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#1
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VERY OT International traveling???
It seems I am going to have the opportunity to do some traveling- I've never
been outside the USA except for a short way across the border into Mexico. And I've only flown about 5 times and never even had to catch a connecting flight. I've never ridden in a taxi or public transportation. I need to know what to do??? How do I find a curling iron that will work no matter where I go? Can I take an aerosol can of hairspray? How do people pack what they need without going over the weight limits? Is cotton clothing the best or too wrinkly? How do you pack clothing so it doesn't look like you slept in it??? Help! Leslie- applied for my passport and now I'm lost! & The Furbabies in MO. |
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#2
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VERY OT International traveling???
Deep breaths Leslie. You can do it! Can you reveal where you are going?
The easiest thing to do is go to a good hairdresser who can give you a cut that needs no hairspray or curling iron! There are pump hairsprays, but don't forget to keep it under 3oz. if you are going to carry it on. I bet Bronnie can give you the best packing advice! I'll just tell you to stay calm but enjoy the anticipation. People are really nice and will help you with transportation. -- Kathyl (KJ) remove "nospam" before mchsi http://community.webshots.com/user/kathylquiltz "Leslie & The Furbabies in MO." wrote in message ... It seems I am going to have the opportunity to do some traveling- I've never been outside the USA except for a short way across the border into Mexico. And I've only flown about 5 times and never even had to catch a connecting flight. I've never ridden in a taxi or public transportation. I need to know what to do??? How do I find a curling iron that will work no matter where I go? Can I take an aerosol can of hairspray? How do people pack what they need without going over the weight limits? Is cotton clothing the best or too wrinkly? How do you pack clothing so it doesn't look like you slept in it??? Help! Leslie- applied for my passport and now I'm lost! & The Furbabies in MO. |
#3
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VERY OT International traveling???
I don't know yet where we are going. I can choose the destination and we'll
be meeting there, so I will be traveling alone. The first few times it will be closer to me and English speaking- I *know* that for sure! LOL My overly bleached long blonde hair absolutely *must* be dried and ironed- no way around that, I'm afraid. No really good hairdressers that I've found in my small, small town and I don't want to cut it off any way. Sheesh- I am going to lose my mind with all the little details- and I have nooooo idea what most of the little details are! I ordered a 'dummies' book for travel info. I hope that will help me, but with airline regs changing so often, who knows how up-to-date the book will be. Leslie & The Furbabies in MO. "KJ" wrote in message news:qJ7bk.182593$TT4.79930@attbi_s22... Deep breaths Leslie. You can do it! Can you reveal where you are going? The easiest thing to do is go to a good hairdresser who can give you a cut that needs no hairspray or curling iron! There are pump hairsprays, but don't forget to keep it under 3oz. if you are going to carry it on. I bet Bronnie can give you the best packing advice! I'll just tell you to stay calm but enjoy the anticipation. People are really nice and will help you with transportation. -- Kathyl (KJ) remove "nospam" before mchsi http://community.webshots.com/user/kathylquiltz "Leslie & The Furbabies in MO." wrote in message ... It seems I am going to have the opportunity to do some traveling- I've never been outside the USA except for a short way across the border into Mexico. And I've only flown about 5 times and never even had to catch a connecting flight. I've never ridden in a taxi or public transportation. I need to know what to do??? How do I find a curling iron that will work no matter where I go? Can I take an aerosol can of hairspray? How do people pack what they need without going over the weight limits? Is cotton clothing the best or too wrinkly? How do you pack clothing so it doesn't look like you slept in it??? Help! Leslie- applied for my passport and now I'm lost! & The Furbabies in MO. |
#4
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VERY OT International traveling???
