Wanderlust Wednesday-Week 3
When I come home from a trip, the last thing I want to do is unpack. Unpacking means that reality has set in and the vacation is really over. But, also it's a lot of freaking work…putting away the clothes you didn't wear plus laundering the ones you did. And somehow, unwanted things always seem to follow me home…like muddy hiking boots or a suitcase full of sand. With all this, my suitcase may sit around for a week or two before I can bring myself to fully unpack. But it's made a bit simpler by the fact that there are a few things I know I never have to unpack.
1. A Momento
Momentos are one of my favorite things to leave in my suitcase. I always leave something simple, like ticket stubs from a show or a museum brochure. When I open up my suitcase to pack for my next trip, I discover that momento all over again. It gives me a chance to reminisce about the last adventure I had and gets me that much more excited about my upcoming trip.
2. Blank Thank You Cards
I always have these along with me. Why? Because people deserve to be appreciated. And I find that this is the simplest way to make an extra effort. I always have a pack of thank you cards sitting right in my suitcase. Whatever my accommodations are, I leave a thank you card behind. It's especially nice when staying with airbnb, boutique hotels, or bed and breakfasts where you may personally get to know the owners. Or perhaps I end up interacting with someone in a way I didn't expect and I want to show how thankful I am. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but a heart-felt and hand-written note can do wonders to improve someone's day. And if they made your travel experience better, why not?
3. Document Doubles
I probably should have put this at the top of the list because it's so essential, but I always have doubles of important documents. If something gets lost or stolen during travel {this has happened to me}, I am so thankful to be a prepared traveler. I keep doubles of my medical insurance card in case of emergencies. Also, a copy of my car insurance, which protects me when driving rentals. I have a second driver's license tucked into my carryon, which saved my butt more than once. Plus, I would never travel internationally without a copy of my passport. Oh and since my pup is a regular travel companion, there's normally a set of his vaccination records mixed in there too.
For more tips on planning and paying for travel, follow along with Making Restorations for Wanderlust Wednesday
Love #2 - I love a good handwritten note!!
ReplyDeleteChristina :: Simple and Delish
People don't send enough handwritten notes anymore.
ReplyDeleteAh, I love the idea of leaving a thank you note especially at places like airbnb. Sammy and I have started staying at airbnbs a lot more lately so I'm definitely packing some thank you notes the next time we go on a trip. Thanks for the great idea!
ReplyDeleteWould you believe it? Last time we used airbnb, we left a thank you card (bc our host was amazing) and we were invited back to stay for free as friends, not as boarders. It's amazing the types of relationships that can be fostered when you show people that you appreciate them.
DeleteI love that first thing you do, the momentos! I save them in a scrapbook, well at least I did before my tornado toddler came around and destroyed it. I've never thought about the thank you notes, that's incredibly sweet and thoughtful! It's easy to take things and people for granted even the hotel staff or anyone who helped you along the way in your travels.
ReplyDeleteThat's incredibly smart on the doubles of everything! I don't think I've ever thought of doing something like that, but we don't travel often so it's something that I haven't really prepared for in case it should happen.
liz @ j for joiner
I definitely learned to bring doubles of things the hard way. There' s nothing worse than missing a flight only to realize that it could have been avoided if you had just made a copy.
DeleteI honestly never thought of bringing thank you cards with me, but that is a good idea. Before I moved in with my husband, I always left my suitcase full of stuff and slowly used things throughout the week, until it was almost empty, and then I put it away. He is much more efficient and unpacks as soon as we get home.
ReplyDeleteI'm more like you, my suitcase sits there for weeks. I need to work on being more like you husband because when we travel a lot in the summer, I find myself unpacking my suitcase just to pack again.
DeleteThese are such wonderful ideas! I had really wished I had thank you notes when we were in Seattle over the weekend. I am going to buy some specifically for my suitcase now.
ReplyDeleteI literally just keep a pack of these from the target dollar spot on hand
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