I've made some observations and come up with my own definitive guide for travel. Not only did this list help distract me during layovers and runway taxi time, I believe it's helped smooth my adventures as much as possible with each passing trip.
Firstly- have a good set of luggage. Luggage is totally up to the individual, but it always helps to have a good bag or set of bags that meet your needs. I'm a pocket and pouch girl- I need lots of little places to stash odds and ends while I travel and little zippered pouches and bags within them to keep my items organized and not spilling out of my bag every time I open it to grab headphones/gum/etc. This also holds true in my larger luggage. I like to compartmentalize my clothes, shoes, toiletries and whathaveyou. The luggage I currently own is awesome (for me) because each side zippers completely off from the other side and has smaller zippered compartments within the larger ones. In the big main compartment I usually roll all of my clothes- jeans, shirts, sweaters, and pj's. There is a smaller zippered pouch within that area where I stash my underwear and socks, etc. And then there are two even smaller zippered side pockets where I put things like belts and accessories. On the top side main compartment I put larger clothing items like jackets and bulky sweaters and then line the sides with items like my blowdryer, my boots, etc. My largest bag even has a separate compartment for shoes- so they aren't touching my clean clothes!
And while I'm on the luggage and bag topic I should also specify that it is a good idea to come up with an easy way to identify your bag, especially if you are checking it. This could be a bright or original luggage tag, ribbons on the bag handles, etc. I've opted for a neon colored "Belt" for my bag (they are made to cinch overfilled bags, but I don't really need that) so I can spot my black bag easily.
Secondly, research and plan ahead of time. I believe there are times to be spontaneous and times when preparing ahead will save you time, money and sanity... even if your plans don't work out. I like to have all of my travel details nailed down as much as possible two to three weeks out- meaning flights booked, hotel reserved, car or transportation reserved/tickets purchased. I will also do some research about where I'm traveling to and where I might be passing through during my trip to see what types of restaurants, stores, etc are in the area to get a good feel for it. This does a few things for me: a) If I don't have meals planned out I can get a good idea as to where I can expect to eat or if I need to pack snacks, b) if I wander and get lost, I know what stores/landmarks/etc are in the area to navigate by and c) if there is an emergency and I need something, I know how to get to what I need. On the list of things I research before I go are coffee shops, restaurants (chain and otherwise), hospitals, hotels (so I can easily catch a cab if needed), Target/Walmart/Grocery Stores/etc, landmarks and historical sites and ATM/Bank Locations. I'm not the type of person to schedule every single second out, but I give myself a general guideline for a trip and go armed with my research so that no matter what happens, I'm in good shape. I also look at the forecast for the week, but I'll get to that soon enough.
In my personal preparations I also make sure to call my bank and have them note the dates I will be traveling and the locations. It has happened before that I've tried to purchase something while traveling and had my card declined because the bank assumed they were fraudulent charges. They are happy to note that you will be adventuring and to note that there may be charges from different locations to avoid any issues.
Packing- here is where I think I've learned the most over the years. While I'm the type of person who always wants to be prepared for any situation I've come to find that being prepared does not mean that you have to overpack. As I get older I realize that I don't have to pack for all of the possibilities, I just need to make sure I have the essentials that will get me through. Normally before I pack I research the weather trends in the area I will be visiting to get an idea of what I should be wearing. For instance, tomorrow I'm leaving for Buffalo, NY. The forecast calls for around freezing temps and snow showers off and on until later in the week. I go through my closet and pick out an outfit for each day that I will be traveling and lay them out as a complete outfit- underwear, socks, pants, top, shoes, accessories. Sometimes my outfits are missing 1 or two things because I will wear the same shoes multiple times or the same shirt again, etc. Once I have all of my outfits put together I make sure I'm not missing anything for any activities I might also be doing (like swimming!) My bed looks like deflated people are laying on it, but it helps me visualize each day. Once I have everything set, I start to pack my bags- everything in their own compartment - I roll almost all of my clothing except jackets, which I lay flat on top of everything so they take up less space. This is pretty much the same process I use for toiletries... lay everything out on the bed to ensure I have every item I normally use and then pack them in their respective bags and organizers.
