How long before your trip are you all packed and ready to go?

Do you take sleep aides on the plane? if so, what ones do you recommend?

Do you clean your entire house before your trip?

Do you wear a money belt?

Do you stay to yourself or do you try and talk with locals when you travel?

What do you hope to get out of your trips? Rest, culture, education, ect....

Is travel your passion?

My answers.

I am usually packed and ready to go about a week before my trip.

I havent taken a sleep aide but would like to try one as I dont sleep well on the plane.

I clean everything !!!

Yes I wear a money belt.

I try and talk to many locals wherever I go.

I hope to get some rest, but mainly I want to lose myself in the history, art, food, and culture of where I am visiting.

Travel is my passion. I cant think of anything that makes me happier and more excited. It has enriched my life so much.

How long before your trip are you all packed and ready to go? A week or so which still leaves me forgetting a few last minute things.

Do you take sleep aides on the plane? if so, what ones do you recommend? No, but I have a friend who swears by one Tylenol PM. May try it this time.

Do you clean your entire house before your trip? Yes. Can't stand coming home to a messy house. Plus don't want the neighbors bringing in the mail thinking we're slobs!

Do you wear a money belt? I've always brought them with but never worn them. Knock on wood, I've never had any problems. Maybe being from a big city makes us more aware of our money and who's around.

Do you stay to yourself or do you try and talk with locals when you travel?
Both. We usually talk to the hotel people, waitstaff, etc. but that's it.

What do you hope to get out of your trips? Rest, culture, education, ect.... Culture, education, beautiful memories, definately not rest, Our theory is rest is for the old...

Is travel your passion? Yes, definately. I work to fund our travel.


Great questions Janda.

How long before your trip are you all packed and ready to go?
Usually about five minutes before we leave for the airport, because I'm trying to get all my work done. Fortunately, I have a very organized wife who has everything pretty well set for me when it gets to the packing stage.

Do you take sleep aides on the plane? if so, what ones do you recommend?
Red wine and, on this trip, an IPOD complete with 2,038 songs and killer sound. The red wine works, and I think the IPOD should have me in another world by about the fourth Moody Blues' song.

Do you clean your entire house before your trip?
No. Our house has never been entirely cleaned.

Do you wear a money belt?
No. I keep my wallet in the front pocket of my tight, black jeans. Nobody gets in my jeans (unless I want them to).

Do you stay to yourself or do you try and talk with locals when you travel?
I like to talk and I like to listen. We converse with locals, tourists and animals. We've had great conversions with cats throughout the world.

What do you hope to get out of your trips? Rest, culture, education, ect....
They all differ. This upcoming trip is more scenery (Mosel, Alsace, Switzerland, Lugano) than big ticket items like when we visit larger cities. I love history, so I'm looking forward to Burg Eltz, Chillon, other castles and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Is travel your passion?
It is tops among many passions I have....well, maybe second.

I usually start packing about a week ahead of time, but don't finish til the morning I leave.

I am not a "nervous flier," but I don't like to feel "drugged up" when I fly, so no I don't take sleep aides (I don't normally need them anyway.)

I do clean my house before my trip, but it never fails that the cats will drag something out of the clothes hamper or my daughter's toy box, so it really doesn't matter anyway.

I don't like money belts, but I am planning on buying one of those neck pouches for my next trip.

I generally stay pretty much to myself during the day, but at night when everyone lets their hair down and relaxes a little (and slows down a little ) I talk to more locals.

I always hope to get excitement and enthusiasm for life out of my trips, to tide me over until I can take another to escape everyday life.

My travel is one of my passions, but then I have oh, so many

So maybe I went a little overboard on smiley faces, but this is a smiley kind of day. AND tomorrow is FRIDAY!!!!!

Oh, maitaitom, have you ever been around Jackson Square in New Orleans after they lock the gates at night, and the people put out the boards piled with cat food? HUNDREDS of cats show up! I forget how many bags of cat food the lady told me they go through a night, but they feed as many of the strays as they can, and the stories those cats could tell if they would!! And I really hope you mean that you have conversations with cats, not conversions!

