As the Compassion Bloggers start packing for Tanzania (May 6-12) I thought I’d offer a few overseas travel tips you likely haven’t read anywhere else.
1. Flight socks. International flights are inexplicably cold. An extra pair of socks, a small blanket from home, a sweatshirt or jacket packed in your carry-on bag will come in handy.
2. Power. Look up your aircraft at seatguru.com to see which seats on your flight come equipped with power outlets…and which kind of outlet it’ll be. The information isn’t always accurate, but an educated guess is better than nothing. Call your airline to change seats in advance or, if you’re a risk taker, check in for your flight at the airport extra early and ask to be moved to a seat with power then.
3. Passport. A couple things here. It sometimes takes longer to get your passport than the gov’ment says it will. Start that process early! Once you have your passport, make two copies: one stays at home, one stays on you at all times when traveling. Your original goes in a hotel safe if that’s allowed.
4. You’re Canadian. If someone asks where you’re from? Tell them Canada. To be convincingly Canadian, end every sentence with an upward lilt as if it’s a question. I’m going to grab a bite to eat? I’ll meet you at the gate? Trust me.
5. Water. Put a washcloth or towel over your hotel faucet so you’re not tempted to use it for anything. Brush your teeth with bottled water. Wash your hands with wipes.
6. Shock. Pay close attention to your attitude. If you find yourself wanting to withdraw, not wanting to try new food or speak the language, even mocking the culture you’re in…you may be experiencing culture shock. Once you diagnose yourself, make yourself stay involved, try something new every day, learn “hello” and “goodbye” in the native tongue (at the very least) and if all else fails and you’ve nothing good to say…say nothing. The best you can do is wait it out and keep yourself from contaminating everyone else with your negative vibes.
7. Magic powder. I’ve eaten goat, dog, grub worms and mystery foods of all kinds in my travels. And I’ve never been sick overseas. I swear by my magic green power. At the end of every day, I mix a packet of Green Vibrance with a glass of fruit juice or bottled water, swig, grimace and let the nutrients replenish my energy and the pro-biotics fight off bad guys in my gut.
8. Photography. Appoint a designated photographer for your group. This frees up the rest of you to be fully present, fully engaged with a new culture you may never get the chance to experience again. Putting a camera to your eye keeps the world at a distance so put it down. Traveling alone? How very sad.
9. Lost. You’re more likely to lose luggage on international flights with multiple connections than you are traveling domestically, so be prepared. Pack one day’s worth of clothes in your carry-on bag and purchase travel insurance if you can afford it. Get a policy that covers rebuying your wardrobe if the worst happens.
10. Fear. The place you’re visiting has been inhabited for a long long time by millions of people who’ve survived just fine. Just like the place you call home: Moms have babies. Parents work hard. Churches worship. Fields are planted and harvested. Families sit together and eat their meals. The sun comes up and goes down every day. We’re a lot more same than we are different. And almost everyone you meet will be glad to meet you. Especially if you tell them you’re from Canada.
Follow our travels to Tanzania May 6-12 at CompassionBloggers.com/tanzania.
Thanks to Keely Scott, my favorite designated photographer, for every pic in this post.
Joyce says:
These are great tips! We travel a lot and lived overseas for a while-I can relate to all of them.
I just sponsored my first Compassion child yesterday and coincidentally she is from Tanzania so I’ll look forward to following along. We have two children we sponsor thru World Vision but our church was looking for sponsors this week and had some cards out at the women’s bible study yesterday. When I saw this little girl I had to take her-we have the same name and almost the same birthday. She is at the Maranatha Student Center…not sure if that’s part of your agenda?
Jessica says:
Like.
Lindsay says:
π Thank you for the advice! I’ll admit that I grimace a little each time you talk about your green juice and say you’ve never been sick on a trip…I always pray that your streak continues! π
Karen says:
Maybe you will all get exit row seats!!! …. well, IF they have a power plug! π
Praying for you guys and can’t wait to follow along!
Marla Taviano says:
I’ve never thought to say I’m Canadian, and I need some Magic Powder. Thanks for the tips!
Melissa Jones says:
Awesome advice, although I’ve never had trouble with telling people I’m American.
Rebecca says:
I suppose this strikes a sad chord with me because I am from the US but don’t live there right now…..but tell someone you are from anywhere other than where you are from? Never. Ever.
For good or for bad, I am proudly born and raised in Iowa and from the United States of America. Instead of denying being from the US, I coose to use it as an opportunity to be a shining light from a place that people may/may not be familiar with or may/may not have a good opinion of.
When you don’t have the luxury of living exactly where you choose, I suppose you are extra sensitive :(.
Shaun Groves says:
It’s a joke, people!
