TIME to TRAVEL!
“Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey.” --Fitzbugh Millan
With boarding passes in hand, and backpacks and luggage all packed, its time to Journey On! If you’re on the way to the airport, it’s advisable to get to the airport early but not TOO early – unless you really love airports. Check with the airline as to the recommended check-in times and their cut-off times (their stated times when seat assignments are re-assigned and you are no longer guaranteed a seat on the plane or even ability to make the flight). Cut-off times apply both to check-in and to boarding times.
With boarding passes printed at home, the biggest delays are usually not at baggage drop but at airport security. If you are traveling during peak periods, allow plenty of time to work your way through airport security. It’s usually suggested that you get to domestic airports about 90 minutes prior to scheduled departure time (2-3 hours for an international departure). Overseas, a general rule of thumb is a minimum of 2 hours. Certain airports, such as Tel Aviv and New Delhi, require longer advance arrival – as much as 3 ½ hours in advance of scheduled departure due to heightened security measures.
As mentioned earlier, check out if there is any complimentary meal service on your flight. Food items may be available for purchase onboard many flights, but it’s generally a better idea to purchase food at the airport or even bring it from home. Many major airports these days are fully equipped with lots of venues offering take-away food items.
I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read on the train. --Oscar Wilde
Bring along a book or two (and/or a diary), games or other activities for children traveling with you, some gum, some snacks, your iPod, iPad or similar music/video players if you are so inclined. Planes, trains and cars can all get delayed and it’s nice to have something to do enroute. This is especially true when flying. A journal is also a great idea, encouraging you to write down notes and stories in your spare moments. It can also be a great way to fill time as a solo traveler waiting for your meal to arrive.
Trains usually have a dining or snack/beverage car. Some major train stations have food vendors on premises or within close walking distance. For car trips, there are usually a lot of options on the open road!
Each evening its worth discussing what’s planned for the following day. It’s also a good time to check what museums are opened/closed/free the next day and whether all of the “must sees/must dos” are being covered. You can then refine the plans at breakfast the next morning, making adjustments if needed due to the weather, etc. If you are tracking expenses, it’s a good time to jot down the day’s expenses.
No Guarantees other than Good Stories
The cardinal rule of travel is to be prepared, be flexible and enjoy! There are so many components that are out of your control; you just need to go with the flow. Not to say that you shouldn’t be prepared for some things – have a good book or a fully charged iPod with you when you fly, for instance. Delays happen, but there is no use in getting worried about it days in advance. Chances are actually pretty good that flights will be more or less on time, connections will be made and your luggage will arrive on the same flight as you’re on! And if not, well, deal with it then. Have the airline phone numbers, Facebook page and Twitter hashtags programmed into your cell phone so that if your flight in cancelled or substantially delayed, you can contact the airline while waiting in line for re-ticketing. This could save you a lot of time and get you better and timelier re-bookings.
Missed connections
If you have an evening connection, it’s wise before you leave home to research hotels near your connecting city in case there’s a problem. If there is a delay or cancellation, be sure to ask the air carrier about free or discount lodging as well. If the cause is mechanical or crew issues, the airline is usually responsible for costs due to delays and missed connections. With weather-related delays, the cost is usually yours to bear, but many airlines have agreements with nearby hotels for discounted rates. And in Europe, passengers are entitled to accommodations and/or compensation regardless of the cause.
Lost luggage
If your luggage doesn’t arrive, quickly go to the airline’s luggage office and report the missing luggage. And move on. If you arrive at your hotel and they don’t have your reservation or don’t have a room available, a) show them your confirmation e-mail or letter or codes, b) ask to speak to the manager, c) if you booked through a travel agent or on-line reservation service, call them. Simple steps. Don’t get angry – just get the situation resolved. And, when you get home, you’ll have great stories!
Jet Lag
If you’re flying through multiple time zones, your body clock gets a bit confused. An old rule of thumb is that your body takes about one day to adjust to a one time zone change – so if you’re flying from the US west coast to Paris, it supposedly will take 8 days to adjust to the 8 hour time change. Some say it worse when you fly eastbound than westbound, etc. There are supplements, like Melatonin that may help your body adjust to the changes more quickly. Daylight also helps out, so the day you arrive you should plan on spending sometime out of doors.
Experiences
Travel is about experiences - good and otherwise. And in the end, an "otherwise" experience, which leads to a story later, is good as well. One just needs to go with the flow while traveling and see where the stream takes you. Here’s one example of going with the flow.
