Solo travel survival tips #1 - Baggage Claim

(Edited on Sept 6 Monday morning)

To all my fab jet-setter girlfriends:

I just got off the flight back to Hong Kong, finishing a two-week mini trip to Shanghai and SF. This was probably my 80th time traveling solo, if I haven't made it to a hundred yet. So here're some little tricks I've learned over years.

#1 Baggage Runway

We all know the coolest people don't wait for baggage claim coz they pack like no liquid and 2 tshirts no matter how long the trip is, like my all-time inspiration figure, Tim Ferriss.

Read his "4 hour work week." Highly recommend.

BUT you are just a typical girly girl like me, or Heather Mills, or Dita Von Teese, or millions of the rest,
you'll probably be checking in at least 2 oversized baggages every time you fly. And the best of it is often time they are MUCH heavier than you can handle.

If that's your case, choosing the right spot to wait your baggages will save your ass. Key is WHO's standing next to you.


DO:
-Stand next to (not being sexist but..) Yes, MEN ONLY!
-Sandwich yourself with two mid-aged gentlemen. Even if your left one is being a jerk, the right one can help.
-Check out the arm muscles. Only find the ones you think they are strong enough to handle your bags. Like if you stand next to those say "music major" on their foreheads. Forget it, sisters!
-You will have better luck if you find someone wearing their college sweaters. That means they are more likely to be educated and civilized (best example: Berkeley! =P). Remember his school name if you really bump into a loser who doesn't help.
-AND of course, if you find someone who looks like he always goes to the gym (tall and well-built) -- HOT! -- then I don't think you even need to think. GO FOR IT gal! you guys can be gym buddies too ;)

AVOID:
-60+ unless you have a free hand to help
-Asian women, yea, it's not like I hate my own race, but reality is Asian women are mostly physically incapable to help.
-Immigrants. Hope you have sharp eyes to distinguish immigrant travelers by now. Not saying they aren't nice people, but I am sure their own bags of bags of 50kg luggage are already more than they can handle.
-Teenage boys. Yea, these 14-year old boys seem to be strong enough to help you get your bags off the runway, thanks to high calcium milk these days. Yet that doesn't mean they are caring enough to help. Chances are your baggages might land on your foot painfully.

Remember these tips, you will travel with a lot less hassles. Have a pleasant journey! MUAH!

xoxo,
J

Last Stop... home sweet home

Cloudy Day in San Francisco

Up in the Shanghai Air

Short trip to Shanghai. Still looking nice and bright!

 

Yes this is taken in the fastest growing city in China. They got blue sky and green farmland. Not bad, huh?

Guangdong Revisit

Seems like all Chinese cities look alike before any big event. That's Guangzhou before Asia Olympics in Nov... EVERYWHERE!

Luckily, hungry stomach still have no problem to get taken care of.
Steam pork cake with rice + shrimp rice roll = 16RMB. xie xie!

Next stop. INDIA???!?!!?

Poor H is moving to Bangalore, India for months. Looks like I gotta schedule my next trip there.

But before I go, buddy, at least you get this...

and this..

Happy SMile:)

Next Stop -> Liechtenstein??!?

Liechtenstein, the country with the highest GDP per person in the world.
The fact that it merely has an estimated population of 35,000, sitting between Switzerland and Austria by the Alps is just CUTE.:)

Oh but here is a little problem... this cute little city DON'T have an airport. To get there, we gotta fly to Zurich.. gotta check if visa is needed too.

Eyjafjallajokull F*%KED MY TRIP UP!

London KICK-OFF moved to late May... long month to go.

Brain Freeze

It's gotta be the craziest happened in my life. Spent 13 hours flying in the past 24 hours; circled half of china twice. It wasn't no fun at all im telling ya.


Wasted my precious time, and all I gained was an exhausted body and guilt. 


Conclusion? I need a secretary and a therapy. Life is Crazy. 


Mar 18. On Equator, J

My migration packing list

2010 symbolizes a new year, new journey, new job, new home, new life. It's pretty awesome... well maybe except the part that I am moving across the Pacific Ocean by myself, with two weak arms. I figured since I will be literally fresh of the boat onto the land of Shanghai metropolitan, I should pack some good amount of daily necessities from America before I find replacements in China (My experience told my it is VERY hard to find something that fits my style and size, yes they are that skinny, it is only wise to bring all I want). So let's see what I have so far...

1. 3 pairs of my favorite sunglasses (Dior, Emporio Armani, Marc by Marc Jacobs)
   
2. Victoria's Secret panties! A LOT OF THEM!
   
3. 7 sets of night out dresses/ outfits
   
4. Shoes (1 pair of killer sky-high heels, 1 pair of comfortable heels for work, 1 pair of flat, 1 pair of warm slippers for home, 1 pair of sneakers for work-out)
   
5. 5-7 sets of office outfits
   
6. 2 pairs of comfortable jeans
7. 2 blazers, 2 coats, 2 jackets
   
8. Tank tops, very essential!
9. Sport bras, yoga pants and swimsuits (I should be able to find somewhere to swim; otherwise, they don't take much space anyway)
10. Leggings, socks
    
11. Towel (Maybe at least 1)
    
12. Things to keep me warm: scarfs, gloves, earmuffs? maybe.
13. Sleepwear
14. Bedding Sheets, pillow covers (I am
    
15. Some jewelry (I have no idea how heavy they are. So I will stick with just a few)
    
16. An small umbrella
17. Purses (1 for work, 1 clutch, 1 casual, 1 all-occasion classic)
18. Foldable travel bag for short trips
19. Make-up bags
20. Shampoo, conditioner, body washer, lotions, sanitizer (I know I can get them in China too, but not the first few nights AND even with the same brands, the quality is not the same!)
21. Makeup remover, cleanser, contact solution
22. Skin care, facial cotton and Q-tips for 2 weeks supply
    
23. Pins, comb, hair ties, hair curler
    
24. Tempo tissue (At least a few packs. No free napkins in China)
25. Tampons and pads (You can find pads in China, but not tampons, at least not in Beijing and Guangzhou)
26. Pens, notebook, organizer
    
27. Ipod, Macbook, External Drive, USB drive, Phone, cameras, ALL CHARGERS!
    
28. IDs, passport, Hong Kong and Chinese driver licenses
29. Healthy snacks (I can only think of instant oatmeal for now)
30. Some life inspiring books to keep me from homesick
    

I think that's it for now. Hopefully they can fit in 2 suitcases. It is always these 2 overly packed suitcases that give me a huge headache.