Getting ready

     An unavoidable evil about travel is the getting ready portion.  It seems that no matter how often you pack, it never seems to get any easier.  The experts tell you to lay out all that you may need and then half it.  Easier said than done.  You just know that, as as you take the rain jacket out of the final selection, it will rain cats and dogs just to spite you.  Even in venues where, supposedly, it hasn't rained in years.

Books - a must!

    Because packing is such a daunting task, Don and I tend to put it off until the last minute.  The November cold snap that plunged Calgary into a mind-numbing, deep freeze found us rooting around in the basement for our suitcases.  The December 6th departure date couldn't come fast enough.

     One of the first things to pay attention to is the exact day and time of your flight.  I learned this the hard way.  I arrived on time for my flight to Spain.  The only problem, I was a day late.  If you are prone to this sort of screw-up it is better to err on the day early side.
    Also remember to check on the need for Visas.  Only by serendipity did we realize that we required an Australian Visa.  So don't assume and arrive at the airport only to realize that the country will not let you in.
     Another worry when traveling from a cold country to hot climate, is the logistics of managing to keep warm while going to and from the airport.  Even if you drive yourself, you have to park the vehicle in the lot and make it to the terminal without freezing.  However, the last thing you want to do is take your winter gear with you.  Unless you plan on doing some skiing at your destination.  It has never appealed to me, but you see people at the Calgary airport packing skis.

 

 

 

                                          Do we really want to leave all this?
   

Most important of all is never ever forget or lose your passport.  Even the USA no longer welcomes Canadians without the blue bound booklet.  It is your world travel driver's license.  Never leave home without it.