Tag: travel tips

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travel

It’s Okay to Eat McDonald’s Abroad, I Promise

Photo by Matheus Henrin on Pexels.com

A lot of people think that they have to stick to the local food when traveling; else they give the type of tourist vibe where you’re only in town for the cheap souvenirs and sights. These are the travelers, or rather, trip-goers, that locals hate; the ones who wear fanny packs (who doesn’t hate a person wearing a fanny pack, though?) who never try to speak the language and bulldoze their way through the country like they are the only people who matter. These are the people who eat at McDonald’s and who will only go into a Starbucks for a coffee because it’s familiar. Those of you who have eaten at either of these two establishments while abroad may be hiding your faces in embarrassment, while others who have yet to explore far and wide are recoiling in the horror that anyone would think you’re a tourist. I’m here to tell you, it’s okay.

I used to hate being seen as a tourist, and a large part of me still does (see: fanny pack and camera around your neck), but I’ve come to terms with it. I’ve been mistaken for a Parisian on more than one occasion (something that warmed my heart and made those $200 heels worth it) and yet I’ve eaten in McDonald’s numerous times while out and about exploring the world and I’ve sat down in a Starbucks, or two, with my caramel maachiato in hand reading happily in a less-than-crowded café. Sometimes, it’s not the fact that you’re afraid to try new things in new restaurants in a foreign city, but it’s because you’re just worn down and tired and can’t even think about trying to order something in another language, butchering the words as you fumble through.

I’ve high-tailed it to Subway, McDonald’s, Starbucks, all because I’ve been too tired to try to speak a foreign language I should have learned more of before my trip. Because I don’t know how to ask for a to-go cup and am confused if every establishment will actually have one. Because I’ve become embarrassed at how often my conversation will always switch back to English making my wish for just one moment that I can just say a combo number or tap a screen, pay, and only interact with someone to pick up my food, handing out the obligatory perfected ‘thank-you’ in every language. Or, it’s because I’ve just been away for too long, am missing my own western customs (does sitting down and waiting 20 minutes for a coffee, then being rushed out really need to be a normal thing?), and just want that damn Starbucks in my hand like I usually have every morning.

Walking down cobbled streets in the early morning, knowing which side streets to take because it’s quicker and seeing the same shop owners opening up for the day, makes your ‘westernized’ and ‘mundane’ scene of getting a Starbucks that much more beautiful and wonderful. Mixing the beauty of being in a new world in an intoxicating culturally rich atmosphere (as it seems nearly everywhere besides home always is – what is it about the grass being greener?) with a little western ease makes your trip, somehow, feel a little bit more real. It’s easy to get swept up in all of the intriguing customs, all of the beautiful cafés, all of the picnics in parks and hikes through mountains, knowing that your time here will have to end. There’s something surreal about being in a foreign city and time just seems to stop or glide by in a slow and tantalizing way. Grabbing a little something that is familiar to you (even if you don’t eat McDonald’s on the regular) ties your two lives together; your home life, which you live every day doing the boring things like work and chores, and your traveler life where you explore and nourish and feed your curiosity.

There’s nothing wrong with missing the normal things you can find back home; besides, grabbing a McChicken and fries in Cannes and looking out into the blue sea and mountains is a lot more grounding than you’d think.

A lot of people think that they have to stick to the local food when traveling; else they give the type of tourist vibe where you’re only in town for the cheap souvenirs and sights. These are the travelers, or rather, trip-goers, that locals hate; the ones who wear fanny packs (who doesn’t hate a person wearing a fanny pack, though?) who never try to speak the language and bulldoze their way through the country like they are the only people who matter. These are the people who eat at McDonald’s and who will only go into a Starbucks for a coffee because it’s familiar. Those of you who have eaten at either of these two establishments while abroad may be hiding your faces in embarrassment, while others who have yet to explore far and wide are recoiling in the horror that anyone would think you’re a tourist. I’m here to tell you, it’s okay.

