Whether you’re taking a simple weekend vacation a few states
away, or you’re traveling to a foreign country, you must maintain
your safety and health. Getting sick while on vacation is no fun, and
neither is feeling scared and vulnerable in an emergency situation.
Make sure you’re packing the essentials, and that your health is in
tip-top shape before heading out on your next adventure!
PACKING
How you pack your clothes is up to you, but you should be
aware of the possibilities of losing important documents that
you’re packing in with your wardrobe. If you’re traveling
abroad, for example, you will want to leave a copy of your im-
portant stuff, like your passport and any other travel docu-
ments, with a friend or relative that you can contact in case of
an emergency.
You should also make several copies of your important docu-
ments and pack one in each piece of luggage that you’re tak-
ing with you. This decreases the probability of losing that one
piece of luggage that has your life – literally – in it. With several
copies, you eliminate the bulk of the problem, and always
have a copy on hand, in case anything goes wrong.
Though these situations may seem rare, they are much more com-
mon than most of us, as travelers, realize, so being prepared is
never a bad idea. Even if you’re a seasoned traveler and you’ve
been to many countries many times, and nothing horrible has ever
happened, don’t take your good luck for granted. It only takes one
time to completely strand yourself in a foreign country.
Make sure you research the airports that you’ll be flying in and
out from, so that you’re able to confidently pack without having
to wonder if “this or that should be in a clear plastic bag.” Pack-
ing the essentials is a must, but refrain from packing a bunch
of extras that will weigh you down – you’ll end up paying more
at baggage check-in for the weight of things you didn’t use. If
you’re traveling by boat, train, or car, you’ll want to check the
rules and regulations for liquids, weapons, and any other tricky
items, as travel regulations vary depending on your mode of
transportation.
If the car you’re traveling in is your own, then you must set
rules for yourself before setting out, like making sure the car
has had an oil change and tune up, checking the tires, and
packing any extra tools you may need, such as a spare tire,
jumper cables, a flashlight, etc., if the car breaks down or has
any other issue.
Food Traveler | Winter 2017 | 95