The dozen or so of us had already made our way through passport control at Siberia's Magadan Airport. Our Alaska Airlines 727 was on the ground ready to take us on the next leg of our journey to Khabarovsk. As departure time get closer and closer, there didn't seem to be much happening either near the aircraft, which was parked out on the tarmac, nor in our waiting area. Departure time came and went and finally the Alaska Air agent popped by to tell us that "there was a problem." Not with the aircraft, but with Soviet customs and immigration. It seems that the chief who had approved of this flight was out of town on business and his assistant had not been briefed on this most serious of issues - foreigners taking a foreign airline on a domestic flight. No way. No how. Our agent was "working the issue" and told us to relax. In the meantime, through the bank of windows overlooking the tarmac and runways, we saw "our" Alaska 727 taxi away from its stand and before we knew it, it was airborne. "Cool" was my first thought - this should be interesting. "Panic" was the first thought of some of my fellow travelers. The agent came back a few minutes later and said that our luggage was on its way to Khabarovsk on the Alaska flight and that we would be on our way shortly - on Aeroflot. The "Panic" folks went into high gear - "We're going to die. All Aeroflot planes crash. No way am I getting on Aeroflot. How dare this happen to us. I knew we should not have taken this tour." Of course, in the hour or so that all of this transpired, a half-dozen or more Aeroflot jets had landed and taken off, and not one had crashed! I was getting more excited by the moment - another experience - another airline - another aircraft type! Yes. We then noticed a dozen or so folks getting off of an Aeroflot jet. Our jet! Basically, Aeroflot kicked off the 12 passengers in the 1st two rows of coach on their flight to Khabarovsk and sold the seats (I'm sure at a greatly inflated price) to Alaska. We boarded, many reluctantly, to the intense stares of the other 150+ coach passengers. The doors closed, the plane shot down the bumpy runway and 90 minutes later we touch down in Khabarovsk - we didn't crash, we enjoyed (or some of us enjoyed) our snack of a roll and a boiled egg, and our luggage was waiting for us. And the group, both the panicked folks and the cool folks, had another story to tell when they got home. It’s what traveling is about.
Reconfirmation
Especially when flying overseas, confirm your on-going or return reservations 72 hours in advance and again 24 hours in advance. Departure times change, flights are cancelled or shifted, and reservations get messed up. Calling or checking on-line to reconfirm gives you and them an opportunity to get things corrected before you show up at the airport!
Flexibility, Stress and Togetherness
When it comes to your daily itinerary, be flexible. If a special event comes up that’s of interest to the group, be ready to adjust your plans accordingly. Make sure the needs of all of the travelers in your group are being met. Check on your trip objectives from time to time and make adjustments if needed. And if two or more are traveling together, it’s OK for there to be occasional times when you each go off on your own for a few hours or even a full day. Travel can be stressful, so taking personal “breaks” from time to time can result in everyone being happier. That allows each person to meet some of their own objectives without forcing the whole gang along. And there can be such a thing as “too much togetherness!”
People travel to faraway places to watch, in fascination, the kind of people they ignore at home. --Dagobert Runes
It’s also fine and a good idea, on a longer trip (say 4 weeks or longer), to take a “day off” during the journey. Stay in or around your hotel/cabin/inn. Do laundry, wash the car (if on a road trip), read a book or even go to a movie. No sightseeing, no events, just sit and relax. Maybe (just maybe) write an e-mail, postcard, etc. It’s a chance to relax, catch up on sleep, and then begin the journey anew the next day.
There will be times when you may need to change your plans significantly and make major adjustments in your itinerary. One big uncontrollable reality is the weather. While you can plan your trip assuming “normal” weather for your destination, it might not be a “normal” year. No snow at the ski resort, no sun at the beach, rain at the outdoor festival. It happens. Again, this is not something to worry about in advance since there’s not much you can do other than adjust. Enjoy the hotel spa, go to the movies, play in the pool while it’s raining (it is probably still warm, even if it’s raining), bring your umbrella or rain gear to the festival (and since its raining, it won’t be as crowded and you can get closer to the stage!).
Having a good map with you is always a great idea. Walking and driving in unfamiliar places can result in getting lost! A map is an essential travel tool. But also don’t hesitate to ask for directions from the locals – sometimes they will even walk up to you if you look a bit lost and help you on your way. iPhones and other similar devices can also link you up with Google maps if you have wi-fi or data roaming connections.