I used to hate being seen as a tourist, and a large part of me still does (see: fanny pack and camera around your neck), but I’ve come to terms with it. I’ve been mistaken for a Parisian on more than one occasion (something that warmed my heart and made those $200 heels worth it) and yet I’ve eaten in McDonald’s numerous times while out and about exploring the world and I’ve sat down in a Starbucks, or two, with my caramel maachiato in hand reading happily in a less-than-crowded café. Sometimes, it’s not the fact that you’re afraid to try new things in new restaurants in a foreign city, but it’s because you’re just worn down and tired and can’t even think about trying to order something in another language, butchering the words as you fumble through.

I’ve high-tailed it to Subway, McDonald’s, Starbucks, all because I’ve been too tired to try to speak a foreign language I should have learned more of before my trip. Because I don’t know how to ask for a to-go cup and am confused if every establishment will actually have one. Because I’ve become embarrassed at how often my conversation will always switch back to English making my wish for just one moment that I can just say a combo number or tap a screen, pay, and only interact with someone to pick up my food, handing out the obligatory perfected ‘thank-you’ in every language. Or, it’s because I’ve just been away for too long, am missing my own western customs (does sitting down and waiting 20 minutes for a coffee, then being rushed out really need to be a normal thing?), and just want that damn Starbucks in my hand like I usually have every morning.

Walking down cobbled streets in the early morning, knowing which side streets to take because it’s quicker and seeing the same shop owners opening up for the day, makes your ‘westernized’ and ‘mundane’ scene of getting a Starbucks that much more beautiful and wonderful. Mixing the beauty of being in a new world in an intoxicating culturally rich atmosphere (as it seems nearly everywhere besides home always is – what is it about the grass being greener?) with a little western ease makes your trip, somehow, feel a little bit more real. It’s easy to get swept up in all of the intriguing customs, all of the beautiful cafés, all of the picnics in parks and hikes through mountains, knowing that your time here will have to end. There’s something surreal about being in a foreign city and time just seems to stop or glide by in a slow and tantalizing way. Grabbing a little something that is familiar to you (even if you don’t eat McDonald’s on the regular) ties your two lives together; your home life, which you live every day doing the boring things like work and chores, and your traveler life where you explore and nourish and feed your curiosity.

There’s nothing wrong with missing the normal things you can find back home; besides, grabbing a McChicken and fries in Cannes and looking out into the blue sea and mountains is a lot more grounding than you’d think.

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migraine life

How to Handle a Migraine Mid-Flight

Photo by Jason Toevs on Pexels.com

I’m not a medical professional, just a migraineur who has suffered through the agonizing feeling of getting a migraine in an airplane. Always consult a doctor on any medical advice.

Yay, your bags are packed and you’re ready. But, your body has different ideas. This article lists basically lists everything that happens on an airplane and during travel as the general top 10 triggers for migraineurs. Honestly, it’s a miracle anyone feels good after any long-haul flight.

Until very recently, I’ve been lucky enough to make it to my destination feeling dry and tired, but overall fine. While I do usually get a migraine the day after travel (stress, dehydration, not eating at the right times), I don’t usually get one on the flight. It’s so much easier to deal with a migraine when you’re on the ground than it is when you’re mid-flight and I hope none of you sufferers out there ever have to, but here are some of my tips for keeping yourself sane while your brain melts.

Keep yourself hydrated. Keeping hydrated is important for everyone on a flight and it’s doubly important if you’re a migraineur. Keep yourself hydrated! Don’t worry about going into those small bathrooms to pee 30 times in a flight (funny, coming from me, someone who tries not to use those bathrooms if I can help it), just drink the water and lots of it. 

Bring a reusable water bottle and have the flight attendants fill it right to the top when they come by with the drink carts; this will make it easier for you to not run out of water on the flight and will cut down on those silly, tiny plastic cups being used. In premium or first class? Drinks come much faster in these cabins, especially alcoholic ones. If you’re drinking during your flight, add a water, or two, in between each adult beverage.

Ask for ice. While you may have packed an ice pack in your carry-on or checked baggage, you can’t really just pop it into the fridge or freezer and grab it when you need during a flight. But, you can totally ask the flight attendant to bring you a bag of ice, or if they’re equipped, an ice pack from the first aid kit. Explain to them that you have a migraine and don’t feel ashamed for using the call button (me, that’s me. I’m the one who feels guilty and ashamed summoning a busy flight attendant): this is what that button is there for!

