travel
Pro-tips / lessons learned
Planning
have a list of things to do once you arrive, but not a schedule. That list is not requirements, just suggestions.
Foreign countries
First world countries (Canada, US, Europe, New Zealand) don't require visas or shots, whereas Nepal, South America, Central America, Africa do. Start visa and shot preparation three months before trip.
Notify your bank of foreign travel
Does your bank charge foreign transaction fee?
Sailing
In Greece and the BVIs, moorings get taken by the afternoon. You end up planning the day to get a spot
Traveling with a group: medical situations
Have emergency information available
2 copies of medical form - one for the person, another to stay with group leader
Form should include
Emergency contact name, phone, and relationship
Embassy phone number, duty officer
Health insurance number, phone
Travel insurance number, phone
International travel checklist
Passport valid a year past return
Visa if needed
Notify credit card of travel
Purchase flight
Print flight details
Purchase hotel
Print hotel location and transportation
Have good shoes a month in advance
Have relevant equipment
PNC bank requires at least a week to get foreign currency
Allow 30 minutes to get to airport
allow 20 minutes for security
Hiking
If you plan on hiking, start practicing a month ahead of time. With the boots and loaded backpack. Three times a week, in addition to normal exercise.
Flying
http://www.theflightdeal.com/
When flying, the airline occasionally overbooks the flight. Then they need to find a volunteer to take an alternative route at a later time ("bump"). As compensation, you are usually given a voucher.
Airline voucher redemption:
Make a reservation online with that airline
Place reservation on hold (do not pay)
call airline. Give them the flight details
send in voucher to pay for flight
Analysis of me as a traveler
Souvenir of choice : postcards of local sights
Goes to bathroom often
Drinks milk daily
Enjoys eating
Cheapskate
Likes sleep
Visited countries
US (family)
Canada (family)
Spain, England, France, Switzerland, Italy (school group)
Netherlands (family)
Switzerland (solo)
Germany, Switzerland, Italy (solo)
Fiji, New Zealand (solo)
Sicily (solo, paid)
Chile (solo, paid)
Tanzania (solo)
Canada (with friend for skiing)
Sweden, Denmark (with friend)
Iceland (with friends for hiking)
Peru (with girlfriend)
Observations about the Peace Corp in Africa
Food to send: wafers, crackers, twizzlers, life savers, oatmeal
Other: band-aids, envelopes,
Cost for mail: $44 for 4lbs,6oz
About me
I don't have the travel bug. I do seek novel experiences