I am back - thanks all

Ginger, that's great to hear. The coconut water really had me going, but just a couple of comfort items can make all the difference.
PS. Thank god for the Russians, it takes all the heat off of being a Yank. Have no idea if that was the case, but it warms the cockles of my to imagine it. Hey, everybody all over the world likes to travel, and do it in their own way.

Congratulations on a good trip.

Now, inquiring minds want to know:

1) did you clean the seats and trays on your flights?

2) did you wear the compression socks?

3) How did the dog do?

4) Was your Swiss Alps clothing suitable for the weather conditions you found there?

Russians and Indians made Americans seem so polite and quiet. I felt as if I were on a train to Mumbai sometimes!

No dog this time, Kent.

Clothing was adequate, though we packed too much. Making a list for next time.

The person who left us after the first week, took a large box of soy milk for the flight, and again, neither the security in Munich nor Houston, questioned him.

We did clean our trays, seat belt buckle, and arm tests. Actually was tickled to see several people doing it also. Was tempted to ask if they were from this group! One guy went the extra mile. After cleaning, he used a hand sanitising gel to clean hands.

Saw two others use big ziploc to tuck into the back of the seat for storing their magazines and other needed items.

One flight attendant said to us as we cleaned the trays "I don't blame you. Good idea." Now why would she say that?

@Ginger: Glad everything worked out for you! I have been following your posts prior to you leaving for your trip and had hope you would let us know how it went after you got back. Thanks for the update. But I forgot: was does BO stand for?

Ginger,

I have a feeling your dog was probably just as happy to not see Europe (dogs have different priorities, don't they?).

But what about the compression socks that you were asking about, before your trip? Did you wear them?

Kent, decided against using them because I didn't check with my doc. My feet and ankles did swell, but that seems to happen whenever I fly.

BO - Bernese Oberland.

Ginger: Some of us here are interested in whether our advice helps or doesn't, so thanks for updating us on the things you were asking about here, and were discussed here, before your trip.

Kent is right, it's nice to hear back from people after their trip re: what worked and what didn't. Glad your trip was a success.

Ginger,

It's great to hear that you had such a wonderful trip! Thanks for posting the update.

Because of all the posts by Lola about hiking, and trying different places, we went to Kandersteg. She knows her stuff. Does anyone have her email? I thought of her whilst there. Would love to go back and stay longer. Left Murren for a day. But by train on a Sunday was not fun! Lots of delays and wait. Still worth it. Gorgeous lake up there.

Just send Lola a Private Message.

I thought she was no longer with the group?

Ginger, Lola posted a few days ago, on June 28. I believe she has said she sometimes logs on to check for Private Messages or other posts of particular interest to her. Sending her a Private Message should reach her.

Thanks, I will do that, Kent.

Ginger, So nice of you to say thanks... not many do.

Susan, I am surprised they don't.

I had so many random questions.

I noticed that we aren't asked to remove our shoes in security abroad, but they did ask for my sunglasses and scarf!

Also, water bottle was forgotten but they found it and was quite generous asking if we wanted to keep it, but the huge box of soy milk didn't get an eye bat. Wonder why?

I'm no of the opinion that I need to pack even lighter. I was so happy that I did not buy those binoculars!! I took an extra lens for my camera and didn't use it.

Need to make notes quickly so I won't repeat this mistake.

Does anyone use light long sleeve shirts when it's hot? Even with sunscreen, I couldn't stand the sun beating down on my arms. Saw some Japanese women covered and wearing gloves. I get rashes from the sun.

Ginger,

I have had skin cancer and wear nothing but long sleeves while traveling. I have a wardrobe of shirts ranging from casual to dressy - all UPF protective and wear them open over tee shirts or buttoned up. My current favorite for dressier is a White Sierra Gobi shirt I got from Sierra Trading Post for about $20. I can wear it to the most formal restaurant.

P.S. Forgot to add that I actually find it cooler to be covered than baking in the sun! I noticed that many locals in hot destinations seem to wear long pants/skirts and stay out of the sun in the middle of the day.

Yes, I wear long sleeved sunshirts as well. I did not pack one for Ireland recently because, well, I misjudged the weather. I do have one in the stack for my next trip! Gloves would be too hot for me (saw some tourists in Brussels wearing them) but I don't mind just having the long cuffs of the sunshirt over my hands. Two different sunscreens was overkill, though, lol!

