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.

The Beauty of Tea Cups (My Cup Stories)

I like my tea like I like my men....existent. 

I am eternally in love with tea cups or mugs, depending on how you label your cups. They are brave little pieces of dishery, and there is nothing you can't do with a good cup. They can be used for organization, in place of a bowl, as a cleaning cup for painting, a holy grail for Oreos and milk, and simply for tea. These are just a few of my most used cups and the ones that I think best describe me. Most of my lovelies were found at second hand shops. Some I traveled long distances for, and a select few are gifts from loved ones.

All of my cups have a story behind them. Some of the stories are far more exciting than others but they're all still special to me. Here are a few of their back stories.

The story behind this cup starts with the trip. When I was just a freshman in college I had the opportunity to go with a group of people in my major to a huge annual convention in Chicago. Of course I was game. What could go wrong? There were eight of us and only two old enough to legally drive the rental cars. 

Everything was going smoothly until we unknowingly drove into a snow storm. Our original eight hour road trip took about 12 hours. When we finally arrived in Chicago we were lost. We were so lost in fact that our group stopped and asked a homeless man for directions, who promptly demanded money for his services. If I remember correctly it took us over an hour to find a hotel that was only two blocks away.

The day I purchased this cup was on a particularly snowy day. (one day after Chicago experienced a blizzard) Our group was intent on seeing the sights while we were there and once we spotted the NBC studios it was a "must see." That's when I saw this cup and couldn't leave it. Now it lives in the cup cabinet.

At first glance this cup is nothing special, and that's okay. I rescued this cup from a second hand shop for just 50 cents. I bought with my 1950's tea kettle that I use religiously. This one is my favorite cup. It's not my favorite because of how it looks, or where it came from.

I recently moved away from home for a job. I knew when I took the job that it was only temporary. I packed up my car with clothes, one plate, a set of forks and spoons, my tea kettle, and this little cup. I had a tough time moving away and some days my only comfort was a cup of tea in my little cup. Not only did it comfort me with tea, and sometimes drinks a bit stronger, but it was my only bowl too. I spent a lot of time with this cup. Now if I need extra comfort after a hard day, it's the first thing I reach for.

If you're a Doctor Who fan like I am you already know what this is. If you're not, I'll do my best to explain. This is a Tardis cup from Doctor Who. Doctor Who is a time lord that travels through space and time in a ship that he "borrowed." That ship is the Tardis. If you want more details watch the show...seriously.

Back to where/why I have this one. This is a gift from my lovely mom. We recently went on a trip to explore England, Scotland, and Wales. We were in Wales just a few days before the Doctor Who 50th anniversary. Unfortunately we did not get enough time in the country to explore all of the festivities and I was pretty bummed. On Christmas day, I woke up and with my family started opening gifts. I'm probably really understating here but when I saw this box I was VERY excited. It even comes with a lid! It's a brilliant representation of the Tardis, and I love how nerdy I feel drinking out of it. My mom got me this cup because of my love for Doctor Who and because of our recent trip to the UK.

Yes it is square. Yes, it does sometimes cause drinking confusion.

I love cups. They are just one of many things I collect. Do you have a tea cup collection or am I alone on this one?

My Mom is an Underground Whisperer

* I make no excuses for the time between my last post and this one. BUT! I was working a temporary job that I had to move three hours away for, then I moved back, and took a trip to a very far away place. Like I said...no excuses.*

This story is about always paying attention on the subway/underground, ESPECIALLY when you are in a foreign country.

On this adventure I got to cross off one of the main things on my bucket list.

               #10    TAKE MOM BACK TO SCOTLAND

Last November I got to take my mom on my trip to the United Kingdom. This trip was a consolation prize for me. Just a few months earlier I had to turn down a place at the University of Edinburgh due to being a poor college graduate. I told my family that if I turn down this amazing offer I am still going to the UK. I was determined to get there somehow....and I did.

Anyway, back to the title. On this night, we were on our second evening in Edinburgh, Scotland. Our group had spent the entire day shopping in the center of Edinburgh, and we were EXHAUSTED. While we were out that day I bought a map of Edinburgh just as a nice souvenir.  By the time we had gotten back to our hotel all we wanted to do was sleep. While everyone was resting I looked at the map, and was devastated. During our shopping adventures we were just BLOCKS away from the School of Music that I turned down. I wanted to go back, and my mother agreed. We packed on our coats, (I think it was 3 degrees Celsius that night) walked to the nearest Station, bought our tickets, and hopped on the train. Once we arrived back in the center of Edinburgh the school was only about 8 blocks away from the train station.

Picture of Alison House site of the School of Music. Sorry for the blur I blame my phone.

Then it was time to head back. After we had gotten back to the station, and asked our fair share of poor unsuspecting Rail Workers where our train was, we were safely back aboard heading toward our hotel. We had done everything right...what could possibly go wrong?
Well....when the train arrived at our station our door did not open. That's when my mom became an Underground Whisperer. Within seconds she had run across the car to the other door and yelled my name, in her painfully American accent. I had to make a break for it too. It was either get to the next door or spend the rest of the night trying to get back to this one station. I will forever be thankful for my mom's quick thinking abilities to get us off the train. What I took from this adventure is that I will from now on remain in my seat until the train comes to a complete stop and then assess which door is my best option.

Moral of the story: Always listen to your mother, even if she is making it painfully obvious you are NOT from that country.