Miscommunication is Key

I used to never subscribe to the thought that everything happens for a reason. I just thought we made the good that came out of every situation. I've always thought this way until recently...

Here's a little back story:

I recently switched from iPhone to Blackberry. In the process I've hit a wall with Apple sending all text messages to me through iMessage and therefor not sending me text messages at all.

Miscommunication is key:

Last Saturday I had planned to go to lunch with a couple of friends that I had not seen in months. Unbeknownst to me there was a group text message sent out, a week prior to the event, cancelling our meeting. Did I receive said cancellation? No (gashdarn you Apple!!!)
It just so happens, I didn't find out our outing was cancelled until I was half way to our meet up. I was really bummed and refused to let Apple ruin my day. So, I sent a text to another friend in the area that said I was free, and this is what happened instead...

We went to an air show.

I had my very first helicopter ride.

View from above.

We went hiking around an island in the middle of a man made lake.

Did a little caving,

and saw some intense wildlife...like this turkey vulture.

We ended up going to an air show nearby where I had my very first helicopter ride and made a new friend, got lunch at a really good barbecue place, ate by the water, and had a few epic run ins with wild life.

It was pretty much one of the best days of my life. I'm glad that everything does happen for a reason.

8 Things to Know Before Going Abroad

1. It's better to under-pack than over-pack.

This is a no brainer. If you don't want to carry 14 pairs of shoes up a broken escalator (that you will most likely encounter) then don't pack them! At most you would probably use three pairs of shoes, but I never pack more than two. One pair of tennis shoes, and one pair of sandals that double as classy and casual. 

It's always really fun to buy some of your toiletries at your destination and if you don't use them all they become great gifts for family. So go ahead, only pack the bare necessities and buy the rest at your destination.

Here's a tip: Unless you're going for a fashion show, no one actually keeps track of what you're wearing. Don't stress about wearing the same shirt two or three times, just not consecutively....please.

2. Save your money, take a wi-fi device.

I speak from experience when I tell you international phone plans are expensive. My plan through Verizon is usually $.50 per text and $1 a minute for a phone call.....way too much especially when finding wi-fi and talking to your family over the internet is usually free. 

During our last trip abroad my mother took her iPhone 4 and turned off her cellular data as soon as we boarded the plane. She then only used her phone when we found wi-fi hot spots (usually every night at the hotel) and talked to my dad using Voxer. It's a great FREE walkie talkie app that lets you talk, text, and send photos over wi-fi.

3. You will never actually regret purchasing those dorky C-shaped pillows.

You know the ones I'm talking about. Those dumb looking pillows that look like hideously over-sized nose rings.

The reason you will never regret what will probably be one of your most ugly purchases is the unbelievable value of sleep while traveling.

At first you will be too excited to sleep, and that's okay. But about seven hours into your overnight flight, when your arrival time gets you there in the early hours of the next morning I guarantee you'll wish you'd splurged on one of these bad boys. They are way cheaper than first class, and a lot better for your mental health than waking up laying on the complete stranger in 38D.

4. Trains (while terrifying) are VERY useful.

Once you get over the initial blood curdling terror of getting on a train in another country, you will find that you've been missing out. They are one of the most under utilized features of travel, and it saddens me. By taking the trains you can save tons of money on transportation and see all of the sights you want to see without breaking the bank. 

Most stations have small kiosk looking things where you purchase a ticket using a credit/debit card. Once you've purchased your ticket, you're ready to enter the station. If you're already lost look for people in brightly colored uniforms, they are about to be your BEST FRIENDS. Ask them anything, that's what they're there for. Once you've found your platform and found yourself safely inside the train relax and enjoy the journey. Most everyone else on the train is just trying to get from point A to B so chances are they won't even notice you. Make sure you don't miss your stop though! That can be tricky. If you want more information on how my mom saved our lives last time we took the trains in Scotland. Check it out here.

5. You only need an adapter for Apple products.

Deciding what kinds of adapters and converters to bring can be a REAL pain in the patooty when you're planning your trip. One really underrated bonus of having an Apple product is that the wall plugs are actually electrical current converters already. Take a second to look at your wall plug and you should notice in very light grey writing Input: 100-240V which means that the plug can charge your device with anywhere between 100 and  240 Volts. Be sure to check the Hertz of where you are going as well. Your plug should also say 50-60 Hz Output.

Here is a map that will give you an idea of the places you can go without an extra converter.

Via

You will probably still need a plug adapter depending on where you're going.

6. Backpacks are the BEST carry-ons.

Backpacks are one of the biggest carry-ons you can legally take on a plane. Go ahead and pack your backpack with your purse/wallet, that ugly C-shaped pillow you actually need, and all of your electronics. Guess what? You've got room to spare for souvenirs on your return flight! They fit really nicely in under-seat storage or right next to your feet if you're by the window.

7. ATMs, ATMs, ATMs

Let's face it. Converting money is a HASSLE. You can do it at the airport before your trip and face paying an outrageous conversion rate, or you can try to find a post office or other official money conversion place when you arrive and try not to get lost. Your best option though....is an ATM. They are something of an abundance anywhere you go, and the great part? There is an option for English! Way to go fancy money dispensing technology! The money is automatically converted as it is withdrawn from your account.

