Post vacation tips here :) ..

Arcticangel

AmentsChick wrote:

On topic: I always wear a PJ shirt or hoodie when I travel...you never know when you'll come across one of your own!

True that! I stalked down jaamfaan in the LA subway a couple days before the EV solo shows because I saw his shirt.
Never had anyone make a comment on mine though...

Heineken Helen

norm wrote:

Heineken Helen wrote:

I'm generally quite laid back... but that's cos I'm a time freak... I'm always seriously early for stuff... If I've to run, I'm NOT laid back and I'm NOT in a forgiving mood :oops:

i am too...i got that from my mom...my dad is just the opposite and my brother is like him....i have to travel with my bro in a month and i'm not looking forward to the traveling part of the trip :twisted:

AmentsChick wrote:

people-watching in airports is the best!!!!!!!!!

damn right it is...

both my parents were just good time keepers... I can't remember ever being late for anything as a kid so I just can't get my head around it. The bf is the exact opposite though :shock: it drives me nuts at times

Fifthelement

Arcticangel wrote:

AmentsChick wrote:

On topic: I always wear a PJ shirt or hoodie when I travel...you never know when you'll come across one of your own!

True that! I stalked down jaamfaan in the LA subway a couple days before the EV solo shows because I saw his shirt.


Never had anyone make a comment on mine though...

I got a head nod and a knowing smile in the mall once. It really felt like we were part of a secret society or something :? :ugeek:

AmentsChick

Fifthelement wrote:

Arcticangel wrote:

AmentsChick wrote:

On topic: I always wear a PJ shirt or hoodie when I travel...you never know when you'll come across one of your own!

True that! I stalked down jaamfaan in the LA subway a couple days before the EV solo shows because I saw his shirt.


Never had anyone make a comment on mine though...

I got a head nod and a knowing smile in the mall once. It really felt like we were part of a secret society or something :? :ugeek:

Again, that goes back to the tamborine-carrying, balding cult that Chiqui was referring to before!

Heineken Helen

You're all just jealous of my tambourine

Kel Varnsen

mfc2006 wrote:

get a room w/ a kitchenette if you're planning on staying for a few days. then, head to the local grocery store & pick up some cheap meals, beer, etc. that way, you can save some money from eating out during your whole vacation. we did this last year & saved quite a bit of cash.

I always try to do this. Another good tip along these lines is if you can either bring a cheap toaster with you or go to Walmart and buy the cheapest one you can find. Then along with anything you have in your fridge/cooler you can also have toast or bagels with your breakfast.

Also if you want to eat at a restaurant you should go for like a late lunch. With most restaurants if you go around 3-4 in the afternoon the places are usually dead, plus you can usually order off the lunch menu, which has the same food as the dinner menu but is usually cheaper. If you fill up there you can usually survive with a light dinner from whatever you got from the grocery store back at the hotel.

Heineken Helen

oh if you're going to Europe and/or travelling alone... stay in a hostel... they're nothing like those in the US from what I've heard. They're cheap and they're a fantastic way of meeting like minded people and making friends.

But if you're travelling to Europe alone, you probably already know that

chiquimonkey

AmentsChick wrote:

Again, that goes back to the tamborine-carrying, balding cult that Chiqui was referring to before!

it's a nice cult. i like this cult heehee

JaneNY

Kel Varnsen wrote:

mfc2006 wrote:

I always try to do this. Another good tip along these lines is if you can either bring a cheap toaster with you or go to Walmart and buy the cheapest one you can find. Then along with anything you have in your fridge/cooler you can also have toast or bagels with your breakfast.

That is a handy tip - thanks!

For shorter trips (a day or 2) I invested in a really good thermos - you can put tea or coffee in it and it will still be hot 24 hours later. I also carry solid shampoo and conditioner bars, to avoid liquids.

Keep change handy for soda machines and tolls.

Riverrunner

[quote="JaneNYI also carry solid shampoo and conditioner bars, to avoid liquids. [/quote]

I never knew there was such a thing. Where do you buy them?

chiquimonkey

JaneNY wrote:

Kel Varnsen wrote:

mfc2006 wrote:

I always try to do this. Another good tip along these lines is if you can either bring a cheap toaster with you or go to Walmart and buy the cheapest one you can find. Then along with anything you have in your fridge/cooler you can also have toast or bagels with your breakfast.

That is a handy tip - thanks!

For shorter trips (a day or 2) I invested in a really good thermos - you can put tea or coffee in it and it will still be hot 24 hours later. I also carry solid shampoo and conditioner bars, to avoid liquids.

Keep change handy for soda machines and tolls.

good point on the bars. the lush shop here sells them, i might check them out next time i'm going out of town. certainly saves on space! http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/ha ... d-shampoos

Heineken Helen

JaneNY wrote:

That is a handy tip - thanks!

For shorter trips (a day or 2) I invested in a really good thermos - you can put tea or coffee in it and it will still be hot 24 hours later. I also carry solid shampoo and conditioner bars, to avoid liquids.

Keep change handy for soda machines and tolls.

