Let’s Travel

1. Using a carry on with wheels similar to the ones the flight crews use can really come in handy. A carry on is sufficient on most trips and as you don’t have to check in your luggage, worry about losing a bag and don’t have to wait around for the luggage to be unloaded.
   Be aware airlines are enforcing the carry on regulations. So be sure your carry on is within 9 X 14 X 22 inches.
2. If you are checking luggage, make sure that the city shown on the tag matches your final destination. There have been times when the wrong tag has been attached and the bags went to that destination. And remove all old tags.
3. Also, if you are checking luggage (which is not recommended as much as possible), tie a piece of bright-colored yarn or place something distinctive on your bag so it will be easy to identify as it goes round and round on the carousel.
4. An extra folded flight bag takes very little room. But it comes in handy on your way home when you have more to carry than you can place in your luggage.(Just pull it out, and there’s another bag.) Fold it and place at bottom of your luggage for trip over.
5. Lock your luggage to avoid accidental openings due to rough handling or cabin pressure and carry the keys on your person.

After crossing several time zones, many travelers suffer from “jet lag.” Although there is no way to completely avoid jet lag, there are a number of ways to help your body adjust to a new time zone.

1. Try to go to bed a little earlier a few days before you leave and get as much sleep as you can during your flight.
2. Many side-effects of jet lag are the result of dehydration, so avoid alcohol, coffee, tea and other caffeinated beverages and drink plenty of water during your flight.
3. Eat lightly on your flight and forego rich or exotic foods on the first few days of your trip so that you can use your energy to adjust to your new surroundings rather than to digest your food.
4. Exercising on a long flight will help alleviate such common discomforts as backaches, swollen legs and feet and general fatigue. Stretch at regular intervals and walk up and down the aisles of the plane from time to time.
5. Finally, take it easy on the day you arrive so that you can take advantage of your trip at a leisurely pace and establish a routine in sync with the local time. I take a short nap when I arrive at my destination, then make myself stay active the rest of the day.