Some of my learning curve here has been around hairstyling, makeup and accessories. I've realized that no one else cares if I change my hairstyle each day, so unless I'm traveling for something totally glamourous I try to stick with low-maintenance hair when I travel. That means I don't have to pack a flat iron, a curling iron, a blowdrying with diffuser, hot rollers, etc. Usually I don't even bring blow-dryer because if I'm staying at a hotel, I know they will have one or I can ask for one. What I do bring is a brush and a large-barrel curling iron because it's very versatile for me- I can create big voluminous waves, or just give my ends a little flare, or pin my curls up so they set and have curly hair... or just blow-dry straight. Also, as I've gotten older I've simplified my beauty routine and found a few great products to multi-task so I avoid packing my whole make-up bag.
What I've whittled it down to are the following:
1. Benefit Play Sticks foundation Stick which acts as a foundation & concealer and dries to a matte finish
2. Tarte cheek stain stick (I found a mini size version of the big stick in one of the holiday samplers at Sephora this past year) that I can use on my cheeks and lips and even eyelids (depending on the shade)
3. Eyelash curler
4. Maybelline Full 'n Soft waterproof mascara in Very Black
5. an eyeliner or two- usually a black and a brown
6. Benefit "Hello Flawless" powder compact
I will also throw in a lipgloss or lip-stain if I feel like it, but I'm really more of a lip-balm girl.
Toiletries are really up to each person's preferences and it really depends on where I'm going and what I'm doing when determining what I'll pack, but again, I try to only take what I know I'll use. My obvious staples are deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste, razor, body lotion and hairspray.
What I take on the plane with me has become super important and I always have a "carry-on" bag (but not necessarily the wheeled small bag you are thinking of). We are allowed 1 "Carry On" bag and 1 personal item, so typically (if I'm not carrying on my luggage for a short trip) I have a just a larger bag that I put my purse into that will fit under the seat in front of me. Sometimes it's a backpack (super easy to lug around since you don't need hands for it) and sometimes it's just an oversized cross body bag. What goes INTO that bag is what is important.
There are a few things that I've found I cannot live without:
1. a super moisturizing lip balm- lips get dried out during travel!
2. hand and body lotion
3. eye drops
4. earache drops (I use a naturopathic brand I found at Whole Foods)
5. gum and mints
6. my iPad loaded with books, magazines and music for entertainment with my headphones
7. a LARGE bottle of water (purchased at the airport after security)
8. extra pair of socks and extra pair of underwear- just in case I get stuck without my luggage somewhere.
9. my travel scarf- which is huge and doubles as a travel blanket, shawl, etc.
10. Snacks- I always grab a handful of my favorite snacks just in case I'm in a bind and starving. Those include individual serving packs of nuts, small packs of fruit snacks, individual sized bags of trail mix- things that are ok when squished or smashed during transit. I get super grumpy when I don't eat so these are a must.
11. 1 serving of a cold medicin/decongestant and 1 of Benadryl- I have terrible allergies and sometimes traveling messes me up and my eyes water and my nose runs like a river.
12. TUMS or other antacids because you never know.
13. My little bag of chargers- I have a tiny little cosmetics bag that I use to stash my phone charger, my ipad charger, a flash drive, head phones, etc
14. Small pack of Tissues
15. Small pack of handi-wipes or clorox wipes
Everyone has their favorites and items that make them the most comfortable.
Along with how I prep and pack for a trip, I've also learned a few "While Traveling" Rules. Some of these are guidelines for myself and others are guidelines I wish other people knew about because they do things that directly affect everyone else.
Here goes:
1. Go with the flow. It doesn't matter how well you plan or prepare, sometimes things happen. Just chalk it up to part of the experience and don't let it ruin your adventure- just think of it as a good story in the making.
2. Don't touch other people's stuff unless you have their permission. If I put my bag in the overhead bin, which is over my own head, that is where I want it. It doesn't mean you have permission to move it so your totally-too-large-to-be-a-carry-on-bag can be over my head instead of my own bag. Asshat.
3. Cover Your Cough/Sneeze and WASH YOUR HANDS. It sucks to have to travel when you are sick- I've been there. But please don't infect the rest of us!
4. Try New Things. Some of the best travel experiences I've had are because I decided to step out of my comfort zone and try something new. If it doesn't work out well, see Rule #1 and turn it into a good story.
5. Follow the TSA's guidelines and pay attention. Don't be the ass who holds up the line because they don't have their liquids in a separate bag so the TSA has to search them and slows everything down. Don't be the jerk who The rules have been the same for almost a decade now so we should all know them and be following them without confusion.
So I'm off to NY and then to California and I'll see you all in April!
