Only a few days left to go! I figured I would update you on what I am doing now that it is closer to takeoff.
Recheck Itinerary
One thing I did since my last post--I redid my entire itinerary. No big deal. haha! I am meeting with a friend for a day and we were trying to figure out what days worked. I ended up having to switch some days around and I can't do everything in quite the order I wanted. Even though I am a planner, this doesn't bother me. While having a plan is great, sometimes you must adjust on the fly. The important thing to me is that I remembered (I think!) everything I want to see while in London, and I figured out where things are located. This will give me the blueprint for each day, and I can cross things off as I visit them. One of the things I learned to love about traveling solo is being able to change plans and do what I want without consulting with anyone. This scenario applies.
Did I Forget to Buy Anything?
Yes, I live within a mile of a ton of stores to purchase items at but... Prior to my last day off before the trip, I went through my packing list and racked my brain trying to figure out if I had forgotten anything. When I do my last bit of packing, I don't want the stress of having to run to the store for something. Will I need to anyways? Without a doubt! Maybe the list will be shorter though!
This leads me to another thing I had to do: print off everything, including my packing list. I am old school and like to physically cross off things as I pack them. Other things I printed to be stored in my carry-on: tickets to attractions/tours, hotels and flight information, parking voucher for the airport where I will park my vehicle, etc. Most of these items can be found on your phone. However, technology fails, and I like a backup plan. Who am I kidding? Technology is the backup plan for me. I will whip out that piece of paper before I ever try to find something on my phone quickly!
Packing
Five or six days prior to my trip, I will begin to pack what I can. It gives me something to do that keeps me excited and looking forward to my trip, as opposed to sitting quietly worrying. Some of the items I have already packed include shirts, socks, underwear, some hygiene items (feminine products, travel size shampoo, etc.), plug adapters, and more. I like to keep things as organized as possible. At the same time, I realized everything is going to be disorganized from the moment I start searching for items upon my arrival in London. The important thing is to know what is in there and have a general idea of where I put it.
I have a hard sided suitcase. There are two separate sides to it. I use area in the front of the suitcase as my "empty space" on the way there. This ensures I have plenty of room for any souvenirs and gifts I purchase. Ignoring this space will also help you to not over pack. Never have I had the issue of having a bag overweight. Some people pack more options for clothes than I do, so reminding yourself you need space for things you bring home can help.
Check Travel Advisories
I consistently check travel advisories on the U.S. Department of State website. The advisory status has not changed since I booked my trip. However, the website also provides messages from the U.S. Embassy. There has been an updated message about the demonstrations occurring in the UK. Although I already knew about this, it is helpful to know there is a place to check prior to your travels. The site also has very useful travel tips for each country.
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