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Proper Trip Preparation
What to Expect When Traveling Abroad
Vacations are exciting,
but it's important to be prepared for the trip.
It's the eve of your trip and you are
really buzzin' with excitement and anticipation. You and your friends
have talked about it for months and now the day for departure has arrived.
So you stand in front of our suitcase/backpack wondering if you've
got everything for the trip. We are here to help.
No matter where you are headed or for how long, there are a few travel
essentials you must take with you. And not all of them have to fit into
your bags; some must fit into your head. We will start with the former.
Remember and repeat these words: PACK LIGHT. PACK LIGHT, PACK LIGHT.
A good rule of thumb is to pack half of what you need, then take half
of that out of the bag. Face it, do you really want to be schlepping
around a three suitcases on the train or dragging them up five floors
of narrow stairs in
Amsterdam? We recommend a medium-sized backpack with
detachable daypack. Measure the weight before you go by walking up a
steep hill. Remember, you can do laundry in other countries just as
you can do so at home.
What goes into that backpack or suitcase is essential. We will skip
the fashion recommendations and go with the basics. Before leaving,
be sure you have the following:
Passport. Also, make a laminated copy and keep in a separate
place. It makes it much easier to replace if lost or stolen. Don't forget
your plane/train or other transportation tickets.
Travel or sample-size toothpaste, toiletries and other bathroom-type
essentials. Why take an 8.2-ounce tube of Crest when a .82 size will
last two weeks?
Sunscreen and some type of hat. Keep in mind, though, that
in Europe only women wear baseball-style hats out at night.
 International credit and ATM cards. American Express and Visa
are welcome almost anywhere and ATMs have become the best source for
cash worldwide. Before departing, call your bank to be sure there are
ATM locations in the area(s) you are visiting. It's not a problem in
most major cities. AMEX and Visa machines are also plentiful and American
Express offices are usually easily located. To keep costs down, withdraw
at least the equivalent of $100 USD, as transaction fees can add up
after a while. Keep in mind that some establishments -- including bars,
restaurants and hotels --- don't accept credit cards, so be sure and
have enough cash on hand for those situations.
A comfortable pair of walking shoes and/or sandals. If you
plan to stay in a hostel, pack a "hostel sheet," available at good travel
bookstores.
Carry a big memory card. Digital cameras are a space-saver.
No longer do you have to haul around rolls of film. Get a pocket-sized
digital and, depending on the length of your stay, at least a 1GB memory
card. A 2GB is even better. Have it with you at all times – daytime
scenery shots, at a restaurant with friends (including new friends you
may have just met) and at night for those endearing "happy snaps."
A USD $20 bill. No matter where you are in the world or what
type of uncomfortable situation you may be in (aside from criminal activities),
producing a 20 of American greenbacks can generally solve the problem.
Any pills or medicine you may require. Do not, however, import
or export drugs to or from any country. All the American greenbacks
you or your parents can produce will likely not make any difference
if you are caught.
• Terrorism/Safety. Some put this at the top of their travel
preparation list. It's best to be prepared, cautious and to avoid any
potential hotspots. Stay alert to conditions and check newspapers regularly
to stay on top of any major worldwide threats or events. Current American
foreign policy has created potential tensions for citizens of the USA,
which can range from verbal abuse to outright physical harm. As a result,
Americans should be especially careful. HOWEVER, we don't recommend
not making a trip (unless under extreme circumstances) over a perceived
threat. Don't look over your shoulder or always expect something to
happen. Relax and enjoy the journey but don't let your guard down.
And speaking of Americans, this next section is specifically
for you.
When traveling outside the good 'ol USA, on't forget your manners.
The world is dotted with the "Ugly American" traveler who insists on
bringing his/her lifestyle with them wherever they visit. Face it, you
are going out to experience something different and not everything will
be like it is in the good 'ol US of A. Learn to appreciate the things
that make life in the States so great but don't get angry when you can't
immediately figure out the phones, the toilets or the fact it may take
a week or a month for a postcard to arrive home.
Learn a little bit of the language of the place(s) you are visiting,
or at least some courtesy phrases. You will be amazed at how far you
can get when at least attempting to speak the local language. This works
in remote towns and villages as well as at the tourist-socked Eiffel
Tower in Paris.
No matter where you are, don't fight the local customs. Enjoy them.
In England, for instance, don't order a brew, ask for "a pint of lager."
Learn this by eavesdropping on how people around the bar order their
drinks. If you are unsure of what to do or how to do it, simply observe
the actions of others. Or play dumb and ask an attractive member of
the opposite sex how it's done (this is a matchmaking plus as, it provides
an automatic entry to more engaging conversation).
Don't ever insult a foreign culture or country or brag about how your
way of life is superior to others. If you do, you will be amazed at
how soon you will be dining or drinking alone.
Also keep in mind that when you travel, you will encounter certain
individual habits that may not be to your liking. For instance, in Europe,
most people smoke cigarettes. Bars are smoky and can be initially choking
to those who do not light up. Most of us at PubClub.com are non-smokers,
so we can sympathize with the cause but this is one adjustment we must
make if we are to travel the world.
• Mr.
Sorehead: Frustrations of a Frequent Traveler
 PubClub.com
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The best part about traveling is that it's full of surprises. Yes you can plan everything, from the things you'll bring all the way down to the kind of car you'll rent from, say, car rental Ireland. However, a really worthwhile trip is one that's met with a lot of chance encounters, surprise experiences, and more. Don't forget, spontaneity is the mother of adventure.
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