Sense and Sensibility-ness-ing-ly

After reading all about this on other people's blogs, I thought that I should get involved, and offer my (very small) pearls of wisdom in the latest "What I learned from..." series Robert runs over at his place.

With that taken on board, I offer you my response - some of the things I learned from travel...

One can never be too prepared. I've never been one to over-pack. In fact, there have been a couple of times when travelling for business when I probably should have taken an extra jumper, etc. General preparedness covers a lot of stuff, but I find it helps to think through the impending trip, and pack accordingly. Not just clothes, but other items like your toiletries, a book or two, whatever. Of course this is now even more an issue with the new "what you can carry on a plane in Australia" rules - minimal amounts of some liquids, everything else is dumped very unceremoniously and all of this AFTER you have checked in your bags, so it isn't like you can put them in there to save them. I do recall seeing a woman lose a large amount of expensive perfume for just this reason. Be like a good Boy Scout, and be prepared.

Always, ALWAYS declare at customs. On a trip back from Tonga I was unsure if I should declare that I had been in a place near livestock (one of the declarations on your customs form coming into Australia). I did, they checked my shoes, and as I had already cleaned them before packing them, no problems. Others in my party also declared, but as they hadn't cleaned the shoes they had to be taken away and essentially disinfected... which took about 20 minutes. My time in customs - 5 minutes. Theirs - 30 minutes plus. In Australia we also have a show called Border Security, which highlights the work of the Australian Customs team including the people who work at the airport and search bags, etc. If it and travel has taught me anything... declare, declare, DECLARE! The worst that may happen will be they'll take the stuff and tell you not to do it again. The best - a 10 minute delay (big deal) before entering the country. If you don't... there's fines, warnings, and in the worst cases - jail (if you are a citizen) or refusal to enter the country, and back home you go. It's just not worth it, people.

Immerse yourself in the local culture. You'd be amazed when travelling overseas how much more of the country you'll see, how much more of the culture you'll experience if you DON'T act like a tourist. Try and learn a little bit of the local language - if nothing else it will be a great ice breaker as the locals hear you mangle "hello" in their native tongue. Take turns you don't expect. Try to explore the areas behind all the showy touristy glitz. Eat the food - and be daring about it. If you can swing it, try to stay with a family for a short period to really get involved. Not only will you benefit by really finding out what the country is like, but the people you meet and the places you go will only impact you for the better.

Be careful - gracious hosts can lead to temples at the top of very big hills. The only problem I can see that can come from immersing yourself in the local culture is the generousity of your hosts. When I was in China in 2006, the people hosting me went out of my way to show me China and help me enjoy it. Part of that was cultural, I accept, and the other part was them wanting to build a nice relationship with me to work into our burgeoning professional relationship. so BOY, did they show me China! When we were in Yongkang I met up with a workmate from Australia who was working there and we went out... for a big night. Not so bad in itself, except the next morning I was being taken on a sightseeing tour of the region. I was pretty hungover, and could have murdered a couple of McDonald's cheeseburgers - but no Macca's in sight. We saw lots and drove lots (great time for sleeping!), and all seemed well until we drove towards this massive mountain range where I spotted a Bhuddist temple at the top. As we got out of the car, they announced to me that we would take a 'short walk' up to the temple - for them to pray and for me to have a look at some more chinese culture. It had been pouring with rain all day, the steps cut into the mountain almost went straight up, and I was recovering but not totally better. It took a LONG time to get to the top and when we got there... it was well worth it. It just would have been nicer for this massively overweight person to not have had to do wet stone stairs while hungover. I couldn't say no (and I am glad I didn't)... but DAMN... so watch yourselves, OK?

ALWAYS ask for an upgrade. If you don't ask (nicely, of course), you don't get. Nothing to explain, and every benefit to gain.

If they ask to weigh you before you get on the plane, the plane may be too small. While in Tonga in 1999, we were flying back to the main island and the plane that was there was significantly smaller that the one we flew in on. I totally get that in some cases you need to weigh luggage, however as Tongans are usually quite large people, they also weigh all the passengers to ensure the plane's load isn't more than it can handle. Not only is it confronting but that hint worrying - what if they can't fit you on the flight because you weigh too much? I do much prefer to fly in planes that there is no worry about weight BEFORE you get on. That said, I'll have a go flying in just about anything... just about...

If you think my learnings are worthwhile and valid, you can always read up on my trip to China from 2006 (start at the bottom and read up) - hopefully reflecting the great time I had and the benefits of travelling following the tips listed here.