It is HOW cold?!?!

When I was traveling in 2004, I stayed in hostels.  Quite often, people would end up meeting each other in the kitchen and dining rooms during meal hours as many people were cooking for themselves.  The discussion quite often involved where everyone was from and tended to go back to the temperatures at home.

It is how cold? (Photo credit: smile4camera)

When it was my turn, I tended to tell people they really did not know how cold it got at home and then I would proceed to win the coldest temperature prize.  I would then tell them that in winter we could and would get down to -40C.  Granted, it typically only lasted a week or two at most, but still, it was cold enough.  The Canadian Prairies get cold as we do not have mountains to give us Chinooks and the wind is free to blow everywhere which it does.

Many then asked questions about did we shut down due to the cold (no, but many issues with water main breaks and equipment not working properly), how did we survive the cold (many layers and many people staying home if possible) and then what is summer like (we will get into the +30 Celsius range).

It was quite interesting watching people try to fathom what -40C feels like as many of the travelers came from places that would not get much below 0C, maybe – 10C,  so anything colder was very alien to them.   While many of those who live here wish we would shut down and hibernate in the winter (myself included!) it does not happen.  The other travelers were just grateful that they live where they do.  Personally, it is not the snow that bothers me but the temperatures.   I tend to look like a snowman or some shapeless blob when I get all dressed for the low temperatures.

Changes to Habits and Routines

I find it interesting how habits and routines change when you travel.  Of course, it makes sense that some items would change such as the time you wake up or when you have your meals as some things are not in your control, but other, little things change.


A big one for me is getting to sleep.   At home, I have a multitude of different tricks I can employ to help me sleep.  My electric blanket is the first step as I need to be warm, then music and cuddling my teddy bear.  Yet, if I am not home, I usually can sleep without any difficulty.  While I still need to be warm, I don’t have to be toasty like when I am in my own bed.    That said, I find I cannot sleep with socks on when I am home, but in a strange bed, not a problem.

Eating is another item that changes.  Depending on where you are and how you are travelling, you may be eating at times that you find odd, you may be eating more often than you normally do or you may eat less.  When I did day trips in Australia and New Zealand, we would sometimes have a small morning stop for a snack and one in the afternoon as well.

Spending is a huge one as you do not have the conveniences that you have at home and you spend more in general.  For instance, I am not a fan of bottled water due to the taste and the cost.  But depending on where you are travelling, it is not an option.  In Australia/New Zealand I drank tap water but in Thailand I drank bottled water (the tap water is not safe to drink and using water tablets all the time was not convenient).

4 Things You Need to Know Before Flying

When you are getting ready to board a flight to go somewhere, there is some information that is helpful for you to have.  Without it, you may have issues with getting on your plane or come home to some big surprises that you did not expect.  It is always best to be too prepared than not prepared at all.

Photo credit: wikipedia

Destination Address 

If you are flying within your country, this is not likely too important.  But if you are flying to another country, you will want to make sure you have the address and phone number of your destination.  For this reason, it is always good to have your first nights accommodation booked if you are not sure where all you are going.  It makes going through customs a heck of a lot easier!

Packing Rules

These days, there are limits to what you are allowed to bring on the plane with you.  Liquids is a pretty big one with restrictions on anything that is more than 3 ounces.  Those have to go into your checked luggage.  If you aren't checking anything, then leave these items at home and buy them at your destination.  If you try to take them on, they are just going to make you toss them out at security.

Luggage Size

Be aware of what size of luggage you are allowed to bring on the plane with you.  Depending on the size of the plane, you may have to gate check any carry-on bags you have.  Checked luggage usually doesn't have too many restrictions in regards to size but there are limits to how heavy the bags can be.  Typically it is 50 pounds but it is always best to check with the airline that you are flying with.

Limits

Again, if you are flying out of your country there are limits to how much you can bring back from other countries.  If you have left Canada, you can bring up to $800 worth of product back to the country if you were gone for 48 hours or longer.   You can also bring a certain amount of alcohol and tobacco back duty free which goes against the $800.  It is always best to check the limits when you travel as they can change and every country is different.

Learn a Bit of the Language: Locals Appreciate It

There are many things that you can do to make your travel experience a wonderful one.  I think one of the best things that you can do is learn a few words of the language.  You do not need to become fluent within a few weeks but knowing the basics is always helpful.  People are likely to be much friendly if you can greet them and say a few

Montage of languages. . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

words in their language.  It also helps to avoid some confusion.

Great terms to learn are the following:

• Hello


• Goodbye


• Thank you


• Please


• Where is the bathroom?

