Travel Plans, Flights and Packing

Hullo Readers!

I was talking to Jen just before about when we’re going to meet each other at the airport, where, how many bags we’re taking, and what we’re taking on the plane with us. Which got me wanting to make a blog post about it all, sounds silly and pointless, but it’ll get it off my mind. And who knows, it may help someone somewhere.

To begin: As we have an international flight (obviously) we have to be at the airport and checked in at least two hours before the departure time. One hour before the flight departs, there’s an announcement which asks travellers to go down the next level to go through security. This is where we will be leaving our friends and family as they can’t come down with us. So, it will be a teary moment I’m sure. We’re meeting each other at 8am, saying 7:45am to parents etc since I don’t want to be stuck in traffic and dad likes to take his time getting ready to leave – it’s true daddy, we just take it into our plans now, haha. Anyway, arriving at that time allows us to check in and hopefully chose the seats we want, and to allow my predicable anxious self enough time. I like to be early. And when it comes to flights, ridiculously early. This is at the Brisbane International Airport; it’s slightly different to Sydney International, but pretty much the same time allotments.

On my travels I’m taking a handbag, it’s large enough to fit my laptop, Amazon Kindle, iPod, important documents – oh and socks! Long flights with the air conditioning on get chilly. Then onboard I’ll be taking a cabin sized suitcase that’ll go into the overhead locker. I’ll just be putting my wool coat and boots in I think, my coat will definitely be warm enough for LA and boots are just in case – plus saves room in my big suitcase. I’ll be wearing leggings, loose dress and taking a cardigan so I’ll be comfortable for the flight. Maybe this time round I’ll be able to sleep on the plane. Last time, when I went to London, I only dosed off a few times. I couldn’t sleep because I was cold and my head kept slipping of the head rest thing, haha. I’m getting a neck pillow for Christmas – boosting my chances of sleep! I got really bad jet lag last time and I think a lot had to do with not much sleep. First night in London my brother and I were asleep by 6:30pm!

Brisbane International Airport is boring. On the departures level there’s food, but crap quality. I’ve learnt not to eat anywhere there. I’m wondering how long it will take Jen and I to get through customs at LAX, I heard that it can literally take hours, but then again ICPs (International College Program students) who have already gone over to America haven’t had trouble getting through. Fingers crossed it’s the same for us!

Okay, so packing. Again, this won’t be interesting for those who are just reading for whatever reason, but it may help current and future ICPs. And I guess if I’ve missed anything important someone may be kind enough to comment! I’ve split it into categories of Handbag, Cabin Bag and Suitcase.

                Handbag

      Passport (which includes Visa)

      Disney Documents (Receipts, On-Boarding Documents etc)

      Documents for Entering America (DS-2019, I-94, Certificate of Insurance)

      Wallet (Travel Card, Debit Card, ID Card)

      STA Travel Vouchers (Accommodation, Transfer)

      STA Travel Itinerary

      Travel Diary

      Laptop

      Amazon Kindle

      iPod

      Camera

      Socks

      Cardigan

      Phone (with international sim card)

      Maps (LAX – I’ll get lost, Orlando, LA)

      Pain Killers (in case of headache)

      Make Up (If I don’t get sleep, I will look more like hell)

Cabin Bag

      Wool Coat

      Boots

      What can’t fit in my suitcase…

Suitcase

      Clothes (not many, it’s cheap to buy pretty much a new wardrobe)

      Chargers (Phone, Laptop, Camera, iPod, Kindle)

      Powerpoint Converters

      External Hard-drive

      Hair Straightener? (Still deciding to take one since I’ll be buying one eventually over there)

      Traditions Clothing & Shoes

      Toiletries

      Heels (My plain black ones are the most comfy heels known to humans)

My actual list is two pages, where I have typed out exactly what clothes I’m taking etc. Yes, I can be OCD.

That covers this post. It’s almost Christmas and there is still a few more presents to buy! We’ll be finishing that off tomorrow. For now we sit at 14 days, 15 sleeps.

Have a great night/day, and until next time!~