Melo Villareal
Things to remember before you travel
How many times have you heard someone say that time flies? Or that they can’t believe summer is around the corner?
Our schedules these days are so full that we barely have time for ourselves. We juggle full-time jobs with running errands and keeping up with a family and kids, so thank God for vacations, where we get some free time to focus on our own wellbeing and recharge to come back to our daily routines refreshed and full of energy.
So you decide to take an adventure and go to a new place that you have never been to before, and it hits you that you are a tourist for the first time in your life, but what do you know about that? How do you get prepared?
Obviously; you have to choose your destination, book your flight and hotel, but once you do that; the real preparations begin, so what do you need to remember?
Pack light
Pick a suitcase that is medium in size so that it does not drag you. Remember that you are a tourist, so you can manage for a couple of weeks by having the minimum of everything. Choose comfortable clothes and shoes, but it doesn’t harm to be prepared in case you want to attend a late-night party or a high-end dinner. Don’t panic if you forget a few items, because you can always pick some at the nearest store.
Have some cash
It is easier to depend on credit cards while you are traveling, but it is always a good idea to have some cash on you in case of emergencies. It is wise to distribute your cash and not put all of it in the same place. Make sure that your ATM card and credit cards are valid in the country that is your destination and you can do that by simply visiting your bank before you travel; no one needs that kind of surprise when they are miles away from home.
Know your destination
Do simple research about the country you are visiting and put a list of the landmarks you intend to visit. If you don’t know how to read a map, it is a good time to learn because not all countries have the GPRS service, so you might have to do it the good old way. You might get lost at times, but don’t fret as this can be a new adventure on its own. Of course, you can choose to use public transportation to go around, but it is also fun to drive yourself so make sure you book a rental car and enjoy it.
Take a lot of photos
Every minute you spend a while on vacation is memorable, so make sure you capture these lovely moments with a lot of photos because every time you look at them; they will take you back to that place and that time where you were happy and having fun.
Getting prepared and doing your research before you fly has become really easy with the online sources out there; you can read the history of the place you are visiting and then go see it, and you can always use the online Opensooq classifieds websites to book any kind of service you need in your destination ahead of time.
A few more things to remember; backup your data if you are taking your laptop with you and the same applies to your smartphones because you will thank yourself for doing so in case you lose them or they get stolen. Laugh at yourself and don’t be too serious; mingle with the locals and try new foods.
Happy Touring!
