How To Survive Long Haul Travel
I spend a lot of time globe trotting and am frequently asked for tips on how to make long haul travel easier. Here are a few tips based on my own experience in world travel over the years.
When flying:
* Keep your passport and cash on your person at all times. A friend was visiting me in North Wales and told me she carried her passport in her jacket pocket. No! No! No! I designed my Companion Bag especially for travel. It's now used as the perfect little bag for a run to the grocery store or a day at the dog show but I've sold 100s of Companion Bags to Frequent Flyers. It has a pocket the perfect size for a passport and pen which you will need to fill out landing cards. It folds open to reveal a long zippered pocket that holds those computer printed e tickets perfectly. There's a zippered pocket slotted to hold credit cards and cash and a pocket to hold a cell phone or Blackberry. You need security but you also need easy access since you will be required to show your passport over and over again. It's small and made of supple leather and fastens shut securely. Hang it round your shoulder and keep it there until you get where you're going. Keep your contact info in there as well.
* Take a carry-on that will fit under your seat so you don't have to go into the over head bins to get anything. Take all meds and jewelry in that carry on. I use one of my shopper size handbags such as Irmina or Siani Shopper for this and also take a bigger carry-on like my Weekender to put in the overhead bin.
* Take important documents, a change of clothes, toiletries and make-up in your bigger carry-on in case your checked baggage gets lost.
* Humidity in the cabin is 4% and the long hauls kill my skin. Take moisturizer in a small container remembering the 3-1-1 rule (3 ozs or less-1 clear qt size zip lock -1 bag per person) & eye drops (my eyes get very dry).
* Wear slip on shoes since you'll be taking them on and off at every airport. I kick mine off in the cabin and don't want to be struggling to tie shoes anytime I get up to move around the cabin.
* Wear comfortable, stretchy clothes. Jeans get mighty tight after about 4 hours. How you pack depends on how much time you will be away from home. Pack things that don't crease and go together. I don't try to take enough to last the entire time. I wash things as I go so cotton is OUT. It takes forever to dry. Travel outfitters have some great traveling skirts and trouser sets that are very comfortable and dry quickly when washed in a hotel sink. In some countries a woman may need to have her arms and shoulders covered and wear a longish skirt.
* Take a good book on the flight in case they have a stupid movie.
* If there isn't a set in each seat grab a pillow and blanket immediately.
* Drink lots of water.
When you get there:
* If at all possible take a quad band cell phone. You won't want to use it much but it's worth its weight in gold in case of emergency. Give that number to the person picking you up at the airport.
* Don't even brush your teeth in anything but bottled water unless you are in a 5 star hotel.
* Don't eat fruit without peeling it.
* Take medicine along to help control Tourista if the worst happens.
* Take a small bottle of hand sanitizer along and use it before eating anything.
* Don't wander around by yourself. Big cities are dangerous as are some rural areas. Let your native hosts be your guide and then you'll be safe.
* Try the native foods you are offered at least once. They are one of the joys of world travel.
* Embrace the differences (i.e. inconveniences:-)). You're not in Kansas anymore.
* Have a great time!
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