RE #37 — I’ve found that you can indeed beat jet lag. https://stopjetlag.com has worked really well for me. Travel fatigue is another matter, and often confused with jet lag.
RE #38 — if you really have to be there, leave extra time for contingencies.
> Get some tiny bags (I like paper foil resealable bags), and put a few painkillers, antihistamines, decongestants, activated charcoal, etc.
If you're lactose intolerant, bring lactase. Sounds obvious but silly me thought that lactase would be available literally anywhere in a region of the world that consumes lots of dairy and has higher prevalence of lactose intolerance than the West. I was wrong.
re 10.: I found zip-off pants great for walking round cities; you need the warmth of longs in the morning, but being able to convert them to shorts when the heat comes on is invaluable. And you can stuff the stuff you've unzipped into the pockets.
I am convinced the author doesn’t have kids. Having recently changed from traveling with no kids, to 2 kids (under 2), kids are a huge factor that cannot be overlooked…
I think you may be alone on the 'washing your clothes in the sink' boat, in fact i think a better article title might be 'my anecdotal observations on travel'
Almost everybody on longer trips does this, the other options is typically a local laundry service which is more expensive + impractical (only runs at certain times). In particular if you change places a lot or like to be spontaneous, the impracticality can be a problem. For long trips, you simply can not pack enough clothes to go without.
If you are a man, the older you are will be in direct correlation to whether you want the aisle or the window. While at 20, 30 or 40, I was OK with either, At 71, my prostate dictates the aisle seat because climbing over two other people who are often sleeping or another thing they like doing five times on a two hour flight is not something you really want to. do. It is amazing how much my prostate and bladder rule my life the older I get.
Great advice, all except #40. I was a global Road Warrior for 10 years, and I always chose an aisle seat when I could. The advantages to me were legion.
42: people never believe me when I tell them my favourite thing about my trip to Vienna was a quiet and sunny Sunday afternoon spent reading on the grass in Prater Park. But it really is.
Fun list, and as with all such lists, I have quibbles.
"Obviously, planes and airports aren’t fun."
Some of us quite enjoy the bustling airport atmosphere. And even planes can be enjoyable if flying long-haul premium economy or, even better, business class. Long-haul economy is, however, miserable, especially for overnight flights.
"28. The human, after drinking liquids, must pee."
"40. Most people incorrectly prefer aisle seats to window seats."
Because of the truth of #28, the "incorrectly" in #40 should read "correctly" for any flight of 2 hours or longer, at least for those of us who try to stay hydrated on airplanes and prefer not to be a chronic pest to our seatmates as we keep getting up to visit the loo.
I actually like flying in airplanes a lot. It gives you a forced window of isolation to really focus on a good book. Other forms of transport (train, long bus rides, etc.) work similarly.
In most other situations it's very hard to dedicate yourself to it that hard for that long (6 hours+) because other commitments/social expectations/your own preferences (e.g. if you are at your travel destination I will WANT to explore more) are in your way
I agree, and I like your "window of isolation" phrase. Even when traveling for business, I never do work on the plane because I consider that "me time", whether I'm reading a book, watching a movie, or (if I'm lucky) enjoying the business class food & drink selection and lie-flat seats.
RE #37 — I’ve found that you can indeed beat jet lag. https://stopjetlag.com has worked really well for me. Travel fatigue is another matter, and often confused with jet lag.
RE #38 — if you really have to be there, leave extra time for contingencies.
Misread as “Ominous Travel Advice”. Please write that next.
Because I don't follow #28, #40 does not apply to me.
I like the last 2!
> Get some tiny bags (I like paper foil resealable bags), and put a few painkillers, antihistamines, decongestants, activated charcoal, etc.
If you're lactose intolerant, bring lactase. Sounds obvious but silly me thought that lactase would be available literally anywhere in a region of the world that consumes lots of dairy and has higher prevalence of lactose intolerance than the West. I was wrong.
re 10.: I found zip-off pants great for walking round cities; you need the warmth of longs in the morning, but being able to convert them to shorts when the heat comes on is invaluable. And you can stuff the stuff you've unzipped into the pockets.
Team aisle seat. If it's wrong, I don't want to be right.
is 12, "Clothes dry much faster with body heat" true, to the best of your knowledge and experimentation?
I am convinced the author doesn’t have kids. Having recently changed from traveling with no kids, to 2 kids (under 2), kids are a huge factor that cannot be overlooked…
yeah, kids make travel better! So fun to get to experience things through their eyes too. people way more polite to you, customer service way better.
And talking about kids with others who have kids is an even easier conversation starter than pets.
Great piece, however my involuntary typo detector requires me to point out the following:
- In #5, "not not"
- In #10, "fly you" should be "fly your"
- In #18, "would obvious" should be "would be obvious"
Thank you!
All fixed, thank you!
I think you may be alone on the 'washing your clothes in the sink' boat, in fact i think a better article title might be 'my anecdotal observations on travel'
Almost everybody on longer trips does this, the other options is typically a local laundry service which is more expensive + impractical (only runs at certain times). In particular if you change places a lot or like to be spontaneous, the impracticality can be a problem. For long trips, you simply can not pack enough clothes to go without.
If you are a man, the older you are will be in direct correlation to whether you want the aisle or the window. While at 20, 30 or 40, I was OK with either, At 71, my prostate dictates the aisle seat because climbing over two other people who are often sleeping or another thing they like doing five times on a two hour flight is not something you really want to. do. It is amazing how much my prostate and bladder rule my life the older I get.
Great advice, all except #40. I was a global Road Warrior for 10 years, and I always chose an aisle seat when I could. The advantages to me were legion.
42: people never believe me when I tell them my favourite thing about my trip to Vienna was a quiet and sunny Sunday afternoon spent reading on the grass in Prater Park. But it really is.
These are great. I would add just one thing. Buy an AirTag for your luggage.
Fun list, and as with all such lists, I have quibbles.
"Obviously, planes and airports aren’t fun."
Some of us quite enjoy the bustling airport atmosphere. And even planes can be enjoyable if flying long-haul premium economy or, even better, business class. Long-haul economy is, however, miserable, especially for overnight flights.
"28. The human, after drinking liquids, must pee."
"40. Most people incorrectly prefer aisle seats to window seats."
Because of the truth of #28, the "incorrectly" in #40 should read "correctly" for any flight of 2 hours or longer, at least for those of us who try to stay hydrated on airplanes and prefer not to be a chronic pest to our seatmates as we keep getting up to visit the loo.
I actually like flying in airplanes a lot. It gives you a forced window of isolation to really focus on a good book. Other forms of transport (train, long bus rides, etc.) work similarly.
In most other situations it's very hard to dedicate yourself to it that hard for that long (6 hours+) because other commitments/social expectations/your own preferences (e.g. if you are at your travel destination I will WANT to explore more) are in your way
I agree, and I like your "window of isolation" phrase. Even when traveling for business, I never do work on the plane because I consider that "me time", whether I'm reading a book, watching a movie, or (if I'm lucky) enjoying the business class food & drink selection and lie-flat seats.
also, dangerous to avoid drinking liquids if you are focused solely on the output frequency consequence of it, and not the hydration aspect