IPODS/MP3 Players: These are fine to bring on the program if you want (again, don't bring something you aren't willing to lose). They are great for the plane ride and long bus rides that we may have. However, if you misuse it during the program, i.e. have your headphones in while you are supposed to be listening to a presenter, tour guide, delegation manager, delegation leader, they will be taken up for the rest of that day. A second infraction will result it the device being shipped back home at your own expense. It is rude to those trying to teach you about their culture with your earphones in.
Gameboys/Video Games: My only words on this is, I would rather these be left at home. In my experience they are too tempting for the students. If you feel you cannot go 19 days with this, the same rules will apply as for the MP3 players.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Cameras/Video Cameras
I have received several questions about what type of camera one should bring and what about video cameras.
I love photography and have a nice (SLR) camera, but I do not bring it on these programs because they are too big and bulky for travel. Instead, I have a Nikon Coolpix. This camera has worked well for me. Cameras have come a long way. There are many good cameras right around the $100 price range that are very good and more than adequate for this program. I use a 4 GB SD card in my camera and take over 1000 pictures and still have room left on the card. Make sure if the camera uses batteries, bring extras with you. If your camera has a rechargeable battery, make sure you bring the charger.
As for video cameras - this is up to you. Some cameras have a video camera built in - but videos take up a lot of battery and a lot of SD card space, so plan accordingly. I bring my little Flip. It is small and easy to use, but a bit pricy at about $250. I certainly would not go out and buy a video camera if you don't have one.
Remember,, don't bring something you are not willing to lose, i.e. don't bring a $600 camera. :-)
I love photography and have a nice (SLR) camera, but I do not bring it on these programs because they are too big and bulky for travel. Instead, I have a Nikon Coolpix. This camera has worked well for me. Cameras have come a long way. There are many good cameras right around the $100 price range that are very good and more than adequate for this program. I use a 4 GB SD card in my camera and take over 1000 pictures and still have room left on the card. Make sure if the camera uses batteries, bring extras with you. If your camera has a rechargeable battery, make sure you bring the charger.
As for video cameras - this is up to you. Some cameras have a video camera built in - but videos take up a lot of battery and a lot of SD card space, so plan accordingly. I bring my little Flip. It is small and easy to use, but a bit pricy at about $250. I certainly would not go out and buy a video camera if you don't have one.
Remember,, don't bring something you are not willing to lose, i.e. don't bring a $600 camera. :-)
Parliament Visit
Our visit with Parliament is the day before we depart to come back to the US. In the past, we have worn our PTP polos and khaki's so not to have to pack "dressy" clothes for the visit. With us needing to wear our polos and khakis for the plane trip home, I wanted everyone's input. I was thinking that we could wear our khakis and a button-up shirt for the boys and a blouse for the girls. This would not take up much extra room in the suitcase and still be appropriate for the day. I don't think the khakis could be worn 2 days in a row without a problem (just was worried about the shirts - I have traveled with kids and shirts can get pretty rank during a day).
I have posted a poll on the right side of the blog and just place your vote - either polos and khakis both days or khakis and shirt/blouse for parliament and khakis/polos the next. The majority will prevail and I will let you know the results at the May meeting.
I have posted a poll on the right side of the blog and just place your vote - either polos and khakis both days or khakis and shirt/blouse for parliament and khakis/polos the next. The majority will prevail and I will let you know the results at the May meeting.
Footwear/Clothing for the Gorge Hiking
As I'm sure you noticed in the itinerary, we are going to be doing some gorge hiking in Scotland. I have done this before, and you do get wet and you do get muddy (very). My suggestion is this - if you have an old pair of sneakers that are at the end of their life, bring them and use them for these 2 days and then throw them away there. If this isn't a possibility, they do say to wear water shoes. This is certainly a possibility. Please DO NOT go out an invest in another pair of shoes for this activity.
For the other activities, a good walking shoe is going to be fine - even for the visit to parliament. Please refer to the blog post below about shoes.
As for clothing for these 2 days - what works the best are the nylon type shorts/capris/knee length pants, or the like. These dry quickly and you can still move freely in them. Jeans will not be able to be worn these days (they are too heavy and take forever to dry and can't become quite uncomfortable when wet). A t-shirt is appropriate as long as it follows in the t-shirt guidelines for the trip (remember even though these are "grubby" days, no rips or tears in clothing). Again, if you have something that is near the end of it's life, you can bring it and leave it behind. If you don't have something that falls in that category, you can always pick something up at the Salvation Army or like thrift store that can be extremely dirty.
We are doing this activity at the beginning of our journey and to have to carry wet/smelly clothes for an additional 2 weeks might not be what you want to do. If you do have to bring these back, PLEASE pack extra 2-1/2 gallon Zip-lock bags to put them in so not to ruin the rest of your clothes in your luggage. You will want to pack some extra Downy/Bounce dryer sheets to put in these bags as well to absorb any odor that may develop.
If you have any other suggestions, please leave them as comments.
For the other activities, a good walking shoe is going to be fine - even for the visit to parliament. Please refer to the blog post below about shoes.
As for clothing for these 2 days - what works the best are the nylon type shorts/capris/knee length pants, or the like. These dry quickly and you can still move freely in them. Jeans will not be able to be worn these days (they are too heavy and take forever to dry and can't become quite uncomfortable when wet). A t-shirt is appropriate as long as it follows in the t-shirt guidelines for the trip (remember even though these are "grubby" days, no rips or tears in clothing). Again, if you have something that is near the end of it's life, you can bring it and leave it behind. If you don't have something that falls in that category, you can always pick something up at the Salvation Army or like thrift store that can be extremely dirty.