Bring ear plugs and an eye mask. Maybe you just have a small migraine and you can nip it in the bud, you’re nearly ready to land, or you’re just being proactive. Bring those ear plugs and an eye mask to keep out the dreaded noise and light and keep your brain happy…er…content. These are two of my favourite travel accesories for the plane, migraineur or not. You never know if there will be a loud talker or some asshat playing their video without headphones near you. 

Grab a ginger ale because you’re going to need it. Even if you don’t get sick during a migraine, chances are you will on a flight. Turbulence sneaks up on you and even the slightest bumps can exacerbate your pain and make you feel queasy. Grab a ginger ale to calm your stomach down. It may not kill it, but it’ll help tame the beast. Or, it should. Migraines really have a mind of their own.

Don’t be afraid of the bathrooms. I hate airplane bathrooms. I refuse to use them on short-haul flights, peeing as much as I can right before we leave (sorry, not sorry pelvic floor therapists). But, when it comes to long-haul flights, there’s nothing you can do to escape them. I don’t like small spaces, so being crammed into a tiny vestibule that sounds like it’ll suck you out of the plane when you flush the toilet isn’t at all helpful. Add in the fact that a gross amount of people have used that bathroom before you…ugh. Unfortunately, if you’re going to vomit, you gotta get the fuck out of that seat and into a tiny airplane bathroom.

Squatting down so as not to touch anything around you is a maneuver that will feel easier the third or fifth time you vomit. Worried about space? There may be a roomier bathroom at the back of the plane for you to check out. And, you’ll be hidden from concerned and annoyed patrons of the plane, wondering why someone has been in the bathroom for over half an hour. Bring your ice, vomit as you need to, and rest. 

I did this on the flight, just reveling in the close proximity to the toilet, and being able to stand or lean in a way that made my head feel better. A flight attendant came to check on me a few times, which made me feel safe and guilty all at once. Not a single passenger rapped on the door or was lined up outside. Another point for choosing the bathroom at the back. 

Tell someone. No one wants to find someone passed out in a bathroom, especially on a plane. Tell your seat-mate, even if you’re not friends, tell a flight attendant that you’re not feeling well (they will probably assume and ask once they see you with ice, a ginger ale and tears streaming down your face). My lovely flight attendant squired me into the larger bathroom and checked up on me every so often to make sure I was still alive.

Grab one of those stupid, tiny plastic cups. If landing is a bitch, and of course it will be if you’ve a migraine, chances are good you’ll feel sick — again. While there are puke bags in the seat, I found that a drink cup worked perfectly well since I had nothing left in my system. Have both ready before you even feel sick as just-in-case precautions.
I ignored my eco-friendly mind-set and grabbed a drink in a plastic cup on my flight home solely so I would have it in case I got sick.

Categories
travel

So you Want to Get a Tattoo Abroad

Tattoos, depending on the person you’re asking, can be awesome; self-expressive; cliché; or sinful. They used to be a controversial subject, but now they barely faze those who would usually oppose. And, more than ever, they’re being viewed as a way to have a lifelong souvenir from those trips we took when we were young. But, getting a tattoo while on your trip may seem like a good idea, until you end up in a shady establishment.

My first tattoo I ever got was abroad (actually, all my tattoos have been done while out of the country) and was done sort of on a whim. I was planning on getting one on my month-long journey through Europe (the obligatory trip during University), but like every smart University-aged adult, did absolutely no research on shops until I arrived in London. We had a bit of free time one day so I quickly googled places on my phone, decided on one that looked okay and set out on my way to get my very first tattoo.

I didn’t call, I didn’t e-mail, I just decided to show up. A lot of you are probably shaking your heads at the stupidity, and I’m right along with you. Especially when we, finally, found the place. This parlour was located in an alleyway, tucked away behind shops and cafés with people hanging about (granted, they didn’t look very scary, but groups of people in alleyways always give off that sort of vibe, don’t they?). I felt nervous, I kept thinking that this was crazy, my friend was wondering what we were even doing; still, we had come all this way, why not look inside? Surprisingly, the establishment was immensely clean, the artists were professional, and I was actually able to get a walk-in appointment for my 10 minute tattoo.

