Danny Packs
I love packing for trips. I get to write out lists and utilise them. It's soothing and at the same time exciting. Lists provide me with a structure and soothes my anxiety; it puts me in complete control. Making lists helps me to ensure that I have everything packed when I'm leaving for a trip and when I'm coming home from a trip.
While not all trains and buses accept digital tickets, I like to make sure that I have a digital copy just in case I need to print it off somewhere or validate that the print ticket is not a photocopied one. (Yeah, that happens.) When I print out my tickets and confirmation e-mails, I like to put them in a giant folder/binder to ensure that I have all that I need in one trusty place. I write out the itinerary of the entire trip and then create sections for hotels/rentals, tickets/confirmations, directions/maps and then finally safe places to eat. When I say safe places I mean restaurants that are affordable and serve things that I can eat. A little obsessive? Maybe. I just like to be prepared. I like to make sure that I have print copies of everything in case my iPad crashes or it gets stolen. Can't always rely on tech. I'm an old school kind of guy anyway.
I also like to make sure that I know the fares in advance so I can plan out getting a transit pass or a day card if I'm only in the city for a short period of time. Planning out travel like this can not only ease anxiety of travelling in a new place but can be very cost effective. No one wants to spend more than they need to, right? In most major cities and even some smaller ones, you can find a complete list of not only the fares but where you can purchase day cards, week passes and more. More often than not long term travel passes are not available on the buses. You can get them at most underground stations, but it's better to have a backup. I like to note where the shops are that sell them when I first arrive or near the place I'm staying if I decided on taking a taxi/uber to the place that I'm staying. In all of my travel, I've only been picked up or dropped off at the airport one time. And that was when I went to Belfast. I should get back there. Last time I was there was 2012. I think it's time I look into a visit there when I start planning my next UK tour. Where was I? I'm starting to get distracted.
Speaking of marking things off, that brings me to maps. I don't always have complete city maps with me, just small print outs of where I'm going to be spending most of my time. There have been times when I have an entire fold-out city map. I don't really like to have those because it makes you seem like too much of a tourist/visitor and that can make you an easy target, especially if you have trouble speaking the language or you don't speak it at all. Safety first kids.
I like to utilise maps when I'm looking for places to stay. I look at areas that offer things that I'm looking for and can cater to my needs that fall within my budget. I like to have a set budget when I look for properties. I want to get a bargain, but also not stay in a shite-hole. It sometimes can take a little bit of time. I've been booking and travelling since 2010, so I've learned quite a few things about hotels, hostels, motels and rental properties. (You all know how I feel about that fucking AirBnB outfit.) When you book places, it's also important to look at the payment methods accepted. Just because you've booked it online doesn't mean that you can use a credit card when you arrive. I've had that happen one or two times. Make sure that the place you're staying doesn't require deposits, read through everything. Sometimes they really don't make the police clear, especially on secondary sites, like booking.com. I've used booking for a decade now and I've run into this problem two or three times. It's not really the site's fault, it's up to the business itself to make the terms clear. It's important to note that when you pay at a property, regardless if you're using credit or debit, you will be paying in the hotel's currency. You may see a surcharge on your card after the transaction goes through. When paying cash, you may not pay the amount quoted on the confirmation page. The final price you pay is based off of the amount in your own currency and the exchange rate on the date. Like for my Montreal date, it says £200 and the Canadian exchange $265 but when I go to the property it may be more or less based on the currency exchange for that day. I think that's kind of a raw deal personally. Oh, let's move on before I start to get too pissed.
Clothing. Always important to have when one goes on a trip. I don't ever think about the weather if I'm honest. I always have a vague idea of what the temperatures are going to be based on the time of the year and where I'm going, but I don't really plan for the weather. I bring t-shirts, one hoodie, ripped skinnies, pair of joggers, jimjams, sockies, boxers and of course, and an extra pair of trainers. I learned my lesson on one of my early trips where I only had one pair and it rained without let up every goddamn day. Wet socks are never fun. I don't plan outfits, I just pack one t-shirt for every day, plus an extra in case of spillage or emergency, two pairs of bottoms, then anything else. Always extra socks. Everyone I know always packs extra socks; it's got to be a universal thing or something. Sometimes if I'm feeling really organised I pack the things in large bags with reusable labels. It helps save space in my case or bag...Now I'm having a flashback to the first Austin Power's film where Vanessa opens up her suitcase and everything is stored in vacuum deflated bags and Austin yells out, "Nerd alert!!" Goddamn it.
Packing isn't just your travel associated items and clothing, it's also toiletries and other important things. I like to have some pain relievers with me, you never know when you're going to need them. I take prescriptions, so I always have a copy of the prescription with me and the medication in the original container, which helps if authorities have any questions. This is especially helpful with international travel. And being a guy who's heavily tattooed and pierced in all black clothing, I get quite a few questions about what's in my bag. It used to bother me, but now on the rare occasion it doesn't happen it feels odd. I've gotten to the point I say it's not a proper trip if it doesn't happen. I put copies of the scripts in with my travel documents in the big binder. Makes it easier and neater, you know? I like to put the items in a zip bag with a clear label on it so I know what they are. Hair and body in one, teeth in another and then skin another. Keeps it from mingling should something spill.