If you're not sure what the options are for getting from one place to another (such as Prague to Cesky Kumlov), a great site to check is Rome2Rio.com. While not perfect, it does a pretty good job of laying out options (bus versus train versus flights...) and provides an estimated cost for each and often links to schedules and booking.
Local customs
When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. It is designed to make its own people comfortable. --Clifton Fadiman
When traveling internationally, check out the sections of your guidebook on local customs to avoid confusion and diplomatic incidents! In some countries, eating with your left hand or shaking hands with your left hand is considered an affront. Nodding your head up and down can mean no in some countries. Sitting down with your feet pointing out can be an insult. Apparel, especially for women, is also an important cultural consideration. So, understand the local do’s and don’ts and show respect for the local culture.
Oftentimes, you will be given leeway as a traveler, but be prepared to stand out. On a beach in Malaysia, my wife was the only woman in a bathing suit rather than full body covering. The bathing suit was perfectly acceptable for a non-Muslim, but it certainly didn’t provide an opportunity to blend-in.
It is also a great idea to learn at least a few words in the local language. I have a hard time with foreign languages, but I make sure I know how to say “hello,” “good-bye,” “please,” “thank you,” “excuse me,” “yes” and “no” in the local language. It again shows respect for the locals and usually results in a smile from the person you’re talking with. The following list may help you along.
Spanish
Hello – Hola
Goodbye – Adios
Yes – Si
No – No
Please – Por Favor
Thank You – Gracias
Excuse Me – Perdon
French
Hello – Bonjour
Goodbye – Au Revoir
Yes – Oui
No – Non
Please – S’il Vous Plait
Thank You – Merci
Excuse Me – Excusez-moi
Italian
Hello – Ciao
Goodbye – Arrivederci
Yes – Si
No – No
Please – Per Favore
Thank You – Grazie
Excuse Me – Mi Scusi
German
Hello – Hallo
Goodbye – Auf Wiedersehen
Yes – Ja
No – Nein
Please – Bitte
Thank You – Danke
Excuse Me – Entschuldigen Sie Bitte
Japanese
Hello – Konnichiwa
Goodbye – Sayonara
Yes – Hai
No – Iie
Please – Onegai Shimasu
Thank You – Arigatoo
Excuse Me – Sumimasen
Check out Google Translate for translating text in any of 103 languages.
For your own personal safety, it’s always good to have some “street smarts” while traveling, especially in big cities. If lost, act like you know where you are going until you can find a newsstand, café, police officer or other “responsible” person to ask for help or directions. Minimize walking after dark when you are uncertain about the safety of areas; have a restaurant call a cab for you to get you back to your hotel (usually a better bet than going outside and trying to flag a taxi – some of which can be unlicensed with questionable reputations). Again, read up in your guidebook about local safety and follow their advice – they’ve been there and know!
Recording memories Some folks live and breathe photography while traveling – up before dawn to get the sunrise shots, public market shots mid-morning, editing photos midday (due to the harsh light), back out several hours before sunset and then, of course, there are the night shots! Then there is more editing, some sleep and then repeat the next day.
For others, a postcard of a favorite place, a couple of snapshots of the family at the Washington Monument, and they’re set. And there are lots of options in between. While it’s not the purpose of this book to discuss the full range of topics under the category “vacation photography”, suffice it to say that recording your memories and impressions is an important consideration while traveling. One of the simplest methods I’ve heard is to buy a postcard a day showing something of interest that you saw that day and then dating it and writing a few notes on the back. And then putting it in your suitcase. When you get home, you have a visual and written reminder of key moments - it’s pretty darn inexpensive and the quality of the image is assured.
If you’re a robust e-mailer and send notes, facebook status updates, or tweets on a regular basis, be sure to cc: yourself so that you have reminders when you get home as well.
Some folks write in a journal each evening; others carry a small sketch pad with them; and still others (probably most based on observation) carry some type of camera with them. Be sure to carry spare batteries, extra film (film?!?!) or memory cards, know how to turn the flash off on your camera (museums and concerts tend to frown on flash photography) and fire away. Unless you’re traveling primarily as an excuse to take photographs, put the camera down from time to time and enjoy the experience of being where you are.