The guy at the counter and I chatted briefly about what I wanted, quickly drew up a sketch and we were in business. The guy who did my tattoo seemed polite, but said about three words to me, half-watched a WWII documentary, finished quickly and out we went. When we saw two girls walking towards the shop with the same stressed out look we had, I smiled to my freshly red and angry looking foot and knew that they’d be pleasantly surprised. I knew that happening on a shop that was clean, professional, and had a walk-in spot open within an hour was some sort of a miracle. There are tons of places in my own city that I wouldn’t think of entering without extensive research, but somehow, when I was out in a foreign city, all of the smart senses escaped me and the giddiness of doing something so wild and fun took over.

So, how do you get a tattoo abroad and ensure no regrets?

Research.

Research is key when it comes to anything new. You wouldn’t just buy a house without checking out the ‘bones’ and making sure that there aren’t any surprises in store for you. The same idea goes when getting a tattoo done, especially when abroad. Although my story turned out wonderful (see Hermes enjoying the sun, above), there are plenty more where tattoos haven’t healed properly and infections set in.

Standards may not be set the same as in your home-country, and although upsetting when the time comes, it isn’t on the country to take care of you, but rather, it’s on you to make your own responsible decisions. A quick google search can tell you everything you need to know about the top tattoo parlours in any city you are planning to visit. Do this BEFORE your trip, I urge you! Checking out pictures of the place, read reviews.

Searching around for places on your phone a day in advance can end up with you getting frustrated when all the good places are booked and you may end up settling for a place that really shouldn’t be in business. Instead of settling, save up again and book another trip, getting that tattoo on your next trip abroad — after tons of research. I mean, finding an excuse to travel isn’t hard, now is it? Find a few places that you like the vibe of, that have great reviews, and have artists that can help you. Once you find that golden tattoo artist, have a very open conversation about what you want and what they can do. Remember that large tattoos with intricate details can take hours, or days, so unless you’re spending weeks on end, think about if the next tattoo you’re getting (or the first one) should be reserved for home.

Converse. Again and Again.

The person who will know what will work best? The tattoo artist. This is why they get paid; this is what they do for a living and they’ve seen it all. You don’t want to be arguing with them about what design will fit where (obvious tip: if you have a very petite frame, don’t expect an intricate design to fit on your ankle when it should really fit on your back). Instead, begin by e-mailing what you are thinking of (even if it includes pictures from the internet) and on what part of your body you’re hoping it will go on, about what would look good, and how the sizing will filter out. You’ll be able to go back and forth and request a sketch of your tattoo to make any necessary changes before you head to the airport. You want to be able to see, or read, your tattoo for years to come, not look at a blob on your wrist. If you want things smaller (like I did with my wrist tattoo, above), but have to settle for slightly bigger, make sure that you’re okay with that.

If you’re feeling that, because of the larger size, it doesn’t look good on the space, think about moving it or abandoning the idea altogether. Maybe make this last one before you’re sitting down in the chair, needle at the ready. But, don’t be afraid to speak up to your artist; they understand that this a life choice and that you need to feel comfortable with the decisions you are making and how the tattoo will be turning out. Believe it or not, people have actually stopped halfway through a tattoo, changing their minds. That is not the place to stop. Could you imagine if I had stopped my tattoo at the first ‘over’? I made my last guy move the stencil three times, solely because I didn’t like the exact position that it was in — even though I had stated that’s where I wanted it in the first place. Annoying? Probably. Worth the re-positioning and not staring at a huge mistake every day of my life? Absolutely. Besides, if you’re getting to be a huge stickler, just tip a little bigger and thank them for their hard work and patience.

Be Prepared to be Disappointed.

Not with your tattoo — that would be very disappointing; that’s the whole reason you talk with your artist. But, be prepared to be disappointed with the plans you’re trying to make for your tattoo. They may not work out exactly as you had planned, you may end up running 5 blocks for your appointment because a tour took a little long (seriously, no matter how much time you think you have, just arrive extremely early…nothing is more stressful than shelling out money for a cab when you could have grabbed the train and walked), or you may not end up getting that fresh tattoo in the city you had planned on.

