traveltales: MY 9/11 STORY

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

MY 9/11 STORY

Getting Home After 9/11

I’m sure you've heard many 9/11 stories and of course I have one also. My son and I unknowingly started the trek on the old Inca road on that frightful day. It would be three days before we’d even learn about the towers. Since this was the purpose of our trip. I often wondered what we might have done if we had known before starting the trail. Of course at that point all air traffic was halted so we might as well have gone ahead with our plans, as the saying goes we would have been stranded.

But we did not know until we arrived at Machu Picchu. We continued with our plans to go on to Puno, Peru to visit Lake Titicaca and the Eros people. My son felt he should get home and back to work so we decided after that to cut the trip short by a couple of days, bypass La Paz, Bolivia and fly home.

In Puno, the guide took me to a travel agent who managed to get flight tickets to Lima. If we could get to Lima we could use our original tickets to get home. We tried to keep our minds on the trip but we became concerned the day before we were to leave Puno as all transportation was threatening a strike. If that happened it would mean no cab, train, or bus service. Not sure about the flights but the airport was a good distance away and we had to get there.

There is no point in worrying about things you have no control over so we went to bed and slept well, B U T was I happy to wake to the sound of horns honking! Cabs were running so differences obviously had been settled.

Arriving in Lima we found airport security extremely tight and the airport crowded. I wove my way through the mob of people looking for an English speaking employee. I finally found an attendant I could communicate with and he took me directly to the Continental counter. The gal there couldn’t have been more pleasant or helpful. She managed to get us on the same flight but two days early. She made a tough situation easy, and believe me I’ll not forget her kindness.

Like everyone else I’ll always remember where I was on that frightful day. There is no place like the US and it was good to be home.

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Travel Tips

Wet feet, who has rubbers these day? To dry wet shoes put crumpled newspaper inside the shoe and it will wick out all the moisture. If you expect your travels to take you where your feet are likely to be walking in puddles or streams, pack a section of newspaper in the bottom of your suitcase.
In many places in the world the tip is included in the restaurant bill---good to know!
In Europe bathrooms are referred to as WC or toilet. Any other term is not understood.
When hiking, stop to tighten shoe/boot laces before starting down hill.
When traveling by plane be sure to wear all cotton clothing, which today is no problem. In case of fire, man-made fibers melt, cotton burns instead, leaving a clean burn vs one with all kinds of junk melted into it.
Didn't expect a sunburn and have no Rx for it? Dab the area with a cool wet tea bag. the tannin in the tea will reduce inflamation.
I bet you travel with a small bottle of hand sanitizer either in your purse or pocket. Did you know that when you spill something in your lap or wear part of your lunch that a few dabs of hand sanitizer on the spot will make it disappear like magic!
Speaking of shoes, I do not recommend removing them on a long flight. Untie and loosen them. I have actually seen people not be able to get their shoes back on because their feet have swollen during a long flight. Oach!
As painful as it may be limit yourself to two pairs of shoes. You are not traveling to make a fashion statement. Wear your heavest pair which should be a good pair of walking shoes. Pack a lighter pair or sandals.
Make a copy of all your documents and credit cards before leaving home and carry seperately. Also before leaving home leave a copy of your itinerary including hotels and their phone numbers and dates of stay with a family member.
It's always tempting to take a sleeping pill on a long overseas flight, BUT I never do because in the unlikely event of problems I want to have all my senses about me!
Afraid of bedbugs these days? Carry a small squirt bottle of lavender along with your other liquids. Spray your pillow and around your bed and mattress. This will give you a good visual and also repel the little devils.
I carry a couple of aspirin in my pocket and once the plane is in the air I swallow one. I feel this is especially important on long overseas flights to avoid leg problems.
If you do need to do laundry when traveling wring it as dry as possible by hand, then lay the article flat on a bath towel and roll tightly. Unroll and hang. It should be dry by morning.
I carry a small empty water bottle when traveling. I place it in the tray along with my plastic bag of liquids. Once through security I fill it from the water fountain. I always have water to take a pill or a drink when I'm thirsty.
Beware that European bath tubs are very deep and water is often scalding hot. Be careful especially if you have hip or knee problems.
If you're going to be gone more than a few days water your indoor plants well then cover with a large plastic bag tucking the edges well under the pot. If you use a laundry bag simply knot the area where the hanger protrudes. When you return your plants will be healthy and well.
In the largest print possible print your last name and hotel on a sheet of paper and place it on the top of your clothes before closing your suitcase. If your bag gets way laid hopefully it will make it to your hotel.
If you are the owner of the common black bag personalize it by adding various cut outs from colored duct tape. It will be easier to identify than if it carries a bit of ribbon.