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?
--- LIFE IS A MELTING POT --- Grace Grogan...Writer, Photographer 