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E198: Travel Tips, Wonders & Woes - Portugal, Spain
It is the kind of day when the sunscreen just peels off your face, a thin bead of sweat runs steadily down your spine, and you question even the lightest silk on your skin. 41C and counting. The temperature difference between the shaded and the sunny side of the street is at least 10 degrees. Sevilla is under a heat advisory. But so is much of Europe. And I hear the same is true for many cities in North America.
Travel Tips
Some travel tips accumulated from fellow travelers and multiple mistakes:
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Coconut water is a hack, as it also replaces the electrolytes you are sweating out. [Did you know that coconut water (the clear fluid in the center) was used as replacement plasma in WW2?] You can also chill oranges and carry those.
Carry a small washcloth with you. Dampen it and throw it in the fridge (preferably the freezer if you have access) overnight. During the day press the cool cloth to your pulse points — each side of your neck, your wrists, the crook of your arm, behind your knee. This speeds up the cooling process. (h/t Sharon). PS. This also works to bring down a baby's fever.
Carry a change of clothes (sleepwear that you don’t mind walking around in) your toothbrush, and any medications in your hand luggage in case your flight gets delayed, diverted or your luggage lags your travel. I keep a charger and USB cable close at hand, too.
If you are on a driving vacation, you may like this tip — shield your car from the heat, cover your steering wheel with a towel or shawl anytime you park it. (h/t Lynne)
Bring a change of shoes. Even if they are flip flops. Your feet will thank you.
After watching so many young families this summer, if you are traveling with little children - airports, amusement parks etc - make them easy to find: E111: Dress them in neon (wisdom from our year on the road)
If you are using an eSim, i) download the eSim in your country of origin (it is easier), ii) put your phone on battery savings mode as these SIMs suck all the power which is exactly what you don’t want happening. iii) I’ve found it easier to chat to customer service rather than use the email function for help at these moments.
What are your favourite travel tips?
Travel Woes
A woe: When is a tap not a tap? Why does it take fifteen minutes to figure out how to work the tap and hot water for a five minute shower? As we edge into the world of AI, a tiny plea that we do not mess up how we design taps. K.I.S.S.
Also, which hotel designer thought it was a great idea to pull the words “Shampoo” in the most exquisite but tiniest white font on a clear bottle (the brand name … which I will never remember … is in big bold letters) so I have to squint through soapy hair without my glasses/specs searching for the right bottle?
Travel Wonders
MEETUPS IN EUROPE:
I met
in Lisbon - for an amazing dinner and then a talk/walk that overlooked the best parts of Lisboa. Kelly thank you for a wonderful evening!The plans for London on July 3: I will be in the Tate Modern Cafe (South Bank) on the first floor overlooking the Turbine hall from noon to closing, working on edition E200! Some of us are meeting for dinner after. If you are in London, feel free to stop by and join us.
It is a joy to meet so many people in person! Less of a joy to discover I'm shorter than everyone.
Message me here or on the WhatsApp WoP Water Cooler for meetup details!
Welcome to Tribe Tilt! In a few weeks, I will cross 200 consecutive weeks of posting.
If you have recently joined, you have self-selected into this powerful, wonderful group. We believe we can make a difference to the people and places that are precious to us - that we have hope and agency within our own lives that ripples through to others.
Stay healthy. From there all else becomes possible. Treat your health as the precious resource it is.
See you again next week.
Karena
Dateline: Seville, Spain
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