Traveling tips

We have traveled around a whole lot and picked up many things that helps it make it easier so decided to write down what I have gathered. There is a big difference between traveling around here in America verses Kenya as a third world country so I will do both. One other point of interest when traveling is noticing the different cultures between the States. For example we were just up in Northern Minnesota and got to attend a lovely volleyball tournament (you did a great job Natalie!) at the Lumberjack High School- I have never noticed that being a mascot for high school's on the east coast. During the cold winter months Minnesotans eat a lot of casserole's or what they call "hot dishes", all of the fire hydren's have long stick on them so that snow plows can avoid them. Last but not least the question "Would you like to come with?" is asked. (instead of "Would you like to come with me?") I really enjoy that each State has it's own unique ways.

Traveling around overseas packing list:
1) Tums (for the upset stomach after eating the local dishes)
2) Wipes (to clean oneself when there is no running water available)
3) Trail mix, Granola Bars, Crackers (when you do not know when the next time you will be to find a descent place to eat)
4) Tylenol (a children's version if you have kiddos)
5) Melatonin ( a non-drug pill used to help fall asleep- fine for kids)
6) Cipro (to get rid of any unwanted guests in your stomach)
7) Fly swatter ( to kill any unwanted guests in the room you are staying at)
8) A towel ( for the obvious reason as well as to dampen and lay on top of you at night which will help you cool off if there is no air conditioner - or no fan- or no electricity)
9) Flashlight
10) Water purification tablets
11) A good thermometer (we have one that goes in the ear and has the temperature in 8 seconds)
12) Lolipops (work wonders during long road trips and provided a nice gifts to other children you meet along the way)
13) Mosquito net ( to ensure a restful sleep)
14) Your own pillow (there is no guarantee there will be any where you go)
15) Coloring books and crayons

Traveling around in America:
1) Children's vitamins (to help boost their immune system against all the sickness )
2) I always pack the kids pajama's in my bag in case we are out visiting someone late into the night and then we do not have to wake them up and change them when we get home)

As you can see there is a whole lot more advice when overseas. One of the reasons is there is always a gas station near by here in the States, that if you need anything you can go pick it up. Another reason is there are washing machines and dryers, showers, clean drinking water, good health care, so you do not need a lot of extra packing necessities but instead if you want to pack a lot it is for preference)