"When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money." -- Susan Heller
I live in a small haven of beauty and harmony, right in the middle of nowhere which is perfectly fine if you want to get out of the rat race. But occasionally once in a while I do have to touch base with civilization and that's when it gets real tough. Driving 4-5 hrs to get to the nearest airport is definitely not how I would like to start my travel, but that's exactly what I have been forced to do lately.
If you are like me cosseted by male folks around you all your life ( I had a chauffeur for a push bike in one of my past lives), going away on a trip on your own may sound daunting even if it is just an over-nighter or an interstate one. I am now listing some bloopers that have caused me sufficient embarrassment and anxiety especially when travelling on a flight, and hoping that my words, even if they do not provide much insight, might at least bring a few giggles to my female counter-parts.
Thou shalt not commit the travel faux-pas
Unless you can carry off travelling with a broken travel case as the latest fashion in jet setting, check your travel case for broken handles or wheels. This check becomes mandatory especially if the last person to take the travel case was a male member of the family.
Thou shalt not assume the role of damsel in distress
Travelling light, especially when you are on your own is a sacred commandment to be heeded. Once you have packed your travel case, try lifting it above your heads, simulating stowing away the case on an overhead locker. If you are struggling, then it is your cue to remove those extra tops you have packed for an over-nighter. Mmm, is this because chivalry is slowing dying in this world….not likely, I would like to put my money’s worth on another plausible explanation…. most men are cautious and wary when offering their support as they do not want their actions to be misinterpreted as a sexist intention. Anyway why don’t we avoid further controversy and pack bags that we can carry?
Thou shalt heed the voice of the GPS
As the self-appointed navigator in the house, I still resist getting a GPS. A kind friend at work, worried that I was travelling alone, lent me her GPS. Now I had already done my home-work and knew the route I was taking – unfortunately the GPS and I were not seeing eye-to-eye on this front. As a result, I was constantly admonished and asked to throw myself on the railway track or do an about-turn in the middle of nowhere.
So if you are travelling with a GPS, throw away your inner compass and rely on the GPS to take you safely to your destination. Also if you are lead-footed like myself or just happen to drive a cop-magnet, it would help to pay heed to your GPS about speeding and camera alerts. You do not want your speeding tickets reaching home before you do, right?
Thou shalt use judgment for airport parking
For those travelling in your own car and struggling with the alien concept of parking, most airports make it even more confusing by providing short-term and long-term parking. Ensure you have picked the right parking lot as different prices are charged……believe me it takes the whole fun out of sale fares when you realise you have to pay double for parking.
Thou shalt not wear boots while travelling
I love my knee high boots, however being stopped and asked to remove them every single time I step through the airport detector, does not make them the perfect travelling companion. Especially when you are already late and rushing to catch your domestic flight, the last thing you want is to be stopped at customs and asked to remove your shoes. If you do share an umbilical cord relationship with your boots, at least make sure you have ones that you can remove and slide back on easily.
Thou shalt pick the front seats for domestic travel
If you are given the option of choosing your seats, opt for the ones in the front. Most domestic carriers flying out of small airports do not offer the flexibility of aero or jet bridges. Prepare yourself for the short walk on the tarmac and up the flight of stairs which is why it is preferable to choose a seat in the front of the flight rather than the back. You also won’t be subjected to the propeller or jet blast while embarking/disembarking from flights that still have their engines running.
That shalt learn to feed thy automobile
If are you anywhere like me getting your husband to fuel/clean/park the car whilst you just busy yourself with the only task of driving, it might help once in a while to learn how to fuel your car. This knowledge is vital especially when you notice that 20 or more cars have already passed you while you stand there, making a spectacle of yourself, battling with the pump and avoiding it getting jammed. Perhaps learning to read the fuel signs rather than going with just the nozzle colours might also help or else you would be spending a few extra dollars loading premium unleaded into your car.
Thou shalt travel with food, water and medicines
For those hitting the road for long hours after being on a flight, ensure that you load, if not yourself at least your car with sufficient water and food. Shelling out for medicine and food on the wayside convenience stores for more than what they are worth for would only exacerbate your headache. Besides stopping at these highway depots attracts unnecessary attention to yourself and the fact that you are travelling alone.
Thou shalt not covet your neighbour’s book
If you are like me who is incapable of staying still or falling asleep in a flight, then do remember to take some music or books with you especially when you are flying on those domestic flights where in-flight entertainment is not provided. Unless you have metaphysical powers or dabble in the darker arts and have mastered the act of coercing your neighbours to hand over their books or magazines to you, I would strongly advise you to travel with one.
Thou shalt be home-bound
Of course there is always this option available to you – weigh your alternatives while considering a travel and see if you can utilise technology, minimise travel and save yourself the hassle and costs associated with this.