"And I really hope you mean that you have conversations with cats, not conversions!"

I must have been catatonic when I wrote that. I'll put that in my mistakes catalogue. By the way, I've had some conversations with some pretty cool cats in New Orleans. I'll check out Jackson Square late on my next trip down there.

1. How long before I'm packed: I "mentally' pack my suitcase about a week ahead of time, but I don't physically pack it until the day I leave. I also have a typewritten cheat sheet of must-have items and last-minute things to do which I have developed over the years (e.g., passport, ATM card, stop newspaper delivery, water my plants,etc.)

2. Take sleep aids on the plane: No, but I do occasionally take Excedrin PM at my destination if I get a jet lag-induced migraine.

3. Clean house before trip? Yes, thoroughly.

4. Do you wear a money belt? No. I bought one about 15 years ago, but I have never used it.

5. Mingle with locals? Usually. I travel alone 99% of the time and I find that I am more outgoing when on vacation. Also, people seem to find me more approachable (maybe because my attitude is more relaxed than when I'm not on vacation), and locals often strike up conversations wth me.

6. What I hope to get: Escape, new adventures, new learning experiences.

7. Is travel my passion? Yes, yes, yes! I absolutely love it.

As walkabout I have mentally packed quie awhile ahead of time but do the actual packing the day before.

Yes, I do take sleep aides some times. Lately it had been Ambien.

Clean the house? no way

We go as a rest, to see new things, to enjoy things seen previously again.

I wear a money belt but I'm not sure why.

I have a TravelSmith blazer with many pockets that I wear while actually traveling ( e.g.on the plane). When being a "tourist" I have a billfold that holds two credit cards and a Driver's License - for ID -and some cash.

Yes, I make a it a point to mingle with the locals as much as possible, given the language barrier.

Yes, travel is our passion.

1) a couple of days before my trip, I prepare my suitcase, and like always I bring to much..

2) Cant take anything for the simple reason that nothing works for me

3)I clean and make my DH crazy because I worry about that he perphas does not have enough food in the freezer, or he may go hungry,despite the fact that He is a Better cook than me.. Perphas I feel guilty about leaving him for 5 weeks...

4) I bring it with me, of course..
.
5) I try to be friendly with everyone, but in the same time I keep my space..

6) Rest? No way I need another vacation when I return back home Culture, enchantment, education and most of all Joie de Vivre
7)Passion, passion, Passion

How long before your trip are you all packed and ready to go?

I usually pack a week or more ahead of time and then dip into the suitcase a whole bunch of times before I leave, taking stuff out, putting stuff in, rearranging stuff. I also make a detailed list which I check off several times before leaving. And I'm known for going over that list in a bit of a panic right before I leave for the airport.


Do you take sleep aides on the plane? if so, what ones do you recommend?

I've never taken a sleep aid except wine, if that counts. I don't take any prescription medicines and I'm inclined to steer clear of them. I don't sleep on the plane either - I just grin and bear it and keep moving until about 9-10 pm on the first night I arrive, have a great night's sleep, and am ready to go next morning.

Do you clean your entire house before your trip?

Absolutely. I cannot STAND to walk into a messy house when I come back from a trip. If I'm traveling without the rest of the family, I have the cleaning lady come the day before I get home, or better still, the day I get home. Otherwise, I am grumpy from the minute I set foot in the house.

Do you wear a money belt?

Never, ever. I carry a purse, walk fast and with purpose, never let my guard down, and try to blend in with the locals in manners, dress, and language.

Do you stay to yourself or do you try and talk with locals when you travel?

I always try to get engaged with locals when I travel. I didn't spend most of my life studying other languages not to use them, and besides, they are the best sources of information on restaurants, festivals, attractions, shopping, etc., not to mention just tidbits of information you remember for the rest of your life. My best memories of travel involve conversations with local people in numerous countries.

What do you hope to get out of your trips? Rest, culture, education, ect....