Leslie & The Furbabies in MO. wrote:
It seems I am going to have the opportunity to do some traveling- I've never been outside the USA except for a short way across the border into Mexico. And I've only flown about 5 times and never even had to catch a connecting flight. I've never ridden in a taxi or public transportation. I need to know what to do??? ...snipped.... Help! Leslie- applied for my passport and now I'm lost! & The Furbabies in MO. I just got back from Berlin in mid-June so I have current info :-). First off WHERE will you be going & when? That has a lot to do with the type of clothing to take. Don't worry about connecting flights. The airline personnel should be waiting at the arrival door when you deplane to help you and answer any questions. When I went to Ireland, I found that I could dress more like I do here at home (jeans and casual top) and not get looked at as if I was from Mars -- LOL! When I was in the Czech Republic last year, you would have thought I was running around naked because I had on dressy jeans, a nice sweater and my walking sneakers! Older women in Europe do not dress the way we do this side of the pond and very rarely wear denim jeans. The young girls do but not us more mature women :-). Most hotels now have irons & ironing boards available for their guests. Blow dryers are usually in the bathrooms so you don't need to worry about that. For other electrical stuff, get an electric plug converter -- now available in even Target & Walmart at a pretty reasonable price where the luggage and travel stuff is displayed. WEAR your most comfy walking shoes on the plane and pack just one pair of nice shoes. I usually stuff my socks INSIDE my nice shoes to help keep them from getting squished :-). Regardless of what you pack in your checked luggage, ALWAYS carry on a change of undies and basic toiletries like comb, brush, toothpaste, tooth brush & deodorant. In your checked baggage, you can pack any size stuff you want but you can only *carry on* small bottles (max 3 or 4 oz) of liquids, cremes, gels, etc. like toothpaste and shampoo. These small bottles must all fit in a clear 1 quart zip lock bag and be put through the security scanner separately, not inside your carry on bag. If you take hairspray, take a SMALL can and pack it in your checked luggage. Technically, I'm fairly sure that you are never allowed to carry on ANY aerosol of ANY kind. Many airports in the States are getting less restrictive about the zip lock baggie thing but I found that ALL the European airports I went through in the last few years were VERY strict. When you go through security, you will need to remove your jacket (if you are wearing one) and your shoes and walk through in stocking feet. I even have to put my cane through the scanner so it's a good thing I can walk through on my own. If you don't think you can manage this, just ask for a wheelchair when you get to the airport and use that -- there is a special scanner that they have wheelchairs, etc. go through and you will likely have to be "wanded" with the hand held device. DO NOT carry on pointed end scissors of ANY length as they will be confiscated in other countries. I take my Clover Cutter and have no problem. Sewing needles and straight pins are OK. **IF** you have knit tops, not the standard Stateside t-shirts, take those as opposed to woven fabric tops. The knits pack better and wrinkles usually come out once they are hung for a bit. This is what I take along with elastic waist knit slacks unless it's winter or I am going somewhere that I know is cold. Then I will pack NICE colored jeans (black, burgundy, beige, dk. blue) which also get "unwrinkled" quickly once hung for a bit. Fold your clothing a neatly as possible, getting our all the wrinkles, then roll the folded items up. I fold my tops like they do in the stores with the sides folded to the back and then folded in half lengthwise. Then I ROLL the garment up lengthwise. For some reason, I get fewer wrinkles doing this. I usually wear an outfit twice when I travel so I NEVER take anything white. I'm not often out getting all hot and sweaty and dirty like I did when I was young. When we went to Japan, we planned on wearing outfits three times if possible (not difficult with pants or shorts but a bit chancy with tops), if not we did wash in the bathtub! Purses are a total P.I.T.A. and totally unnecessary when in another country. All the stuff you carry in your purse isn't as useful while on holiday. When I was less "fluffy" I would wear a fanny pack instead. Now that I am more ample, I have a small travel shoulder bag. It has a long strap that I wear ACROSS my body so it can't be pulled off my shoulder. I keep coins, bills and a credit card in a small 2 compartment change purse. Speaking of which, the foreign airports take credit cards but very few of the fun small shops anywhere outside the States take credit cards. Make sure that the card you take will give you access to foreign ATMs, there will likely be on in your hotel and for sure there will be one at just about every bank you should pass. Be sure to call your credit card company and tell them you are going to be outside the USA on holiday or they might not honor charges or attempts to get cash from local ATMs!! I also carry my passport with me at all times and it fits into a zippered section of my travel purse. I also take my drivers license even though I don't plan on driving. It's just handy to have that second piece of photo ID. Keep a piece of paper with your passport that has emergency info on it just in case something should happen. HMMM, what else? OH -- free public rest rooms are almost nonexistent outside the States. There *might* be pay toilets here and there so don't drink a lot while you are out and about. If you use a free public rest room in a shopping area or museum, etc. there will likely be an attendant on duty. If so, be sure to leave a small "tip" -- watch to see what the local folks do and follow their example. If you are unsure about tipping in restaurants, etc. be sure to ask at your hotel front desk. Be honest and simply tell them you aren't sure what is accepted in that area. In our Berlin hotel, the menu stated that a 10% tip was automatically included in the cost of the food. In the Czech Republic, we asked at the front desk and were told that it was not expected. The young man who was our server in the hotel restaurant spoke excellent English and really went out of his way so we left him a nice tip on the last night we were there. I could go on forever but this has gone on long enough -- LOL! If you have any specific questions, post them or e-mail me and I will try to answer. Don't forget to tell us where you are going, etc. OK?? CiaoMeow ^;;^ PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^ (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at http://community.webshots.com/user/tiamary |
#5
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VERY OT International traveling???