While not all trains and buses accept digital tickets, I like to make sure that I have a digital copy just in case I need to print it off somewhere or validate that the print ticket is not a photocopied one. (Yeah, that happens.) When I print out my tickets and confirmation e-mails, I like to put them in a giant folder/binder to ensure that I have all that I need in one trusty place. I write out the itinerary of the entire trip and then create sections for hotels/rentals, tickets/confirmations, directions/maps and then finally safe places to eat. When I say safe places I mean restaurants that are affordable and serve things that I can eat. A little obsessive? Maybe. I just like to be prepared. I like to make sure that I have print copies of everything in case my iPad crashes or it gets stolen. Can't always rely on tech. I'm an old school kind of guy anyway.
I also like to make sure that I know the fares in advance so I can plan out getting a transit pass or a day card if I'm only in the city for a short period of time. Planning out travel like this can not only ease anxiety of travelling in a new place but can be very cost effective. No one wants to spend more than they need to, right? In most major cities and even some smaller ones, you can find a complete list of not only the fares but where you can purchase day cards, week passes and more. More often than not long term travel passes are not available on the buses. You can get them at most underground stations, but it's better to have a backup. I like to note where the shops are that sell them when I first arrive or near the place I'm staying if I decided on taking a taxi/uber to the place that I'm staying. In all of my travel, I've only been picked up or dropped off at the airport one time. And that was when I went to Belfast. I should get back there. Last time I was there was 2012. I think it's time I look into a visit there when I start planning my next UK tour. Where was I? I'm starting to get distracted.
Speaking of marking things off, that brings me to maps. I don't always have complete city maps with me, just small print outs of where I'm going to be spending most of my time. There have been times when I have an entire fold-out city map. I don't really like to have those because it makes you seem like too much of a tourist/visitor and that can make you an easy target, especially if you have trouble speaking the language or you don't speak it at all. Safety first kids.
I like to utilise maps when I'm looking for places to stay. I look at areas that offer things that I'm looking for and can cater to my needs that fall within my budget. I like to have a set budget when I look for properties. I want to get a bargain, but also not stay in a shite-hole. It sometimes can take a little bit of time. I've been booking and travelling since 2010, so I've learned quite a few things about hotels, hostels, motels and rental properties. (You all know how I feel about that fucking AirBnB outfit.) When you book places, it's also important to look at the payment methods accepted. Just because you've booked it online doesn't mean that you can use a credit card when you arrive. I've had that happen one or two times. Make sure that the place you're staying doesn't require deposits, read through everything. Sometimes they really don't make the police clear, especially on secondary sites, like booking.com. I've used booking for a decade now and I've run into this problem two or three times. It's not really the site's fault, it's up to the business itself to make the terms clear. It's important to note that when you pay at a property, regardless if you're using credit or debit, you will be paying in the hotel's currency. You may see a surcharge on your card after the transaction goes through. When paying cash, you may not pay the amount quoted on the confirmation page. The final price you pay is based off of the amount in your own currency and the exchange rate on the date. Like for my Montreal date, it says £200 and the Canadian exchange $265 but when I go to the property it may be more or less based on the currency exchange for that day. I think that's kind of a raw deal personally. Oh, let's move on before I start to get too pissed.
Clothing. Always important to have when one goes on a trip. I don't ever think about the weather if I'm honest. I always have a vague idea of what the temperatures are going to be based on the time of the year and where I'm going, but I don't really plan for the weather. I bring t-shirts, one hoodie, ripped skinnies, pair of joggers, jimjams, sockies, boxers and of course, and an extra pair of trainers. I learned my lesson on one of my early trips where I only had one pair and it rained without let up every goddamn day. Wet socks are never fun. I don't plan outfits, I just pack one t-shirt for every day, plus an extra in case of spillage or emergency, two pairs of bottoms, then anything else. Always extra socks. Everyone I know always packs extra socks; it's got to be a universal thing or something. Sometimes if I'm feeling really organised I pack the things in large bags with reusable labels. It helps save space in my case or bag...Now I'm having a flashback to the first Austin Power's film where Vanessa opens up her suitcase and everything is stored in vacuum deflated bags and Austin yells out, "Nerd alert!!" Goddamn it.
Packing isn't just your travel associated items and clothing, it's also toiletries and other important things. I like to have some pain relievers with me, you never know when you're going to need them. I take prescriptions, so I always have a copy of the prescription with me and the medication in the original container, which helps if authorities have any questions. This is especially helpful with international travel. And being a guy who's heavily tattooed and pierced in all black clothing, I get quite a few questions about what's in my bag. It used to bother me, but now on the rare occasion it doesn't happen it feels odd. I've gotten to the point I say it's not a proper trip if it doesn't happen. I put copies of the scripts in with my travel documents in the big binder. Makes it easier and neater, you know? I like to put the items in a zip bag with a clear label on it so I know what they are. Hair and body in one, teeth in another and then skin another. Keeps it from mingling should something spill.
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