Yeah, I’m going to do one of these posts because I think I have pretty ok credentials.**
**My credentials include: Boarding 6 planes and 3 trains in 19 days.

Plus, you love me so you’re going to read on.
Extra plus, I love you so I’m going to put it in list form because everyone LoVeS lists.

Thu’s Extra-Awesome Travel Advice:

1. Make a list of your tech stuff. Because we’re in that era now. So for example: “Kindle, laptop, phone.” Then you add “+ charger” next to it. That way you don’t forget any of your tech things and their charger counterparts. It worked for me! (I only forgot a scarf…)
2. Bring/buy an external charger. …Or you can be like me and stand next to a random electrical outlet in the middle of Pike Place Market charging your phone. Do whatever you’re comfortable with and what your budget allows, but I would try and get an external charger (like this Jackery one, thanks J for the tip!). PROtip for iPhone users: If you’re phone is in ‘Airplane Mode,’ it charges faster!!)
3. It’s ok, most things are replaceable. I actually had to buy contact solution twice. Mostly because I don’t check my bags and that limits me to 3oz. travel sizes, but why would I want to carry around a full size? There’s a Target in California, Washington and Oregon- did you know that? Don’t worry if you don’t think you have enough or forgot something- it’s almost always replaceable (but make sure you have your tech stuff, look back at #1).
4. Embrace your tourism, but don’t be obnoxious. You can’t be a local everywhere you go- or at least, that’s what I’ve come to learn about myself. I LOVE blending in, and I tried really hard to blend in during my trip. But sometimes, you’re going to have to get over it, and ask that other tourist to take your tourist pictures. It’s fine, we ALL do it. Plus, I love saying that I’m from Texas…and that’s definitely a Texas thing.
5. Roll with the punches. This kind of goes along with embracing your tourist-ness and getting over it. There will be problems, I went through a few problems myself on “Thu Goes West,” but 1) I don’t really remember them because the good trumps the bad and 2) I rolled with the punches. Go on a trip, you’ll see what I mean. Maybe. I don’t know.
6. HYDRATE. I can’t stress this enough. If you read about my trip, you know that I threw up on one of the planes. It happens, but a good preventative measure for nausea is hydration. Drink a lot of water the day before you get on a plane. Drink a lot of water before you get on the plane (the day of travel). Drink a lot of water on the plane. Just drink a lot of water, ok?! Don’t be like me who neglected it and then suffered.

So…these are my extra awesome, amazing travel tips and advice I can give to anyone who is about to go on a trip. Let me know if I’m missing anything.
Until next time!

P.S. If you’re interested in travel advice pertaining to Amtrak trains, you can look here and here.