This is how I set up an international trip. Some steps won't be relevant for you, but this is how I do it to get the most bang for the buck and make sure I have all the info I need. Check the visa and continuing travel requirements for the country. Confirm expiry date of …
Because I travel so frequently, I have a few things that generally just live in my suitcase so I take them on every trip. One of those things is a small packet with a collection of small items in it that have often been helpful. I will list some of them here. Nearly every trip …
Continue reading Packing: My small and useful “random things” pouch that comes on every trip
When I return from a trip and have my hundreds to thousands of pictures, it is always a slog to go through them all. But when I am done I have 2 main outputs that I always enjoy and can share with others. The first step of this process is downloading all the pictures from …
Continue reading Travel: getting the most from your best pictures
A few months ago I was flying back home from visiting family in New Jersey. Despite being pretty early in the morning, the line for TSA precheck was past the stanchions and partway down the hallway. A lot of us were somewhat disappointed by this long line as many of us paid and went through …
Found a fun site for finding books to read while you are in a country or before you go. It is oddly hosted on a car rental site run by the travel company Expedia. It's a list of books they recommend you read before traveling to a country. For a few examples: For the US, …
Continue reading Books to read before going to each country, with descriptions
Here is an interesting webpage, that gives you which books you should read when or before you travel to different countries to get a feel for the culture and/or history. It's a list of books they recommend you read before traveling to a country. For a few examples: For the US, it's Uncle Tom's Cabin …
Continue reading Books to read before going to each country, with descriptions
Travel where you don't speak the language If you haven't recently traveled to a place where you don't speak the language, you'd likely be surprised how easy it can be these days. First, it's amazing to see how well pantomime works. When we were in Panama, and I couldn't remember the word for ice (kept …
Continue reading Don’t be afraid to travel where you don’t speak the language
Hi everyone, I'm currently looking for a good Mediterranean cruise without a bunch of sea days (please send suggestions), and saw this quote. When you travel, even on a cruise with an itinerary, things can change. The port stop may be shortened. The excursion you want to go on is full or not as expected. …
Continue reading People don’t take trips, trips take people. – John Steinbeck
Updated 7/19 Because I travel so frequently, I have a few things that generally just live in my suitcase so I take them on every trip. One of those things is a small packet with a collection of small items in it that have often been helpful. I will list some of them here. Nearly …
I hate it when I go scuba diving or snorkeling or ride in an open-air vehicle of some sort and my hair really takes a beating and ends up with tons of knots or totally dried out (or both). I try to hold my hair in a clip or band to keep it from becoming …
Continue reading Taming damaged or severely tangled hair (with help from a tree goats climb)
1: What's the difference between TSA Precheck and Global Entry? TSA Precheck gives you access to the Precheck lines at U.S. airports. Among other things, this means you don't have to take off your shoes, nor remove your (still limited) liquids ziplock from your bag, nor remove your computer from your bag. This makes …
Earlier: Today I am at the consulate in Chicago to hopefully submit my Visa application. I am requesting a 10 year Visa, which I may or may not get. They decide the length of your Visa, but you can request different options, but they choose what they give you (if anything). So, write in for …
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