Many people come, looking, looking; taking picture. Bad!! A few people come to SEE. Good!’ --A Nepalese Shepra talking to the photographer Galen Rowell
With boarding passes in hand, and backpacks and luggage all packed, its time to Journey On! If you’re on the way to the airport, it’s advisable to get to the airport early but not TOO early – unless you really love airports. Check with the airline as to the recommended check-in times and their cut-off times (their stated times when seat assignments are re-assigned and you are no longer guaranteed a seat on the plane or even ability to make the flight). Cut-off times apply both to check-in and to boarding times.
With boarding passes printed at home, the biggest delays are usually not at baggage drop but at airport security. If you are traveling during peak periods, allow plenty of time to work your way through airport security. It’s usually suggested that you get to domestic airports about 90 minutes prior to scheduled departure time (2-3 hours for an international departure). Overseas, a general rule of thumb is a minimum of 2 hours. Certain airports, such as Tel Aviv and New Delhi, require longer advance arrival – as much as 3 ½ hours in advance of scheduled departure due to heightened security measures.
As mentioned earlier, check out if there is any complimentary meal service on your flight. Food items may be available for purchase onboard many flights, but it’s generally a better idea to purchase food at the airport or even bring it from home. Many major airports these days are fully equipped with lots of venues offering take-away food items.
I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read on the train. --Oscar Wilde
Bring along a book or two (and/or a diary), games or other activities for children traveling with you, some gum, some snacks, your iPod, iPad or similar music/video players if you are so inclined. Planes, trains and cars can all get delayed and it’s nice to have something to do enroute. This is especially true when flying. A journal is also a great idea, encouraging you to write down notes and stories in your spare moments. It can also be a great way to fill time as a solo traveler waiting for your meal to arrive.
Trains usually have a dining or snack/beverage car. Some major train stations have food vendors on premises or within close walking distance. For car trips, there are usually a lot of options on the open road!
Each evening its worth discussing what’s planned for the following day. It’s also a good time to check what museums are opened/closed/free the next day and whether all of the “must sees/must dos” are being covered. You can then refine the plans at breakfast the next morning, making adjustments if needed due to the weather, etc. If you are tracking expenses, it’s a good time to jot down the day’s expenses.
No Guarantees other than Good Stories
The cardinal rule of travel is to be prepared, be flexible and enjoy! There are so many components that are out of your control; you just need to go with the flow. Not to say that you shouldn’t be prepared for some things – have a good book or a fully charged iPod with you when you fly, for instance. Delays happen, but there is no use in getting worried about it days in advance. Chances are actually pretty good that flights will be more or less on time, connections will be made and your luggage will arrive on the same flight as you’re on! And if not, well, deal with it then. Have the airline phone numbers, Facebook page and Twitter hashtags programmed into your cell phone so that if your flight in cancelled or substantially delayed, you can contact the airline while waiting in line for re-ticketing. This could save you a lot of time and get you better and timelier re-bookings.
Missed connections
If you have an evening connection, it’s wise before you leave home to research hotels near your connecting city in case there’s a problem. If there is a delay or cancellation, be sure to ask the air carrier about free or discount lodging as well. If the cause is mechanical or crew issues, the airline is usually responsible for costs due to delays and missed connections. With weather-related delays, the cost is usually yours to bear, but many airlines have agreements with nearby hotels for discounted rates. And in Europe, passengers are entitled to accommodations and/or compensation regardless of the cause.
Lost luggage
If your luggage doesn’t arrive, quickly go to the airline’s luggage office and report the missing luggage. And move on. If you arrive at your hotel and they don’t have your reservation or don’t have a room available, a) show them your confirmation e-mail or letter or codes, b) ask to speak to the manager, c) if you booked through a travel agent or on-line reservation service, call them. Simple steps. Don’t get angry – just get the situation resolved. And, when you get home, you’ll have great stories!
Jet Lag
If you’re flying through multiple time zones, your body clock gets a bit confused. An old rule of thumb is that your body takes about one day to adjust to a one time zone change – so if you’re flying from the US west coast to Paris, it supposedly will take 8 days to adjust to the 8 hour time change. Some say it worse when you fly eastbound than westbound, etc. There are supplements, like Melatonin that may help your body adjust to the changes more quickly. Daylight also helps out, so the day you arrive you should plan on spending sometime out of doors.
Experiences
Travel is about experiences - good and otherwise. And in the end, an "otherwise" experience, which leads to a story later, is good as well. One just needs to go with the flow while traveling and see where the stream takes you. Here’s one example of going with the flow.