Rest? Never. An increased appreciation for the way other cultures live their lives, hopefully some educational tips that will enable me to live mine better, friendships forged in foreign places, the beauty of art and scenery, and always food and wine.

Is travel your passion?

Yes, it's what drives my life. If I didn't have a trip in the making, even in the dark recesses of my brain, I would panic. Hell to me would be having to stay home for 6 months or more with no adventure on the horizon. It doesn't have to be a big fancy European trip, either. I didn't make it to France this summer, for example, but my 3 days in Montréal and week at Chincoteague satisfied the wanderlust in me.

How long before your trip are you all packed and ready to go?

I start getting things together several days before, but do my final packing one day beforehand. Last minute items are put in just before heading out the door, of course.

Do you take sleep aides on the plane? if so, what ones do you recommend?

Never have taken them. I have a glass of wine and that's it. I never sleep much anyhow and don't want to feel groggy from a sleep aid when I arrive.

Do you clean your entire house before your trip?

Oh yes. Drives my DH crazy. "Why does it have to be clean? We're not even going to be here!"

Do you wear a money belt?

Yes, in transit, such as from airport to hotel, hotel to train station, city to city, etc.

Do you stay to yourself or do you try and talk with locals when you travel?

We enjoy getting to know locals thru small talk when we travel.

What do you hope to get out of your trips? Rest, culture, education, etc.

Not rest, really, but more culture, education, experiences, memories.

Is travel your passion?

Oh yes! I live to travel and I work soley to fund our travel.

Great questions, Janda! How much longer before you leave?

I start putting things away for the trip (cosmetics, film, etc.) a month or so before, picking them up as I see them. Otherwise I pack in earnest the weekend before I leave.

No sleep aids on the plane, I usually catch a few hours unaided.

I clean the entire house if my mother is coming in to feed the cat while I'm away. Otherwise no.

No money belt.

Always make friends with locals!

My main objective is always culture, rest is secondary. I usually come home physically exhausted but mentally refreshed, if that makes any sense.

Travel is my primary passion...if I don't have a trip planned I am entirely lost.

Hi

How long before your trip are you all packed and ready to go?
The night before I leave

Do you take sleep aides on the plane? if so, what ones do you recommend?
No, normally I'm a bit worked up due to the fact that I'm going somewhere so it is hard to sleep anyway

Do you clean your entire house before your trip?
No, cleaning is not that much fun

Do you wear a money belt?
Nope

Do you stay to yourself or do you try and talk with locals when you travel?
Getting in touch with locals is always a great way yo understand the history and culture better

What do you hope to get out of your trips? Rest, culture, education, ect....
Not rest that is for sure But you get an adventure...you get to see a new place and learn new stuff...it is great

Is travel your passion?
One of them at least

Regards
Gard
www.gardkarlsen.com

1 - We're all packed and ready to go about 2 days after our arrival. As perfectly organized as we are, we recognize that perhaps this suggests there's room for improvement.....

2 - No, I'm resigned to being up all night. Much less frustrating.

3 - Do I clean....Mom, stop trolling on Fodor's.

4 - Yes (although there's always less money in the belt than I would like, even without the aid of thieves.)

5 - I absolve the locals of having to listen to my revisions to Einstein's theory of relativity in their language, and stick instead to such time-honoured lines as "prego, cento grammes salami...."

5 - Change, which some wise person once said was as good as a rest.

6 - Well, travel WAS my passion, until Maitaitom started talking about his tight, black jeans.....: - )

Statia,
I leave 2 weeks from tomorrow !!! I am so stoked !!!

How long before your trip are you all packed and ready to go?
---I always have grand plans of not waiting until the last minute but end up late the night before a trip making sure I have everything. I always have a weird feeling on the way to the airport that I forgot something, but never do.

Do you take sleep aides on the plane?
if so, what ones do you recommend?
--I have used dramamine before, because out of the blue after flying several times a year I started to get a little uneasy on some landings...weird. Rollercoasters too now.

Do you clean your entire house before your trip?
---Yes !!!! I have to come home to clean, clean, clean !

