Posted on by Lenis Choi

Travel tips: some pointers to make your journey smooth and your return even smoother

Having the ability to travel is awesome!  Hoping these tips help you keep memories of the trip sweet and not overshadowed by the weird and wonky things that could easily go wrong.

Packing Your Suitcase

  • Packing cubes: These are the best!!!  An easy way to keep your suitcase organized and maintain room for the inevitable souvenirs.  You can find these at Target, Ikea, etc.
  • Clothes: pack for layers.  Regardless of the weather, you want to have some freedom…and ability to re-use during the trip.  I pack for a mix-and-match:  how can I re-purpose 5 pieces (2 top, 2 pants, 1 pair of shoes):  how many outfits will this make?
  • Pants & Blouses: pack these at the bottom.  You will have fewer wrinkles as the weight of your contents will act as a slow burn iron.  I pack my blouses with sleeves folded back only so I don’t have a fold at my waist; these are placed on top of my pants in the suitcase.  Everything else gets packed on top of these.
  • Your “Unmentionables”: Use a packing cube, a super-large Ziploc.  You never know if you will be randomly selected for TSA inspection…you also don’t know if the TSA agent wears gloves.  I don’t know about you, but the thought of a stranger bare-handedly touching my intimates makes me gag. And pack more than what you think you need.  Trust me.
  • Liquids: if you lean towards control-freak on the spectrum and pack your shampoo & conditioner – squeeze the bottle until content hits the opening, then shut.  You have now created your own vacuum pack of liquids that will (most likely) not explode while in an airplane.  Toss into a plastic bag just in case you didn’t squeeze enough.  No one wants to start their vacation with soggy panties.

  • Luggage tags: Luggage tags serve 2 purposes – in case there is a screw-up, the airline will know the home address of your suitcase and it will make it easier to spot at baggage claim.  Find a luggage tag that is YOU. A good assortment can be found at Amazon.com.
  • Luggage locks: Make sure that they are TSA approved.  Having extra precautions is never a bad thing.  I also use the lock to keep valuables safe in the hotel room instead of using the hotel’s room safe.
  • Valuables: Never ever pack them in your suitcase.  Take them onto your carry-on.  TSA may be great at checking for contraband, but there are too many stories about their sticky fingers to make me completely comfortable.
  • Poopouri: Trust me.  You want this.  Our bodies are capable of great and wonderful things.  Our bodies are also capable of producing nuclear explosions.  Poopouri will minimize the fallout.  You can even make your own using your favorite scent. Here’s a recipe.

 

 

Before You Go…last minute checklist

  • Passport & Itinerary: Leave a copy with a trusted one at home.  Also take a picture, if you are taking your phone.  Just in case…..
  • Weather: check the day before you leave just in case you need to make last-minute changes to accommodate weather change.  I forgot to check once and paid the price.  Packed for winter, did not see the change to warmer weather and spent the entire 2 weeks trying not to sweat.
  • Back-up: extra batteries & SD cards for cameras.  Pack ‘em.  (these can go into the suitcase)
  • Entertainment: are your music files & Kindle updated?  Did you download movies for the kids?  Enough earbuds/headphones to go around?
  • Money: if traveling abroad, it’s always helpful to have currency available for taxi, tips, water, food, etc.  Most banks will exchange at the current exchange rate for free with a required minimum.  It usually takes 2-5 business days.
  • Credit cards/ATM: don’t forget to call your credit card company for notification of travel.  Some banks also have an online feature.  ATM cards:  same rule.  Avoid the unwanted hassle of unlocking your card because you forgot to set notifications.
  • Snacks:  pack ‘em.  Or buy at the airport.  I was on a 14-hour flight once and airline food was disgusting…think look & smell of wet cardboard.  The snacks saved my life – and the sanity of my sister.

  • Panties: Leave 4-5 of your good ones at home.  Don’t pack them all.  You don’t know when you’ll be able to do laundry and you don’t want to find yourself in Panty Purgatory.  I have been stuck wearing my “fun” ones to work because I did not plan well….I was uncomfortable and self-conscious all day.
  • Pants & Shirts: Leave a couple of the good ones behind.  See reason as above.

  • 1 Pair: panty & socks in your carry-on.  Just in case….  Plus, if you wear flats/sandals on the plane and need to take them off for security checkpoints, you don’t have to walk in steps of a sweaty-footed person.   I will take off shoes, put on socks & walk through security.  If you have really old, but clean & trusty socks, take those – you can toss after walking through security.
  • Toilet seat covers: nothing is worse than crouching over the toilet in the plane during turbulence.  They can be found at most local drug stores; if you’re cheap, “borrow” a couple from the airport’s bathroom.
  • Please & Thank you: you may not speak the language and have mastered the art of pantomime & pointing.  BUT “Please” and “Thank you” are the easiest words to learn.  They are also the words you will (hopefully) use the most.

 

2 Things to ease your transition home

  • Bed linen: change them before you go.  Nothing beats slipping into crisp clean sheets when you are home from vacation.
  • Meals: prep and freeze a meal or 2 (casseroles are the best).  This way you are guaranteed food upon your return.  I usually plop my suitcase down, head straight to the freezer and pop in microwave/oven, then greet my kitty and move suitcase to the bedroom.  I have turned the air blue a few times when hauling my butt into the car for a trip to McDonald’s after realizing there is NOTHING to eat at home.