Janie Ghaffari says:
I thought it was hilarious! I even called Karen Spencer with Compassion who happens to be Canadian and she got a great laugh out of it as well! Shaun.. you came to our church a couple of years ago… Middle Valley Bapt in Chattanooga and now we are going on a short term mission trip with Compassion in June to Gautemala! We are so excited and I will definitely be sharing your “travel tips” with the team! Thanks for all you do – Janie
ZoΓ« says:
There’s a longing in your words –
I just wanted to say that I am sure that if you choose to let God shine through you, he does, and I am sure you do make a difference to the perceptions of anyone who meets you. God bless x
Monica says:
I have thought about telling people that i was Canadian when I travel, but I decided that it I want people to be truthful and honest with me I should do the same on my end. Plus how great is it to change peoples opinion of what they thought you would be like. Also there is a great discussion of this topic in a movie called “a map for Saturday”. He thinks that even though many people dislike the us it is not a very permanent emotion and can be easily changed.
Beth says:
I understand what you’re trying to say about the Canada thing, but if all of us nice, well-behaved, culturally sensitive people claim to be from Canada, it does nothing to diminish the stereotype of the ugly American. How about being nice, well-behaved, culturally sensitive, AND proudly saying you’re American?
Cheri says:
Can’t wait for the trip. Praying for your safety and new relationships to be formed through this trip so that lives will be transformed, children can become who God created them to be and more people can be released from materialism! Yes I agree with you that if you travel alone how sad not to have someone else to take the photos! But for some reason that is the journey that God has for me for now and every time I go on a trip I pray for someone to capture one or two photos of me for the 1000’s I seem to take and share with others. Photography is my passion as well. I do try to take time to enjoy the moment without the camera. Looking forward to traveling to Ethiopia with Compassion this fall and meeting Firehiwot…..the girl that started my journey with Compassion nine years ago! Blessings to you all.
Shaun Groves says:
For the record, I’ve never once told someone I was Canadian. It was a joke. With a shred of truth in it about perceptions, but still a joke. Relax.
Amy says:
A Canadian would have known that.
Shaun Groves says:
Nice.
Gwen says:
AWESOME.
Amy says:
I hope that was “nice” with a smile and not “nice (wow, you’re a jerk)”. LOL π
Karen says:
I thought you were just teasing Ann V. for her lilt! π
Beth says:
I’m glad to hear that you’ve never done that, Shaun. Unfortunately, I know people who really do this and it’s one of those things that gets me really wound up. π
Jolanthe says:
Water faucet and washcloth ~ making a mental note. π
And the green vibrance is packed and my kids are getting a kick out of watching me drink it the last few days!
Paula says:
Can I also add to the list – flight stockings (compression socks) – even if you don’t have circulation problems. I forgot to wear them on my 7+14 hour flights home 3 days ago, and I’m suffering the consequences as I type (and that’s WITH walking around regularly on the plane). You may feel like a goose, but you’ll be able to walk once you land.
(Shaun, your “tell them you’re Canadian” comment made me laugh. I ran into more than a few “American tourists” on my travels….!)
Shaun Groves says:
Oh no! What are the “consequences” you’re dealing with, Paula?
Julie says:
You can also get blood clots from sitting for long periods of time. Move around. I’m 32 years old & am suffering from a blood clot right now. (No health problems, not over weight. Just my luck!)
Paula says:
Sounds gross, but high level of fluid retention in one of my legs – focused around the top of my foot and ankle. Not really noticeable when I was inflight, but a few hours after I’d landed my legs were quite tight and painful. I’ve been wearing my flight stockings to bed for the past few days and my right leg is back to normal. My left leg still has a way to go, but that foot can get a little “swelly” for no apparent reason anyway.
Shaun Groves says:
Hmm, I’ve never had a problem with swelling in my legs. Good to know though. Actually, my legs could use a little swelling ; )
Praying for your quick recovery, Paula.
Kelli says:
I never did find any Green Vibrance. I might need to share. π
There are power outlets on planes? I never knew this. I want one.
You make the assumption I’ve already started to pack. Hehehe…
I can TOTALLY play Canadian, eh?
Becke' Stuart says:
kelli, you can impersonate anyone from anywhere. you are golden.
Katie Axelson says:
I’d like to add: you’re always a tourist. No matter why you’re there. ALWAYS a tourist. (Well, unless your visa says otherwise which you should probably know before you tell customs you’re a tourist). Countries love money coming in (tourists) and aren’t so fond of money going out (business people).
Katie
Karyn says:
The girl we sponsored the night you played at crosswinds church back in March is from Tanzania! So fun! I will have to check and see if you will be visiting her project.
This is a great list…my husband (aka
http://www.justarobot.com) travels overseas for work…he loves it…
Blessing and travel mercies to you and the whole team next week!