I think you should just take Tia Mary along. She sounds like she knows
what she is doing! Taria Tia Mary wrote: Leslie & The Furbabies in MO. wrote: It seems I am going to have the opportunity to do some traveling- I've never been outside the USA except for a short way across the border into Mexico. And I've only flown about 5 times and never even had to catch a connecting flight. I've never ridden in a taxi or public transportation. I need to know what to do??? ...snipped.... Help! Leslie- applied for my passport and now I'm lost! & The Furbabies in MO. I just got back from Berlin in mid-June so I have current info :-). First off WHERE will you be going & when? That has a lot to do with the type of clothing to take. Don't worry about connecting flights. The airline personnel should be waiting at the arrival door when you deplane to help you and answer any questions. When I went to Ireland, I found that I could dress more like I do here at home (jeans and casual top) and not get looked at as if I was from Mars -- LOL! When I was in the Czech Republic last year, you would have thought I was running around naked because I had on dressy jeans, a nice sweater and my walking sneakers! Older women in Europe do not dress the way we do this side of the pond and very rarely wear denim jeans. The young girls do but not us more mature women :-). Most hotels now have irons & ironing boards available for their guests. Blow dryers are usually in the bathrooms so you don't need to worry about that. For other electrical stuff, get an electric plug converter -- now available in even Target & Walmart at a pretty reasonable price where the luggage and travel stuff is displayed. WEAR your most comfy walking shoes on the plane and pack just one pair of nice shoes. I usually stuff my socks INSIDE my nice shoes to help keep them from getting squished :-). Regardless of what you pack in your checked luggage, ALWAYS carry on a change of undies and basic toiletries like comb, brush, toothpaste, tooth brush & deodorant. In your checked baggage, you can pack any size stuff you want but you can only *carry on* small bottles (max 3 or 4 oz) of liquids, cremes, gels, etc. like toothpaste and shampoo. These small bottles must all fit in a clear 1 quart zip lock bag and be put through the security scanner separately, not inside your carry on bag. If you take hairspray, take a SMALL can and pack it in your checked luggage. Technically, I'm fairly sure that you are never allowed to carry on ANY aerosol of ANY kind. Many airports in the States are getting less restrictive about the zip lock baggie thing but I found that ALL the European airports I went through in the last few years were VERY strict. When you go through security, you will need to remove your jacket (if you are wearing one) and your shoes and walk through in stocking feet. I even have to put my cane through the scanner so it's a good thing I can walk through on my own. If you don't think you can manage this, just ask for a wheelchair when you get to the airport and use that -- there is a special scanner that they have wheelchairs, etc. go through and you will likely have to be "wanded" with the hand held device. DO NOT carry on pointed end scissors of ANY length as they will be confiscated in other countries. I take my Clover Cutter and have no problem. Sewing needles and straight pins are OK. **IF** you have knit tops, not the standard Stateside t-shirts, take those as opposed to woven fabric tops. The knits pack better and wrinkles usually come out once they are hung for a bit. This is what I take along with elastic waist knit slacks unless it's winter or I am going somewhere that I know is cold. Then I will pack NICE colored jeans (black, burgundy, beige, dk. blue) which also get "unwrinkled" quickly once hung for a bit. Fold your clothing a neatly as possible, getting our all the wrinkles, then roll the folded items up. I fold my tops like they do in the stores with the sides folded to the back and then folded in half lengthwise. Then I ROLL the garment up lengthwise. For some reason, I get fewer wrinkles doing this. I usually wear an outfit twice when I travel so I NEVER take anything white. I'm not often out getting all hot and sweaty and dirty like I did when I was young. When we went to Japan, we planned on wearing outfits three times if possible (not difficult with pants or shorts but a bit chancy with tops), if not we did wash in the bathtub! Purses are a total P.I.T.A. and totally unnecessary when in another country. All the stuff you carry in your purse isn't as useful while on holiday. When I was less "fluffy" I would wear a fanny pack instead. Now that I am more ample, I have a small travel shoulder bag. It has a long strap that I wear ACROSS my body so it can't be pulled off my shoulder. I keep coins, bills and a credit card in a small 2 compartment change purse. Speaking of which, the foreign airports take credit cards but very few of the fun small shops anywhere outside the States take credit cards. Make sure that the card you take will give you access to foreign ATMs, there will likely be on in your hotel and for sure there will be one at just about every bank you should pass. Be sure to call your credit card company and tell them you are going to be outside the USA on holiday or they might not honor charges or attempts to get cash from local ATMs!! I also carry my passport with me at all times and it fits into a zippered section of my travel purse. I also take my drivers license even though I don't plan on driving. It's just handy to have that second piece of photo ID. Keep a piece of paper with your passport that has emergency info on it just in case something should happen. HMMM, what else? OH -- free public rest rooms are almost nonexistent outside the States. There *might* be pay toilets here and there so don't drink a lot while you are out and about. If you use a free public rest room in a shopping area or museum, etc. there will likely be an attendant on duty. If so, be sure to leave a small "tip" -- watch to see what the local folks do and follow their example. If you are unsure about tipping in restaurants, etc. be sure to ask at your hotel front desk. Be honest and simply tell them you aren't sure what is accepted in that area. In our Berlin hotel, the menu stated that a 10% tip was automatically included in the cost of the food. In the Czech Republic, we asked at the front desk and were told that it was not expected. The young man who was our server in the hotel restaurant spoke excellent English and really went out of his way so we left him a nice tip on the last night we were there. I could go on forever but this has gone on long enough -- LOL! If you have any specific questions, post them or e-mail me and I will try to answer. Don't forget to tell us where you are going, etc. OK?? CiaoMeow ^;;^ PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^ (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at http://community.webshots.com/user/tiamary |
#6
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VERY OT International traveling???
