| For those of you that are out there traveling | | | | 6) Bring your address book/PDA. Maybe this one |
| over the holidays, I've compiled a list of things to | | | | sounds obvious, but important to have in case |
| bring aside from the obvious money and passport. | | | | you want to send a postcard or are scrambling to |
| You'll see that the common theme here involves | | | | get a hold of some information from home while |
| planning ahead. Hopefully, these suggestions will | | | | you are away (from your lawyer, doctor etc.) |
| help to relieve some of the stress associated with | | | | 7) This depends on where you live, but always |
| what is supposed to be a pleasurable experience: | | | | make sure you have medical insurance. Depending |
| 1) Bring one of those inflatable (or stuffed) neck | | | | on what province you live in, in Canada your |
| pillows. The inflatable ones take up no room and | | | | provincial health plan will only cover so much. You |
| are very helpful in avoiding inadvertently snuggling | | | | don't want to be stuck in a foreign country with a |
| up to your new neighbour or the hard plastic wall. | | | | serious injury or illness and no way to get help |
| 2) Carry hand sanitizer with you. It's no substitute | | | | (the insurance company will have a number that |
| for proper hand washing, but it will help to keep | | | | you can call right away). |
| you safe from invading microorganisms. Believe it | | | | 8) Get a bit of local currency before you leave |
| or not, even though you should wash your hands | | | | home. This helps with porter, cart, or taxi fees |
| before you eat, it's actually touching your eyes | | | | until you get to your final destination. As a |
| and nose with dirty hands that can make you | | | | side-note, this came in very handy when we flew |
| more susceptible to disease. | | | | into the opposite side of the island of Tenerife |
| 3) Bring proper shoes. This may sound obvious, | | | | than we were staying on, and had to take their |
| but if you'll be doing a lot of walking don't sacrifice | | | | public transport across the island to get to our |
| your feet for the sake of style. I learned this the | | | | hotel. This also applies to point number |
| hard way as I was running 270 degrees through | | | | 4--thankfully we figured out the bus schedule |
| the circular San Francisco airport during the | | | | online before we got there! |
| construction to catch my connecting flight. | | | | 9) Have a survival kit in your carry-on in case |
| 4) Bring a travel guide and map ahead of time ( | | | | your checked luggage takes a detour. |
| buy or borrow one from a friend, auto club, or | | | | Everybody's kit will be different, but mine includes |
| library) to get the most out of, and safest trip | | | | a change of clothes that can be easily rolled up to |
| for your money. These guides usually have helpful | | | | save space, hand sanitizer, a toothbrush and |
| tips and local emergency phone numbers. | | | | toothpaste, a paperback book, a couple of |
| 5) Have a phone card in case of emergency (if | | | | packaged snacks, and any prescription medication |
| you have a GMS cell phone even better). Always | | | | that you would need. |
| make sure to look up the country code and figure | | | | 10) A smile! You may not speak the same |
| out the right dialing instructions for you and those | | | | language, but a smile is universal (giving one will |
| at home (along with your itinerary) in case they | | | | get you further than talking slower and louder). |
| need to get ahold of you. By the same token, | | | | I hope that this article helps you to avoid any |
| you should figure out how to call out of the | | | | unnecessary scrambling, expenses, or stress on |
| country you're visiting before you leave home. | | | | your next trip. Happy traveling! |