Trip Update

Trip Update

Hi,

We have 28 people signed-up for our trip! If you or any of your friends want to join our adventure you have to do it soon as we are filling up fast.

Have you got your passport yet? Walgreens will take your passport photo for $8.00 and applications are available online or at the post office.

The following was emailed to me from the travel company A.C.I.S. Some great advice on packing.

Travel Gear We Can't Live Without

Part of a great trip experience is being prepared! Check out our favorite travel gadgets mentioned below.

Pack Perfect

"The major manufacturers of plastic bags all come out with BIG bags now—some of them as big as 2 feet by 3 feet. These are sold in grocery stores in the paper goods aisle for about $4 per box. They take up virtually no room in a suitcase when flattened out in the bottom, but they are wonderful during the trip for such things as dirty clothes, pamphlets and literature accumulated during the trip, and small toiletries. I am never without two or three of them!" - Kay Caldwell, Educational Advisor

"My favorite travel item is packing envelopes. The cost: $15 -20. I pack my clothes in one envelope. It folds over and it has Velcro flaps that secure the clothes. I put the packing envelope in a rolling backpack type suitcase and then my clothes stay completely pressed. They're the best investment I have ever made for traveling when I bring nice clothes that I will not have time to press." - Debbie Ray, Educational Advisor

"My favorite travel accessory is a small blow up beach ball. I inflate it and shove it under the seat in front of me so I can get my knees up and comfortable for sleep. If I have a window seat it fills the gap between the seat and window; that gap that the small pillows won't stay in. My beach ball has a map of the world on it, so at airports we throw it back and forth. Where your thumb grabs the ball you have to identify the country. One year I bought them at the dollar store for the entire group. Cost $1-5." - Jackie Knight, Educational Advisor

"You can’t beat an iPod! I do love having that with me… I’d also say that a good pair of slippers is great to help relax on the plane." - Molly Eckman, Product Director

"The TSA Combination Lock—keeps your luggage locked but is allowed by airport security. We buy ours at the AAA. Single lock is $7.95 for regular members and $8.95 for non-members. Kay and I have used these for a few years now. One TSA inspector at at the airport said to us, 'Oh I see.....savvy travelers!' Also nice when you lock your suitcase in a hotel here or abroad." - Dave and Kay Smith, Area Administrators

"One travel gadget is a travel footrest that folds up to the size of a paperback book. This is especially useful for people who are short and enables the feet to touch the floor while riding in coach. The cost is $24.95 on amazon.com." - Bernie and Judy Leif, Area Administrators

"My Timex battery operated alarm clock—because there have been too many times the 'wake up call' never comes—especially if it’s daylight savings. And it’s an indiglow!" - Alicia Kohanski, Regional Director

"Mine is a big tote bag that zips into a little flat square. I got it from the ACIS store. It’s awesome and I carry it in my purse when I travel for shopping or anything I might need more room for." - Liz Burns, Regional Director

"When I travel I always take my leather coin purse that I bought in Italy. It has a flap that opens up and out, letting me see all the coins at once. And the front has a little pocket that is perfect for putting in metro tickets. I think I only paid about eight dollars for it, and they can be found in almost every little shop in every European city. It's really handy and has lasted for years." - Linda Fredricks, Educational Advisor