Once there was a girl... » Events:Travel

– Saharan Dinos

The Girl — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:43:56 +0000

What can I say. Out of the mouths of babes…

Miss P (who I can easily confirm is the cutest almost 4 year old on earth) overhears a History Channel program on the Sahara Desert during the 19th century:

The commentator mentions a ‘colossal rapture’

Mommy, did you hear him? He said Colossalraptor! Where is the dinosaur!?

Her mother texts me the story and has me laughing out loud.

Her favorite ride at Disneyland? The train. Why? It used to be because of the BRAND Canyon. Now it’s because of the Dinosaurs. We pretty much have to ride the train twice when we go to the park.

Forget Nemo, Cinderella, and those Toy Story punks. Bring on the dinos!

Makes me glad I already bought us tickets for Walking with Dinosaurs
(get discounted tix through Goldstar!)

– Essentials

The Girl — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:56:46 +0000

What are your purse/backpack essentials when you are traveling?

I keep a few items on hand (most of them are everyday items, others for just when I travel) to make life a bit simpler. Most of these apply to domestic and some international destinations. I am much more wary of theft outside of North America though…

I carry my passport in an oversized wallet. Most bars will take a driver’s license, but in case of an emergency I like to keep it on me.
I also will travel with a small amount of currency for the country I’m headed to for quick airport purchases (and surprise taxes or fees!) and a bit of US cash to have when I get back home (to get out of the parkade). I travel most often to Canada, so I’ll hit up an ATM and take out as much cash as I can to cover my expenses. That way I’ll save myself individual transaction fees from using my debit or credit cards. Any currency left over I just take home and save for the next trip… Just carry a daily stipend on your person and the rest secure at your home base or hotel safe.
Keeping common meds in an old lady pill case comes in handy. Aspirin, allergy meds, lactaid, etc… all expensive to buy on the fly. Keeping a few of each kind of med in a pill keeper makes you a walking pharmacy. I just keep a little slip of paper in one section which outlines each segment contents along with basic dose info so I don’t have to memorize it.
Expandable shopping bag. I absolutely love my turquoise Eddie Bauer shopper. It folds up simply without needing to know oragami, has a tab with a clip on it, a belt loop, and the folded pouch zips shut. I can use it as my primary wallet/camera case since when folded it is the size of my Canon point and shoot and a fits my ID, a few cards and cash. Then I can throw it on a belt, or clip it to a belt loop. If you need to carry more you can expand it and still keep the zipper pocket stuffed with small items.
I almost always carry a bag big enough for a sweater or a change of shoes. Having a large purse can get heavy though, so I try to stick to messenger style bags so my shoulders don’t get tense from hefting too much weight.

What are some essentials that you keep on you when you’re touring around? Bandaids for blisters? Pre-made address lables for easy postcard mailing? Let me know!

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– Label, label, label

The Girl — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 07:21:22 +0000

Here are some packing tips I’ve come to utilize that makes my travel a touch easier.

I label everything. When you’re in the midst of security you really don’t want to be unsure as to what exactly the 6 tubes of creamy white stuff is. Also helps when you’ve gotten back from a trip and tossed your toiletries in a drawer for a few months… you’ll know easily what to grab for the next trip.
I have a quart size bag that came with my suitcase, it has a handle on it which makes it super easy to snatch up, put on my wrist, and move out of the way after screenings. Keeps my hands free to grab my laptop and shoes. I just walk into the terminal and then reassembled my stuff.
Solids. I don’t buy travel size products if its something I use on a daily basis and can be bottled in empty travel sized containers. The travel sized items I do buy are ones that are solids such as sunscreen, deoderant, moisurizers, and even some fragrances that can slip through security easily.

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– Plan and pack

The Girl — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 22:25:40 +0000

Image:taiyofj

How do you plan a trip? Do you plan out every detail or fly by the seat of your pants?

I always like to do a little research for my first trip to a new place, especially asking friends and family about the location if they’ve been there before.

Most important is figuring out weather trends to keep packing to a minimum… I’m notorious for packing way too many options, but I’m getting better at it.

What are your no fail travel tips for planning and packing?

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– Travel Companions

The Girl — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:27:30 +0000

Mal over at Malingering’s World has posted some photos of a trip to China on her blog. In true anonymous blogger form, she’s not in any of the pictures.

She has a stand in… Duchella Ventura the Santa Monica Girl troll doll. In keeping with Mal’s snark and humor, the troll doll dressed in her hideous halter top, PINK undies, and UGGs (all a social commentary for Southern California!) took pictures at various Chinese destinations for the blog.

(via Malingering’s World)

It brought to mind all the trips I’ve taken with a little sidekick and how the trend is spreading amongst friends and family…

Jocelyn has a plastic Okapi she takes with her all over DC

Even Jocelyn’s sister is in on it. She made a video of the adventures of Okapi in DC during her spring break visit.

I’ve been known to tote around a full sized garden gnome (it takes a BIG purse) and my favorite companion, a little squishy and furry guy named Bear.
(Although this photo of Bear in Hawaii is not mine… it’s his mom’s. This is his SECOND trip to the islands!)

What possesses us to take such silly photographs? I don’t quite know. It all started for me when I ‘kidnapped’ the above bear from my aunt’s house and took him on an adventure touring various locations in Southern California and then along with us on a family trip to Hawaii.

I returned him to her house along with a photo album of all his adventures. Since then he’s traveled with both her family and ours, taking photos along the way.

Having a companion to photograph makes the action of capturing touristy pictures a whole lot more fun. You have to think of fun & inventive ways to get them in the picture, you’re constantly looking for opportunities to include them in the scenery or activities you may be participating in.

I guarantee you will laugh a lot more on your trip. You have to be prepared for some strange looks, but more often than not anyone witnessing your shenanigans will probably laugh with you…

For most people who don’t have the artistic eye or technical knowledge to take breathtaking photos on their travels, a little companion can really can add some interest into what would typically be boring vacation photos.

I don’t like coming back from a trip and having a ton of photos of vistas and views that look just like everyone else’s on Flickr.

How else can I prove it was me that was there? I sure as heck don’t want to see my face 500 times when I return from a trip, so it’s much better to throw in a stand in!

Tell me people of the internets… do you take along a travel companion to photograph? If so, what’s the story behind it…