Do you wear a money belt?
--No.

Do you stay to yourself or do you try and talk with locals when you travel?
---My ex-husband was from Mexico City and especially when we traveled abroad, not just to Mexico, but especially there, he would have a new best friend by dessert at dinner. It's nice though, then you see friendly faces throughout your vacation. I personally am a hermit and will sit and read or maybe sit at the bar and make small talk...usually with staff & natives though, not other travelers now that I think about it.

What do you hope to get out of your trips? Rest, culture, education, ect....
--A little of all, I always use trips to give myself the "what are you doing with your life" talks while looking out at a skyline or beautiful view. I am an artist and I always come back with new ideas and inspiration.

Is travel your passion?
--One of many. I think it is essential to get out and see the world, it's land and people. Amazing stuff.

How long before your trip are you all packed and ready to go?
Maybe a few things go in the bag during the week leading up, but most of it goes in the day of.

Do you take sleep aides on the plane? if so, what ones do you recommend?
Yeah, but I wished I didn't have to. I rarely even do asprin at home. But, I really get restless and uncomfortable sitting for long spells. Fidget fidget. Never can sleep. I can do the trans-atlantic without, but on the US-Australia route, you really do have to sleep at some point. It takes us almost 24 hours to get there. Ambien makes it worse, for me but I've used Xanax to bring the pent-up energy level down and sleep.

Do you clean your entire house before your trip? Noooooo

Do you wear a money belt? Wife wears a neck pouch thingie if we're in the city.

Do you stay to yourself or do you try and talk with locals when you travel?
I like talking to the people we meet. I really enjoy that and I'm not that much of a social butterfly at home.

What do you hope to get out of your trips? Rest, culture, education, ect....
Yes, all of it, even thought we move around, stay active, I find not dwelling on the stresses of work, etc to be restful. Definitely education. Mostly though, I hope to get out of the trip - revitalized and ready to feel like I'm enjoying life.

Is travel your passion? One of them, but a good one.

How long before your trip are you all packed and ready to go?
Maybe an hour max. I tend to have many toiletries prepacked for travel in general. I think about what I'm taking -- but don't do the "dirty deed" until I have to.

Do you take sleep aides on the plane? Nope. One drink, plenty of water and zzzzzz.......

Do you clean your entire house before your trip? Not if I can help it.

Do you wear a money belt? I wear a pouch yes.

Do you stay to yourself or do you try and talk with locals when you travel? Depends.

What do you hope to get out of your trips? Rest, culture, education, ect....
Yup.

Is travel your passion? Hmmmmmm.... after my family [including various foreign "relations" -- yes.

How long before your trip are you all packed and ready to go?

About two minutes before locking up the house.

Do you take sleep aids on the plane? if so, what ones do you recommend?

Not sleep aids, but anti-anxiety aids (prescription, & they usually put me to sleep) because although I LOVE traveling, I HATE flying.

Do you clean your entire house before your trip?

Naturally! - can't stand coming home to a messy house.

Do you wear a money belt?

No, but my DH does, even though his size makes him intimidating.

Do you stay to yourself or do you try and talk with locals when you travel?

Sometimes the first, sometimes the second, depending on my mood. . .

What do you hope to get out of your trips? Rest, culture, education, ect....

The freedom to imagine a different, less mundane and no routine, kind of life. . .

Is travel your passion?

I'm a Sagittarius. Need I say more :->?

How long before your trip are you all packed and ready to go? I pack the weekend before and keep adding up until the day before- I always forget something..

Do you take sleep aides on the plane? if so, what ones do you recommend?
I take 1 = 10mg Valium and try to knock myself out prior to take-off.


Do you clean your entire house before your trip? Yes- I hate to come home to a major mess....

Do you wear a money belt?Always- under my clothes..

Do you stay to yourself or do you try and talk with locals when you travel?
Love to meet the locals - that is one of the fun things of travel.....

What do you hope to get out of your trips? Rest, culture, education, ect....
We always try to get some of all of the above....

Is travel your passion?
A DEFINITE YES----