Oooh excellent idea about the bars... I've never used them but, for that reason alone, might look into it liquids are a pain in the arse... but I just prepare them in a sandwich bag the night before so I don't have to sort out the liquids in the airport.

I always make sure there's enough room in my hand luggage for my hand bag since they've recently clamped down on that and you can literally only have ONE piece.

Also ROLLING your clothes rather than folding makes plenty of extra space. A lot of women will go :shock: at this... but I only ever bring one pair of shoes on holiday... there ARE shoes out there that are super comfy for walking, casual for daytime but nice enough to wear out at night. I'm an expert packer . So many people have said 'how can you travel with just hand luggage for 4 nights?' and I reply 'well what exactly have you brought with you in your suitcase AND hand luggage?' when they tell me, it's often turned out that I've managed to get MORE into my hand luggage :shock: well ok, maybe they've brought three pairs of shoes... and all large shampoo bottles etc in their suitcase.

And yep, it's AMAZING how change can come in handy in an airport.

Riverrunner

Heineken Helen wrote:

A lot of women will go :shock: at this... but I only ever bring one pair of shoes on holiday... there ARE shoes out there that are super comfy for walking, casual for daytime but nice enough to wear out at night.

I am definitely not a fashionista, but I can't seem to go ANYWHERE without four or five pair of shoes - my running shoes, walking shoes (athletic), Teva's, dress shoes, casual sandals. And if it is a hiking trip, I have to bring hiking boots too. And they take up A LOT OF SPACE.

Heineken Helen

Riverrunner wrote:

Heineken Helen wrote:

A lot of women will go :shock: at this... but I only ever bring one pair of shoes on holiday... there ARE shoes out there that are super comfy for walking, casual for daytime but nice enough to wear out at night.

I am definitely not a fashionista, but I can't seem to go ANYWHERE without four or five pair of shoes - my running shoes, walking shoes (athletic), Teva's, dress shoes, casual sandals. And if it is a hiking trip, I have to bring hiking boots too. And they take up A LOT OF SPACE.

:shock: Ya serious????? Even when I went to the NYC/Delaware/Chicago last year for ten days, I only brought two pairs. If I'm travelling for a weekend/long weekend, I never ever bring an extra pair... just what I'm travelling in :oops:

Riverrunner

Heineken Helen wrote:

:shock: Ya serious?????

Sadly, I am serious. And I forgot to mention cycling shoes. If it is a biking vacation I take them too. If we take both road bikes and mountain bikes I have to take two pair of cycling shoes!!!!

Heineken Helen

Riverrunner wrote:

Heineken Helen wrote:

:shock: Ya serious?????

Sadly, I am serious. And I forgot to mention cycling shoes. If it is a biking vacation I take them too. If we take both road bikes and mountain bikes I have to take two pair of cycling shoes!!!!

Oh dear :oops: can't you find one super pair of shoes that can do all that? If you find a pair of kinda hiking sandals... you can hike in them, they look cute with jeans, wear them to the beach or with shorts, you can probably even ride your fucking bike in them ... on an action holiday do you REALLY get super dressed up at night? I wear sandals or runners (trainers) to the pub.. but nights out here are very casual... unless you're 16 and trying to look older

Heineken Helen

Look at these... you can climb a mountain and also make your feet look pretty cute in the pub... are you saying you couldn't do more than one in these?

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_LoDeuB2caR4/SHhcV ... C05805.JPG

Riverrunner

Heineken Helen wrote:

Look at these... you can climb a mountain and also make your feet look pretty cute in the pub... are you saying you couldn't do more than one in these?

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_LoDeuB2caR4/SHhcV ... C05805.JPG

URL not found. But just to justify myself a little more. I have to run in running shoes. My running shoes and inserts cost about $150.00 per pair. I buy two pair per year. I try to use them only for training and racing to make them last longer. Plus I don't like to wear them out right after I run cuz they are sweaty and stinky.

Bike shoes are special shoes with cleats that lock into the pedals. I have different pedals for road bike and mnt. bike so thus two pairs of shoes with different cleats. It would be too difficult to change cleats each time and get them adjusted right. If it is not a cycling vacation and all we do is "tourist riding" then yes I could wear any old pair of shoes to ride 5 - 10 miles so no cycling shoes.

When hiking in the mountains on rocks you really need some sort of hiking boot. If it is light hiking you could probably wear trail runners, and I have done that before too.

Dressy shoes, especially strappy type sandals don't take up much room nor do I take them all of the time. But we usually do make it a point to go out to a fairly nice restaurant at least once on vacation.

And then, once I get all of my "necessary" shoes packed, I get nervous and pack more.....just in case. Yes, I know...... I am an idiot, or maybe just insecure. I NEED MY SHOES!!! But Iam working on packing lighter. That has been a goal for the last two years and I am improving!

Heineken Helen

Riverrunner wrote:

Heineken Helen wrote:

Look at these... you can climb a mountain and also make your feet look pretty cute in the pub... are you saying you couldn't do more than one in these?

