Posted on by

You’re Packing What?

Packing doesn’t have to be an issue. You’ve probably read tips and more tips for packing this way or that way. Everyone seems to have their own tips. Take a look at a few of these…then let me know what works for you.

You don’t really need to pack all the clothes you think you’ll need. Try to stick to a simple color palette and work pieces around that. I pack clothes that don’t wrinkle and can be rolled for efficiency and space in my bag. I also know ahead of time whether there will be a washer available. If not, I pack things I can wash in a sink.

There is no need to bring things ‘just in case.’

Plus, unless you’re going to a very, very remote spot…there will probably be shops. So you forgot to bring more than one pair of socks. I’ll bet you can buy them.

How many shoes do you bring? How do you pack them? Think about what you will be doing and bring the bare minimum. If you’ll be hiking or walking where they will get dirty, pack them in your laundry bag to keep them from getting dirt all over your suitcase.

I also check ahead of time to see if there is a hair dryer. Hotels, Air B&B’s, VRBO’s will all list it on their website. No need to pack one if there is one there.

How about your extra lithium battery? It has to go in your carry on luggage. Your corkscrew? It can go in your carry on if it doesn’t have a knife on it. If it does, put it in your checked luggage.

Did you buy the latest travel gizmo or gadget? It looked so cool in the ads. Now…you have to pack it. Before you buy it, decide if it’s really worth the space it’s going to take up.

If you’re going outside the US, be sure to pack the one travel gadget that’s worth it. Your adapter…you’ll need it.

Posted on by

Ocean Beach and Wine

Wine tasting at 3rd Corner in Ocean Beach

Who would have thought wines from Greece, Sicily, Georgia (the country), and Lebanon would be so interesting and tasty? They were.

What did we taste?

Malagouzia, a white Greek wine grape, from Domaine Michaelidi. It was virtually extinct until Professor or Oenology Bassilis Logothetis re-discovered it in Nafpaktia in 1983. Delicious, it reminded me of a sauvignon blanc with a hint of semillion. Great for patio, pool, and summer.

Carricante, a white wine indigenous to Sicily, from Cusumano, Alto Mora. Late-ripening and grown on the steep slopes of Mt. Etna, it was a little more full-bodied. Don’t think chardonnay. Think a nice, food friendly drink with a hint of minerality.

Saperavi, native to Georgia, from Doqi. It was acidic and quite fruity, with a hint of oak. These grapes are also grown in the US in the Finger Lakes region of New York.

The one from Lebanon was a blend of Cinsault, Syrah, Cab from Chateau Musar in the Bekaa Valley. Lots of dark, red fruits came through on this one. With a smooth finish, it would pair well with lamb or prosciutto.

Posted on by

What Time is It?

If you travel very much, especially longer flights crossing multiple time zones, you may be aware of jet lag.

What is it?

Jet lag occurs when our body clock isn’t in tune with a destination’s light-dark cycle.

As we age, our circadian clock cycle might adjust more slowly. What do we do about it? Can we prevent it?

We really can’t prevent it. But, we can ease some of the symptoms. Here are few tips to check out.

Perhaps booking an evening flight will help. You will have the opportunity to sleep at a relatively normal time.

If not, you could adjust your routine at home for a few days before you leave. Eat and sleep at the times where you be traveling. If it’s three time zones or six, adjust accordingly.

When you get on the plane, adjust your watch or phone to your destination’s time zone.

When you land, eat at that destination’s time. If you arrive at 9 in the morning, have some breakfast. Even if your body thinks it’s only 4 am.

Drink some water. Then, drink some more.

Get some sunlight. It will help stimulate your body.

Try to avoid long naps when you arrive.

Try to get on your destination’s clock and schedule as soon as possible.

What are your tips?

Posted on by

Why Are the Trains Full?

Research holidays before you travel. Why? It may make a difference in your train schedule, museum pass, or highway closures.

Check for local and national holidays, parades, religious events, and major conferences. Sometimes banks are closed. Other times, train schedules changes. Some museums change their hours. In smaller towns, shops may be closed on a particular day or holiday.

Or…everyone is on holiday and the trains are full of locals headed to the beach.

If you are concerned about a major holiday, check before you purchase your tickets.

Posted on by

Read ID…Confusion and Clarification

Real ID Questions and Confusion

In just 19 months air travelers will need the driver’s license/ID card known as a Real ID if they want to board domestic flights, but as states roll out the new cards there has been both confusion and anxiety.

Oct. 1, 2020, is the day the Real ID law will finally be enforced. Conceived as part of 2005 legislation in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, it requires people to show security-enhanced IDs to pass through airport security checkpoints or to enter certain federal facilities, such as military bases.