That's it for now - feel free to add your own tips to this post. I am sure we will all benefit from a bit of free advice :)
I live in a small haven of beauty and harmony, right in the middle of nowhere which is perfectly fine if you want to get out of the rat race. But occasionally once in a while I do have to touch base with civilization and that's when it gets real tough. Driving 4-5 hrs to get to the nearest airport is definitely not how I would like to start my travel, but that's exactly what I have been forced to do lately.
If you are like me cosseted by male folks around you all your life ( I had a chauffeur for a push bike in one of my past lives), going away on a trip on your own may sound daunting even if it is just an over-nighter or an interstate one. I am now listing some bloopers that have caused me sufficient embarrassment and anxiety especially when travelling on a flight, and hoping that my words, even if they do not provide much insight, might at least bring a few giggles to my female counter-parts.
Thou shalt not commit the travel faux-pas
Unless you can carry off travelling with a broken travel case as the latest fashion in jet setting, check your travel case for broken handles or wheels. This check becomes mandatory especially if the last person to take the travel case was a male member of the family.
Thou shalt not assume the role of damsel in distress
Travelling light, especially when you are on your own is a sacred commandment to be heeded. Once you have packed your travel case, try lifting it above your heads, simulating stowing away the case on an overhead locker. If you are struggling, then it is your cue to remove those extra tops you have packed for an over-nighter. Mmm, is this because chivalry is slowing dying in this world….not likely, I would like to put my money’s worth on another plausible explanation…. most men are cautious and wary when offering their support as they do not want their actions to be misinterpreted as a sexist intention. Anyway why don’t we avoid further controversy and pack bags that we can carry?
Thou shalt heed the voice of the GPS
As the self-appointed navigator in the house, I still resist getting a GPS. A kind friend at work, worried that I was travelling alone, lent me her GPS. Now I had already done my home-work and knew the route I was taking – unfortunately the GPS and I were not seeing eye-to-eye on this front. As a result, I was constantly admonished and asked to throw myself on the railway track or do an about-turn in the middle of nowhere.
So if you are travelling with a GPS, throw away your inner compass and rely on the GPS to take you safely to your destination. Also if you are lead-footed like myself or just happen to drive a cop-magnet, it would help to pay heed to your GPS about speeding and camera alerts. You do not want your speeding tickets reaching home before you do, right?
Thou shalt use judgment for airport parking
For those travelling in your own car and struggling with the alien concept of parking, most airports make it even more confusing by providing short-term and long-term parking. Ensure you have picked the right parking lot as different prices are charged……believe me it takes the whole fun out of sale fares when you realise you have to pay double for parking.
Thou shalt not wear boots while travelling
I love my knee high boots, however being stopped and asked to remove them every single time I step through the airport detector, does not make them the perfect travelling companion. Especially when you are already late and rushing to catch your domestic flight, the last thing you want is to be stopped at customs and asked to remove your shoes. If you do share an umbilical cord relationship with your boots, at least make sure you have ones that you can remove and slide back on easily.
Thou shalt pick the front seats for domestic travel
If you are given the option of choosing your seats, opt for the ones in the front. Most domestic carriers flying out of small airports do not offer the flexibility of aero or jet bridges. Prepare yourself for the short walk on the tarmac and up the flight of stairs which is why it is preferable to choose a seat in the front of the flight rather than the back. You also won’t be subjected to the propeller or jet blast while embarking/disembarking from flights that still have their engines running.
That shalt learn to feed thy automobile
If are you anywhere like me getting your husband to fuel/clean/park the car whilst you just busy yourself with the only task of driving, it might help once in a while to learn how to fuel your car. This knowledge is vital especially when you notice that 20 or more cars have already passed you while you stand there, making a spectacle of yourself, battling with the pump and avoiding it getting jammed. Perhaps learning to read the fuel signs rather than going with just the nozzle colours might also help or else you would be spending a few extra dollars loading premium unleaded into your car.
Thou shalt travel with food, water and medicines
For those hitting the road for long hours after being on a flight, ensure that you load, if not yourself at least your car with sufficient water and food. Shelling out for medicine and food on the wayside convenience stores for more than what they are worth for would only exacerbate your headache. Besides stopping at these highway depots attracts unnecessary attention to yourself and the fact that you are travelling alone.
Thou shalt not covet your neighbour’s book
If you are like me who is incapable of staying still or falling asleep in a flight, then do remember to take some music or books with you especially when you are flying on those domestic flights where in-flight entertainment is not provided. Unless you have metaphysical powers or dabble in the darker arts and have mastered the act of coercing your neighbours to hand over their books or magazines to you, I would strongly advise you to travel with one.
Thou shalt be home-bound
Of course there is always this option available to you – weigh your alternatives while considering a travel and see if you can utilise technology, minimise travel and save yourself the hassle and costs associated with this.
That's it for now - feel free to add your own tips to this post. I am sure we will all benefit from a bit of free advice :)
