TRAVEL TIPS
- Try traveling with a simple, rubber door-stop. It can stop intruders in their tracks. It’s inexpensive, light to pack and gives you the peace of mind to sleep well. The main door to your room usually has a good lock and peephole; some also supply a bar chain. But, if there is an adjoining room, that door usually has a fairly flimsy lock. The doorstop is especially useful in those situations.
- Try taping a foot-long piece of duct tape around a pencil to stick in your bag. It can fix so many things. If a strap on a sandal snaps or a purse handle breaks, it is duct tape to the rescue!
- Store all liquid products like shampoo, hairspray, etc. in zip lock baggies when packing. Many of these items can explode easily (some may explode from the high altitudes of flying) and the baggies will protect your other items.
- Foot problems are a painful part of the frequent-flyer lifestyle. Long hours of walking in airports, through convention halls or on uneven surfaces can lead to blisters. Band-aids often slip off toes and heels, so try packing thin moleskin instead. Buy the soft self-adhesive sheets at a grocery or drugstore, cut them into small squares and keep them in your purse or briefcase. If your shoe starts to rub, cover the area right away before it turns into a nasty blister.
- Make at least 2 photocopies of each and every travel document that you have: Driver’s License; itinerary, passport, etc. Give one set to a family member at home and keep one set in your purse or bag (separate from the originals). This is in case your originals are lost or stolen.
- If you are visiting a theme park/amusement park and you plan on riding the water attractions, pack extra dry socks for the family in a large zip lock bag. You can switch out the wet socks for the dry ones after riding.
- Bring a small flashlight. You never know when you’ll suddenly be “in the dark” and find yourself in unfamiliar surroundings. At night, keep your flashlight by your bed. A headlamp flashlight frees the hands for other actions as well.
- Do not flash your passport in public. Discreetly show important documents to officials only.
- Always bring a pair of flip flops (or thongs), or surf slippers. You never know when you may need some temporary “shower shoes.”
- Take an inflatable travel pillow: when in flight, place the pillow under your chin to support your head if you nod asleep. At your destination, place the pillow inside the pillow slip with “Mickey Mouse’s ears” pointing to the top of your head—you have just created a temporary contour pillow!