“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” -Agustine of Hippo
Once I was an unplanned traveler, but never again. As I’m becoming more and more of a frequent flyer, whether it’s for business or vacation, here are my essentials.
Preparing
- Know about the city. It doesn’t hurt to read a bit on the nuances, mannerisms, and do’s-don’ts of the place you are about to go to, especially if the culture is very different than what you are accustomed to. Also, watching the local news of that city is helpful.
- Check out the surrounding area of the place you would be staying at. Trust me, Google Maps will be your best friend.
- Keep a small journal to jot down small details about anything from currency exchange rates to the weather report, power outlet types, emergency contact numbers, etc.
Packing
- Make a list of the outfits you plan to wear. I also like to pack an extra spare outfit.
- Travel kits are always handy.
- Basic first-aid kit is a must, because accidents can happen.
- Keep a spare padlock and a universal power adapter in your carry-on luggage.
- If you are carrying cash, it’s better to distribute it in different bags as smaller amounts.
- If you are carrying a card, have a spare with you, in case it gets denied.
- Makeup essentials, a tiny perfume bottle, and facial wipes, to freshen up upon landing.
- Make sure you have all documents, passport, etc. and carry extra copies of them as well.
- I usually throw-in a book, because you never know what movies they have on the flight.
Upon Arriving
- Keep few hours spare on your first day upon arriving. Get to know the people and the area. For example, if the people have dinner by 7 pm, it is likely that most diners would be closed by 9 pm. Change your itinerary accordingly. If you are there for business purposes, keep margin for traffic, it wouldn’t be nice to arrive late.
- Also, find out about cheaper modes of transport. When travelling in a taxi, Uber, etc, check on the child-lock prior to sitting in the car.
- Deposit your important documents in a safety-box (if the hotel has provided it), and lock your luggage whenever you leave the room.
That’s it for my essentials (for the time being, I’ll add to it if more come to mind.)
Special thanks to Ahmed, Suaad, and Leena for contributing to this post.
Photo Credit: Visual Hunt .com
🙂 FTK