You can, however, use your passport in lieu of a driver’s license with the Real ID logo.

Many states are marking their drivers’ licenses with a gold or black star in the top right-hand corner. They must also include an encoded machine-readable zone, similar to a passport. Many states already had this feature in use.

So, why the confusion?

If your driver’s license needs to be renewed, you will need to go to the DMV with your passport, birth certificate, Social Security card, or tax form AND two proofs of address.

A “regular” driver’s license won’t work when flying. You won’t be able to go through security. You can use your passport. Likewise, for all international travel…you need your passport.

If you’re like me, my license doesn’t expire for four years. The mandatory date for having my license as a Real ID is prior to that. Guess I will be taking my passport with me on domestic flights.

Posted on by

How Do You Travel?

When traveling, do you pay attention to what you do and how you act?

Check out these simple suggestions. Maybe you have more you’d like to share…

Don’t leave a mess. This is true whether you’re staying in a hotel, camping on the beach, tenting in a national park, or hanging out in a vacation rental. It is a good idea to clean up after yourself and make sure everything is back where it belongs before you check out.

Be respectful of the local culture. That means you may need to research local customs wherever you are going. Clothing, language, shaking hands, when to speak, and more. Learn some key phrases. Please and thank you go a long ways. If you say it incorrectly, at least you tried. You could always ask how to pronounce a word.

Have you engaged with the locals? Ask questions. Find out the best place to go for coffee or an afternoon spritz. Ask where the best place is to buy a few groceries.

Take photos…but enjoy the scenery. I’ve been in places where someone is trying to get the perfect shot. Guess what? There are dozens of people in their way also looking at the same thing. Don’t worry about your perfect photo. Enjoy what you’re looking at and get a few shots at the same time. Also check if you can use a flash when you’re in a museum or palace. Pay attention.

Shop local. Need a souvenir? Check out the neighborhood markets, street fairs, and local shops. I look for interesting spices and cooking gadgets to bring to my friends. Last time in Saint Remy, I brought knobs for a dresser. Make your shopping unique.

.

Posted on by

What Do You Do On Long Flights?

If you’ve ever been on a long flight, you’ve probably encountered some of these issues.

You’re sitting for a nine-hour flight to Paris. When you arrive, you notice your ankles are three sizes larger than when you left. What’s up with that?

Because you sit for so long, your ankles and lower legs will probably expand. The blood is beginning to pool in your legs and ankles. Since this is not something you want, try wearing compression socks on the flight. I swear by them every time my flight is over three hours.

Have you also noticed you are thirstier, your lips are more chapped, and your hands feel dryer, especially on long flights? It’s the low humidity in the cabin.

Bring your own water bottle. Empty it before you go through security, then fill it up before you get on the plane.

Bring lip balm and hand cream. You might need eye drops to help with your eyes drying out.

I’ve read our sense of smell is weakened on planes. Have you ever noticed that?

I’ve also read you can actually get a sunburn if you sit next to the window. I guess it makes sense, as we are closer to the sun. What are your thoughts?

Do your ears plug up and then pop? The pressure increases as the plane ascends. Yawning or blowing my nose helps me to clear my ears. What do you do?

Some people experience motion sickness every time they fly. Not just in turbulent weather. Why? Because your eyes don’t detect any upcoming movement, but your inner ear knows you’re flying. It’s the imbalance between your eyes and ears which causes the motion sickness. If you need, ask your doctor about medication.

Any issues you encounter when flying long distances?

Posted on by

State Department Alerts

Because I subscribe to the State Department’s Smart Travel Program, I receive alerts and warnings like the following one.

What does this mean? It means if we’re traveling to this area, we need to be more aware than normal. Keep you eyes open when traveling.

Exercise increased caution in France due to terrorism and civil unrest.

Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in France. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.

Demonstrations in Paris and other major cities continue in France and are expected to continue in the coming weeks. Property damage, including looting and arson, in populated tourist areas has occurred with reckless disregard for public safety. Police have responded with water cannons, rubber bullets, and tear gas. The U.S. Embassy is advising official U.S. government travelers to avoid travel to Paris and other major cities in France on the weekends.

Read the Safety and Security section on the country information page.

If you decide to travel to France:

  • Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and large crowded public venues.
  • Avoid demonstrations.
  • Review travel plans if you will be in France on weekends.
  • Follow the instructions of local authorities including movement restrictions related to any ongoing police action.
  • Find a safe location, and shelter in place if in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests.
  • Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program(STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  • Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
  • Review the Crime and Safety Report for France.
  • U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

Last Update: Reissued with updates to the Risk Indicators.