to Paris Greece next week, below are my notes for you. As I’ve always done  in the past, leaving notes to you guys staying home and I travel, from how to operate the washer/dryer to how to contact me abroad. Except this time, the notes are for your traveling.

Pre-trip:

• Make sure your passport is valid. Ahem, one of you guys had to renew her passport on the day of the trip and know how painful the process is, getting to the embassy at 7am, waiting in line, … I did write *her*, didn’t I? :)
• Make 4 copies of your passport. Keep one for yourself, give one to your Dad, one to me, and the other to your SOS (Significant Other Sibbling).
• 24 hours before trip, login to airline site (leaving SFO check-in at Delta, leaving CDG or other airports check-in at Air France) and get your boarding pass printed.

Packing:

Since you’re traveling outside of the US, you’re allowed to check in 2  1 baggage, each not exceeding 45 lbs. Make sure you put liquid products (hair gel, shampoo .. ) in zippered plastic bags to avoid spillage.

Carry-on luggage is limited to one. Liquid products are to be stored in a one zippered quart-size plastic bag.You can bring with you laptop, iPod, charger, phone, but no ciggie lighter or anything sharp (no knife, wine opener, nail clipper … ). It will be cold at high altitude, so make sure you bring a sweater or jacket. Drink lots of water before and during flight. You will have layovers, so have whatever you will need for that, including medication, and laptop charger.

• Medication ( Advil, BC, anti-diarrhea, … )
• condoms (yes, be practical)
• comfortable walking shoes (you will be walking)
• toiletries (hairbrush, toothbrush, mini toothpaste, hair gel, tampons, …)
• we’re still in winter; so, obviously, no shorts and tanktops.
• camera, charger, and USB interface cable
• power adapter
• cash and credit card

During trip:

• Understand that you’re in another country, with a different language and culture. Adapt and adopt! If you can’t, you should have stayed home and go to Tijuana instead.
• Have an open mind. Believe in the goodness of people, then you’ll be able to enjoy your stay. Act like a pompous Amie, and you will be treated like a Commie. :)
• Be alert and weary of your surroundings and people who seem too nice. Yes, this contradicts with the previous bullet. But there are as many scammers and bad people as there are good people.
• Don’t do anything illegal. Watch the movie “Midnight Express” before you go. Remember the Amanda Knox murder case in Italy. Nothing is worse than sitting in jail in a foreign country!
• Refrain from buying souvenirs for yourself. They will end up being tucked away on some shelf and collecting dust. And I will be the one collecting them and donating them to Salvation Army. But if it’s for gifts to friends back home, then it’s OK.
• Take lots of pictures. You can always erase them later. Don’t just take pictures of yourself. We know how handsome/cute you are already. Take pictures of you and other people.
• Try to write home (email) everyday  once a week. Yes, you are grown up, but you’re still my kids. Besides, it’s a form of keeping diary of your trip.
• Di Lan 06 61 03 42 67
• Di Mai  06 63 60 47 39

Edited 10/13/2014 for your trip in October 2014. Gosh! I won’t be there for you. I’m so worried …