| In this age of high tech communication, the world | | | | stretch in it and does not cut into your arms, |
| has become a smaller place, and overseas travel, | | | | chest, waist, crotch etc. get up frequently for a |
| once the privilege of a few, is now enjoyed by | | | | stretch and a walk up and down the aisles |
| many. However, traveling frequently is not | | | | whenever possible. The more that you can |
| necessarily synonymous with traveling well. I still | | | | nurture yourself on a long flight, the more energy |
| note with dismay at the numbers of travelers | | | | you will have and the less jetlag you will |
| that unknowingly jeopardize their own travel | | | | experience when you reach your destination. |
| experience, and those of others, by failing to | | | | The 5th Commandment is to keep a travel diary |
| address the two cardinal sins of traveling: lack of | | | | or journal in order to record all your experiences |
| planning and lack of sensitivity. I have dissected | | | | for posterity, and to share with friends on your |
| these 2 points further into the 10 | | | | return. Take note of all the interesting sites visited |
| Commandments of Wise Travel. | | | | and the names and addresses of any fabulous |
| The 1st Commandment of Wise Travel is to | | | | eateries and restaurants. Take lots of photos and |
| check and organize all relevant travel | | | | collate into an album or CD. This will ensure that |
| documentation at least 1 week prior to departure | | | | the memories of your trip will live on in your mind |
| date. This means passports, tickets, visas and | | | | long after the trip is over. And should you want |
| travel insurance. Purchasing a passport/ document | | | | to revisit a particular site, shop or restaurant, or |
| holder in order to keep all documentation together | | | | even recommend a particular place to friends, you |
| is a good investment, particularly when you are a | | | | won't have to struggle to remember it. |
| frequent traveler. Otherwise, tour companies and | | | | The 6th Commandment is not to be rude and |
| travel agencies give less expensive versions away | | | | obnoxious to cabin crew, waiters, waitresses, tour |
| for free if you book flights with them. You may | | | | group staff and hotel staff during your travels. I |
| also want to alert your credit card company of | | | | cannot stress this point enough. Although it may |
| the countries that you will be visiting. Due to credit | | | | be instantly gratifying to vent your spleen when |
| card fraud and an increase in safety precautions, | | | | you are tired, irritated and frustrated during your |
| credit card companies are now putting a halt to | | | | travels, please remember that these people hold |
| cards when they notice a change of spending | | | | your comfort, not to mention your food, in their |
| pattern. Although I may sound as if I am stating | | | | hands. If a complaint needs to be made, by all |
| the obvious, checking all relevant documentation | | | | means do so with assertiveness, but always |
| prior to departure means that you are stating | | | | accompany it with respect and courtesy for the |
| your trip off on the right foot. Any mishap in this | | | | individual that you are addressing. Never resort to |
| area could be enough to color not just the | | | | sarcasm or humiliation. If necessary, take the |
| journey, but the rest of your trip. | | | | problem further to a superior. If a problem is |
| The 2nd Commandment of Travel is to arrive at | | | | communicated by you in an aggressive manner, |
| the airport with adequate time to check-in, and | | | | then you can expect at the very least |
| clear customs and security prior to the flight. This | | | | defensiveness and resentment in return. If there |
| means airport arrival 3 hours prior to any | | | | seems to be no solution to the problem, question |
| international flight anywhere from the United | | | | whether the issue at hand is worth fighting for. If |
| States and 2 hours prior from Australia and New | | | | it isn't, then save yourself the aggravation and |
| Zealand. Since 9/11, security procedures have | | | | have the wisdom to mentally let go of it and walk |
| tightened the world over, and one simply does | | | | away. |
| not breeze through customs and security | | | | The 7th Commandment is to have as authentic |
| anywhere anymore. If booking a taxi to transport | | | | an experience as possible when visiting other |
| you to the airport, then ensure that the taxi | | | | countries. The whole point of travel is to broaden |
| booking is made the day/night before the flight. | | | | your horizons, discover unfamiliar lands and open |
| Similarly, if a friend/ family member is taking you, | | | | ourselves to new experiences. Research the |
