Besides preparing zealously for your next big international trip, here are several friendly reminders you can use today as checklist to jog your memory of any last minute items you need to do in order to make your trip as smooth as possible.
1. Do you have an up to date passport? As ridiculous as the question sounds, many people think their passport is good and realize they have an expired one. The Department of Secretary does offer expedited services, however, for a rather large fee where you can get one in as little as two working days.
2. Pack less. Look at your current amount of luggage you have. Ask yourself do you really "need" this item or that item? Chances are no to both of them. Throw them out. How can you get multiple uses out of the same item?
Use a jacket as a pillow. Go to a sports outdoor shop such as REI and look for gear that is defined for multi-purpose. This has been a little secret for light weight backpackers for years. Chances are if you forget an item on your trip, it wasn't important to begin with and in the worst cases; you can always just buy the item while overseas.
3. The bring more money part...It always happens. You just happen to find some exotic souvenir that you must buy now because your plane leaves in an hour and the street peddler doesn't accept credit cards! Bring cash and stow it away in a safe place. Many travel places like AAA or ricksteves.com offer passport and money belts you can securely place your money in and keep safe on you while you travel.
4. Make photocopies of all your immunization records and bring them with you. For whatever reason if you had to go to the hospital you could have documents showing what kinds of shots you have taken and also any kind of special medical treatments you may have recently had. Check the Center for Disease Control to find out the most up to date recommendations for any kind of country specific vaccines you should have before entering the country.
5. Make photocopies of all credit/debit cards and bring an extra piece of photo identification and store those in a seperate safe place. This will serve you well in the off chance you get robbed or your backs are stolen. There are many good con artists out there and if you elt your guard down for one second, you'll be ripped off before you know it.
By having a few simple Plan B's in place, you will have fun, remain safe, and keep the shirt on your back as well.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
