Tagged: preparedness

Could’ve Been Better, Could’ve Been Worse

For someone who’s interested in travel and carryology my trips this year have been pretty bad.

Things that did not go well:

  • No maps. I assumed I’d pick up a map of the city in the lobby. I did not actually do this. It made for an interesting evening. And then, when I got a map, I did not actually use it.
  • No idea where to eat. Specifically breakfast. Sometimes it can be find to wander around and find a place that looks good to eat. Sometimes it’s noon and you haven’t had anything to eat except a banana and you end up eating in what would otherwise be a nightclub.
  • No idea where to pee.
  • Navigation in general was a total fail. I did not bother to pay attention to landmarks, or the moon, or even attempt to ever get my bearings.
  • Didn’t take enough photos. And the photos I took were bad.
  • Didn’t bring certain things because I didn’t plan to need them, but that’s not the point.

On the other hand, things that went well:

  • I packed well. Everything fit in one bag. Which was nice because Kathleen packed a whole bag of cookbooks. If I pack light it means I am more able to carry something else.
  • Booking the hotel through kayak.com.
  • The directions to the hotel were spot on.
  • I wore good walking shoes and warm clothes.
  • We had fun.

I’ve had time to think about the trip. I can beat myself up about the things I didn’t do very well. I should know better. I certainly wasn’t giving the trip my best effort. That said, this is what I want to do, I’ll get better with practice, and practicing is the fun part.

Not Planning a Trip

The other day I read this article and really liked the idea behind it. It doesn’t hurt that I feel pretty confident about a lot of my answers.

#1: Plan who you’re going to go with
Most likely Kathleen, family, or possibly Grant. I might go alone.

#2: Plan how long you’ll be away
My day job limits me to five consecutive vacation days. If I time them before a three day weekend, that gives me ten days.

#3: Plan enough to know what your first plane route should be
Geographically, New York or Chicago/Minneapolis.

#4: Plan how you’re going to pay for this trip
I have almost half a year’s salary in savings right now. I also have a couple thousand dollars in a “slush fund” I never touch.

#5: Plan some places you’d like to go, and get reading or surfing
Most of the places I’d like to go are inspired my the reading and surfing I already do. Iceland and Scotland are probably only on the list because of what I’ve seen online. I also follow a few blogs written by people traveling out west, some of them by bike. I read articles about South America when I come across them, but I could always be more proactive about them.

#6: Stop planning and go
Yeah, well…

Biking Home in the First Snow of the Season

It started snowing in the middle of the afternoon. I hoped it would stop before quitting time, but it only picked up.

Things that went well. Lights. Hat. Gloves. Waterproof jacket. Knowing my route inside and out.

Things that did not go so well. I brought my waterproof pants but did not put them on. My sneakers were not waterproof.

Things that were difficult but out of my control. The wind blowing freezing rain/snow into my face.

Things of note. Passing through Lincoln Park, which is a deserted field of mud and snow. Trying to wipe my nose on the back of my glove, but finding my glove coated in snow. Stopping at a red light, breath fuming like a dragon’s, I take the opportunity to brush the snow off myself. When snow hits my lips it stings, and I instinctively lick my lips, and the snow hits my tongue, and it stings.

I’m not going to say this was fun. But I like a challenge. And this sort of thing is the only time I get to feel like my own hero.

And when I got home, I felt like I really earned my hot shower, I earned the hot soup and grilled cheese I made for dinner, and I most certainly earned two shots of tequila.