It really helps me to do a critical eval after each trip. Even as we were traveling this last time I made some notes both in my journal and on my phone note app as to things I would do differently. I have a general spread sheet for packing, one page for misc, one page for clothes and one page of a pre-trip to-do list. I do go thru that when I get back each time and make notes. The best time is when you are over jet lag but close enough to the trip to remember! I also make sure I look at my clothes and see what I used and what I didn't, what combos of clothing worked and didn't, what washed well and what didn't. (Note to self...don't take newish jeans that are likely to leave blue marks on the hotel's lovely white towels when you are squeezing the water out of them. Having to hand wash a hotel towel to get the blue stains out was embarrassing, silly and a pain!)

I too saw locals with long sleeves and long pants. Today I tested my theory and went walking for an hour in the blazing sun. It was between 75-80 degrees, but the sun was out in full swing. Wore a light, long sleeve shirt and hiking pants. It was much easier than having the sun burning my skin.

Would light cotton work, or do I need to get something that protects against UV rays?

I think a cap helped a bit, but my ears were burnt, so as dorky as some wide brimmed hats look, I may get one. And I saw the Asians using bandanas around their necks for protection. Don't think I could do the gloves, either. I guess that's why their skin looks better than ours!! Met an 85 year old Japanese woman, and she looked about 60!

@Ginger all those that helped you I am certain appreciate the time you took to tell them how it went. A great number of posters here don't even acknowledge when you try and answer their questions much less take the time for a briefing after the trip. You are an inspiration.

On the clothing and the sun issue and the packing lighter issue; I enjoy fishing and most people here in Texas at least that spend a lot of time on the water have learned to value of long sleeve shirts and clothing that is light and dries quickly. That same clothing makes travel clothing. My fishing pants and fishing shirts look just fine for traveling, weigh a fraction of what jeans and cotton weighs, I can clean in the sink if necessary and wear it in just a few hours with out a dryer. I use the weight and space saving to be able to carry one set of clothing appropriate for nice evenings, the theater, etc.

Thank you again

Hi Ginger. I'm glad everything worked out. Are you already thinking about your next destination?

Most people's feet swell on airplanes . . . you can spot the experienced travelers, as soon as they get seated they take their shoes off. I wear some kind of shoes/sandals that I can easily slip into with enlarged feet to use the toilet.

Definitely covering your body with loose clothing is more comfortable in hot weather. Also, skirts are cooler than pants. Maybe that's why there was a kilt fad in California.

James and Chani, I didn't realize that people don't come back to share what worked and didn't work. Doesn't make sense to me. How can helpers know if they gave the right advice?

And yes, I am already thinking of my next trip. It's very addicting, this travelling of ours, isn't it?

I was telling a friend that keeping notes of what worked and didn't work can be so helpful to others and to the person who took the trip. She felt it ewe being obsessive. I realized too late that our bags were heavier than they should have been, and vowed to learn from that. Cross body bag was great initially, but the strap broke (Travelon and new), so my duct tape came in quite handy.

While hiking, I also felt that I could have done better with a day backpack (lighter one) than what the others carried, as I have some back issues. Not terrible, but I avoid lugging a backpack. The cross body was a nuisance to have on a hike.

So interesting to read about your successful trip. Your suggestions were noted as we are leaving on our trip this coming Saturday!

I'll be back with my travels!
Laurie

Ginger,

I followed your posts before you left on you trip. It is great to hear you had a great time and your travel companions got his coconut water on board without a problem. I have traveled to Europe before but all these helpful hints on this forum allows me to make changes before I leave next month.
I am just curious if you carried on your luggage or did you check them in.

I'll chime in about sleeves - I sunburn easily, so I have a number of very lightweight travel-fabric long-sleeved shirts, which I wear open over a lightweight tee shirt. When in the shade, I can take off that overshirt and tuck it in my backpack or tie it around my waist, but when I am out in the sun it goes back on for protection.

Judy, we check our bags. Glad that my questions and my return remarks are helpful.

Kathleen, do you use cotton shirts? I will be looking out for some shirts on sale soon and saving for my summer trip next year. I think it's definitely worse to have the sun beating down on your skin.

James' observation above:

"A great number of posters here don't even acknowledge when you try and answer their questions"
I have had the same feeling.