How and where do you exchange USA money to get the proper 'local' currency?
How do you know how much local money to get? How do you remember what each coin or bill represents and then know what the heck 10% or 20% is??? That is a major worry for me! I don't want to hand out the equivalent of a $50 tip for lunch! And I'll have to ask what coin the restrooms require- I have that little middle aged female problem.... I guess I'll have to spend my vacation time dehydrated! What do the locals do when the need arises????? LOL I assumed jeans would be too heavy to pack- I had planned on cotton knit slacks/shorts and tops. But would a blend or synthetic pack better? I guess I should have one basic simple dress to wear? And my artificial hip and all the extra metal hardware in there from the second replacement make the alarms go crazy at airports! Oh my...... Leslie "Tia Mary" wrote in message ... Leslie & The Furbabies in MO. wrote: It seems I am going to have the opportunity to do some traveling- I've never been outside the USA except for a short way across the border into Mexico. And I've only flown about 5 times and never even had to catch a connecting flight. I've never ridden in a taxi or public transportation. I need to know what to do??? ...snipped.... Help! Leslie- applied for my passport and now I'm lost! & The Furbabies in MO. I just got back from Berlin in mid-June so I have current info :-). First off WHERE will you be going & when? That has a lot to do with the type of clothing to take. Don't worry about connecting flights. The airline personnel should be waiting at the arrival door when you deplane to help you and answer any questions. When I went to Ireland, I found that I could dress more like I do here at home (jeans and casual top) and not get looked at as if I was from Mars -- LOL! When I was in the Czech Republic last year, you would have thought I was running around naked because I had on dressy jeans, a nice sweater and my walking sneakers! Older women in Europe do not dress the way we do this side of the pond and very rarely wear denim jeans. The young girls do but not us more mature women :-). Most hotels now have irons & ironing boards available for their guests. Blow dryers are usually in the bathrooms so you don't need to worry about that. For other electrical stuff, get an electric plug converter -- now available in even Target & Walmart at a pretty reasonable price where the luggage and travel stuff is displayed. WEAR your most comfy walking shoes on the plane and pack just one pair of nice shoes. I usually stuff my socks INSIDE my nice shoes to help keep them from getting squished :-). Regardless of what you pack in your checked luggage, ALWAYS carry on a change of undies and basic toiletries like comb, brush, toothpaste, tooth brush & deodorant. In your checked baggage, you can pack any size stuff you want but you can only *carry on* small bottles (max 3 or 4 oz) of liquids, cremes, gels, etc. like toothpaste and shampoo. These small bottles must all fit in a clear 1 quart zip lock bag and be put through the security scanner separately, not inside your carry on bag. If you take hairspray, take a SMALL can and pack it in your checked luggage. Technically, I'm fairly sure that you are never allowed to carry on ANY aerosol of ANY kind. Many airports in the States are getting less restrictive about the zip lock baggie thing but I found that ALL the European airports I went through in the last few years were VERY strict. When you go through security, you will need to remove your jacket (if you are wearing one) and your shoes and walk through in stocking feet. I even have to put my cane through the scanner so it's a good thing I can walk through on my own. If you don't think you can manage this, just ask for a wheelchair when you get to the airport and use that -- there is a special scanner that they have wheelchairs, etc. go through and you will likely have to be "wanded" with the hand held device. DO NOT carry on pointed end scissors of ANY length as they will be confiscated in other countries. I take my Clover Cutter and have no problem. Sewing needles and straight pins are OK. **IF** you have knit tops, not the standard Stateside t-shirts, take those as opposed to woven fabric tops. The knits pack better and wrinkles usually come out once they are hung for a bit. This is what I take along with elastic waist knit slacks unless it's winter or I am going somewhere that I know is cold. Then I will pack NICE colored jeans (black, burgundy, beige, dk. blue) which also get "unwrinkled" quickly once hung for a bit. Fold your clothing a neatly as possible, getting our all the wrinkles, then roll the folded items up. I fold my tops like they do in the stores with the sides folded to the back and then folded in half lengthwise. Then I ROLL the garment up lengthwise. For some reason, I get fewer wrinkles doing this. I usually wear an outfit twice when I travel so I NEVER take anything white. I'm not often out getting all hot and sweaty and dirty like I did when I was young. When we went to Japan, we planned on wearing outfits three times if possible (not difficult with pants or shorts but a bit chancy with tops), if not we did wash in the bathtub! Purses are a total P.I.T.A. and totally unnecessary when in another country. All