So as you may know, or may not, my parents recently moved to Korea. While that involves some super cool cultural, lingual and ahem, shopping, immersion, it also involves the 16 hour cross-the-world flight that's enough to make someone want to ponder cracking open the window and jumping ship. Don't get me wrong - I've been flying for literally ages, and I'm no stranger to airports, trains, buses, cabs, ferries - you name it. But there's something about a 16 hour flight that makes me go just a little nuts. Here are some of my definite travel how-to's that make all those long flights, connections, and in-transit stress just a little better.
1. Dress in layers! I go for a pair of cropped pants, a cute tank top, cardigan, and a scarf if the weather calls for it. Dressing in layers insures that if the plane should get hot or cold, I'll be okay. I try to stay away from skirts and dresses that conveniently ride up the more you wiggle around in your seat for those long flights, but for short little 1-3 hour jumps across country, they're more than fine and totally cute.
2. In my bag:
• my iPad or, like my mom loves, her kindle. There's nothing I love more than immersing myself into a good book for those long flights; they just make the time seem to pass. If I'm bringing a paperback or hardcover book, I don't forget to bring my book light; they turn off all of the overhead lights for long flights, and I hate having to reach up and turn on my light, which also bothers my seat-mate too!
• my iPad or, like my mom loves, her kindle. There's nothing I love more than immersing myself into a good book for those long flights; they just make the time seem to pass. If I'm bringing a paperback or hardcover book, I don't forget to bring my book light; they turn off all of the overhead lights for long flights, and I hate having to reach up and turn on my light, which also bothers my seat-mate too!
• my iPod 160G classic. It can hold more music than I could ever download, and the battery stays for a while if my iPad battery should die. I can also watch movies on it, even though the screen's a little tiny.
• My pillow pet. So it's a little dorky, I get it, but on a 16 hour flight, you just lose interest in looking like the super star you know you are. I always make sure I grab window seat, so I can nestle in next to the wall.
• three or four Cliff bars - I love the peanut butter, chocolate brownie, chocolate covered coconut and I love the peppermint chocolate. The lemon's good too. They're great if I'm feeling super hungry and I don't like what they're serving.
• WATER! I have to remember to stay hydrated. Absolutely a necessary. My lips and throat get super dry and cracked if I don't stay hydrated.
• SPEAKING OF HYDRATION: Lip balm! Eye drops! Eye drops are now allowed through security, if I'm correct, and they're lifesavers.
• My knitting. So it's dorky, but it helps me so much to keep my hands moving. I knit when while I watch the multiple in-flight movies, listen to music, and talk to my neighbors. It rocks.
• A pashmina. In a cute pattern, it matches your outfit AND keeps you warm.
3. So you didn't hear me say this... but I need to sleep on that plane. NEED TO. It's the only thing that makes it ultimately bearable. So I take whatever I need to sleep. I just do it. Not enough to knock me out, but enough to help, you know, do it.
4. Set my watch to the time of my destination as soon as I get on the plane. Helps so much. Usually the flight staff gives the meals based on the destination, and so some awareness on that usually helps. It's also good to get myself mentally prepared for the jet lag.
So those are my few tips! Hope they help.
L.
• My pillow pet. So it's a little dorky, I get it, but on a 16 hour flight, you just lose interest in looking like the super star you know you are. I always make sure I grab window seat, so I can nestle in next to the wall.
• three or four Cliff bars - I love the peanut butter, chocolate brownie, chocolate covered coconut and I love the peppermint chocolate. The lemon's good too. They're great if I'm feeling super hungry and I don't like what they're serving.
• WATER! I have to remember to stay hydrated. Absolutely a necessary. My lips and throat get super dry and cracked if I don't stay hydrated.
• SPEAKING OF HYDRATION: Lip balm! Eye drops! Eye drops are now allowed through security, if I'm correct, and they're lifesavers.
• My knitting. So it's dorky, but it helps me so much to keep my hands moving. I knit when while I watch the multiple in-flight movies, listen to music, and talk to my neighbors. It rocks.
• A pashmina. In a cute pattern, it matches your outfit AND keeps you warm.
3. So you didn't hear me say this... but I need to sleep on that plane. NEED TO. It's the only thing that makes it ultimately bearable. So I take whatever I need to sleep. I just do it. Not enough to knock me out, but enough to help, you know, do it.
4. Set my watch to the time of my destination as soon as I get on the plane. Helps so much. Usually the flight staff gives the meals based on the destination, and so some awareness on that usually helps. It's also good to get myself mentally prepared for the jet lag.
So those are my few tips! Hope they help.
L.
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