8. Don't stress about what you're going to eat. McDonald's is EVERYWHERE.

It's pretty easy to get stressed thinking about trying to find food in foreign countries. A lot of what I was worried about is... What if I don't have enough money to eat everyday? What if they don't understand me when I try to order? What if they don't have food I like to eat? Stop with the what ifs!!! You are on an adventure, and really shouldn't worry because Americanized food is everywhere.

Here is an actual picture from my hotel in Scotland.

Bonus: Have fun. You're going to have the trip of a lifetime!

What are some things you wish you knew before you went on your trips?

Pictures are Worth Everything

I could spend all day trying to tell you about my life, but it's far more educational to show you my favorite pictures.

You know how pictures are worth a thousand words? Well I just wrote 24,000. BOOM.

Pat Downs, Bright Socks, and Cheeky TSA: How to Get Through Airport Security

If you fly, you know what the single most terrifying and reassuring part of getting on a plane is. Airport Security. We've all been there. In fact, I've had my fair share of pat downs. In this post I'm going to give you some of my Airport Security tips and tricks, and also one of my more interesting encounters with this special task force.

If you've traveled by plane recently you know there are a few options to get through security successfully.

Option 1: (You're more likely to win the lottery than complete Option 1.) Make it through the security check point with all of your belongings still in tact without having to submit to a search.
Don't wear any metal, nothing even resembling metal. (I once wore a plastic hair clip to avoid the metal rule, and was subject to a search of my head because it looked too much like a weapon in the scan.)
Be calm, at all times.
Have all of your liquids ready in an "approved" Ziploc bag as soon as you enter the check point.
Have shoes that are easily put on and taken off.
Just don't even attempt jewelry.

Option 2: (More likely than Option 1, and my most used option.) Make it through the security check point with most of your belongings still in tact, after having to submit to a pat down, and in the process of finding your missing shoe.
The way I achieve this option is by;
Forgetting to take my shoes off.
Searching for my liquids while taking my shoes off, therefore causing yet another back up.
Staying calm until they've taken my shoes.
Wearing minimal jewelry, and heaven forbid an underwire bra.
Just generally breathing.

Option 3: (Least likely option.) TSA wrestles you to the ground while confiscating your bags, and carries you away without so much as a glance from a fellow patron of the long security check point lines.
Honestly, I've never tried this option. I value my passport too much for this.
Just stay calm and for the love of all things Holy DO NOT say the word "bomb."

Cheeky Airport Security

This "adventure" took place while trying to fly out of Heathrow. Luckily everyone spoke English. While standing in line I had all of my liquids out,  along with all of my electronics and I was devoid of any jewelry or jacket. I was ready to go through. At some point I had noticed that most everyone else was going through without taking their shoes off, so I went for it. My mother was ahead of me and got through just fine, along with my aunt who escaped without any extra attention. At first I had a problem getting my suitcase into the bin to send through the scanners. Then I COULDN'T find my Kindle to send through with my bag. I was suddenly holding up the line, and beginning to panic. 

Once everything was finally put in place I walked up to the medal detector and got "nodded" through. (They nodded at me to walk through because talking is just too much effort.) Then I heard it....the dreaded dinging of the metal detector. They give me the once over and decide it's the shoes, my converse that I travel religiously with. I quickly divest myself of my shoes.

Upon taking off my shoes I realized that I had put on neon pink socks that morning. Both a female and male Security agents screamed that I was blinding them. I then put my shoes into the bin the security guy had offered me. I had to stand there and watch as he took my shoes away. Then the same Security woman asked if I had anything sharp on me. My response, "Not that I'm aware of." She said, "Oh, we've got a cheeky one." then she started the pat down.

I eventually got through security back to my bag that was left on the conveyor belt blocking other bags from getting through. Keep in mind I'm still without shoes. I got all my things back into my bag, my coat back on and still my shoes were nowhere in sight. I stood there for what felt like centuries searching other people's bins for my shoes. When they finally arrived, I took no time snatching them off the line and putting them on.

When I was finally ready to leave the security area I looked up and saw a man asking if he could go through his bag before Security did. They said no and very calmly escorted him away. It appeared as though he chose a more civil version of Option 3. Right then I was very happy that I chose Option 2. Even though it can get very bothersome at times it will NEVER be as bad as Option 3.

Moral of the story: Security is tedious and stressful, but every time they stop someone who intends to hurt airport goers I forgive them completely.

Sometimes You Have to Break the Rules.

I have been flying since I was three. It all started with flights to see my grandma, and I was hooked for life.

This story takes place on a flight to Rome. This was an overnight flight and as the plane was starting to take off we were receiving our usual "emergency instruction." We were also told to keep our visors down, as not to disturb others who may be sleeping.

Now, I had not flown in a long time and I wanted nothing more than to see the sky the entire time we were up, but listened to the flight attendants and kept my visor down....for a while.

When we were about an hour from landing I did the unthinkable. I lifted my visor. It was like a bat signal to the flight attendants. Dark cabin + open visor = immediate distrubtion to the peace. I saw the flight attendant coming, and was regretting my decision pretty much immeiately but I stood my ground and kept my visor up. When she got to my seat she leaned over my travel companion and whispered to me, "Since you are the only one with your visor open if you take a look out of the window you will see Paris, France below us."

(Picture from the forbidden open visor.)

It was the best unexpected gift ever. I was relieved to not be in trouble and was rewarded with a once in a lifetime sight.

This in NO WAY condones robbing banks or anything of that sort. By breaking rules I mean small rules. Don't murder anyone. I mean it. Santa is watching. Just don't be afraid to stand by your decisions.