Travel with an Open Mind

For my final blog I would just like to talk about the importance of traveling with an open mind. Traveling to new places will bring about new experiences. Especially when one travels outside of the United States, there will be a new array of languages, customs, and etiquette. Take a day or two before your trip (or as I mentioned below, take books on the plane) to just read about the culture you are going to visit.

Did you know that it is rude to walk into a shop in France with out properly greeting the owner? A polite, "Bonjour Misure" is mandatory.

Did you know that before pouring yourself more wine in Italy you should always ask the rest of your table if you could fill anyone's glass?

Just familiarizing yourself with another culture is important because we are not the only country in this world. Broaden your horizons and experience new ways of doing things. You might find that you like it better!

The Importance of Packing Light

One of the most nicest things you can do for yourself when you travel is to PACK LIGHT! I know, easier said then done but if I can do it then anyone can.

According to Rick Steves' website, here are some great packing tips:

- If you won't wear it more than three times, don't bring it!

- Pack light, wash frequently, buy it if you need it

- Your pack should weight about 20 percent of your body weight, preferably no more than 20 pounds

- Limit yourself to one carry-on size bag: 9" x 21" x 13"

- A week before your trip, pack your bag with everything you think you want to take and carry it around for a day. Is it comfortable? Too heavy?

Also, for anyone going on a cruise make sure to pack a collapsible bag, not a big bulky suitcase. I learned from experience that even though boats/cruise ships are very nice they still lack in space a lot of the time. Packing everything in a small mesh or fabric bag will make your trip much easier!

The Travel Channel and Tips

Watching the Travel Channel is a great way to find new places to visit or just to gather information about a place that you are visiting. Before my trips I normally see if Rick Steves or Samantha Brown (one of my personal favorite travel shows) has a show about the area. It is nice to walk around a town and know a little about where you are heading and what you are doing. Another piece of advice is to pack a few travel books and read them on the plane. Trust me, after being on a plane for 8 hours and still having 3 hours left, a nice travel guide will be a welcome read. Also, make an effort to learn some of the language of where you will be traveling. It is only polite and if they notice that you are making a honest effort to speak their language they will most likely do the same. Visit the Travel Channel Website for more information!

Traveling and Pets

My husband and I have two cats, Sadie and Jack. Even though we leave town quiet often having cats has worked out really well for us. A bonus with having two cats is that they have a playmate for when we are gone. When we do decide to take them with us Jack travels in a crate while Sadie just sits in my husband's lap while he drives. We tried to let Jack travel without being in a crate but he just can't manage to sit still.

If you are planning on traveling a lot in your future and would like to have a pet I would suggest not getting a dog. While cats do require attention and maintenance they are much easier then dogs.

Road Trips with Friends

Going on a road trip with friends can be a tricky subject. It seems that many a great friendships have been ruined by a five hundred mile trip to somewhere. While this is the case for some, it certainly doesn't have to be. Here is a few pieces of advice from someone who has traveled successfully with friends and is still best friends with them today!

1. Don't be easily offended. Being stuck in a car can make people cranky so don't be easily offended by one small remark.

2. Always offer to drive. Don't let one person be stuck doing all of the driving.

3. Take care of one another. On any vacation it is important that friends take care of each other. Make sure that no one leaves without at least a buddy with them.

4. Pack light! This one is very important because unpacking and repacking five girls luggage into one small car can be somewhat annoying.

The One About France

I have heard many negative things about France over the years. I have heard they they are snobby, feminine, socialists, etc. Now, whether it is their attitude or government that bothers you if you haven't been then do you really know.

Many people like to judge a country even though they have never been there before. They think that because they have read about it or heard something means they are a know it all. Well this is just not true. I have heard people bash countries such as France without even have ever met anyone from the country!

Just as a general rule: Do not judge somewhere until you have been there to see it with your own eyes.

Just as an example, I have been to Paris and I did not meet one single snobby person. Everyone was incredibly kind and helpful. So, next time you want to judge another society just think about what they are saying about us Americans.

What to do with the pictures

With the age of the digital camera comes the notorious amount of unseen photos, forever stored on a computer and never seen by others.
When I travel I always take my camera with me to capture those special moments and exciting adventures. While at first only those who browsed my camera or computer could see the pictures, I now have found a wonderful alternative. Websites, such as www.shutterfly.com are very popular photo sites that have an array of options to use.
I enjoy the photo-books which I use to tell the story of each trip I go on. If you are going on a vacation and taking pictures you might as well turn them to good use! Another option that I really like it turning my favorite photos into black and white canvases. I can then hang them in my home as a work of art and have a great memory to cherish.