The dozen or so of us had already made our way through passport control at Siberia's Magadan Airport. Our Alaska Airlines 727 was on the ground ready to take us on the next leg of our journey to Khabarovsk. As departure time get closer and closer, there didn't seem to be much happening either near the aircraft, which was parked out on the tarmac, nor in our waiting area. Departure time came and went and finally the Alaska Air agent popped by to tell us that "there was a problem." Not with the aircraft, but with Soviet customs and immigration. It seems that the chief who had approved of this flight was out of town on business and his assistant had not been briefed on this most serious of issues - foreigners taking a foreign airline on a domestic flight. No way. No how. Our agent was "working the issue" and told us to relax. In the meantime, through the bank of windows overlooking the tarmac and runways, we saw "our" Alaska 727 taxi away from its stand and before we knew it, it was airborne. "Cool" was my first thought - this should be interesting. "Panic" was the first thought of some of my fellow travelers. The agent came back a few minutes later and said that our luggage was on its way to Khabarovsk on the Alaska flight and that we would be on our way shortly - on Aeroflot. The "Panic" folks went into high gear - "We're going to die. All Aeroflot planes crash. No way am I getting on Aeroflot. How dare this happen to us. I knew we should not have taken this tour." Of course, in the hour or so that all of this transpired, a half-dozen or more Aeroflot jets had landed and taken off, and not one had crashed! I was getting more excited by the moment - another experience - another airline - another aircraft type! Yes. We then noticed a dozen or so folks getting off of an Aeroflot jet. Our jet! Basically, Aeroflot kicked off the 12 passengers in the 1st two rows of coach on their flight to Khabarovsk and sold the seats (I'm sure at a greatly inflated price) to Alaska. We boarded, many reluctantly, to the intense stares of the other 150+ coach passengers. The doors closed, the plane shot down the bumpy runway and 90 minutes later we touch down in Khabarovsk - we didn't crash, we enjoyed (or some of us enjoyed) our snack of a roll and a boiled egg, and our luggage was waiting for us. And the group, both the panicked folks and the cool folks, had another story to tell when they got home. It’s what traveling is about.
Reconfirmation
Especially when flying overseas, confirm your on-going or return reservations 72 hours in advance and again 24 hours in advance. Departure times change, flights are cancelled or shifted, and reservations get messed up. Calling or checking on-line to reconfirm gives you and them an opportunity to get things corrected before you show up at the airport!
Flexibility, Stress and Togetherness
When it comes to your daily itinerary, be flexible. If a special event comes up that’s of interest to the group, be ready to adjust your plans accordingly. Make sure the needs of all of the travelers in your group are being met. Check on your trip objectives from time to time and make adjustments if needed. And if two or more are traveling together, it’s OK for there to be occasional times when you each go off on your own for a few hours or even a full day. Travel can be stressful, so taking personal “breaks” from time to time can result in everyone being happier. That allows each person to meet some of their own objectives without forcing the whole gang along. And there can be such a thing as “too much togetherness!”
People travel to faraway places to watch, in fascination, the kind of people they ignore at home. --Dagobert Runes
It’s also fine and a good idea, on a longer trip (say 4 weeks or longer), to take a “day off” during the journey. Stay in or around your hotel/cabin/inn. Do laundry, wash the car (if on a road trip), read a book or even go to a movie. No sightseeing, no events, just sit and relax. Maybe (just maybe) write an e-mail, postcard, etc. It’s a chance to relax, catch up on sleep, and then begin the journey anew the next day.
There will be times when you may need to change your plans significantly and make major adjustments in your itinerary. One big uncontrollable reality is the weather. While you can plan your trip assuming “normal” weather for your destination, it might not be a “normal” year. No snow at the ski resort, no sun at the beach, rain at the outdoor festival. It happens. Again, this is not something to worry about in advance since there’s not much you can do other than adjust. Enjoy the hotel spa, go to the movies, play in the pool while it’s raining (it is probably still warm, even if it’s raining), bring your umbrella or rain gear to the festival (and since its raining, it won’t be as crowded and you can get closer to the stage!).
Having a good map with you is always a great idea. Walking and driving in unfamiliar places can result in getting lost! A map is an essential travel tool. But also don’t hesitate to ask for directions from the locals – sometimes they will even walk up to you if you look a bit lost and help you on your way. iPhones and other similar devices can also link you up with Google maps if you have wi-fi or data roaming connections.
