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Travel Logs March 2016

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Traveling Easier, Safer

By Bobbie Green

If you are informed you need to evacuate the country, the cost incurred is yours to pay.  If the embassy has to arrange for evacuation, it will be to the nearest safe place, not necessarily to your home.

Packing Tips

One bottle of baby oil plays multiple roles. On cotton balls it is a great makeup remover. Put in bath water as a skin moistener or use as body lotion. 

Save shower caps and the long plastic bags your newspaper may come wrapped in. They both make wonderful shoe protectors in your luggage. They fit all size shoes and keep dirty shoe soles from your clothes.

If longer trips will require washing your clothes, do not forget to pack a pillow case or large bag to carry your clothes to and from the laundry. I include a pod of all-color bleach and dryer sheets in the bag.

I always pack an extra, small, folding suitcase/bag, just in case my shopping bug bites and I find an offer I can't refuse.

Everyone knows to pack socks inside shoes, but ladies, do you remember those change of purses? I find they are good for nylons, hair ornaments, jewelry, and any small items needing extra protection.

Use only TSA-approved locks on your checked bags. If your bag is selected for random screening, agents will not have to cut the lock to get inside.

Rolled clothes really do have fewer wrinkles.

When cruising, pack one small bag with nightwear, toothbrush, travel papers and one change of clothes for pre- or post-hotel stay. That way you will not have to carry or open your major large bag.

When traveling abroad, do not forget to pack extra copies of your travel documents, passport and I.D. Things will go much easier if your wallet or purse is stolen with the originals in them or you can’t get phone service if that’s where you stored copies. Do not forget plug adaptors for foreign outlets; and suction wall hooks are a must for works ship cabins, small room and showers.

 

Health and Safety Tips

Travel insurance. Accidents seem to happen while on vacation. Check with your health insurance policy to see if you are covered while traveling. Medicare only covers the U.S. and its territories, as do some insurance companies. While in a foreign country, getting home to the U.S. can be costly, and timeliness may be important for your health.  Getting an airlift home may not be possible without insurance. If you are not covered by other insurance, you will need to purchase travel insurance.

Take all your medication in the correct prescription bottle with the label attached. A letterhead letter from your doctor listing the generic names of your meds would be useful should you have to get a new prescription filled because of loss or damage.

Carry a list of your life-threatening allergies.

If going to a foreign country, list your travel plans with the U.S. embassy in that country. Enroll online at www.step.state.gov/step. Enrolling will enable the embassy to keep you informed of natural disasters, civil unrest, or family emergencies.

If you are informed you need to evacuate the country, the cost incurred is yours to pay.  If the embassy has to arrange for evacuation, it will be to the nearest safe place, not necessarily to your home.

 

Meet Bobbie