Depending on where you are going and the language they speak, you may already know some of these.  In Canada, many people took French at some point in their school career and likely remember at least those words.  We also learn some of them the various languages that we hear on television but many guide books will provide a few terms for you to learn as well as how to pronounce them.

Even though many of the people in tourist areas will speak some English (assuming that is your first language), it is always nice for them to hear someone attempting their language.  Chances are your accent will be horrible and you won’t say the words correctly, but it is definitely a case of “what you don’t try won’t hurt you.”.  In fact, you may even get rewarded for your efforts by a dessert at a restaurant or a nice souvenir.

Find out if there is a gesture that is expected as a method of greeting as well.  In Thailand, you would greet a person and give a little bow in a gesture of respect.  I’m sure that if a tourist forgot, they were easily forgotten, but as we are guests in their country, it is only right we do our best to abide and follow their rules and traditions.

Traveling and Electronics: How it has Changed in my Eyes

When I went to Australia/NZ in 2004, not many people were carrying personal electronics with them.  Sure, a few people had music players and some had cell phones, but they were pretty basic, texting only.  If you wanted to send an email, you had to find an Internet café or some other location that had Internet access.  I know I went to some pretty shady seeming places to use the Internet to contact home or others.

Internet Cafe when Travelling in 2004 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Fast forward to 2012 and my trip to Thailand.  Everyone had some sort of electronic device and many of the hotels that we stayed in had free Wi-Fi for the guests to use.   There were computers and Internet café’s but not to the degree that I had found years ago.    I think of the two dozen people I travelled with, two had a netbook/laptop, three or four had iPads and probably a half a dozen had a cell phone or a small device.  Personally, I had an iPod with me as I had wanted something that had Wi-Fi access for contacting home.

Overall, I’m not sure if electronics when travelling are good or bad.  You feel a bit more of a slave to them when you have them as you feel that you should go on the Internet and do something.  But, it was also nice to keep in touch with those at home as I was gone a month to Thailand.   If I had only been gone a week, it would be different.    Not only that, but if you were wondering about something you saw, or needed to check further travel plans, it was handy to have access.

One advantage was that it was easy to keep up the appearance of being home.  I didn’t post to my Facebook that I was gone as really, people don’t need to know that.  My nearest and dearest knew that I was gone but those casual acquaintances didn’t.  And I preferred it that way.

7 Tips for Packing Light

One of the hardest things about traveling is packing and determining what you really need to take with you.  It is possible to travel with just a carry on but it can be difficult, especially depending on how long you will be gone.  But, if you have to really watch your pennies, it can be worthwhile.

Luggage (Photo credit: nhanusek)

Here are some tips to help you keep your luggage light, even if you cannot get down to only having a carry on.

Pack clothing that goes together

While black pants and jeans go with almost anything that may not be true of everything else you pack.  The more outfit combinations you can make with the least amount of clothing, the less you need to pack.  Two or three pairs of pants with 6 or 7 matching shirts can get you through an entire week.

Do laundry

This is especially true if you are going on a longer trip.  If you are gone for a month, there is no need to pack 30 different outfits.  Do a bit of research before you leave to check into laundry possibilities.  Many hotels will have facilities or can direct you to a service.  Even if it costs a bit more, it can be worth it for carrying that much less stuff.  Things like socks and underwear can be washed in a sink if need be.

Divide by half

A fun tip I have heard is to pack everything you think you will need and then take out half.  How many times have you come home from a trip and you realize that you did not even touch a bunch of the items you packed?  I know I have come home with a few clean shirts or socks that did not get worn.

Share some toiletries

If you are travelling with a partner or a friend, discuss with them the possibility of sharing toiletries.  Maybe you can share a tube of toothpaste or shampoo.  You may need to make a small compromise to make this work and hopefully they will do the same.

Travel size items

There are a lot of items that you can purchase in travel size such as shampoo, toothpaste, hand lotion and others if you are travelling solo or can’t share.  Consider purchasing these for your trip to keep your packing light.  If you cannot justify the price, go to the dollar store and buy empty containers and put your product into them.

Purchase there

Depending on what you need, consider purchasing it at your destination.  Take an extra bag with you and then buy at the other end.  Be aware that where you are going may not have the exact item you want and you may be out of luck.  When I went to Thailand, a lady I knew was looking for face moisturizer; everything she found had a whitening agent in it which she did not want.

Stuff Items in Others

While this tip will not make your bag lighter, it will maximize space.  Roll things or fold them so that they fit into others.  If you are packing shoes, ball up socks or underwear and place them inside the shoe.  Don’t waste that space that could be working for you.