If you're not sure what the options are for getting from one place to another (such as Prague to Cesky Kumlov), a great site to check is Rome2Rio.com. While not perfect, it does a pretty good job of laying out options (bus versus train versus flights...) and provides an estimated cost for each and often links to schedules and booking.
Local customs
When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. It is designed to make its own people comfortable. --Clifton Fadiman
When traveling internationally, check out the sections of your guidebook on local customs to avoid confusion and diplomatic incidents! In some countries, eating with your left hand or shaking hands with your left hand is considered an affront. Nodding your head up and down can mean no in some countries. Sitting down with your feet pointing out can be an insult. Apparel, especially for women, is also an important cultural consideration. So, understand the local do’s and don’ts and show respect for the local culture.
Oftentimes, you will be given leeway as a traveler, but be prepared to stand out. On a beach in Malaysia, my wife was the only woman in a bathing suit rather than full body covering. The bathing suit was perfectly acceptable for a non-Muslim, but it certainly didn’t provide an opportunity to blend-in.
It is also a great idea to learn at least a few words in the local language. I have a hard time with foreign languages, but I make sure I know how to say “hello,” “good-bye,” “please,” “thank you,” “excuse me,” “yes” and “no” in the local language. It again shows respect for the locals and usually results in a smile from the person you’re talking with. The following list may help you along.
Spanish
Hello – Hola
Goodbye – Adios
Yes – Si
No – No
Please – Por Favor
Thank You – Gracias
Excuse Me – Perdon
French
Hello – Bonjour
Goodbye – Au Revoir
Yes – Oui
No – Non
Please – S’il Vous Plait
Thank You – Merci
Excuse Me – Excusez-moi
Italian
Hello – Ciao
Goodbye – Arrivederci
Yes – Si
No – No
Please – Per Favore
Thank You – Grazie
Excuse Me – Mi Scusi
German
Hello – Hallo
Goodbye – Auf Wiedersehen
Yes – Ja
No – Nein
Please – Bitte
Thank You – Danke
Excuse Me – Entschuldigen Sie Bitte
Japanese
Hello – Konnichiwa
Goodbye – Sayonara
Yes – Hai
No – Iie
Please – Onegai Shimasu
Thank You – Arigatoo
Excuse Me – Sumimasen
Check out Google Translate for translating text in any of 103 languages.
For your own personal safety, it’s always good to have some “street smarts” while traveling, especially in big cities. If lost, act like you know where you are going until you can find a newsstand, café, police officer or other “responsible” person to ask for help or directions. Minimize walking after dark when you are uncertain about the safety of areas; have a restaurant call a cab for you to get you back to your hotel (usually a better bet than going outside and trying to flag a taxi – some of which can be unlicensed with questionable reputations). Again, read up in your guidebook about local safety and follow their advice – they’ve been there and know!
Recording memories Some folks live and breathe photography while traveling – up before dawn to get the sunrise shots, public market shots mid-morning, editing photos midday (due to the harsh light), back out several hours before sunset and then, of course, there are the night shots! Then there is more editing, some sleep and then repeat the next day.
For others, a postcard of a favorite place, a couple of snapshots of the family at the Washington Monument, and they’re set. And there are lots of options in between. While it’s not the purpose of this book to discuss the full range of topics under the category “vacation photography”, suffice it to say that recording your memories and impressions is an important consideration while traveling. One of the simplest methods I’ve heard is to buy a postcard a day showing something of interest that you saw that day and then dating it and writing a few notes on the back. And then putting it in your suitcase. When you get home, you have a visual and written reminder of key moments - it’s pretty darn inexpensive and the quality of the image is assured.
If you’re a robust e-mailer and send notes, facebook status updates, or tweets on a regular basis, be sure to cc: yourself so that you have reminders when you get home as well.
Some folks write in a journal each evening; others carry a small sketch pad with them; and still others (probably most based on observation) carry some type of camera with them. Be sure to carry spare batteries, extra film (film?!?!) or memory cards, know how to turn the flash off on your camera (museums and concerts tend to frown on flash photography) and fire away. Unless you’re traveling primarily as an excuse to take photographs, put the camera down from time to time and enjoy the experience of being where you are.
Many people come, looking, looking; taking picture. Bad!! A few people come to SEE. Good!’ --A Nepalese Shepra talking to the photographer Galen Rowell