| then confirm a pick-up time the day prior. I | | | | country's festivals prior to your trip and partake in |
| shamefully admit that my husband and I broke | | | | the experience when you get there. Find out |
| this rule on our last trip to Hawaii, to our | | | | where the locals eat and frequent. Try the cuisine |
| detriment. We had forgotten to book our taxi for | | | | that is typical of the area, listen to different music |
| the airport the night before. Initially, we were not | | | | and attempt some phrases in the local language. |
| that worried as we don't live too far from | | | | Educate yourself on the country's history. The |
| Kingsford-Smith International Airport. However, | | | | results can be quite liberating. You will develop a |
| when the time came for us to book our taxi, | | | | deeper respect and appreciation for the country |
| even though we thought we were allowing plenty | | | | and the people that you are visiting, and enrich |
| of time, our call coincided with the taxi driver | | | | your travel experience tenfold. If more people did |
| changeover, and we could not get an available | | | | this, our world would not be so divisive. |
| taxi for a very long time. This mistake caused us | | | | The 8th Commandment is to perform random |
| a great deal of stress, and it nearly caused us our | | | | acts of kindness whilst on your journey. When |
| flight. | | | | confronted with a fellow traveler who may be in |
| The 3rd Commandment is to pack your luggage | | | | a spot of trouble, take the time out to help |
| sensibly, coordinating your wardrobe carefully. This | | | | without expectation of a reward. If you have the |
| seems to be a common mistake for women. Rule | | | | resources to help someone else, then the |
| of thumb is if an item of clothing cannot be worn | | | | experience is its own reward. if the situation is a |
| and coordinated 3-4 ways, leave it at home. Keep | | | | small one, than a small gesture on your part can |
| the main items in a monochromatic colour tone, | | | | revitalize a potentially negative situation for the |
| adding your splash of colour with a scarf or | | | | other person. If the situation is serious, then try |
| jewellery. Knits are ideal to travel with as they | | | | to get some help. Remember that the laws of |
| wrinkle far less than wovens and are easier to | | | | karma are alive and well. |
| wash and dry. Always travel with a good | | | | The 9th Commandment is to be sensitive |
| quality,lightweight pashmina that fits into your | | | | towards the ecology and culture of the lands that |
| handbag when folded. This can be pulled out and | | | | you visit. Imagine for a moment that foreign |
| used during the flight or when the temperature | | | | visitors to your home town littered the grounds, |
| drops during your travels. Keep shoes down to a | | | | destroyed the vegetation, insulted your |
| minimum, as this only adds weight to your | | | | neighbours and exhibited a gross disregard for |
| luggage. Have one pair of everyday shoes, one | | | | your customs and culture. The scenario is not a |
| pair of good walking shoes, and another pair for | | | | pleasant one, and yet we as travelers do this |
| dressier occasions. Leave your "skyscraper" heels | | | | when we visit foreign lands. So be extra mindful |
| at home, as they will only interfere with your | | | | of this on your next trip, particularly when |
| mobility, not to mention the damage it will do to | | | | traveling as a group. |
| your spine. | | | | The 10th and final Commandment of wise travel |
| The 4th Commandment is to make sure that you | | | | is to savor and enjoy every moment of your |
| nurture yourself on long flights. Drink plenty of | | | | travels. Remember that the world is a wonder |
| water, even if it means more frequent trips to | | | | and a blessing, and the opportunity to explore it is |
| the lavatory, and limit your alcohol intake. The | | | | something to be grateful for. Learn to be in the |
| pressurized environment of an aircraft is | | | | moment as wise traveling is just as much about |
| extremely dehydrating. Keep your skin clean and | | | | the journey as it is about the destination. |
| well moisturized on the flight, and for ladies, if you | | | | In conclusion, if you do your homework, and take |
| can manage it, leave your face make-up free. | | | | care of all the necessary planning and organization |
| Any foundations or powders will merely clog up | | | | for your trip prior to your departure, you are in a |
| your pores. If you have an ipod, I cannot | | | | much better position to make the most of your |
| recommend listening to guided meditations on the | | | | trip. Utilise a checklist, as it saves plenty of |
| ipod highly enough. From personal experience, it | | | | headaches later on. |
| helps reduce jetlag. Wear clothing that has a | | | | |