Travel essentials: international phone

Before I leave on a trip I like to arrange airport transportation. I've learned that is a lot easier to do from the comfort of my desk than to try to deal with the chaos after exiting a long flight and usually over 30 hours of consecutive travel. Most hotels will arrange this for you, if you just ask. You've probably seen the drivers with their little signs waiting for their pick-up. It rarely costs extra, sometimes it's even a courtesy of the hotel, and it is such a stress reliever.

In the event that my airport transport is not there when I arrive, regardless of prior arrangements made, I have found an international cell phone to be very useful. My employer pays for one for me...it's less of a courtesy than it is a necessity, because they want to reach me wherever I'm at and there is only one way to do that - an International cell phone. It's worth the expense as often as I travel, but even if it was a one time trip there are ways to do it on the cheap. Most service providers rent phones to travelers, or you can buy a cheap phone and put airtime minutes on it, or purchase a SIM card at your destination.

I don't make many calls on my international phone, but in the event of an emergency, or mis-communication, I am always glad to have it.

Travel essentials: little black bag

On one of my many overseas flights the flight attendants handed out these little black bags. It included a toothbrush and small toothpaste, a travel comb, socks, earplugs, and an eye mask. I could have left it there when I deplaned, as many other travelers did, but instead I chose to take it with me. I'm glad I did because I have found it to be so useful!

I've added contents to the little black bag: chewing gum for the descent if my ears need to pop (or my breath is rank and I didn't get a chance to brush my teeth), my midnite pills, maybe a hair clip or something like that. I pack the bag in my carry-on and before I settle in to my seat and put my carry-on in the overhead bin, I pull the little black bag out. It fits nicely in the seat pocket in front of me and then I have everything I might need during the flight for some added comfort without having to get in to the overhead bin. In case you are wondering...I fly economy so some added comforts are welcome, especially as often as I fly!

What are the comfort items you pack in your carry-on?

Travel essentials: Airborne

Another great American invention...Airborne. A teacher came up with this. You know how schools are cesspools for germs? Well, she was sick of getting sick.

This little invention is packed with vitamin and minerals to boost your immune system. It is a fizzy pill similar to Alka-seltzer. I often pop one of those bad boys in my airline provided liquid refreshment. My favorite flavor is grapefruit, but there are other options like orange or lemon if you prefer.

What are your travel tips?

Children's Heart project

I am interrupting the Travel Essentials blog series to bring you an important (and timely) announcement today. My employer has a number of international projects to help those suffering due to war, famine, disease or disaster. One of the projects is related to children born with life threatening heart defects; since many do not have adequate health care in their home country, we bring these kids to the States to have the surgery they need.

Recently, someone had the idea to make a reality TV series about this project...it involves the children who are suffering, it involves the host families on the receiving end, it involves an intern and the staff of SP as well as the medical personnel.

The 30-minute pilot show of this reality TV series airs TONIGHT. For a listing in your area and to watch the trailer, click here.

Please tune-in. From what I've seen, you will not be disappointed. These stories of three kids from Mongolia will grab your heart and are also inspirational.

Travel essentials: Charmin to go!

I thought I'd do a short blog series related to travel essentials. A few years ago I discovered the most wonderful invention. Someone came up with the bright idea of portable toilet roll. It comes in a handy size and a plastic, resealable cover. When traveling in rural parts of the world or just about anywhere in Asia, it is a must.

On my recent trip to Lesotho one of the ladies from Ireland had to go to the "loo."

She asked if anyone had "paper."

I offered her my handy-dandy Charmin-to-go. She was intrigued by it. Then she said the nicest compliment, "That is clever! An American must of come up with that." Though, I'm not sure she was meaning it as a compliment...I just took it that way. What can I say, I am proud to be an American!