Inkling says:
Had to laugh at the “you’re Canadian” line. Moving to Canada and hearing pretty much every Sunday from the pulpit and every time I visit my sister-in-law how much nicer they are than us sweet Americans makes me think they might be nice, but perhaps could work on their humility. π
The rest of the ideas are totally practical, and I just wish I’d had some of them when I was traveling to Argentina for my student teaching several years ago. Totally remember freezing……
ZoΓ« says:
LOL at the Canadian thing.- though with a southern English accent, if I raised the end of every sentence, I’d sound Australian. Or a Londoner. These days one can’t be sure.
I will keep you and your companions in my prayers (and your loved ones back home).
Patricia says:
Tip #11- Keep care of your belongings. The more tired you get, the easier it is to loose them. Like phones, and bags, and camera charges!!
Have a great trip!!
Shaun Groves says:
Who would lose a phone?
Someone that flakey has no business traveling at all. They definitely should never lead a group of travelers. Especially to someplace far away. Like Africa. Never. Psh. Loser phone-loser person.
; )
Mandy B. says:
Oh, I like the tips! I could totally see myself using the water without even realizing it! {and I’m wondering if I could pass as Canadian with my red hair? heheh! :D}
So do you drink the green stuff when you’re at home too? I’m interested to hear! π
Shaun Groves says:
There are plenty of red-headed Canadians out there. But maybe you should go with Irish ; )
We do drink the green stuff at home. But only in a smoothie. Unfortunately, when traveling overseas, I’m smoothieless.
Jeffrey says:
Have you ever heard of Anne of Green Gables. Written by a Canadian and set in Canada. Cute little red-headed girl. Children’s classic. There are lots of red-heads here!
Stacey says:
Two of my kiddos are red heads π And yes, I’m Canadian!
I had to laugh when I read your tip about saying you’re Canadian. I do remember being in Europe as a teen, and being annoyed with the obnoxious and obviously American backpackers with Canadian flags sewn onto their bags. Made me slightly grumpy that they would choose to do that, but whatever.
Candice says:
Wish I could go with your team! We sponsor a little girl in Tanzania that I have never met. However, my daughter and I (her first mission trip) are headed to Guatemala in 6 weeks to see Compassion at work first hand, and hope to meet a little girl there we will be sponsoring. I will be following your journey!
Sassiekiwi says:
The water tip is a REALLY good one … its easy to be on auto pilot. I remember one time on a train in China, I took my toothbrush, water bottle and stuff to the bathroom (and the bathroom is a whole OTHER story) … without thinking I swiped my toothbrush under the tap and into my mouth … it was in there all of a couple of seconds before my brain kicked in and I was like “what ARE you doing … get it it out right now!” … Too late … The next day I was violently ill and that continued for two weeks … I was eating every three days … think whatever was through my system, eat something mild like rice … and BAM … off I went again … not a good thing on a missions trip …
Laura says:
So true about the photographer! We finally figured that one out after many trips, coming back with lots of pictures of weird stuff. lol!
And Shaun, grub! Gross!! I ate duck tongue and cow tongue before but at least that is and animal! π
Teena says:
Praying for all of you, Shaun! Tanzania is close to our heart. My oldest daughter sponsors from Tanzania. A sweet little girl name Neema. What project will you visit?
Thanks for always always sharing…
Lindsay says:
I’m taking notes! I’m taking a Compassion trip to Ecuador in September and so I need all the help I can get. It’s my first time out of the country. Period. Eek!
Bill says:
Great post. I especially appreciate your comment about engaging the culture. It frustrates me (well, actually it angers me) to see Americans refuse to make any effort at all to communicate in the host language, or to appreciate the culture (as opposed to complaining about its inferiority to our own). I’ve heard people say they have no skills in language, so they don’t try to learn a few words. But anybody intelligent enough to manage an international trip can at least learn how to say hello and goodbye. (stepping down off soapbox now)
Many blessings on the travelling bloggers. May they be enriched and bear much fruit.
Ann Voskamp says:
” 4.To be convincingly Canadian, end every sentence with an upward lilt as if itβs a question. Iβm going to grab a bite to eat? Iβll meet you at the gate?”
ROTFL! I mean…. ROTFL?
π
Tsh @ Simple Mom says:
So I’ve never really known anyone saying they’re Canadian, but I know a number of well-traveled Americans who iron Canadian flag patches on their backpacks. It more implies Canadian alliance than outright saying you’re Canadian, which is lying, of course.
It seems to help, according to them. Especially in rather volatile countries.
I, for one, loved your joke, Shaun. π
Jenny says:
Thanks for posting, photos are magical π Wish I could visit these places also someday…
Myself I do not travel very often, but if I finally do, then always have my SIM with me. It seems to help with saving on roaming charges (I have Travelsim) and also makes me feel safe, because it simply works everywhere π
Have a great trip!