the stuff you carry in your purse isn't as useful while on holiday. When I was less "fluffy" I would wear a fanny pack instead. Now that I am more ample, I have a small travel shoulder bag. It has a long strap that I wear ACROSS my body so it can't be pulled off my shoulder. I keep coins, bills and a credit card in a small 2 compartment change purse. Speaking of which, the foreign airports take credit cards but very few of the fun small shops anywhere outside the States take credit cards. Make sure that the card you take will give you access to foreign ATMs, there will likely be on in your hotel and for sure there will be one at just about every bank you should pass. Be sure to call your credit card company and tell them you are going to be outside the USA on holiday or they might not honor charges or attempts to get cash from local ATMs!! I also carry my passport with me at all times and it fits into a zippered section of my travel purse. I also take my drivers license even though I don't plan on driving. It's just handy to have that second piece of photo ID. Keep a piece of paper with your passport that has emergency info on it just in case something should happen. HMMM, what else? OH -- free public rest rooms are almost nonexistent outside the States. There *might* be pay toilets here and there so don't drink a lot while you are out and about. If you use a free public rest room in a shopping area or museum, etc. there will likely be an attendant on duty. If so, be sure to leave a small "tip" -- watch to see what the local folks do and follow their example. If you are unsure about tipping in restaurants, etc. be sure to ask at your hotel front desk. Be honest and simply tell them you aren't sure what is accepted in that area. In our Berlin hotel, the menu stated that a 10% tip was automatically included in the cost of the food. In the Czech Republic, we asked at the front desk and were told that it was not expected. The young man who was our server in the hotel restaurant spoke excellent English and really went out of his way so we left him a nice tip on the last night we were there. I could go on forever but this has gone on long enough -- LOL! If you have any specific questions, post them or e-mail me and I will try to answer. Don't forget to tell us where you are going, etc. OK?? CiaoMeow ^;;^ PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^ (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at http://community.webshots.com/user/tiamary |
#7
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VERY OT International traveling???
And what about a cell phone that works outside the USA??? Is there such a
thing and how do I get one??? Leslie "Leslie & The Furbabies in MO." wrote in message ... How and where do you exchange USA money to get the proper 'local' currency? How do you know how much local money to get? How do you remember what each coin or bill represents and then know what the heck 10% or 20% is??? That is a major worry for me! I don't want to hand out the equivalent of a $50 tip for lunch! And I'll have to ask what coin the restrooms require- I have that little middle aged female problem.... I guess I'll have to spend my vacation time dehydrated! What do the locals do when the need arises????? LOL I assumed jeans would be too heavy to pack- I had planned on cotton knit slacks/shorts and tops. But would a blend or synthetic pack better? I guess I should have one basic simple dress to wear? And my artificial hip and all the extra metal hardware in there from the second replacement make the alarms go crazy at airports! Oh my...... Leslie "Tia Mary" wrote in message ... Leslie & The Furbabies in MO. wrote: It seems I am going to have the opportunity to do some traveling- I've never been outside the USA except for a short way across the border into Mexico. And I've only flown about 5 times and never even had to catch a connecting flight. I've never ridden in a taxi or public transportation. I need to know what to do??? ...snipped.... Help! Leslie- applied for my passport and now I'm lost! & The Furbabies in MO. I just got back from Berlin in mid-June so I have current info :-). First off WHERE will you be going & when? That has a lot to do with the type of clothing to take. Don't worry about connecting flights. The airline personnel should be waiting at the arrival door when you deplane to help you and answer any questions. When I went to Ireland, I found that I could dress more like I do here at home (jeans and casual top) and not get looked at as if I was from Mars -- LOL! When I was in the Czech Republic last year, you would have thought I was running around naked because I had on dressy jeans, a nice sweater and my walking sneakers! Older women in Europe do not dress the way we do this side of the pond and very rarely wear denim jeans. The young girls do but not us more mature women :-). Most hotels now have irons & ironing boards available for their guests. Blow dryers are usually in the bathrooms so you don't need to worry about that. For other electrical stuff, get an electric plug converter -- now available in even Target & Walmart at a pretty reasonable price where the luggage and travel stuff is displayed. WEAR your most comfy walking shoes on the plane and pack just one pair of nice shoes. I usually stuff my socks