took my first “big” trip in 1988 while I was in my mid thirty's. I was a single mother, working my way through college as a cocktail waitress at an upscale dinner house in central California.
I found myself through circumstance, with an un-used first class ticket to Mexico. As a student at a State University, I investigated travel opportunities where I might make better use of its value. I found the college I attended offered a package deal theater tour to London that was right up my alley. Upon researching the trip, I learned I could have my unused ticket re-issued, back out the airfare from the package price and I was on my way to London for a cash outlay within my budget.
It was the perfect first experience for a novice traveler. All the travel details and accommodations were arranged. There was no language barrier, we had London Transport or “Underground” passes awaiting us and the city is extremely safe. We were allowed generous free time outside of our organized theater events. It was a whirlwind experience for a young, single mother who had grown up in a middle class, multi cultural neighborhood before air travel was affordable for a middle class family of 5 kids and 2 adults. The extent of our family vacations had been cross country trips in our old, green station wagon to visit cousins in Missouri.
Planning that first trip, I built a few days in at the end for a little wanderlust. With a young American college student named Kristen who had the same in mind, I conjured up a plan to head for Paris at the end of our stay in jolly old England. At the suggestion of a friend who had traveled to Paris the year before, our plan was to take the hovercraft, an arduous trip which is now made much easier by way of the English Channel Tunnel.
Once in Paris, we cabbed to the area where we intended to begin our room search. On the advice of my friend, we planned to scope out the local hotels and make our pick when we found one asking a reasonable price.
We stopped at a few hotels before the luggage we were dragging got the best of us. Schlepping an oversized suitcase, garment bag and shoulder bag down the street in Paris is a sure way to quickly learn how many clothing items you can do without.
But still, nothing will dampen my memories of those first three days on my own in Paris. My young companion and I stayed at the Mars Hotel where we shared a hallway bathroom and awoke to the aroma of French Roast Coffee and buttery croissants warming. I saw the Eiffel Tower, the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. I ordered steak tartar (raw ground beef) at a local restaurant where the French waiter showed me how to blend the ingredients correctly.
My appetite whetted, I have continued my travels making several trips accompanied by my daughter, Patience. I have since been to Germany, Italy Turkey, and back to France, making most of the arrangements myself. The internet, cellular phones and debit cards have made foreign travel immensely easier and more affordable. Doing the planning is part of the adventure even with an occasional botched reservation.
I knew few people who had traveled internationally when I set out to expand my horizons. So with common sense and a few ounces of caution, I learned as I went. Here are a few suggestions to pave the way for your journey.
Make a checklist of trip details you need to finalize before your departure. Start a “trip folder” with all trip details; reservation confirmations, payment verifications, contact information, addressees and a photo copy of your passport. Keep them in a file that is easily accessible in your travel bag. On my second trip to Italy I left home a bit unorganized. We had a side trip to Terme Di Saturnia arranged at a discounted rate through an American booking agency. The package was to include our 3 night stay and 5 spa treatments each. When I arrived at the property, the discounted price was not reflected in the hotel's reservation record. Thankfully, I had my confirmation. I enjoyed myself a lot more than if I had to pay the regular price which was double the package price. Since then, I have not left Home without a complete trip folder.
Contact your medical insurance carrier and confirm your coverage and special procedures for obtaining medical care while out of the country. Nobody plans to get sick. Know how to handle it in the event you require medical attention.
Contact your bank and credit card company. Ask them to note you are going to be out of the country. While in Turkey after not using my debit card for several days, I booked and paid for the next leg of our journey. My bank put a block on the card. While I appreciated the fact that they were protecting me against fraudulent use of my card, it did cost me an expensive call and minor inconvenience to resolve the matter.
Choose a good travel partner and be a good travel partner. Traveling with a companion requires effort. Don't let a rough moment or two ruin an otherwise great trip. There is no rule that you must do everything together. You may find going on your own adventure will add to the enjoyment of your trip. On our last night in Istanbul I took a cab across town and had a dinner in the bar of the once luxurious, Pera Palace Hotel where Agatha Christie wrote her famous novel, Murder on the Orient Express. My daughter had no interest in going and my trip would have been incomplete without that experience. I could imagine the glory days gone by when the likes of Greta Garbo, Mata Hari and Ernest Hemingway sat in the very same bar.
Dress for the airplane flight. I have what I consider my “travel uniform”. The less metal, the better. We can all live without security delays. Keep in mind most airports require you to remove your shoes so make sure they are easy to slide in and out of. It also makes one more conscious of making sure their socks are a matched pair and have no holes. Sadly, terrorism has altered air travel forever. Just live with it.
Pack a few emergency items in your carry on. I always carry 2 pair of underwear and 2 lightweight shirts plus toiletries, (samples come in handy with airlines restricting liquids) including a toothbrush and travel hairbrush. You may be grateful to have an extra change during a long flight, especially if departing and arriving in different weather conditions. Wear comfortable undergarments. If your luggage has to catch up with you, you'll manage fine for a few days.
Pack smart and light. It can be done. I never take more than a 22” expandable suitcase plus a carry on. Layering clothes allows you to adjust to climate variances. You never know when the weather may turn unseasonably hot or cold. Think lightweight and hand washable. A few drops of shampoo in a washbowl works perfectly well to hand wash a few items along the way. Reduce the space of boxed items by un-boxing and placing in zip lock bags. Pressure changes can cause some packed liquids to leak. Minimize the risk by placing them inside zip lock bags before packing.
Wear long pants on the plane trip. You will be better protected wearing long pants than shorts or a skirt, God forbid the need to evacuate the plane should arise. I picked up this tip in an airline magazine years ago when I traveled extensively for Business. I have followed it ever since. I also check for the nearest exit once seated on my flight.
Pack an empty, lightweight back pack. It is a great replacement for a handbag on day trips. It will also come in handy for the trip Home when you need to make extra room for purchases you have made.
Be flexible. Know that you are in a country that is not your own and things may be different than what you are used to. Being courteous and polite works even when you don't speak the same language. Act like an ugly American and you are sure to be treated like one.
