Followa few of my travel musts
ready for take off
if you are a frequent traveler like me, you probably have spent more than your fair share of time trekking through airports. barring the few times you may have seen me running through the airport like a crazed maniac to catch my flight, (I’M LOOKING AT YOU, ZURICH) these experiences don’t tend to be too bad. this is usually because a number of things go right AND many of them are because of my planning. in light of this, i decided to put together a check-list of airport essentials, that you might wish to put into your repertoire, whether it’s before leaving home or while you’re at the airport.
i always bring things to veg out with like books & magazines
number one: bring something to do while you are waiting at the airport and sitting for hours on the plane. for some, this may be just using your smart phone to play one of your many games like words with friends, solitaire or angry birds. BUT keep in mind, if the airplane doesn’t have WiFi, you’ll need other things to distract you. i bring music, magazines & a book to keep the boredom at bay. AND being a writer, i always have a notepad handy just in case i have a funny travel moment to document or find my creativity thousands of feet up in the air. actually, i usually do a lot of writing during my travels!
no matter where you are – grab some H2O
number two: buy a bottle of water once you’re through security. it’s extremely frustrating if you bring a big bottle of water to the airport with you, thinking you’re really sensible and prepared, only to have it confiscated the minute you go to security. i typically have this issue in between connecting flights. makes me SO crazy to pay for drinks only to have them taken!!! so to save any embarrassment, buy your water once you have gone through this ordeal and are on your way to the gate AND be sure to drink it before boarding your next flight or you’ll get it taken like i have a hundred times.
things lola always travels with – baubles, iPhone, flip flops, pashmina & moolah
number three: after all the long haul traveling i’ve recently done, i’m thinking compression socks are a REALLY good idea. i’ve never seen my feet & ankles so swollen than after my flight home from Asia and then to Spain. i also think that bringing a scarf, pashmina or blanket of your own is a MUST. you never know when an airplane is going to be frigid or that your fellow passenger will have a nasty cold that you’d like to cover your face from!
lola’s favorite jet lag remedy
number four: depending on where you are going, it’s always a good idea to bring on board any medications you’ll be needing while traveling and away. if i’m doing a timezone change of 3 zones or more, i always take No Jet Lag. BIG FAN of this jet lag remedy although there was NO HELPING me for my recent visit to Spain. jet lag definitely won the battle on that trip! some people need eye drops because the air on the flight is so dry. whatever your case may be definitely don’t take the chance of checking important prescription medications!!
carrying on the essentials for the ‘just in case’ clause
number five: lately, i’ve been taking some clothes in a carry on for a day or two of survival – just in case my bag didn’t make one of its connections. luckily, it has always arrived BUT this mode of operation gives me peace of mind. i also think any precious valuables should travel with you onboard. if it’s possible that your checked baggage is going to get ransacked by some kind of mystery security – i for one don’t want to trust that they won’t take my precious trinkets. FINALLY, probably the most important thing to remember to bring with you (BESIDES YOUR PLANE TICKET & PASSPORT – duh) is a sense of humor. air travel is full of obstacles that could make you MAD. better to laugh it off than to burst a blood vessel or worse, when dealing with all the unknown frustrations that air travel gives us all!
I wish I could just take my whole bag through… I’m trustworthy… aren’t I?
Hogga recently posted…Canadian Nature Through Instagram
i trust you but i guess to the rest of the world you seem kinda shifty! 😉
No “cute” bartenders young lady? Ha! Safe Travels !!!
hmmm – you have a point, Mike. they are always on my list – traveling or not. funny though, i’ve never encountered a cute bartender in an airport or onboard a flight!
Girl, you know I have to have my Bose noise cancelling headphones no matter how short the flight is. I can’t control the things around me, but I can control what makes its way into my eardrums.
Leah Travels recently posted…Revealed: The Italian Itinerary
yes…that’s true. i don’t have fancy Bose headphones but i do always travel with mine too. gotta listen to my tunes. they calm me down!
ummm, where’s the pink BOA? Hello?!
– Maria Alexandra
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MY GOD – you bring up an excellent point Maria. i do NEVER travel without my boa these days!! silly lola.
cant travel anywhere without an absurd amount of chapstick. weird character flaw. xo, the wino
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hahaha well i don’t think that’s a weird character flaw. i always have to have my lipgloss! let’s just say – one can be sure our lips are always kissable 😉
Great list Lola – they are all so important! On the only flight I didn’t pack extra clothes in my carry on, would you believe they lost my suitcase for 3 days!!! If nothing else, a spare change of location specific clothes are always in my bag!! If nothing else – it is a good insurance policy!
Happy travels!
Anita Mac recently posted…You Are Never Alone On The Camino De Santiago
yes, i agree Anita. i’ve really started to do this carry on thing more often.
AND that stinks that they lost yours for 3 days. at least it was recovered. that’s my worst nightmare – luggage lost forevahhhhh!
I know this will make me sound like a germaphobe which I’m actually not but I bring those antibacterial wipes and wipe the armrests and tray table. You always read that the tray tables in particular are super germy. My sis and I wear those ugly compression socks now too after getting massive cankles when we went to South Africa!
Kay Dougherty recently posted…Boston Travel Suggestions – May 2013
I usually try to fly with carry-on only, but sometimes I do need to check bags. I always have my laptop with me, as well as cleanser, toner, moisturiser & lip balm in the liquids bag, plus a pair of undies, some socks, a t-shirt, a hat and a sweater of some kind, even if I’m off somewhere warm as the AC on long flights means things can get pretty chilly!
I always pack a smile, too, but sometimes I find my eyes rolling at other passengers…
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headphones are a big must for me. Often I don’t even plug them in, but having them in my ears keeps people from disturbing me (and cuts the noise) while I’m passed out in my chair.
and I’m with Tom- I try to remember lotion, something to wash my face with (recycled air, yuck!) and dental hygiene supplies.
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