Tag: Wanderlust

Make-up Travel Tips for Carry-Ons

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Traveling long distance flights are tedious. Within six hours of your flight, you are so restless. When booking flights , I look for flights that correlate to my body rhythm of home.  even though the flying time zone is day, my body says good night. With that in mind, my booked flights are planned that I will fall asleep naturally after  6 to 7 hours into the 18 hour flight. The first hours are usually layovers and flight changes and by 8 hours into the trip, I am settled for the flight over the ocean, whichever one it might be.

After dozing awhile, you need a break, whether it is to walk up and down or just make it to the restroom, you need to move your legs.  And there are certain items you NEED in your carryon.

 Purchase all travel size items. Make it easy on yourself as you go through customs. Have items in a clear plastic container. Remember the rule   3-1-1 of   TSA.  All liquids must be in a resealable  container that is 3.4 ounces or less and  all containers must fit in one clear, plastic, resealable 1-quart-sized bag.  Simple .

Confiscated in Carry-On Luggage

For more information on what can be in a carry on,  check out this great site.

Your non liquid items can be carried on have no limits You can organized them in your bag as you normally would. For faster moving through customs, I have separate clear bags and lay them both (liquid and non-liquid) in the container with the items I don’t want x-rayed.  I found it goes much more smoothly.

What’s in those bags ?    Travel size toothbrush and paste, mints, facial wipes with cleanser, baby powder, stick deodorant,  moistures, lip balm,  mascara, small hairbrush and tieback for hair. A scarf or roll-up ball cap helps if your hair just won’t cooperate and sunglasses.  That’s it. Knowing the flight is just for getting to your destination, all you really need are the essentials that will help you survive till you get to your room.

What other items make traveling easier ?  This post is packed with items to carry you through your flight and stay. Check it out, if you have time.

Charming Italy

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Italy.  I was told before going to expect the unexpected.  And believe me, that is true.  Our destination was Pistoia  It  is a small city and within an hour’s drive from Florence. The streets of downtown are very very narrow and no thru traffic is allowed into the downtown of the historic section. This historic town is well preserved and there was much to see and visit. I knew I wouldn’t be able  to see it all, since my visit was short and business. Being an outsider, I noticed immediately that I was watched. When I introduced myself as an American, people became curious and asked me questions about America. They only see Americans as what they find on the media. Their images are Americans are rich, fast paced, and techy savvy.   I didn’t  fit any of these adjectives.  They do watch everything you do and how you do it, which didn’t surprise me, as in Qatar , I had the same experience.  But it did surprise me.   The people are friendly if they think you have money.

Italians love to be outside and there are outdoor markets and cafes throughout the streets of Pistoia. Italians dress very well.  The wines are fantastic and sitting in the cafes is actually a leisurely past time for them. This is much the same as in Qatar, only the men sit together with chia . Here in Italy, it is wine and men and women sit together. Italians are loud. They yell and are very animated. That is saying it kindly.  

For me sitting in the ancient piazzas and seeing the beautiful works of art were breath taking. Pistoia is pretty. It is off the beaten path, which made it even more attractive to visit. The historic center of town is accessible by foot, which was great. I set my sights on the Cathedral of San Zeno. On the flight over, I had been researching what to visit. The Cathedral and the Bell Tower were on my list. I also wanted to visit the Pistoia Underground. It is a guided tour and I had to buy my ticket inside a hospital.  Underground, you see the smallest amphitheater in the world. The medieval washhouses and ancient mills. Simply amazing. The best of this tour was seeing the old entrance of Pistoia.

Pistoia Underground Museum: Source:Underground Pistoia

Entering the Cathedral of San Zeno , I felt humble. The frescoes are simply break taking and look so alive , even after all the centuries. I was thinking as I listened to our guide, how many had walked this hallway and entrance to the altar for communion , celebration, worship.  Another perceptive of origins and where we are as a people today. Is today  any better than in the tenth century ?  So much was explained in the tour, I couldn’t begin to write it all as I was mostly absorbing the magnificent of the cathedral.  If you want to know more about the history, please check out this link.

