The Basics

Continued from Wednesday, March 5’s post, How to Travel Like a Goddess – Part 1. Read that one first, then catch this one.)

* Bring all of your essentials with you in your carry on. IMPORTANT! After my recent Bahamian flying disaster, I learned that. If you need medicine, bring it with you. If your baggage misses your connection, you’re TOAST. Pack your camera, cell phone, laptop, etc. in your carry on. I know this seems basic but it is often overlooked. Not to get too graphic, but consider packing a compact toothbrush and paste along with a change of underpants in your carry on. Seriously. This will make a world of difference if you’re stranded in Beijing late night without your bags. Yes, you can always buy underwear but depending on where you’re traveling it can be difficult. I love to go to Asia, like constantly. If I had to buy underpants in Asia it would be a disaster of near catastrophic proportions and take me a month. Asians are approximately half of my width and height. This is simply a fact. No Asian underwear is ever going to make it over my delightful thighs so bring your own. (While we’re talking about Asia, I swear the continent manufactures no sugar products so if you need chocolate, forget it. This would count as one of my emergency carry on items FOR SURE. Bring chocolate for Asia.)

* Bring an assortment of entertaining activities. I like a couple of types of magazines (USWeekly and People are the same type, UsWeekly and Martha Stewart Living are a better combo because you don’t know what mood you’re going to be in.) Also bring your laptop. Your laptop will most likely play DVDs so bring a couple of those so you can watch movies. Bring your little ear buds too (these will usually work to watch airline movies so you don’t have to pay for the headsets.)

* Travel with food. Remember, the rubber chicken days are over. If you get a little snack pack of cookies from the airline you’ll be very lucky. Purchase ahead of time some kind of somewhat healthy situation to bring on board. This morning I had a big craving for a Cinnabon. Shocker, I indulged. Not smart. Airline air + lots of sugar + challenging seats = something not good. I don’t know why, but try and bring at least one quasi-fruit or vegetable type product; you’ll really feel better.

* Take along some Airborne. This stuff is great. It was created by this teacher who kept getting sick being around kids all the time. I swear this natural kind of vitamin C infused Alka Seltzer works. Stock up because if you don’t you’ll end your trip with the flu.

* Important parting message: An apple + clean underpants = bliss.

Airplane illustration compliments of Google Images.