INSIDE my nice shoes to help keep them from getting squished :-). Regardless of what you pack in your checked luggage, ALWAYS carry on a change of undies and basic toiletries like comb, brush, toothpaste, tooth brush & deodorant. In your checked baggage, you can pack any size stuff you want but you can only *carry on* small bottles (max 3 or 4 oz) of liquids, cremes, gels, etc. like toothpaste and shampoo. These small bottles must all fit in a clear 1 quart zip lock bag and be put through the security scanner separately, not inside your carry on bag. If you take hairspray, take a SMALL can and pack it in your checked luggage. Technically, I'm fairly sure that you are never allowed to carry on ANY aerosol of ANY kind. Many airports in the States are getting less restrictive about the zip lock baggie thing but I found that ALL the European airports I went through in the last few years were VERY strict. When you go through security, you will need to remove your jacket (if you are wearing one) and your shoes and walk through in stocking feet. I even have to put my cane through the scanner so it's a good thing I can walk through on my own. If you don't think you can manage this, just ask for a wheelchair when you get to the airport and use that -- there is a special scanner that they have wheelchairs, etc. go through and you will likely have to be "wanded" with the hand held device. DO NOT carry on pointed end scissors of ANY length as they will be confiscated in other countries. I take my Clover Cutter and have no problem. Sewing needles and straight pins are OK. **IF** you have knit tops, not the standard Stateside t-shirts, take those as opposed to woven fabric tops. The knits pack better and wrinkles usually come out once they are hung for a bit. This is what I take along with elastic waist knit slacks unless it's winter or I am going somewhere that I know is cold. Then I will pack NICE colored jeans (black, burgundy, beige, dk. blue) which also get "unwrinkled" quickly once hung for a bit. Fold your clothing a neatly as possible, getting our all the wrinkles, then roll the folded items up. I fold my tops like they do in the stores with the sides folded to the back and then folded in half lengthwise. Then I ROLL the garment up lengthwise. For some reason, I get fewer wrinkles doing this. I usually wear an outfit twice when I travel so I NEVER take anything white. I'm not often out getting all hot and sweaty and dirty like I did when I was young. When we went to Japan, we planned on wearing outfits three times if possible (not difficult with pants or shorts but a bit chancy with tops), if not we did wash in the bathtub! Purses are a total P.I.T.A. and totally unnecessary when in another country. All the stuff you carry in your purse isn't as useful while on holiday. When I was less "fluffy" I would wear a fanny pack instead. Now that I am more ample, I have a small travel shoulder bag. It has a long strap that I wear ACROSS my body so it can't be pulled off my shoulder. I keep coins, bills and a credit card in a small 2 compartment change purse. Speaking of which, the foreign airports take credit cards but very few of the fun small shops anywhere outside the States take credit cards. Make sure that the card you take will give you access to foreign ATMs, there will likely be on in your hotel and for sure there will be one at just about every bank you should pass. Be sure to call your credit card company and tell them you are going to be outside the USA on holiday or they might not honor charges or attempts to get cash from local ATMs!! I also carry my passport with me at all times and it fits into a zippered section of my travel purse. I also take my drivers license even though I don't plan on driving. It's just handy to have that second piece of photo ID. Keep a piece of paper with your passport that has emergency info on it just in case something should happen. HMMM, what else? OH -- free public rest rooms are almost nonexistent outside the States. There *might* be pay toilets here and there so don't drink a lot while you are out and about. If you use a free public rest room in a shopping area or museum, etc. there will likely be an attendant on duty. If so, be sure to leave a small "tip" -- watch to see what the local folks do and follow their example. If you are unsure about tipping in restaurants, etc. be sure to ask at your hotel front desk. Be honest and simply tell them you aren't sure what is accepted in that area. In our Berlin hotel, the menu stated that a 10% tip was automatically included in the cost of the food. In the Czech Republic, we asked at the front desk and were told that it was not expected. The young man who was our server in the hotel restaurant spoke excellent English and really went out of his way so we left him a nice tip on the last night we were there. I could go on forever but this has gone on long enough -- LOL! If you have any specific questions, post them or e-mail me and I will try to answer. Don't forget to tell us where you are going, etc. OK?? CiaoMeow ^;;^ PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^ (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at http://community.webshots.com/user/tiamary |
#8
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VERY OT International traveling???