Of course, you can’t leave Italy without have gelato. The shop was called  Gelateria Voronoi and we had the pistachio flavor.  Lunch was at La Bottegaia.  If you are a traveler that loves the path less taken and have a love for mystery, this town is the perfect visit. It is full of history and the old blends into the new.

Now back to the states.

Crossing Countries  Global Peace.

Categories: Ponderings

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Pack Your Bags

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I love this little story. My husband and I travel quite a bit. We are sitting in a restaurant in Japan. The waitress asked what we would like to drink. My husband replies soğuk su. I laugh. Definitely he has travel warp. Traveling all over the globe and living in a foreign country , you absorb their culture and language. He laughs too and points to the menu. We hadn’t learned the word for water in Japanese yet. Yep, the next stop will be to learn Japanese.

Traveling globally in the past six years gives you knowledge of what you need and don’t really need for your stay.

Here is my list of “I need” when traveling.

My passport and immunizations chart in a passport cover. I love my passport cover. Not only does it keep my passport looking new, but it has document slots inside that I can carry cards, and other id. This is a must on your list.

Image 1 of Ban.Do I

BAN DO | Ban.Do I’m Outta Here Passport Holder at ASOS

 

Tags for your luggage.

You want to tag your luggage. You want to tag it inside and out. There have several trips I made it to my destination and my luggage took the scenic route.

And there have been times when it arrived, you can tell it had been inspected thoroughly along the way. I actually have my home address and contact numbers laminated inside my luggage just in case the tags gets lost .

My favorite tags are  

Abas Glitter-Leather Luggage Tag & Passport Sleeve

You can add your initials and with the sparkly tag, it reflects when going around on the luggage run and easily spotted.

A clear  toiletries holder.

I learned this from my first adventure. When going through customs, they inspect everything. Some countries are more thorough than others. It holds everyone up when, you have a toiletries bag that has to be rumbled through. With the clear holders, the inspectors see the contents and no need of unzipping and zipping a bag. They appreciate it too. More than once, I have been thanked for having a clear bag.

Anya Hindmarch Inflight Bag | SHOPBOP

Good pair of sunglasses. And you want a sturdy pair. They will get a beating. Between being in the bottom of my tote and ipad on top, I wonder how they stay intact. My favorites are Brighton. Just because. My husband swears by his ray bans.

Brighton Sunglasses | Eyewear

Noise Blocker

I didn’t think this was important until flights became 18 hours or more. It is nothing more annoying than traveling beside a snoring person or a chatty kathy.

Having my noise blockers on, even with them turned off , you aren’t bothered. They are worth the investment.

Bose QuietComfort 25 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones

Bose QuietComfort 25 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones – 17710369 – Overstock Shopping – The Best Prices on Bose Over-the-Ear Headphones

Phone Charger

Having to plan travel around charging your electronics is a waste. It is like having to remember to put money in a parking meter. After two times of zero battery left on my phone, I said never again. I just love my Mophie

mophie ‘powerstation’ portable charger | Nordstrom

I guess this must-have is a given and need not be mentioned. But after traveling and watching others , I realized some don’t think of shoes. You need comfortable shoes. It doesn’t matter what brand. What matters is that they are broken in, fit your feet and have some cushion. Buy them before leaving USA. Shoes are more expensive in European countries.

My favorites are

Superga ‘Cotu’ Sneaker (Women) | Nordstrom

Last of all , the best investment is your handbag. This goes everywhere with you and it holds everything together. It needs a zippered top and many slots in inside. I use a shouldered one and wear it in front of me as a cross body bag.I know my bag so well, I can reach inside and feel and know which slots hold what. There are so many to pick from.             BGS16_V11DS

 

 

Givenchy Pandora Medium Leather Satchel Bag, Black   

Now it is time to pack. Wanderlust is calling.