— LIFE IS A MELTING POT — Grace Grogan…Writer, Photographer

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Killing Myself Preparing for Vacation

July 16, 2018 10:11 pm

Am I the only one who feels like they have to go into overdrive in order to prepare for a vacation?  I recently planned for a 10-day trip to Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  In order to prepare I had to complete several things.

• Book Airline Flight
• Reserve parking for my vehicle near airport
• Passport due to expire five months before my flight, six months is the minimum,  passport renewed
• Go to bank to get US money exchanged for Canadian funds to take on trip — but my bank doesn’t have them plus charges a $12 fee; go to second bank that does not charge a fee and lets me obtain funds, which they have on hand, because I have a credit card issued by their bank.
• Go back to bank closer to trip to withdraw US funds to travel with.
• Check for good photo ops where I will be traveling to
• Order meals for the two flights (coming and going) that are in excess of four hours.
• Check the airline baggage requirements for international travel; order a suitcase that meets airline specifications for checked luggage
• Measure my carry-on bag to make sure it meets airline requirements.
• Check the list of airline regulations to make sure I am not doing anything to raise the hackles of TSA.
• Make last-minute checklist so I don’t forget anything
• Make sure all camera batteries are charged, SD cards clear, all camera gear needed is ready to go.
• Continuously analyze whether I want to pack my laptop, just an external drive to download photos onto using my friend’s computer, or if just the SD cards will be enough and I can download after returning home.
• Get haircut.
• Work extra hours to get everything organized for when I am away.
• Wash clothes on an “off day” so they are clean to pack and/or ready for return to work after vacation.
• Pack suitcase and carry-on bags
• Print boarding passes
• Leave for trip — See ya when I return!

How many of you go through similar rituals when preparing for a trip?  Do you have any tips to make travel prep easier?

Posted by Grace Grogan

Categories: Coping, decisions, exploration, habit, Life is a Melting Pot, Photography, summer, time, tourism, travel

Tags: airline, analyze, batteries, boarding passes, camera, Canada, carry-on, check list, exchange, funds, gear, luggage, money, plan, preparation, travel, TSA, US, vacation

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