Yogi and I will be arriving shortly (easy to do, we are both short) to
entertain the furbabies while your are gone. We are not cheap and they will be a little spoiled upon your return. Don't fail to pack Imodium and spare glasses. If you pack them, you won't need them. Polly "Taria" wrote in message news:558bk.409$4a3.318@trnddc04... I think you should just take Tia Mary along. She sounds like she knows what she is doing! Taria Tia Mary wrote: Leslie & The Furbabies in MO. wrote: It seems I am going to have the opportunity to do some traveling- I've never been outside the USA except for a short way across the border into Mexico. And I've only flown about 5 times and never even had to catch a connecting flight. I've never ridden in a taxi or public transportation. I need to know what to do??? ...snipped.... Help! Leslie- applied for my passport and now I'm lost! & The Furbabies in MO. I just got back from Berlin in mid-June so I have current info :-). First off WHERE will you be going & when? That has a lot to do with the type of clothing to take. Don't worry about connecting flights. The airline personnel should be waiting at the arrival door when you deplane to help you and answer any questions. When I went to Ireland, I found that I could dress more like I do here at home (jeans and casual top) and not get looked at as if I was from Mars -- LOL! When I was in the Czech Republic last year, you would have thought I was running around naked because I had on dressy jeans, a nice sweater and my walking sneakers! Older women in Europe do not dress the way we do this side of the pond and very rarely wear denim jeans. The young girls do but not us more mature women :-). Most hotels now have irons & ironing boards available for their guests. Blow dryers are usually in the bathrooms so you don't need to worry about that. For other electrical stuff, get an electric plug converter -- now available in even Target & Walmart at a pretty reasonable price where the luggage and travel stuff is displayed. WEAR your most comfy walking shoes on the plane and pack just one pair of nice shoes. I usually stuff my socks INSIDE my nice shoes to help keep them from getting squished :-). Regardless of what you pack in your checked luggage, ALWAYS carry on a change of undies and basic toiletries like comb, brush, toothpaste, tooth brush & deodorant. In your checked baggage, you can pack any size stuff you want but you can only *carry on* small bottles (max 3 or 4 oz) of liquids, cremes, gels, etc. like toothpaste and shampoo. These small bottles must all fit in a clear 1 quart zip lock bag and be put through the security scanner separately, not inside your carry on bag. If you take hairspray, take a SMALL can and pack it in your checked luggage. Technically, I'm fairly sure that you are never allowed to carry on ANY aerosol of ANY kind. Many airports in the States are getting less restrictive about the zip lock baggie thing but I found that ALL the European airports I went through in the last few years were VERY strict. When you go through security, you will need to remove your jacket (if you are wearing one) and your shoes and walk through in stocking feet. I even have to put my cane through the scanner so it's a good thing I can walk through on my own. If you don't think you can manage this, just ask for a wheelchair when you get to the airport and use that -- there is a special scanner that they have wheelchairs, etc. go through and you will likely have to be "wanded" with the hand held device. DO NOT carry on pointed end scissors of ANY length as they will be confiscated in other countries. I take my Clover Cutter and have no problem. Sewing needles and straight pins are OK. **IF** you have knit tops, not the standard Stateside t-shirts, take those as opposed to woven fabric tops. The knits pack better and wrinkles usually come out once they are hung for a bit. This is what I take along with elastic waist knit slacks unless it's winter or I am going somewhere that I know is cold. Then I will pack NICE colored jeans (black, burgundy, beige, dk. blue) which also get "unwrinkled" quickly once hung for a bit. Fold your clothing a neatly as possible, getting our all the wrinkles, then roll the folded items up. I fold my tops like they do in the stores with the sides folded to the back and then folded in half lengthwise. Then I ROLL the garment up lengthwise. For some reason, I get fewer wrinkles doing this. I usually wear an outfit twice when I travel so I NEVER take anything white. I'm not often out getting all hot and sweaty and dirty like I did when I was young. When we went to Japan, we planned on wearing outfits three times if possible (not difficult with pants or shorts but a bit chancy with tops), if not we did wash in the bathtub! Purses are a total P.I.T.A. and totally unnecessary when in another country. All the stuff you carry in your purse isn't as useful while on holiday. When I was less "fluffy" I would wear a fanny pack instead. Now that I am more ample, I have a small travel shoulder bag. It has a long strap that I wear ACROSS my body so it can't be pulled off my shoulder. I keep coins, bills and a credit card in a small 2 compartment change purse. Speaking of which, the foreign airports take credit cards but very few of the fun small shops anywhere outside the States take credit cards. Make sure that the card you take will give you access to foreign ATMs, there will likely be on in your hotel and for sure there will be one at just about every bank you should pass. Be sure to call your credit card company and tell them you are going to be outside the USA on holiday or they might not honor charges or attempts to get cash from local ATMs!! I also carry my passport with me at all times and it fits into a zippered section of my travel purse. I also take my drivers license even though I don't plan on driving. It's just handy to have that second piece of photo ID. Keep a piece of paper with your passport that has emergency info on it just in case something should happen. HMMM, what else? OH -- free public rest rooms are almost nonexistent outside the States. There *might* be pay toilets here and there so don't drink a lot while you are out and about. If you use a free public rest room in a shopping area or museum, etc. there will likely be an attendant on duty. If so, be sure to leave a small "tip" -- watch to see what the local folks do and follow their example. If you are unsure about tipping in restaurants, etc. be sure to ask at your hotel front desk. Be honest and simply tell them you aren't sure what is accepted in that area. In our Berlin hotel, the menu stated that a 10% tip was automatically included in the cost of the food. In the Czech Republic, we asked at the front desk and were told that it was not expected. The young man who was our server in the hotel restaurant spoke excellent English and really went out of his way so we left him a nice tip on the last night we were there. I could go on forever but this has gone on long enough -- LOL! If you have any specific questions, post them or e-mail me and I will try to answer. Don't forget to tell us where you are going, etc. OK?? CiaoMeow ^;;^ PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^ (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at http://community.webshots.com/user/tiamary |
#9
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VERY OT International traveling???
