Tuesday's Travel Tip: Man! Your Arms Must Be Tired!

I love flying. Always have, always will (even despite British Airways).

But as with anything, there are always tips to make life easier. Some flights are straight up then down…some will have you squirming to find that “comfy” position (Don’t be afraid of it. It might look ridiculous, but sometimes you have double digit hrs to kill).


Either way, here’s my little routine:

1. I request a window seat, because *my* comfy position requires one.


2. Take all the necessary in-flight *tools* out of my carry-on. (When you’re in a window seat, you don’t make friends by having to climb over people every 2 seconds for that “thing” you forgot in the overhead locker.) My carry-on then goes up and out of the way, and I’m left with the fun stuff. See tool-kit details below.


3. Take off my shoes (Trust me on this one)


4. Pop in a piece of gum to chew (Helps your ears pop with the change in pressure at take-off. Repeat at landing)


5. Check out the Airline In-Flight Magazine in the seat pouch in front of me to find out what the movie is going to be, and then decide whether I feel like the meatarian or vegetarian meal.


6. Sit back and enjoy.

My *tool-kit* always has the following:

• book (novel and / or guidebook)
• headphones (even if it doesn’t *fit* the plug, usually halfway in will get you both ears. Shhhh!)
• MP3 player or Discman for the old-school like me (don’t forget your cd wallet)
• eye drops
• moisturizer (good for hands and face, and sometimes staticky hair)
• bottle of water (flight attendants are busy people)
• sweater
• Chapstick
• for longer trips : ear plugs and deodorant

For longer flights I also make sure I have the cute airline blanket and pillow, but if I’m feeling extra splurgy, I’ll have brought my inflatable neck pillow and a light sleeping pill (anti-nausea’s are a good choice for most people as they offer the double whammy of keeping your flight food down and knocking you out) (I’m kidding, I actually enjoy flight food. Sometimes it’s an adventure, and sometimes it’s actually really good).

Although I’m a hypocrite and actually NEVER do the stretching exercises that they show you in the video, I think they’re a really good idea. I myself rely on the fact that I have a 3 yr old girl’s bladder, and hence get lots of leg stretching via repeated trips to the bathroom, haha. (Hmmmm, maybe window seats Aren’t the best thing for me)

For a more clinical approach, Air Canada has quite a lengthy read on the subject.

Wikihow.com "Be-Comfortable-on-a-Long-Airplane-Trip", has some good tips, and some downright anal tips. I highly agree with the wax earplugs (God’s gift to light sleepers), and WetOnes for longer trips.

So go forth, fly high, and create your own checklist. And don’t forget to comment and tell us…what’s YOUR can’t-live-without-when-flying?

Tuesday's Travel Tip : I Paid to Work for Free?

So if someone told you you’d have to PAY to work for someone, you’d probably think to yourself “What kind of sucker do you take me for?”

Oddly enough, people do it every day and have for years and years. Bonus part, they get to incorporate the feel-good into their vacation.

But…isn’t a vacation about NOT working?

Touché. But there are all the “feel-good” “goodie-two-shoes” reasons. “I want to help save the animals / people / archaeological ruins / etc etc.” Or…some people just think it’s a fantastic way to get to see the “real” of a new area.

(Anyone who reads my posts has probably figured out by now that I don’t normally tend to go for the traditional package tour. Snob me. I plan to face my snobbery full on and “suck it up” as soon as I…get around to it. Haha At least I can admit my shortcomings)

I am one of the latter type travellers. I want to meet locals. I want to get in there and experience. Now I realize full well that I’ll always be an outsider, but it’s my chance to at least get up and close to the boundary and peek in, versus sitting far away on a beach chair beckoning for an all-inclusive drink. (Hmmm, all-inclusive drinks don’t sound so bad actually…but I digress.)

So Volunteer Vacations become the ticket. There are SO many different organizations to choose from. It all depends on your country of origin, your budget, the number of days you can commit to, your interests, and how extreme you’re feeling. There’s no pressure, it’s a win-win chance to try something new and exciting, and come out with fantastic photos and memories, plus maybe some sore shoulders and an extended vocabulary… english or otherwise. Haha

To get you started I’d suggest having a look at the following organizations:

Habitat for Humanity has some very interesting programs at home and abroad, and has an excellent reputation. Their Global Village Program has upcoming programs to Romania, Hungary, and Kenya. I also found their Women Build Program quite an interesting venture, focusing on empowering women to get involved, but refusing to fall into a sexist trap by excluding men from the projects.

Earthwatch is another excellent organization, but focuses on more scientific endeavours. Zoological, anthropological, you want the “gical”, they’re almost guaranteed to have something that will strike your fancy. To celebrate their 35 years, they currently have a You might be an Earthwatch Volunteer IF list. Anyone who has not only volunteered abroad, but also enjoyed backcountry camping, will get a good chuckle. I mean *I* know what gaiters are…doesn’t everyone?

Finally, fellow Canadians may want to check out Developing World Connections, based right here at home in Kamloops, BC. They offer varied programs in several countries including Thailand and Sri Lanka.

Now these are 3 of the many opportunities out there. Maybe your interest is teaching abroad (hey, you might even get Paid for that!). I have always been interested in working on a kibbutz. In our amazing day and age, the possibilities truly are endless. You just need to think about where your heart is, and seek out how to make the dreams into reality. Just don’t forget those Advils and Myoflex if your dream involves building schools in rural communities.

Get out there, help, and enjoy!

The One Day of the Year I'd Really Like to be in Ottawa

Happy Canada Day!

To all at home on our icy shores, and everyone displaced on shores abroad.

Happy Birthday true north strong and free!