We are doing this activity at the beginning of our journey and to have to carry wet/smelly clothes for an additional 2 weeks might not be what you want to do. If you do have to bring these back, PLEASE pack extra 2-1/2 gallon Zip-lock bags to put them in so not to ruin the rest of your clothes in your luggage. You will want to pack some extra Downy/Bounce dryer sheets to put in these bags as well to absorb any odor that may develop.
If you have any other suggestions, please leave them as comments.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Countdown Clock
Are you getting excited??? I know I am. I have added a countdown clock to our blog - on the left hand side. The morning we leave I will change it for the parents to know how long until we get home!
The Wonders of ZipLock Bags
Stock up - these are wonderful for travel.
The X-large (2-1/2 gallon size) are great for dirty clothes. You will get one with your polo that can be used for your extra pair of clothes in your carry-on bag. I would be nice to have a couple more for you suitcase for the dirty clothes, wet clothes, etc.
Large (1 gallon size): These are great to keep your shampoo/conditioner, body wash, etc in when they are in your suitcase. Limits any spillage that might happen.
Quart Size: These are good for all the travel sizes for your carry-on (actually you have to have them in this size), medications, or anything else that may leak or spill or that you want to keep in one place. My daughter always kept her receipts in this size bag.
Also, don't forget two throw in some dryer sheets. These keep your clean clothes fresh in your suitcase and keep your dirty clothes from overpowering your parents when you get home.
The X-large (2-1/2 gallon size) are great for dirty clothes. You will get one with your polo that can be used for your extra pair of clothes in your carry-on bag. I would be nice to have a couple more for you suitcase for the dirty clothes, wet clothes, etc.
Large (1 gallon size): These are great to keep your shampoo/conditioner, body wash, etc in when they are in your suitcase. Limits any spillage that might happen.
Quart Size: These are good for all the travel sizes for your carry-on (actually you have to have them in this size), medications, or anything else that may leak or spill or that you want to keep in one place. My daughter always kept her receipts in this size bag.
Also, don't forget two throw in some dryer sheets. These keep your clean clothes fresh in your suitcase and keep your dirty clothes from overpowering your parents when you get home.
Shoes, shoes and more shoes
It is now about the time to be thinking about getting your walking shoes for the program.
Remember you will need a GOOD pair of shoes as we will be walking about 3-5 miles a day minimum.
In my experience, Merrell and Teva both have a good walking shoes/trainer that is durable and still somewhat stylish. I believe both REI and Dick's Sporting Goods carry these brands. You can always go in and try some on - figure out what size you wear - then go online and find the bargains. I always get mine through www.sierratradingpost.com for about 70% off. Granted they are last year's color, but that's not important.
Remember you want to break the shoes in before we leave. Nothing worse than having to break shoes in when you are walking all day in them. Shoes are like the baby bear's porridge, chair and bed - you want them just right - not to new and not too worn out.
Remember you will need a GOOD pair of shoes as we will be walking about 3-5 miles a day minimum.
In my experience, Merrell and Teva both have a good walking shoes/trainer that is durable and still somewhat stylish. I believe both REI and Dick's Sporting Goods carry these brands. You can always go in and try some on - figure out what size you wear - then go online and find the bargains. I always get mine through www.sierratradingpost.com for about 70% off. Granted they are last year's color, but that's not important.
Remember you want to break the shoes in before we leave. Nothing worse than having to break shoes in when you are walking all day in them. Shoes are like the baby bear's porridge, chair and bed - you want them just right - not to new and not too worn out.
Drum Roll PLEASE!!!
We now have our confirmed fourth leader!
Everyone welcome Kristy!!! You will love her. She is full of energy and excited to be a part of our group.
When you meet her on Saturday, be sure to give her a warm welcome!
Everyone welcome Kristy!!! You will love her. She is full of energy and excited to be a part of our group.
When you meet her on Saturday, be sure to give her a warm welcome!
Current Missing Paperwork
Here is the current list of missing paperwork as of 4 p.m. on April 7th:
Health Forms: Antonio, Jeanae and Philip
Success Contracts: Jeanae and Philip
Passport Copies: Josi, Antonio, Jeanae, Elysabeth M, Danielle, Philip, Francesca, Sara W, Brett, Yesenia, Katie, Justin, Elizabeth S.
Extra Passport Photos (2): Maika, Damian, Josi, Antonio, Jeanae, Emily, Elysabeth M, Ethan, Christina, Danielle, Sophie, Jordan, Jacob, Taylor C, Philip, Morgan, Francesca, Sara W. Brett, Dallas, Cameron, Yesenia, Katie, Justin Elizabeth S.
They items all can be scanned and emailed to me As soon as you get your passports, please get those scanned and emailed so I can get them into the program office. We can't book the tickets until we have that. :-)
Health Forms: Antonio, Jeanae and Philip
Success Contracts: Jeanae and Philip
Passport Copies: Josi, Antonio, Jeanae, Elysabeth M, Danielle, Philip, Francesca, Sara W, Brett, Yesenia, Katie, Justin, Elizabeth S.
Extra Passport Photos (2): Maika, Damian, Josi, Antonio, Jeanae, Emily, Elysabeth M, Ethan, Christina, Danielle, Sophie, Jordan, Jacob, Taylor C, Philip, Morgan, Francesca, Sara W. Brett, Dallas, Cameron, Yesenia, Katie, Justin Elizabeth S.
They items all can be scanned and emailed to me As soon as you get your passports, please get those scanned and emailed so I can get them into the program office. We can't book the tickets until we have that. :-)
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