avocado: My travel tips. I got your back.

My blog is called Avocado Traveler. People don’t always like blog titles like this because it isn’t clear what the blog is about. I understand that, but since my goal has never been to get a huge following, I haven’t been too worried about it. I’ve more been looking for a public outlet to write things I think friends want to read.

However, this blog post might redeem any confusion because I’m actually going to write all about traveling. I know there are tons of international travel tips and some of these are immensely helpful for having a great experience. I have had some pretty terrible travel times this year. So as someone who has in the past year traveled 100,000+ miles and been in 14 airports around the world, I humbly add my advice and lessons learned to the travel community.

1.) Don’t have your credit card stolen.

Note: If you are inept at preventing this from happening while, say, shopping for eggs at the grocery store, save your excuses. Flight attendants don’t care about lame excuses.

2.) If #1 happens, relax and enjoy the field trip in the back room of ticket counters. You’ll enjoy a nice talk with your bank explaining your need for information on a canceled card and get to know your airline workers on a more personal level.

Because if you aren't on a boat, you might be flying.

Because if you aren't riding one of these, you might be flying.

Because if you aren't walking or taking the bus, you might be flying

3.) Choose days to fly that don’t involve tornadoes or flooding rainstorms.

Catch the sunrise when possible

4.) While loading your belongings into the overhead compartment, check the compartment to see if there is any liquid or undesirable material in bin. This is absolutely essential on any days that involve heavy rains.

***Note: If carry on is damaged by water in the bin, it is possible to submit a claim with the airline company, but you may still have a headache on your hands.

5.) Don’t be a hangry flyer. Hangry is a hungry person turned angry. When traveling, remember that food is your friend. Granola bars are your friends. Trail mix is your friend. And some M&Ms might take the edge off if your flight is delayed a few hours. Your fellow passengers will wish they had some and might just pay $4 for a bag out of jealousy and desperation.

6.) Bring a travel companion with you. Their purpose is to watch your bags so you can walk the airport and go to the bathroom without hassle.
7.) Check your wallet prior to going to the airport to make sure you have a debit card. Some countries don’t accept credit cards and might make you pay to leave their airport. If your debit card was lost or stolen prior to getting local money out of the airport ATM, you may find yourself in a pickle.

What's your local currency?

8.) Take the local currency with you all the way to your final destination. Something might happen where you are stuck and need to buy something in the airport (water or sedatives, for example) or the plane needs mechanical repair or you are stuck due to inclement weather and need to leave the airport to get a taxi. In those situations, you will need those funds. Trust me on this one.

9.) Carry US dollars. You might need it for a visa-on-arrival in more than one country or you might need a currency that has a fighting chance for currency converters at the airport.

10.) Drink water every time it is offered. Staying hydrated is essential to prevent fainting or other travel inconveniences.

And the most important piece of advice I have:

11.) Don’t miss your international flight. Just don’t.