The world-traveler daughter sent me a list of travel tips. These are my top ten favorites and excellent for women traveling alone, especially those of us over 50 who haven't done this in a long time or never.
1. Go to the bathroom on the plane about 30 minutes before landing since that's usually when the seatbelt light will go off. This will allow you to follow the crowd without having to pee in order to find customs and baggage claim.
2. The flight will be long - you will be tired and wired at the same time when you land at the airport.
3. It will be overwhelming but take time to look around. Stop for however long you need to get oriented - no one is rushing you.
4. You WILL get lost. Remember that Europe is very similar to the US... People will help you; you just have to ask and most of the time, you can take a taxi to a familiar place. You will eventually get back. It will be OK. It might just take longer, but who's counting the minutes anyway?
5. Sometimes you will take the wrong train or bus. It's an oops moment. Turn around and catch the opposite direction. I've missed buses and gone the wrong way so many times. You just accept it at some point.
6. In case of rain, make sure you have a ziplock bag for the phone. Have a map and the address of where you are staying written down.
7. You do not look European no matter what you wear. You look American.
8. Go with your gut. it serves you well.
9. Take pictures. Even awkward ones of yourself. ASK people to take your picture, but only those who are ALSO tourists.
10. RELAX.
She knows me. She cares.
No comments:
Post a Comment