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| *Travel Tips>>>Packing & Preparation Travel Tips |
I'm going on vacation to the Middle East for 5 weeks. How much clothes should I bring? |
Travel Info like how many shirts..blahblahblah... Travel Tips You don't say where you are going, so this assumes you are not going to Saudi Arabia or somewhere else that is ultra-conservative. Join the frequent flier program for the airline you are using. Joining is free and you can do it online. Look for ways to earn miles in the meantime - the airline website will have details and you will get a lot of info in the mail. Take a notebook with the mailing addresses of anyone you might want to write to, which could include sending postcards. A small backpack makes a good carryon bag and will be useful in your daily life. If you take a laptop it almost certainly accepts 240 volts so you don't need a converter for it (look on the power supply). However, you do need an adapter to connect the flat-prong USA plug to the various types of outlets in the ME. Stores like BestBuy and CompUSA sell a multi-adapter + surge protector for about $25. You are allowed two carryon items, so the laptop + the small backpack is OK. Try very hard to hold your checked luggage to one regular-size rolling suitcase (not more than 50 pounds). If that doesn't work, you are restricted to 2 checked bags (not more than 50 pounds each) unless you pay an extra fee. You don't need 35 changes of clothes for a 5 week trip: Don't worry about wearing the same outfit more than once (just be presentable). The middle east tends to be gaspingly hot during summer. I recommend taking: 1 Sweater 8 Shirts (6 short-sleeve & 2 long-sleeve) 2 Jeans, 4 Not jeans/skirts 2 Short pants 8 Changes of underclothing 2 Pair of comfortable walking shoes 1 or 2 Swimsuits + beach clothing if going to the seashore 1 Set of gym clothing & shoes 1 or 2 Hats + sunglasses & sunblock Try to choose classics, and items that you can mix and match. Have at least one set of "nicer" clothing. You should take one set of dress clothing & shoes in case you attend a more formal occasion (nice restaurant for dinner, whatever) unless you are certain you won't need it. If you don't have easy access to laundry facilities, underclothes can be washed in the bathroom sink. You can also wash shirts & trousers in the bathroom sink - there will be a laundry somewhere if you don't want to do that. Shampoo takes out grease stains and a little conditioner (or "conditioning shampoo") reduces wrinkles. Take a supply of USA toiletries and over-the-counter medications with you, including eye-drops, band-aids & antibiotic cream. The same items will be available in the ME, but the brands will be unfamiliar and they will cost more. Ditto with prescription meds. Wear one set of clothing on the flight. Pack the sweater, 1 ss shirt, 1 ls shirt, 1 trousers, a set of underclothing, and basic toiletries in your carry-on. (check the rules at www.tsa.gov) Mark or tag all checked luggage with something that makes them more distinct. An example would be to attach a strip of colored tape to each side of the bag. It reduces the chance someone might accidentally pick up your bag by mistake at baggage claim (there are millions of black suitcases). Also clearly tag ALL bags >>> inside and outside <<< with your name and a good phone number + e-mail address (but not your home address). The free tags from the check-in counter are OK. Send an e-mail message to yourself with your passport number & date of issue. Ditto with the numbers of the credit cards you will take with you. That way the info is easily accessible in case something is lost or stolen. Strongly consider getting trip medical insurance even if your regular policy says it covers you in Europe. Trip medical insurance is cheap and is sold via airlines and travel agencies (like American Express). More than about 6 hours in an airplane is really tough, especially if you are in economy class. The result is usually called "jet lag". The time change is part of "jet lag", but only part. For example, people experience jet lag when traveling from North America to South America even when they don't change time zones. Dehydration caused by dry air in the cabin is as important as the time change, and dehydration can be cumulative + aggravated by your environment/activities before the flight. Jet lag can be much worse on the return leg of a relatively short trip because you never really recovered from the lag incurred on the first leg. It can also be aggravated by what you do between trips. I have not found anything that eliminates jet lag, but staying hydrated helps reduce it. Water and non-carbonated liquids are best. Avoid drinking a lot of anything with caffeine, including colas. The adults traveling with you (if any) should remember that lots of alcohol aggravates the dehydration and they may have a hangover before the end of a long flight. Wear clothing that is comfortable. Especially avoid tight clothing or shoes - your body will swell during a long flight. Sleeping on the flight (even if it isn't very good sleep) also helps. The seats are MUCH, MUCH better in business and first class on long distance flights so upgrade if you can. If you can't upgrade, select a window seat so you can pile extra pillows & blankets against the interior of the cabin to lean against for a bit of extra comfort. A sleep mask (like www.mindfold.com) and earplugs may help you sleep. You can choose to take something to help you sleep on the plane, but try it first. Many sleep aids can make you groggy long after you need to wake up. I just use aspirin. Get up and walk around every few hours. Do some stretching exercises - there is usually room by the exterior doors. Airlines really try to provide good in-flight entertainment on long distance flights. The airline鈥檚 website may list the films & music available and may even give the menu. However, you can鈥檛 absolutely count on the in-flight entertainment. Bring one or more books that you have started and know you like. It is really annoying to open a new book on a flight and realize you don't find it interesting. Things like an I-Pod, Gameboy or PSP, MP3 player, and non-electronic options like crossword puzzles are a good idea. You may be wasted when you get to your destination, even if you fly business or first class. Don't schedule anything important the day you get there. Adults should avoid driving for at least a full day. Speed your body's adjustment to local time by living on the local schedule: Stay awake until local bedtime at your destination and stay in bed until local morning. If you absolutely must take a nap make sure you don't sleep more than 3 hours. Eat meals at the normal local time. And so on. It still takes me 1 day per hour of time change to fully adjust (a 7 hour time difference takes me a full week to get over). Hope you have a good trip! Source(s): Lifelong frequent traveler. Lived in Saudi Arabia for 5 years and Iraq for 2 years. Other Travel Tips All you need to bring is one bright orange jumpsuit. if you get to wash them, i would bring clothes for a week to two weeks |
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