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_LoDeuB2caR4/SHhcV ... C05805.JPG

URL not found. But just to justify myself a little more. I have to run in running shoes. My running shoes and inserts cost about $150.00 per pair. I buy two pair per year. I try to use them only for training and racing to make them last longer. Plus I don't like to wear them out right after I run cuz they are sweaty and stinky.

Bike shoes are special shoes with cleats that lock into the pedals. I have different pedals for road bike and mnt. bike so thus two pairs of shoes with different cleats. It would be too difficult to change cleats each time and get them adjusted right. If it is not a cycling vacation and all we do is "tourist riding" then yes I could wear any old pair of shoes to ride 5 - 10 miles so no cycling shoes.

When hiking in the mountains on rocks you really need some sort of hiking boot. If it is light hiking you could probably wear trail runners, and I have done that before too.

Dressy shoes, especially strappy type sandals don't take up much room nor do I take them all of the time. But we usually do make it a point to go out to a fairly nice restaurant at least once on vacation.

And then, once I get all of my "necessary" shoes packed, I get nervous and pack more.....just in case. Yes, I know...... I am an idiot, or maybe just insecure. I NEED MY SHOES!!! But Iam working on packing lighter. That has been a goal for the last two years and I am improving!

Ok, I've edited so you can probably see now. You're beyond help .

I've done plenty of hiking and mountain climbing, yes even on rocks and I hated the hiking boots... I wasn't confident in the grips... I would have been much happier in my hiking sandals... which were amazingly comfy... just like wearing socks... or nothing :shock: but with super grips and super support.

soulsinging

Riverrunner wrote:

Chlorox cleaning wipes. I wipe down every hotel room, light switches, door knobs, remote controls, bathroom fixtures, bathtub, toilet, etc. etc.

Holy OCD batman!

Heineken Helen

soulsinging wrote:

Riverrunner wrote:

Chlorox cleaning wipes. I wipe down every hotel room, light switches, door knobs, remote controls, bathroom fixtures, bathtub, toilet, etc. etc.

Holy OCD batman!

no offense riverrunner... but I completely agree and I did a :shock: face at that.

Riverrunner

soulsinging wrote:

Holy OCD batman!

Yeah, I know. I want to keep all of those germs off all of my shoes.

My aunt has been in one hospital or another since Thanksgiving. My first visit to her I took the Chlorox Wipes and wiped down the room. Then went she transferred to a long term critical care unit she did some wiping, and when I visited I did an all over wipe. And finally, at the nursing home where she is doing rehab she still had wipes left so I wiped it down too!

My husband carries a little sanitizer bottle with him. He uses it at restaurants after handing the menu back to the servers. When I leave Wal-Mart I grab my little bottle and slop it on!

Heineken Helen

Riverrunner wrote:

soulsinging wrote:

Holy OCD batman!

Yeah, I know. I want to keep all of those germs off all of my shoes.

My aunt has been in one hospital or another since Thanksgiving. My first visit to her I took the Chlorox Wipes and wiped down the room. Then went she transferred to a long term critical care unit she did some wiping, and when I visited I did an all over wipe. And finally, at the nursing home where she is doing rehab she still had wipes left so I wiped it down too!

My husband carries a little sanitizer bottle with him. He uses it at restaurants after handing the menu back to the servers. When I leave Wal-Mart I grab my little bottle and slop it on!

:shock: I repeat... beyond help

JaneNY

chiquimonkey wrote:

good point on the bars. the lush shop here sells them, i might check them out next time i'm going out of town. certainly saves on space! http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/ha ... d-shampoos

Lush is exactly what I use! I love their shampoo bars, and their 'jungle' conditioner bar.

Shoewise for me, most trips - I wear my dansko clogs to travel, pack a pair of small sneakers (and put a lot of rolled up clothes in them), and a pair of thin sandals for in the hotel room. I don't like to walk barefoot in public places.

Regarding chlorox and all that, I've read that the remote is one of the dirtiest things in a hotel room, and that the glasses are not necessarily properly washed between guests (just wiped). Something to consider.

I can do several days trip with a carry-on too. My mac is small and fits in the computer section, wear one pair of jeans, carry another; several tees or slightly better shirts; I even have room for my chi straightener.

Heineken Helen

JaneNY wrote:

chiquimonkey wrote:

good point on the bars. the lush shop here sells them, i might check them out next time i'm going out of town. certainly saves on space! http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/ha ... d-shampoos

Lush is exactly what I use! I love their shampoo bars, and their 'jungle' conditioner bar.

Shoewise for me, most trips - I wear my dansko clogs to travel, pack a pair of small sneakers (and put a lot of rolled up clothes in them), and a pair of thin sandals for in the hotel room. I don't like to walk barefoot in public places.

Regarding chlorox and all that, I've read that the remote is one of the dirtiest things in a hotel room, and that the glasses are not necessarily properly washed between guests (just wiped). Something to consider.

I can do several days trip with a carry-on too. My mac is small and fits in the computer section, wear one pair of jeans, carry another; several tees or slightly better shirts; I even have room for my chi straightener.

Lol, I have room for my straightener too and I always have enough room to put my handbag in when going through security so I can never understand people having to check in a bag for a weekend :oops: