10 Tips for Traveling

Because travel is my new middle name, I will share with you my latest tips on flying and packing and generally making trips better.

1. Don’t overpack.  My suitcase may have been the teensiest bit too full.  I know this because when the security officer at the airport had to open it to swipe through all of my intimate belongings with his magic bomb detecting wand there was a mini-explosion of my personal things all over the metal table and I couldn’t get everything back into the suitcase.  So I ended up grabbing a bunch of it and stuffing it into my purse, which made it difficult to cram under the seat in front of me on the plane.

2. Don’t “accidentally” carry a knife in your suitcase. (see above)

3. If you’re going to carry fruit in your suitcase, pack it in a ziploc bag.  I think you can figure out why, but if not then let me say that smelling like oranges everywhere you go isn’t as pleasant as it sounds.

4. Take earbuds.  Even if you don’t want to listen to music or audiobooks, have some earbuds ready to plug in so you can at least pretend to be listening to something.  This is extremely helpful when the man seated next to you on the plane decides that talking to you about his panic attack is the only way he can stop from freaking out about the impending doom he is expecting because he is positive the plane is going to plummet into the ocean at any moment (even though we were flying over New Mexico at the time).

5. Stay hydrated.  I always stop right after the security check point and buy a bottle of water.  I add a few drops of my favorite essential oil and sip on it through the flight.  The lady next to me on the way to my destination kept asking me, “How did you get a bottle of water through security?!  They made me throw mine away!!”  The first 5 times I tried to explain that I bought it after I got through, but she kept asking me so finally I said, “I guess I’m just really special.”  That quieted her down.  Plus I put my earbuds in.

6. Wear comfortable shoes.  I don’t have the kind of feet that appreciate being asked to walk through airports in wedges or high heels.  No, mine require orthopedic support which makes my sense of fashion go out the window, but I try.  I wore my OTZ shoes for most of the trip, but be warned that all of your friends may still have on wedges which will inevitably make you look like a weird dwarflike creature when you have your picture taken together.

7. Carry first aid supplies.  If you’re looking to win friends and influence people, always have Bandaids and essential oils at your fingertips.  Those wedge wearing women eventually need help and you can be there to rescue them.  Plus, I’ll bet I shared drops of Thieves or lemon or Slique with at least 15 people while I was at my conference.  If I ever visit the Alps I could just carry them in a little barrel necklace.

8. Take a jacket.  “Just because you’re from Texas doesn’t mean it will by 95° everywhere else” is going to be my new motto.  I got to Salt Lake City with some short sleeved shirts and lightweight skirts.  The last morning I went out jogging in 37° temps with a very thin t-shirt on.  By the time I got a mile down the road I was wishing I had wrapped my hands in hotel towels for warmth.  15 minutes later I thought about Googling “frostbite” on my phone but I couldn’t because my fingers wouldn’t work.  The lack of feeling caused me to twist my wrist and sprain it.  I wish I was kidding.  Maybe I don’t need to wait for my Alps vacation to start wearing a collar with a keg.  I should just carry it with me at all times.

9. See the sights.  Even though I am not LDS, I couldn’t resist taking an early morning jog around the Temple Grounds.  It is a beautiful place and I thoroughly enjoyed the flowers and fountains and sweet statues of mothers with their children.  This weekend I am heading to Chicago and I am planning to see a few sights there as well.  I am not sure what yet, but I don’t think I will have any trouble finding something interesting to do.

10. Enjoy yourself no matter what!  Even though the food at the conference wasn’t in my eating plan, I just enjoyed my snacks that I had with me.  And while it was cold on those morning runs, seeing the flowers was worth it!  One day my friend Kim from Today’s Creative Blog invited me to do a water aerobics class with her, but I didn’t have any swim clothes.  Then I decided, oh well, I am gonna do it anyway.  I just got in with my clothes!  Don’t let anything stop you from having a great time wherever you are.

What’s your favorite travel tip?  I have a feeling I’m gonna need it!

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