I thought it might be nice to
do an article pertaining to travel which might help
limit some of the stress that goes along with it. Most
travel takes place around the Holidays, and this
seemed an appropriate time. Also, as a frequent
traveler myself, I'm always surprised by how many
people DON'T enjoy the preparations. I love every
phase of the trip...I love the planning...I love
making charts, sorting and packing. I love making
arrangements I just love to travel! And, over the
years, I;ve become quite good at it. So...I want to
share some of the things I've learned that can make it
....well, if not fun, then at least easier.
PHASE I: Planning
A.) Make a chart on paper. Divide the
chart into as many squares as the number of days
you'll be gone. Date the squares, along with the day
of the week (Mon., Tue., etc). In each square make a
notation of what you think that day's activity might
be...(Mon/Jan 1: lay on the beach or Tue/Jan 2: visit
museum a.m. - Gourmet dinner p.m.).
B.) Now---decide what you, and your
companion, will need to wear each day for each of
these activities. Be specific ("red dress" or "shorts
and top").
C.) When your chart is complete, look
at it and see if you have written similar items for
more than one day or activity ? Decide of just one of
these items can be worn for more than one activity ?
You may have to change the chart a few times to get
things to work out correctly. Sometimes changing the
itinerary helps. For example: Wearing a skirt or pants
with a lovely top or jacket to dinner one evening and
then scheduling a daytime activity for later in the
week so that you can wear that same skirt or pants
with a casual top.
Having a versatile set is an excellent idea. I have a
sage green, 2 piece silk skirt and top. It's of great
quality, suede feeling silk, which is fully lined and
hangs beautifully. It's plain---no collar and no trim.
I take this set everywhere! On one trip I wore it
three times and I don't believe anyone noticed. I wore
it to a dinner meeting with a black linen jacket...I
wore it to a luncheon with a print scarf tied
loosely...and then, I wore it one evening with a gold
chain belt, gold jewelry, gold pumps and matching bag.
I felt good in this outfit and that's halfway to
looking good. Besides, it takes up almost no room and
weighs nothing!
If your trip is going to be more casual, the same
rules apply. Wear an outfit first to the more
important function---wear it again casually during the
day the second time.
PHASE II: Preparation
A.) With chart in hand, go through
your wardrobe and make note on your chart of
everything that you have. Make a list of the items you
need to purchase. Separate out the clothes that need
to be cleaned, laundered or pressed. Do all of this
tomorrow. Don't wait until the last minute.
As soon as everything is clean and pressed, make note
on your chart that it's ready.
B.) Cosmetics, toiletries and
medications are just as important to your travel plans
as your clothes. Don't forget anything. If you don't
have a cosmetic case to go with your luggage, invest
in one.
1.) Mentally
walk through your daily hygiene schedule and make a
list of all the items you will use. Make an X next to
the items you have enough of and purchase everything
else you will need...Here's an example of the things I
carry on every trip:
Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, eye drops, shampoo,
razor, face moisturizer, hair mousse, comb, brush,
band aids, ointments, Q-tips, nail clippers, tweezers,
scissors, tiny sewing kit, deoderant, body powder,
electric curling rod, hair dryer, aspirin, cough
drops, make up, nail polish, polish remover, emory
board, tissues, cotton balls, men's shaving foam,
after shave, sun tan lotion, feminine products, baby
wipes (great for removing make up), 1 bar soap, 1 face
cloth, 1 hand towel, shower cap....
2.) Don't forget to have your
prescription medicines refilled. DO NOT pack these in
the cosmetic case where liquids may leak and
contaminate the drugs. In the suitcase with clothes
are safest.
3.) Place liquid toiletries in zip
lock baggies before packing. Place non breakable items
between any glass items to prevent breakage.
PHASE III: Packing
I have found that two people can do quite well with
just 4 bags...a cosmetic case, a garment bag, 2
suitcases.
A.) GARMENT
BAG
1.) Use a sturdy, folding
garment bag, at least 3 inches; thick. Hang dress
clothes, blazers, suits etc.
2.) Place the shoes and
accessories to these outfits right in the bottom of
the bag. Before packing shoes, stuff them with socks,
underwear, hankies, belts, cuff links and accessories.
3.) Pack lingerie, hosiery and sleep
wear in the mesh compartments. Put in the bag a piece
of paper with your name, address, name of hotel and
the hotel phone number.
4.) Secure the sippers together with
a small padlock---remember to take the key.
5.) Place name tag on the handle. Do
NOT put your home address. Use your office address or
that of a friend or relative.
B.) COSMETIC
CASE
---After packing this case, fill any empty spaces with
socks and/or underwear.
C.) SUITCASES
#1 and #2
1.) There are
two ways to plan the packing of more than one
suitcase.
a.) His and Her cases with a mark on
the outside to identify which one it is.
or
b.) One for the first half of a trip
and one for the remainder of the trip. If closet space
is limited, or if you're frequently on the move, this
eliminates the need to open and close ALL the cases
every day.
2.) Beginning with pants, slacks and
jeans---place first pair flat in the case lengthwise,
letting the legs hang out over the edge. Place the 2nd
pair in the same way, but in the opposite direction,
letting the legs hang out over the edge. Continue
doing this until all of the pants that you want in
this case are packed.
