Category Archives: Stress-Free Planning

[Attempting to] Pack: Ireland Edition!

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The suitcase is as disorganized as it looks!

Packing has never been one of my strong points, and this trip is no exception. I am, however, quite proud of myself for only taking 1 checked bag for my week in Ireland! My new camera bag will serve as a carry-on.

As this is my 5th international trip since beginning college, I wanted to review some important packing tools that I’ve learned (some of them, the hard way!):

1. Don’t bring shampoo. Yes, I know you color your hair. And the hotel shampoo is going to ruin it. Still, I personally prefer going to the salon after a trip for a touch-up instead of spending hours in the hotel bathroom getting sticky shampoo off of every other toiletry item I brought with  me!

2. Pack your own pharmacy. Okay, not really. Motion sickness pills (if you are afflicted, as I am), pain killer, and allergy meds are a must. I’m also a huge believer in Airborne. Pack these little lifesavers and I promise, you won’t regret it. Also, be aware that any prescription medications must be declared when taken through Customs.

3. Passport Buddy System. If you are traveling with a friend, make a copies of your passports and exchange them. This will allow you to each have a backup copy in case you or your travel partner’s passport is lost or stolen. It will aid the US Embassy greatly in getting you a new passport.

4. Know the rules. A bar of soap is considered a liquid. Who knew? Also, pepper spray is illegal (even to check!) on most flights. Look up on your airline’s baggage restrictions to see what you can and cannot take on your flight.

The Itinerary That Wasn’t

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I am very much a “planner” – I prefer my life organized, my lists checked off, my plans lined up. But for whatever reason, this has not been the case during my preparation for the upcoming trip. Perhaps John’s casual attitude towards planning rubbed off on me after the adventure in Australia. Or maybe my mind has been too preoccupied with daily life to focus on the trip. Whatever it may be, this newfound lack of concern has transformed this vacation into a new experience for me. Avonie and I have created a list of activities and sights to see and do, but other than that, we have no set itinerary. It will be an adventure to see what ends up happening!

The Crazy One

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Now that the trip is only a week away, I would like to introduce you to my fellow traveler! Since you have met me, you should now understand that I am a compassionate and sensitive individual who is drawn to all things beautiful. But to fully appreciate this post, you must also realize that I enjoy getting a full 8 hours of sleep (7.5 hours is not sufficient), plans/lists/schedules are necessity in my life, and I would like to live to be 100.

Meet John. My 25 year old brother who is a “virgin-traveler,” meaning he’s never traveled internationally. He has been rereading the same page of the world (titled America) his entire life and I feel so privileged to be the little sister who takes him on his first big adventure.

John isn’t quite like me though. Okay, understatement of the year.  John and I are the definition of opposing personalities. He is the daredevil adventurer who prefers activities that have a 75% injury rate. Sleep is a luxury he doesn’t believe is affordable to those who truly want to live life. And I had to convince him to go on this trip because he thought Australia wouldn’t hold enough excitement for him.

Our personalities clash a lot. If you read between the lines, you will probably see some tension between us for the duration of this trip. But part of what makes a team dynamic is conflict (or so I’ve heard), so together, this should be the trip of a lifetime for us.

John will be the primary videographer for the trip, and will be sharing his own insights at his blog, sn4ves.com. If my writing is a bit too proper for your taste, visiting his site is the way to go!

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