I am about to do a fair amount of traveling.
- There is a conference, in Auckland, next week, where I am giving a talk.
- My father turns 81 during the school holidays in early October, and I want to spend time with him.
- A talk has been accepted for the WPA congress in Vienna, and I will be going there in Late October.
- I intend to be with my parents and family at Christmas.
This is in contrast with the last nine months of the year where I have been “at home” in Dunedin. I travel a lot, and in doing so I’ve observed some things and learned some tricks. All the above apply to a trip up to two weeks long.
- Your luggage will be lost if it is not physically attached to you. Check nothing in.
- Do not take what you are not prepared to lose.
- If it looks dangerous, it probably is.
- If it looks seedy, it’s probably dangerous.
- You do not know the real rules, so smile but watch your back.
- Be polite. You do not know the real rules, but politeness radiates even if you break them.
- Glasses rock. Contacts do not. But you need a solid case for your glasses.
- Pay what you have to for a locked room with an ensuite and no more.
- Find a quiet place every day. — churches and museums and parks. You need down time.
- Playing hookey from the conference is essential. You need down time
- Drink coffee where the street cleaners get theirs from.
- Run every morning. At dawn. Melatonin is your friend and jet lag your enemy.
- Stay up to 10 PM each night. Melatonin is your friend and jet lag your enemy.
- You will only wear half your clothes — so take good quality stuff that does not stink. (Merino is superb — multi-seasonal and can be worn daily for weeks)
- The memories matter more than the photos, but the photos are cool
- Be a pro. Take a laptop with the ability to revise slides, and a USB with all your data on it.
- Only eat every second meal
- Carry a ebook reader. Long battery life helps if there is no movies.
- Detour to see friends and family.
And allow a full 24 hours plus a night before returning and any significant decisions or duties. (Spouses — allow your beloved 24 hours plus a night before asking them to do anything requiring thought, or energy)
Travel well, travel light, and travel safe.