3.) Fold skirts in thirds,
lengthwise. If it will fit into the case, lay it in
flat. It it's too long, then fold down from the waist
band just enough to fit.
4.) Fold shorts, tank tops, tee
shirts and pullovers. Lay on top of the skirts. This
is also a good time to pack your prescription drugs,
hair dryer and curling iron (placing these in the
middle of clothes will prevent them from breaking).
5.) If you have silk or other
lightweight tops, fold lengthwise in thirds. Beginning
at one end, roll up and place along edges of the case.
6.) Neatly fold blouses and shirts
and place on top of the stack.
7.) Now, fold the legs of the pants
up and over all the rest of the garments you have
packed.
8.) Spread a large garbage bag over
the top of everything. This will keep the clothes
clean and can be used for dirty laudry while
travelling. Secure everything in place using the
straps attached inside the case.
9.) Roll up underwear, socks, hose,
night clothes and fill in the empty space along the
inside edge of the case. Some of these items can be
packed inside of shoes.
10.) Place shoes inside shoe bags, or
small grocery bags, or even pillow cases. Lay shoes
evenly spread across top. Place a paper inside
suitcase with your name, address, name and phone
number of your hotel and also a name and phone number
in case of an emergency.
11.) Close and lock suitcase #1.
12.) Do exactly the same packing for
suitcase #2.
13.) Place I.D. tags on handles.
PHASE IV: At
the Airport
A.) LOSS
PREVENTION
1.) DO NOT use curb side check-in.
Although convenient, this is where most mistakes are
made and luggage doesn't always end up on the same
plane you are on.
2.) Check your baggage ticket to make
sure the destination code is the same as on your
ticket. For that matter, make sure the destination
code on your ticket is for the place you want to go.If
I hadn't noticed the DAY one airline employee put on
my bags I would have been in Daytona Beach, Florida
(DAB) and my clothes would have all been in Dayton,
Ohio.
3.) Check everything in at the
counter. There's no need to carry anything with you.
It holds up the lines at security and annoys everyone
behind you getting on and off the plane to have to
wait while you fumble with the overhead. Plus, if
you've got to change planes you don't really want to
be lugging or dragging something around.
4.) DO NOT put your home address on
your luggage tags. It has been known for a few
unscrupulous airport baggage handlers ( not the
majority...but there are some) to be part of a little
business that monitors the destinations on expensive
or good looking luggage. If the destination is
somewhere expensive, then they contact some friends in
the vacinity of your home and notify them that you are
away.
5.) Just in case your luggage is one
of the rare one's that gets delayed or re-routed (I've
never had this happen), try to remember something
specific inside each case because that will be a
question you'll be asked...such as "it has my
husband's favorite purple sweater with a button
missing, a torn elbow and YALE printed on the back".
B.) HEALTH AND
COMFORT
1.) The inside of an airplane has
100+ people inside a small space. Each person is the
potential carrier of a bacterior or virus that may
affect the people around them. People are bumping,
rubbing, talking, sneezing and coughing. Upon
take-off, the cabin pressure changes. If you have been
exposed to any virus or bacterior, the pressure change
can drive these from the nose and mouth into the inner
ear and sinus cavity. According to a medical report I
read a few years ago, the active ingredient found in
the AFRIN nasal spray can act as a barrier, preventing
this pesky little bugs from reaching the ear or the
sinuses.
---Before EACH takeoff, spray 2 squirts of AFRIN in
each nostril....I have been doing this for about 5
years and have virtually eliminated the flu and
bronchitis I always used to experience after a long
trip. It works!
2.) Chewing gun during takeoff really
does HELP to prevent air bubbles forming in the ear.
But then so do ear plugs or even placing your index
fingers in each ear and gently applying pressure
during take off.
3.) Bringing along your own little
travel pillow is certainly got to be healthier than
resting your face on those airline pillows that who
knows who the last passenger was that sneezed on it.
4.) Drink plenty of water before
boarding to prevent dehydration and painfully dry lips
& skin.
5.) Drinking alchohol before and
during a flight will make your skin dry and ankles
swell. Instead, why not save the cocktail until you
arrive. For a tasty drink ask the attendant for a
fruit juice topped off with ginger ale.
6.) Wear flat, comfortable shoes.
Worry about fashion later. It's really not very pretty
if you're hobbling out of the skyway with feet swollen
tight inside spike heels. Also, if there were an
emergency during the flight, the attendants would
confiscate high heels shoes....they do not want these
potential weapons flying through the air during an
emergency landing. And, what about after that landing
? The floor will be hot, you will be barefoot, and
everyone with sensible shoes on will be climbing over
you to get off the plane.
C.) SAFETY
1.) Do not try to carry anything in
your pocket or purse that can be considered a
potential weapon. NO nail files, clippers, scissors,
box cutters, jackknives, pen knives, pins, or sharp
and pointed objects.
2.) Do not carry anything aerosol.
3.) Do not combine medications into
one bottle or use those handy little daily pill
dispensers. If drugs are not in their original
prescription bottles they will be confiscated.
4.) Get to the airport 1-1/2 to 2
hours before take off.
5.) Please...don't make a scene
about these new safety procedures. These new rules are
for YOUR safety as well as the other passengers and
the flight crew.
D.) HAVE
LOTS AND LOTS OF FUN!
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