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Getting ready to take the plunge into international travel is easier than you might think. First of all, you don't need special shoes - or a new wardrobe. That being said, there are some very specific things you'll need to get a grip on if you're planning to leave America's shores for foreign ports-of-call. Not the least of which - and a good place to start is your PASSPORT. You must have one of these "cute little blue books" for your overseas adventure. Where and how you obtain a passport depends on whether you are applying for the first time, and how much time you have before departure. If you are seeking a U.S. Passport for the first time (you ARE over 13, aren't you?) or if your last passport was issued more than twelve years ago, then you must apply IN PERSON at one of the following locations: (1) A U.S. Passport Office in either Philadelphia, New York or Los Angeles. (OK. Shall we proceed instantly to the next possibility?) (2) At a Clerk of any Federal or State Court of record, county offices or a judge or clerk of any probate court accepting applications (phone first to inquire, or:) (3) A designated postal employee at a selected Post Office. (Phone first to see if YOUR Post Office issues them). They may send you to the Prothonotary Office at your county Court House. Easy to find. Hard to spell. Bring with you, when applying in person, the following: TWO recent photographs - two inches by two inches - "full face". A local photo shop or your AAA Travel Office will provide these very inexpensively. (They don't 'retouch' however - so 'what you see is who you are'. Unfortunately, this probably won't be your favorite likeness; mine never was, anyway. (One of my so-called friends remarked that if I felt as bad as I looked in my passport photo, I probably wasn't well enough to travel). (4) A Passport Fee of $60.00. The 'book' is good for 10 years, so it's a bargain on an annualized basis. (5) Proof of Identity. This might be your driver's license, or a friend who will solemnly swear you're a U.S. Citizen. Of course, they'll have to prove their identity. (6) Proof of Citizenship. This one's tricky. You can't use the certificate with your baby footprint issued by the pediatric ward - you have to have an 'embossed' birth or registrar's certificate, certificate of citizenship, naturalization certificate or a notarized affidavit by somebody who knows about your place of birth. Your state has a 'bureau of vital statistics' - and will issue you an 'official' document for a few (usually less than 10) dollars. (7) Fill out your form DSP-11, pay your money to the nice lady, and she'll send it in for you. Your Passport should arrive in the mail in a week or two. WHILE YOU'RE WAITING - BE A BOOKWORM!
Much more important than money belts or luggage, travelers checks and Dramamine is what I call 'cultural reparation'. Without it, your vacation may be less than you hoped for. Remember - it's your money - and an investment in travel, like any other should be expected to pay back lifetime dividends of joy, memories and satisfaction. An evening in the library, or curled up in your favorite easy chair - reading about the culture and history of the places you'll visit can make all the difference in how your travel investment pays off. CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN (OR WOMAN) BULKY! Behold: THE STEVENS PACKING THEOREM First, take everything out of the closet you think you'll need for your trip, and stack it on the bed. If it doesn't fit - use another bed. NOW, put at least half of it back into the closet, NEXT, take 1/3 of what's left, and try to fit it in your suitcase. There. That's close. NOW go for "color coordination", and you can eliminate about half of that amount, and best of all you can lift it off the floor. Even more important, I'll be able to lift it off the floor! Do us both a favor here, and pay attention. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS "LIGHTWEIGHT LUGGAGE". Try this some Sunday afternoon: dig out that suitcase you planned to take, and try to close it over the 'possible wardrobe' you have selected in the previous exercise. You'll be surprised to find you can not close the lid, or lift it off the floor. It will weight about 38 pounds (bathroom scales come into play here). Now consider you may have to pick it up and carry it at least 75 times during your trip. Have you concluded it's too heavy? Good! You're right! Stay tuned. Solution follows: Get COLOR COORDINATED! Once you think about it, getting coordinated is sensible and easy. You gals do this all the time (but please help the men - because we're terrible at it). Decide not "what's my line?" but "what's my color?" and then stick to it. If you're a beauty in brown, a vision in gray, or a dazzler in blue ...... get my drift? Put together outfits that mix and match, outfits that coordinate (or are patently outrageous). Amazingly enough, you will find it takes 75 percent less weight and space to "coordinate" than to try and change colors and outfits every day (it also takes a lot less shoes). Remember, your traveling companions don't care, and your overseas hosts will only see you once anyway - so be smart - be cool - and travel light! I substitute my old Harris tweed for my zip-up jacket when traveling. Looks pretty ratty by the time I get home - but you can bet I'm comfortable, and ready for any "formal" occasion that comes up. Just add a necktie (UGH) and I'm "good to go". Also, for 89 cents I get one of those plastic rain capes at the pharmacy. I carry it for "insurance", but admit I seldom wear it, because it's hotter'n all! I get wet from the inside OUT! Better to pick up one of those little 12-inch, pop-up umbrellas. Packs easy, doesn't weigh much, you probably won't need it, and if you're like me you'll forget it someplace along the line anyway. No great loss. |
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Although it's painfully obvious now, it took me a long while to realize that
what one does at home before departing on a trip is far more important than all
the hotel, restaurant and shopping tips designed for use after you get
someplace. Advance preparations are your key to rewarding travel. Once you
arrive at your destination, it's invariably too late to acquire the local knowledge,
buy the passes, travel the right roads, qualify for the savings, pack the right
clothes, take the right precautions and enjoy substantial benefits that
could have been yours if only you had spent a little time planning ahead.