With my second tattoo, I knew what I was in for and how stupid I was for not doing any sort of research beforehand. So, this time around, I did massive amounts of research. Like, a full year in advance. But….I had this idea that I needed to get it done when we were in Paris. It had to be Paris, nowhere else would suffice. Which is often how I think of Paris. Seriously. I’ve written too many posts about Paris (and more to come!). Anyways…

Luckily, there were tons of great reviews on shops in Paris from locals and travelers alike, and I set about e-mailing a couple of places to set up an appointment for myself. What they don’t tell you, is that most of these shops will not get back to you. Like, at all. Even if you e-mail in French. Then, English. Then, in French, again. Annoyed, I decided to give up on my search for the parfait French tattoo parlour and, instead, looked towards Amsterdam. Sure, I was excited for the tattoo I had been planning out in my mind for a few years, but the location (although pretty damn cool) just wasn’t what I had dreamed up in my head. That’s the thing, once you start dreaming of how it’s supposed to happen, everything in life just seems to fall apart. That is, until, I was outside the doors of this shop.

It was everything I thought a tattoo parlour should be: the artists were pierced out, tatted out dudes looking like they belonged in a basement with a bong in their hands. The two girls inside, both patrons, were covered in tattoos with dark hair and mini plaid skirts, one getting a huge intricate piece done. The place had a retro vibe with red walls, art and graffiti everywhere and bottles of Jack Daniels. My guy had a shaved head, save for some orange dreads coming out from the middle, tons of piercings and even more tattoos. I was in love. 

This was what a tattoo shop should look like and I was immensely excited. We started chatting, his ridiculously polite manners kicked in, and my nerves went out the window, letting me shoo away my friends and enjoy my time. It wasn’t Paris, but they spoke English; there wasn’t the fantasy of walking along the Seine or through the cobbled streets of Paris in the rain, but walking along the canals and into downtown Amsterdam felt just as good. Your tattoo plans may not work out exactly as you had envisioned, but as long as the parlour is clean, the staff understands what you’re thinking of, and your tattoo looks good, just go with the flow.

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Travel Favourites

Travel Favourites

Photo by Leah Kelley on Pexels.com

Some links are part of the Amazon affiliate program, and if you buy something from the link, I will make a bit of money.

booking.com

I genuinely enjoy this booking platform and use it all the time whenever I’m finding a place to stay. Sometimes, I will book directly will the hotels, but this platform gives you a ton of information, photos, and reviews so you can make easy decisions. You can also level up, getting discounts on certain accommodations, and perks. You’re also not stuck just booking hotels if that’s not your thing, as there are plenty of home rentals on here, too!

Dry Bags

Gone are the days of me using a plastic bag to pop my dirty clothes or heavily soiled items into. I bought some dry bags when we began cloth diapering our baby, but I’ve been using them nonstop for swimming (as long as the swimsuit is rung out and isn’t sopping wet – super wet items need a wet bag), an extra in case something spills, or for dirty clothes on a trip. I love that there are two zipper pockets, so you keep clean items in one pocket, while dirty or damp items, can be popped into the other one.

Mini Stasher Bags

We’re a bar soap family: body soap, face soap, shampoo, sometimes conditioner. Even if it’s not your favourite thing, packing bars instead of liquids is so much easier to shove into a bag and make room. As long as you’re not bringing bulky individual soap dishes. They leak, they’re all made of yucky plastic, any eco-friendly options are insanely expensive. All you need is one, or maybe two, of these Stasher snack bags and all of your soaps, even small liquids, can live happily in there. No leaking. Tip: make sure there is no moisture sitting at the bottom of the bag before you seal it up, again!

Mini Travel Kit for Liquids

Even if you use bar soap for almost all of your hygienic needs, chances are you need to bring some liquids with you. I have a travel kit similar to this that works perfectly for adding a small pot of liquid here or there. I like to take dish soap with me on trips, even when not staying in an Airbnb, as it comes in it handy if you need to wash anything, including an emergency sink of clothes.

