Bring an extra car key – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

Road trips can be some of the best vacations ever. Don’t ruin yours by losing your car keys.

When I was an undergrad, one of my most memorable road trips was from Ann Arbor to Chicago. Although we had a blast, our trip took a turn for the worse when our driver lost his car keys. As a result, he had to take a four hour train ride back to campus, pick up his spare key, and return to get the car.

If our driver had an extra car key in his wallet, he would have saved himself a lot of trouble (and time).

Hey, gate lice — stop crowding the gate – Airplane tip

by Gadling Staff on

Your seats are reserved. There’s no circulating air until the plane takes off, and even if you’re the first person on the plane, you’re going to be hot, you’re going to have to move, and you’re going to get elbowed — and maybe get luggage dropped on you. Also, if you’re not the first person to board, you’re going to spend 20 minutes slowly creeping down the crowded walkway.

So… stay out in the relative open space of the terminal waiting area until the gate agents make the final boarding call. Or, at a minimum, wait until they call your boarding number before rushing the gate.

No one like gate lice hovering around the entryway — especially as the rest of us are trying to board.

Pack a flashlight (and spare batteries) – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

If you live in the US — or any developed nation — you’re most likely accustomed to electricity being readily available around the clock. Unfortunately, this infastructure may not be as reliable when traveling abroad.

My family and I found this out on a trip to the Dominican Republic where we stayed at a 4-star resort that lost power from the middle of dinner until very late in the night. There were virtually no emergency lights during the outage; it was extremely dark and unsafe. Luckily, I had packed a small flashlight that easily fit into the small purse I carry with me at all times.

[Photo credit: J. Ronald Lee]

Write down your thoughts – Souvenir tip

by Gadling Staff on

As a student in Aix, I kept a paper journal (the Internet was not nearly as hot, and those French keyboards really threw me!). Later, while backpacking through South America, I e-mailed home lengthy, descriptive notes. My friend dubbed them “1940’s Dispatches From Far Away.” And, now, wherever I go, I blog.

Recently, while visiting my grandmother, she produced a folder. She had printed out every electronic communication I had ever sent her. I read through them, laughed, and then immediately went home to find my journal from Aix.

Re-reading your stream-of-consciousness thoughts from “there”? That’s the best souvenir. It’s almost as good as going back.

Use a guitar case – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

A worthy and creative packing idea from a friend I met in rural Bolivia…

As a musician, my friend Sean refused to travel without his instrument. After having all his possesions stolen in Ecuador, Sean decided to buy a regular sized guitar case and a travel sized guitar. He stuffed his few necessary belongings in the extra space of the case and continued along his journey with his musical instrument and possessions in tow. He had everything he needed, and traveled with the ease of a wandering muscian without being fingered as the classic backbacking foreigner. Genius!

Pro tip: ditch the guitar and just carry the suitcase. You’re bound to look like a local.