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Things they don’ tell you before you travel…um, or maybe they do but you didn’t read the fine print


When you travel, there is so much information that you DON’T get from the travel agency, travel books, friends, family etc. On top of this you are open to an array of experiences that you might never expect. Last year, I went on a 6 week adventure to Amsterdam, Nashville Tennessee and New York. I was lucky to have a genie, kind step-mom and a colourful imagination to get me through some of the obstacles and weirdness.


Here is a snippet of some of my practical lessons learned as well as some, err, memorable experiences that you might need to remember one day:


  • Decant your toiletries for short trips!

On my flight from Nashville to New York, I had to discard half my toiletries as they were more than the allowed quantity permitted in hand luggage (I was only carrying hand luggage for my 4 day trip to NYC). Now, avid travelers are probably thinking DUH! and I also reacted like that, but I was so overwhelmed with excitement that I didn’t think about decanting my shampoo and face wash into smaller containers…Oops! Who has time to think about this when you’re going to friggin New York for the first time! Let’s just say it was a dirty trip.


  • Samsung Galaxy Note 7’s are dangerous on flights!

On all my flights there were stern announcements urging anyone with a Samsung Galaxy Note 7 to switch it off and keep it off for the duration of the flight. I wondered to myself, what did you do Samsung Galaxy, what did you do…tsk tsk. I found out later that these phones are actually banned on flights to and within the USA and have to be put into your main checked-in luggage. Apparently there have been reports of these phones randomly catching fire…hmmm…and then came the Ford Kuga.


  • Make sure you have hard, solid cash on you…or hope that a charming Egyptian man will pay for your meal!

From my flight from New York back to Nashville, I decided to eat a deliciously indulgent meal at JFK airport. I had run out of dollars and thought I’d just swipe to pay for my meal. My bank cards HAD been working my whole trip but suddenly they decided not to. After trying to swipe for my meal several times I went off to try and draw money. Alas, that failed. I was stranded 10 minutes before my flight, wondering how fast I could wash dishes…but then out of the blue, a genie appeared and offered to pay for my meal. Okay, not a genie but a wonderful, friendly man who happened to be on my flight paid for my meal. In my skeptical mind, I wondered what non-monetary act I’d have to perform on this flight to pay him back…turned out, nothing. Phew!


  • Never buy a cheap suitcase for international travel!

My first flight of my trip was from Johannesburg to Amsterdam. When I arrived in Amsterdam, my suitcase was already deteriorating. The legs that balanced the suitcase had come off, so whenever I let go of the thing, it fell over with a dramatic thud. That’s not all, on my way walking with a friend through Amsterdam to central station at 4am for me to get to the airport to catch my flight to Detroit, the handle came off. At Schiphol airport, I really felt like me and my suitcase were from a 3rd world country as I hobbled and dragged it passed all the smooth, together, elegant suitcases. I had horrible images of eventually arriving in Nashville with all my belongings spread out at the baggage claim area. I was grateful to my step mom for giving me another suitcase to travel back to Johannesburg with. Long live the 3rd world suitcase…in Nashville.


  • Vaseline could be used for anything…right?!

On my flight from Amsterdam to Detroit, I was sitting next to a young guy who at some point took out Vaseline and went to the toilet. Unfortunately, I had opened my eyes from my sleep and saw this happen. My tired mind started to wonder what he could be doing with this Vaseline. I gave him the benefit of the doubt and imagined that maybe he was moisturizing his body or feet with it. 10 minutes or so went by and my mind was still wondering. He came back from the toilet, Vaseline in hand. Before I could look at his facial expression, with great force, I decided that it would be best to close my eyes and just go back to sleep.


  • Security checks ARE security checks!

Travelling from Amsterdam to the USA, security checks were a lot tighter than from Johannesburg to Amsterdam. You have to take off your shoes, separate your laptop from other devices and separate any perfumes/deodorant/toiletries (decanted of course!). At first I felt really scared at the security checks, but eventually I got used to them as I pictured myself as a character in the Orange is the new black series, entering prison. This felt oddly exciting and thrilling…but then out came my shoes on the other side and I had to move on.



Travel far, travel light and don’t forget your Vaseline...or do.


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