Know before you travel.

Know before you travel.

After being confined for months, people are ready to travel. Whether domestic or international, there are a few considerations to make if you plan to travel. From my lived experiences, here are five things I think you should consider.

Vaccines

Be prepared to show vaccine documentation and not just for covid-19. As I stated in a previous blog post, being vaccinated against covid-19 or other viruses does not permit you to act without thought for others. In addition, there is no uniformity in requirements locally or internationally for vaccine or testing documentation. Know that the documentation you have given to you at your local vaccination or testing site may not be acceptable at some places as valid documentation. Be aware and know before you fly.

Visa requirements.

Many new travelers overlook the fact that some countries require a visa before entry. The US Department of State is a great site to visit to determine if the country you are planning to visit has visa requirements and what they are. Although the US passport is highly valued, many countries still require a visa before entry. Sometimes these are available at the airport, but some countries require prior authorization.

Passport requirements.

Many people assume that having a passport is all that’s needed for international travel. However, as a general rule, US travelers need to have at least six months of validity left on their passports before they travel. Of course, there may be cases where this is not a requirement, but please ensure you have a valid passport if you plan to travel.

Flight options.

Flights are another overlooked aspect of travel that many new travelers do not realize is important. Often new travelers are swayed by the price of the trip rather than the duration of the journey. It is essential to consider whether your flight is nonstop, and if not, how many stops are included to reach your destination. As a rule, most travelers try not to have less than an hour between flights to be cautious of delays. However, some routes might include long airport layovers or even overnight stays. Be careful with your flight options.

Trip insurance.

I have also written about trip insurance before. I highly recommend adding the cost to your travel budget. With unforeseen personal circumstances, airline delays or cancellations, and weather conditions, travel insurance is well worth the cost to ensure your travel goes smoothly, or you are aptly compensated.

There are many things to consider when planning travel. With so many travelers choosing to make plans on their own, knowing what’s needed is essential. Have you ever been caught unaware? I’d like to know.

Five reasons for not traveling debunked.

Five reasons for not traveling debunked.

As a lifelong traveler, I have had many people be amazed at my travels. However, I have also heard the many reasons why people decide not to travel. Here are the top five reasons I’ve listened to and why I believe they are just excuses.

Time

I believe that people make time for what they truly want. I know this to be true from my lived experience. If a person finds travel significant, they will find the time to make it happen. The great thing about traveling is that you can make your trip as long or short a stay as you desire. I have known people to fly to another state to have lunch. Don’t use time as a deterrent to travel; it’s simply an excuse.

Costs

Travel costs are yet another unsubstantiated excuse for not traveling. Currently, there are many different options to shop and compare prices for hotels, Airbnb’s, car rentals, airplane tickets, and other travel expenses. When considering travel, one needs to decide on a budget and plan travel around what can fit into that budget.

Travel partners

There are so many different travel groups where you can search for a travel partner. You do not even have to share accommodations or expenses with your travel partner. You can be in the exact location at the same time. There is no need to wait for the perfect travel partner because there might never be one.

Fear

Simply put, is False Evidence Appearing Real. If you have a fear of flying, there is a course for that. If you have a fear of closed-in spaces, there’s also a course you can take. There is simply no way to conquer your fears but to face them. If you have a fear of traveling, then you have to start traveling.

Age

An often-used excuse is I’m too old, or I’ll wait until retirement. I say never put off for tomorrow what you can do today as it simply may not come. In addition, many tour groups consider age groups and that cater to the specific traveler preference.

These are, but five of the arguments people use for not traveling. There are many more. What is/has been your excuse? I’d like to know.

Travel souvenirs.

Travel souvenirs.

I’ve spent more than half of my life traveling.  Through the years, I have amassed my share of travel souvenirs.  My collection has ranged from T-shirts, magnets, coffee mugs, keychains, art, and furniture.  Having also lived as an ex-pat, moving with your collection of souvenirs can be a hassle.  Now I prefer a photographic memory or a small trinket that evokes special memories.  Here are my thoughts on travel souvenirs.

You can find magnets almost everywhere you travel.  For novice travelers, they can be a great souvenir from your travels. They can also be a great way to keep track of all your destinations.  However, magnets can soon overwhelm the spaces you are displaying if you are or become a prolific traveler.

