3 Weeks from Saturday

So, I just realized last night that we leave for Guatemala 3 weeks from Saturday.  Which means that I am very behind on my research (another topic).

I am looking forward to seeing my friends, even though I know that life will not be the same as this summer.

Last night I chose my seats.  And this is what I have found works best for me.  Not only am I a fat traveller I am also long legged, so I PREFER to sit in the 'exit row' seats, which is what I booked for this trip.  But if you can't afford that (and I usually cannot) I always sit on the aisle, especially on LONG flights.  This allows me to stretch my legs out more which helps my hips not cramp up.

Another tip I have found is to pack light, so that you don't have anything on the floor, under the seat in front of you.  This, too, will allow you to stretch your legs as well.

What to Pack...

So, I had a meeting about packing with the BSU Guatemala Mission Team (We are going over Spring Break this year.)  and after one of the guys asked if he could have my notes on what I said.  Well I didn't have notes because it is all stuff I have learned from travelling.  So I thought I would write one...

We are going for 7 days.  We will be working (building houses and construction) for 3 days.  We will be attending church.  We will be going out for one nice dinner.  So some of this is a result of the type of trip we are taking but I guess you could use this for any 7 day trip.  Here is what I packed:

2 jeans (one nice, one NOT)

2 work shorts

1 slacks

1 nice shirt

4 t shirts

10 socks

10 underwear (if you are going to need extra these are the two things you will need extra of)

4 bras (obviously different for guys)

1 sneakers/work shoes

1 sandals

Make up

Jewelrr

Bible

Journal

Money bag that is on a long cord that can be worn around your neck to hang under clothes

Belt (I don't wear it bc of airport security)

Toiletries which include:

• electric razor (I also bring a regular one)
• deoderant
• lotion
• facial moisturizer
• hair serum (my hair frizzes and this is a product that can tame it without a lot of other accessories)
• toothbrush

Many other things could be included but these are the things that I travel with in my toiletry bag.

The following things are things that I have found that make travelling easier.  These first few things all go in my 'purse':

Passport keeper that holds:

• Passport
• Shot Record
• State issued ID
• Dramamine
• Lip Balm
• Pen (for filling out forms in customs)

Kindle

Hankerchief (this is easier to wash out at night and tissues take up room to pack and are sometimes difficult to replace)

Blindfold (I get migraines, this is great if one hits)

Travel Blanket or Wrap (not just on the plane but in other countries I have found that having a wrap helps)

Dictionary of Countries Language

Gum

Game

Earphones

Vitamin C (Halls Defense is my favorite)

Wet Wipes (this helps if you have a long plane ride or a long layover to feel 'fresh')

Phone

Chargers for all Electronics

Med keeper fully stocked (I keep pain killers, head ache meds, allergy, motion sickness, and diarrhea this also holds q-tips)

Camera

These are things that help to have on hand

extra batteries

watch (one that lights up as most places dont have clocks or street lights that would illuminate it)

Downy wrinkle releaser

Tide Pen

Tide lint roller

Clorox pen

Bars of soap (hotel/travel size, when I was in Ethiopia if I paid someone to do my laundry I also had to buy them a bar of soap, so now when I stay at a hotel I take these and keep them to throw in when I travel)

Lotion

EXTRA pony tail holders for long hair

EXTRA bobby pins

EXTRA safety pins

These three things I bring with me because the first two you CANNOT have two many of and the last can save an outfit when you have a limited amount of clothing

Odor eaters for sneakers

Lotion (I get dry when I travel so I travel with TUBES of lip balm, and extra lotion)

Feminine Products (even if you shouldn't need them)

Cards, card games, pass the pigs, farkle, dominoes, etc.  (You never know when you could have a LONG delay, plus a mother with rowdy kids on a delay would send prayers of thanks up if you were to provide her kids with an hours entertainment while they waited)

Extra Contacts, Eyeglasses and the products neccessary for their care

PENS

Camelback, (you will have to put bottled water in it but they will insure you stay hydrated)

Moleskin/Molefoam-blisters ugh!!!

Universal Adaptor (even if you have the same plug like in the US and Guatemala, I found that this was good to have because it enabled me to plug in my grounded plugs into non-grounded outlets, and I already owned it from other overseas travel.  Admittedly I have recommended that the team just by an adaptor for grounded to non from the hardware section.)

I take Dramamine with me because I get motion sick and I take it when I get on the plane but when I had the 19 hour flight to Dubai on my way to Ethiopia I found that it was invaluable in putting me to sleep.  And then I forgot to take it and had gate checked the bag it was in the first time I went to Guatemala and the landing is so rough in Guatemala I almost threw up.  So, I take it with me and put it in about three places in different bags so as to have it should I need it.  I also tend to buy a new bottle right before I go.  It is actually an antinausea pill and so is good not just for motion sickness but all nausea.  I also DO NOT travel without Excederin Migraine.  I had a headache that originated with some incence at a traditional coffee ceremony in Ethiopia that progressed until I was in pain to be in the sun (which is bad because that is the one thing they have in abundance).  Therefore I no longer travel anywhere without some Excederin Migraine on my person.  For me these are the only two meds that I have found I cannot do without.  I take others with me but I have bought them overseas without difficulty while these I bring from home.

I am sure that your own travel experiences will teach you what YOU shouldn't or don't want to travel without but this is what mine have taught me.

The Fat Traveller's first post

So, I was told yesterday as I talked about how I am treated overseas as a fat white person that I should blog about it and let America know.  So, this is me blogging about it.

I will post things about how to travel more comfortably as a fat person on a budget and what to pack etc.  But for this post I just want to talk about how I was treated while in Ethiopia.

I travelled to Ethiopia in 2010 as a part of a professor led research team at my university (I am not the traditional college student, btw).  We were to spend a month in Ethiopia mapping the Gorge of the Nile which is similar to the Grand Canyon in the U.S.  I won't bore you with the work we did.  What I will say is that in that country I was treated with deferrence and respect, which is VERY unlike the States.  Here I am treated like I am invisible at the best of times.  But there as a fat person, I was wearing the evidence of my wealth on my person, it was more effective than if I had been driving a solid gold car and was encrusted with jewels.  It was amazing.  Even though I was one of the undergrads on the trip and so basically a peon or a grunt, the locals in restaurants and in hotels all acted like I was the final say on things.

This is not the first time that being a Fat Traveller has aided me it is just the most notable reaction.  I hope you enjoy the stories and tips.