Pre Departure Preparations
Learn the language
When traveling, even making the smallest effort to communicate in the local language can go a long way, especially if it is your first time traveling alone. Remember; if you are in their country and can’t speak their language, that is your problem, not theirs.
Some useful phrases to learn are:
Hello
Sorry
Thank you
Good bye
Bathroom/toilet
Exit (so you can find your way out of stations, airports etc)
As well as this, when communicating without the aide of being able to speak the language, having polite body language and smiling goes a long way. Also if you can’t speak the language, keeping your voice at a regular level and not yelling will make the interaction run much smoother.
There are many translation apps out there, so having one of these could help you in a long way, as well as creating a translation cheatsheet. We have included a link to the comprehensive and free Google Translate.
Google Translate for iPhone
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-translate/id414706506
Google Translate for Android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.translate&hl=en
- Learn the few key phrases
- Make a translation cheatsheet
- Download a translation app
Weather and climate of the place you’re going
The issue of packing has been strongly debated many time, since the first person traveled abroad away from home. Essentially packing effectively comes down to three things:
Pack less overall, but pack smarter
Pack more underwear
Pack for comfort first
The idea of this is that you will never need as much stuff as you thought you did – primarily out of necessity, because washing may not always be a day or two away. You will rarely need more than 1 pair of shoes or more than one dressy outfit, you will soon become at peace with wearing something more than once, and you will always need more underwear and more socks than what you’d planned for.
Items that can have multiple uses are a must – a scarf can act as sub protection, for warmth, and even as a makeshift towel. An oversized hoodie can be used for warmth, as a pillow, or to cover your eyes when you’re trying to catch some sleep on the plane.
Check luggage allowances – You need to be aware that you will be carrying this bag at times, and airlines do have weight limits. If taking multiple flights with different carriers, check ALL the weight limits of your flights so you don’t get caught out.
If you have a travel partner – It is a good idea to put an outfit in their bag and one of their outfits in yours, incase one of lost luggage – then at least you have a fresh outfit to wear until you can sort something out.
For dirty clothes – Get some big zip lock bags so they don’t affect the clean clothes that are yet to be worn.
Some random but useful items to have in your luggage (not carry on) are superglue, a headlamp and a swiss army knife. It is amazing how often these come in handy.
CHECKLIST:
-
Pack more underwear
-
Check weight limits for all flights
-
Get some big ziplock bags
-
Pack an oversized hoodie, a headlamp, a Swiss Army Knife, and superglue
The guys over at Smarter Travel have come up with this print friendly list which is a great start for your travel packing list!
http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/the-ultimate-packing-list.html?id=13784603
The issue of packing has been strongly debated many time, since the first person traveled abroad away from home. Essentially packing effectively comes down to three things:
Pack less overall, but pack smarter
Pack more underwear
Pack for comfort first
The idea of this is that you will never need as much stuff as you thought you did – primarily out of necessity, because washing may not always be a day or two away. You will rarely need more than 1 pair of shoes or more than one dressy outfit, you will soon become at peace with wearing something more than once, and you will always need more underwear and more socks than what you’d planned for.
Items that can have multiple uses are a must – a scarf can act as sub protection, for warmth, and even as a makeshift towel. An oversized hoodie can be used for warmth, as a pillow, or to cover your eyes when you’re trying to catch some sleep on the plane.
Check luggage allowances – You need to be aware that you will be carrying this bag at times, and airlines do have weight limits. If taking multiple flights with different carriers, check ALL the weight limits of your flights so you don’t get caught out.
If you have a travel partner – It is a good idea to put an outfit in their bag and one of their outfits in yours, incase one of lost luggage – then at least you have a fresh outfit to wear until you can sort something out.
For dirty clothes – Get some big zip lock bags so they don’t affect the clean clothes that are yet to be worn.
Some random but useful items to have in your luggage (not carry on) are superglue, a headlamp and a swiss army knife. It is amazing how often these come in handy.
- Pack more underwear
- Check weight limits for all flights
- Get some big ziplock bags
- Pack an oversized hoodie, a headlamp, a Swiss Army Knife, and superglue
The guys over at Smarter Travel have come up with this print friendly list which is a great start for your travel packing list!
http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/the-ultimate-packing-list.html?id=13784603
Destination and Cultural Research
When you go traveling for the first time, you are going to notice something; things are going to be different – and really, that’s kind of the whole point, you have chosen your first time travel destination for a reason. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared, and there is even some things you will really want to prepare yourself for. The most important thing though; don’t let the potential for accidents prevent you from having a great time!
If you’re from a developed western country, you are pretty used to being able to drink water from the tap, finding toilet paper in almost every bathroom, and knowing what to expect from food and how your body will react to it. These are just some of the things that you will find could be different when you go traveling – and the only way to find out is to do your research.
Having an upset stomach and spending days in the bathroom, or worse yet, bed or hospital, can have easily be prevented with a little bit of research. Even if these things do happen, thanks to getting the recommended items in your medicine pack, you will be able to overcome these situations in as timely manner as possible.
If the local laws seem harsh compared to the standards in your own country, you still need to obey them. You can’t expect preferential treatment just because you are a foreigner. In some countries, not covering your shoulders/legs, or even having dual nationality is forbidden.
To get prepared, reading a guidebook or websites online will pay dividends – the small tips and hints of advice can make a huge difference to your trip. We have included a checklist of go-to points you will want to research, to make sure you will be prepared to have a great time!
A great resource is the destination advice that Lonely Planet offers – simply choose your destination, then look up interesting and essential information. Can be seen here:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/places
CHECKLIST:
-
Find out local laws – always obey them!
-
Is it ok to drink the water
-
Types of food – street food etc
-
Research local scams – taxi’s, hiring bikes/scooters etc
-
Bartering customs
-
Checking dual nationality rules for your destinations
When you go traveling for the first time, you are going to notice something; things are going to be different – and really, that’s kind of the whole point, you have chosen your first time travel destination for a reason. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared, and there is even some things you will really want to prepare yourself for. The most important thing though; don’t let the potential for accidents prevent you from having a great time!
If you’re from a developed western country, you are pretty used to being able to drink water from the tap, finding toilet paper in almost every bathroom, and knowing what to expect from food and how your body will react to it. These are just some of the things that you will find could be different when you go traveling – and the only way to find out is to do your research.
Having an upset stomach and spending days in the bathroom, or worse yet, bed or hospital, can have easily be prevented with a little bit of research. Even if these things do happen, thanks to getting the recommended items in your medicine pack, you will be able to overcome these situations in as timely manner as possible.
If the local laws seem harsh compared to the standards in your own country, you still need to obey them. You can’t expect preferential treatment just because you are a foreigner. In some countries, not covering your shoulders/legs, or even having dual nationality is forbidden.
To get prepared, reading a guidebook or websites online will pay dividends – the small tips and hints of advice can make a huge difference to your trip. We have included a checklist of go-to points you will want to research, to make sure you will be prepared to have a great time!
A great resource is the destination advice that Lonely Planet offers – simply choose your destination, then look up interesting and essential information. Can be seen here:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/places
- Find out local laws – always obey them!
- Is it ok to drink the water
- Types of food – street food etc
- Research local scams – taxi’s, hiring bikes/scooters etc
- Bartering customs
- Checking dual nationality rules for your destinations