My super exciting Friday night: Unpacking the SPX suitcases, beginning to tackle associated laundry. Corralling the paperwork that if left unchecked will cover all available surfaces. Feeling like Sisyphus knowing that I am leaving town yet again in a couple of weeks.
I like travelling, or rather, I like being in other places, but I hate the side effects.
I asked some friends recently for their best strategies for travel and recovering therefrom. One suggestion I intend to implement posthaste: Have a set of toiletries and a set of chargers for your electronics reserved solely for travel, so you don’t have to ransack the house right before a trip.
Any other favorite techniques for minimizing the impact of travel?
mk
October 11, 2008 at 8:41 amI’m a big fan of doing laundry before a trip so you still have clean clothes upon returning. Oh, and making the bed before you leave. It’s small, but somehow it makes a difference.
It’s also handy if you’re traveling somewhere that has signature foods you can buy at the airport, lessening the need to immediately buy groceries when you get home. (Usually for me it’s just sourdough at the SF airport, but still.)
Sara
October 11, 2008 at 10:10 amThose are good! On the last trip, we had a friend housesit, and I am embarrassed to say that she left the house far better stocked with groceries than it was when she arrived.
sara z.
October 11, 2008 at 6:08 pmTotally agree with laundry and cleaning before you leave. Of course, this only works if your spouse/roomie/sig-oth is not staying behind and making more work for you.
I also try to make sure I don’t have anything scheduled on the day I get back (or if I get back at night, the day after). Even if the thing sounds easy and fun and do-able, I really need to block out 24 hours to be able to do or not do whatever. But, that’s not always an option.
I unpack the second I get home and put the suitcase away, even if I am exhausted. Seems a little obsessive, but I like life to look and feel normal as soon as possible upon return.
Jeff C
October 12, 2008 at 9:20 pmMy dad takes his old underwear on trips, and just throws it away after each day.
Sara
October 13, 2008 at 12:00 pmYes to a clear schedule on the day after getting back. I did learn that eventually.
Between here and the LJ comments, there is a growing consensus on the wisdom of unpacking ASAP. If I master the art of minimal packing, perhaps the *un*packing will not loom so large. And Jeff, your dad’s underwear strategy (now there’s a phrase I never thought I’d type) is kind of excellent, though I can’t help thinking of hotel staff reactions upon discovering the discards…