Taria wrote:
I think you should just take Tia Mary along. She sounds like she knows what she is doing! Taria HEY -- works for me as I obviously do love to travel -- LOL! Before we moved to Magnoliaville (AKA Atlanta 8 1/2 yrs ago) DH and I had traveled to Hawaii 12 times, Japan, Tahiti, Fiji, areas of the Caribbean and a bit of Mexico and Canada. Since moving here we have been to more parts of the Caribbean, Hawaii again, Winnipeg, Ireland, Austria, The Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and twice to Germany! DH has gone to Germany at least 5 times, 4 times to Japan, Italy once, Sweden 4 or 5 times, Spain once and probably some other places I have forgotten about. All without me, of course -- LOL! OH -- wanted to talk a bit about water. DO NOT DRINK THE WATER -- doesn't matter where you go! Even here in the States, I am careful about drinking too much "public" water in areas I am not used to being in. The different levels of acceptable minerals, etc. can have an effect on your lower intestinal tract -- IF you get my drift! You won't get sick but you also won't want to be too far from the nearest restroom :-). So -- drink bottled water as often as possible. And remember, ice is made from water and if the ice in your beferage isn't almost clear then it's got stuff in it that *might* make you unhappy. A question for our Canadian mambers. Have you guys gotten fixated on ice in your drinks yet like we have in the States? I always laugh when I am in Europe and ask for ice in my drink and get one or maybe two pieces :-). I LOVE ice and fill my glass with ice and then add my beverage! I was REALLY happy when we got to the hotel in Berlin and say that there waz an ice make on our floor and very near our room AND the ice was lovely, made from very clean, filtered water -- DH and I went through a bucket or two of it each day! CiaoMeow ^;;^ PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^ (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at http://community.webshots.com/user/tiamary |
#10
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VERY OT International traveling???
So European ice is safe? I thought you said no ice? I'm confused? And is
*ALL* bottled water safe??? I'm getting a headache... Leslie "Tia Mary" wrote in message ... Taria wrote: I think you should just take Tia Mary along. She sounds like she knows what she is doing! Taria HEY -- works for me as I obviously do love to travel -- LOL! Before we moved to Magnoliaville (AKA Atlanta 8 1/2 yrs ago) DH and I had traveled to Hawaii 12 times, Japan, Tahiti, Fiji, areas of the Caribbean and a bit of Mexico and Canada. Since moving here we have been to more parts of the Caribbean, Hawaii again, Winnipeg, Ireland, Austria, The Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and twice to Germany! DH has gone to Germany at least 5 times, 4 times to Japan, Italy once, Sweden 4 or 5 times, Spain once and probably some other places I have forgotten about. All without me, of course -- LOL! OH -- wanted to talk a bit about water. DO NOT DRINK THE WATER -- doesn't matter where you go! Even here in the States, I am careful about drinking too much "public" water in areas I am not used to being in. The different levels of acceptable minerals, etc. can have an effect on your lower intestinal tract -- IF you get my drift! You won't get sick but you also won't want to be too far from the nearest restroom :-). So -- drink bottled water as often as possible. And remember, ice is made from water and if the ice in your beferage isn't almost clear then it's got stuff in it that *might* make you unhappy. A question for our Canadian mambers. Have you guys gotten fixated on ice in your drinks yet like we have in the States? I always laugh when I am in Europe and ask for ice in my drink and get one or maybe two pieces :-). I LOVE ice and fill my glass with ice and then add my beverage! I was REALLY happy when we got to the hotel in Berlin and say that there waz an ice make on our floor and very near our room AND the ice was lovely, made from very clean, filtered water -- DH and I went through a bucket or two of it each day! CiaoMeow ^;;^ PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^ (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at http://community.webshots.com/user/tiamary |
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