Facial Mist

I love taking a facial mist with me on the plane to help hydrate and perk up my skin after travelling all day. It’s also a great accompaniment when you’re dealing with hot days and need a little cooling off. Vichy makes a great travel sized one that will last for many trips and has been my favourite brand of facial mist for over a decade.

Roll Up Compression Bags

Sometimes, you just need to shove a little bit more into that suitcase, and that’s where these compression bags come in handy! You can fit a surprising amount of stuff in these bags. Car travel, train travel, plane travel, now you can fit a little bit more without adding another bulky suitcase.

Categories
travel

What to do if you end up in a Bad Accommodation

Photo by Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz on Pexels.com

Once, I stayed in a horrible place in Brazil. It was my first time traveling alone abroad and I was with my friend who lived there. We decided to go to Buzios, a beach town that I highly recommend, and stayed in a place her mom said had great food. Well, maybe the food was great, but the accommodations sucked. The beds were awful, there were kids next door (who seemed to live there) who were extremely loud and watched cartoons at high decibels early in the morning. Dogs barked all night long and we could hear people constantly.

Not knowing anything about Brazil besides my friend’s parent’s apartment (that was pretty nice) I was staying in before we went to Buzios, I thought to myself that this might be normal. My friend seemed to be sleeping and didn’t say anything the whole night. I decided I’d suck it up and just go with it. Then, the next morning came and my friend said we had to leave, that this place was absolutely awful. Sighing with relief, I packed my suitcase and we found an absolutely amazing hotel a little further down the road. It was expensive (for Brazil standards, but our dollar was much stronger) and my friend hesitated. I said it was my treat and happily booked the weekend for CAD$70.

Sometimes, bad accommodations happen. Sometimes, there are little things you can live with like tiny hotels or apartments, 5th floor walk-ups or a shitty view. Other times, you may feel unsafe or not receive a good night’s sleep. Always, always, always leave if you feel unsafe in a place. You don’t even need to book in. If you feel uneasy the second you step inside, cut your losses and go elsewhere. Never stay somewhere that makes you feel unsafe just to save a buck or two.

On my last trip to Paris our apartment sucked. It was in the 5th floor (y’all know that means 6 flights of stairs, not 5), it was tiny and while it was cleaned, it wasn’t as clean as I would’ve liked. The first two things are normal in the Paris apartment world, especially if you don’t want to pay 200€/night. The cleanliness? Once I wiped down a counter with wet ones, I felt okay. Our bathroom had a bathtub and no shower curtain. Showering in the morning took some maneuvering not to flood the place.

Annoyed at the time (and with a lot of things going wrong on that trip), I wondered if, at 31, I was too old to be doing these kind of travel stories. I should be in a plush hotel with balconies in every corner. Then, I stepped outside and went on my way exploring and re-visiting my favourite city and it was okay. Now that I’ve put some time and distance between myself and the apartment, I’m not as annoyed, not as upset.

If it’s something you can talk to the hotel or your airbnb host about, do it. Don’t yell at them, but ask them about any issues you have or bring up any concerns. They may be unaware (like a shitty house cleaner) and it can help you and guests in the future.

If it’s something really bad and it falls under any protection plan by the third party website, contact them. Read through their entire guidelines immediately to make sure you’re calling them for the right reason and at the right time (like if they will not cover you if you stay the night).

Leave an honest review. Scathing reviews aren’t needed, but don’t sugarcoat things. If you had a hard time with x, let other potential guests know, especially if you enjoyed your time, but if you knew about it going in, you’d have had a better time (like ear plugs and noise cancelling head phones in that Buzios place).

Buy what you need and chalk it up to a travel experience. Obviously, this can get expensive real quick, but if it’s something relatively cheap and easy to get and it will definitely make your stay better, just do it. That Buzios hotel? Not enough towels, at all. So, I bought some and still use my adorable fish patterned towels today. Other cheap items that make stays infinitely better? Wine. Lots of it.

Don’t let it ruin your trip. Unless your trip was meant for spa and plush luxuries, get over it. Have a cry, have a yell, curse the country you’re visiting, then get on with it. Because there’s more out there to see than your hotel room.