Destination coffee mugs are another excellent travel souvenir.  However, they are fragile and take up a bit more room when packing. Like magnets, they can also become overwhelming as you can only use them sparingly.  Choosing your morning coffee mug often becomes a chore when you have so many choices.

T-shirts are one of my favorite travel souvenirs, and I still collect them everywhere I go.  Like magnets and coffee mugs, they too can become overwhelming.  However, I have started creating T-shirt blankets and throws.  These allow me to keep the memories the tees invoke close to me in a much more visible way.

Art is a great souvenir, but getting it home can be a challenge.  As a souvenir, art requires much more thought than handheld souvenirs.  It usually has to go with your home décor, and you need space for display.  Packing art to carry home can also be a challenge as it often does not fit into your luggage, so transporting it can be a hassle.

Furniture is a great way to bring memories of a place with you.  As a travel souvenir, however, like art, it is a thoughtful investment.  Furniture usually requires shipping to your final destination, and often the costs can be prohibitive.  But it will be a cherished memento that you will have for many years.

Whether a novice or expert traveler, I encourage everyone to grab a travel souvenir. It not only supports but can be a great way to keep your travel memories alive.  Do you collect travel souvenirs? What are they? I’d like to know.

Road trips.

Road trips.

Covid realities are still a concern for many.  As many now contemplate travel, the option of a road trip can be an excellent choice for travel.  Road trips enable a bit more control over social distancing than air travel. So, whether for a quick weekend getaway or a weeklong trip, here are a few ideas to consider.

On a road trip, the traveler is in total control of the itinerary. The departure and arrival times of the trip are flexible, and you are free to take as many or as few stops as necessary. Overall, traveling by car gives freedom and flexibility not offered by other travel options.

You can pack as much or as little as you desire.  There are no weight limits for your luggage. Therefore, you can carry items you may not have the luxury of carrying on an airplane or ship.  However, I would strongly suggest keeping your valuable things out of sight and not exposing yourself to possible theft.

Even though a road trip will add mileage to your car, the costs are often a much better option than airplane tickets.  Considering the price of gas and having more hotel options can be a much more affordable way to travel and see the country.

Planning out a road trip is essential, especially for the driver.  Fatigue is a genuine concern, and the driver takes on a big responsibility with having passengers in the car.  A good playlist, audiobooks, and podcasts are great ways to ease the boredom of a road trip.

There are many benefits of a road trip. Road trips offer a lot of time for self-reflection.  They provide an opportunity to try something new and to find inspiration from the surroundings you pass through.  Additionally, road trips can provide a break from social media and a great way to make memories with family and friends.

Have you taken a road trip recently?  Did you like it, or do you prefer other methods of travel?  I’d like to know.

Being a Black ex-pat.

Being a Black ex-pat.

My lived experience is affected by being born in Barbados, a former international flight attendant, and living in London, Germany, and Singapore as an ex-pat. I am accustomed to being exposed to different cultures and being in spaces with people who do not look like me. Being a Black ex-pat is a similar experience as most ex-pats tend to have less melanin. Here are a few of my experiences that you might find interesting.

As a Black ex-pat, nationality has at times played an even more significant role than race. Having an American passport has occasionally lessened the impact of my skin color. Additionally, the perception of me being an ex-pat gives the assumption of certain socio-economic status. This notion seems to provide an added benefit my skin color does not always allow.

Most foreigners view black culture through what they see in media, pop culture, and their local prejudices. It’s not uncommon for someone to strategically take a picture with me in the frame. I am now not even fazed when asked to take a picture with someone. This request is much more acceptable to me than being staged in someone’s photo without consent.

Microaggression is always present. It’s a constant reality navigating other people’s perception of the black lived experience. As an educated black woman with a doctorate, I refuse to be the racial educator. It can be exhausting to explain racism when tone-deaf comments tend to be frequent occurrences.

I’m comfortable with being the only black person in the room. People often express to me their love for a famous black person. I often refer to this as the “Obama” effect. I see these expressions as people’s way of affirming their acceptance of me occupying the space I’m inhabiting and making me feel comfortable.

As a Black ex-pat, I have become familiar with being stared at. I tend to see the stares as a curiosity that lessens the discomfort I may feel. However, I have had to aggressively stare back in some instances to make people realize that I am not a museum piece.

Whether as a Black ex-pat or a frequent traveler, have you had any similar experiences? I’d like to know.

Pin It on Pinterest