Last updated on October 29, 2013
Just two years ago this fall I was busy getting ready for my big trip, which started on February 2, 2012. Hard to believe that it has already been two years from all that planning and pre-trip craziness, and even harder to believe that I have now been on the road almost 21 months. When I think back to that fall two years ago, It has occurred to me that I gained some valuable pre-trip knowledge then that I never have shared here on Confused Julia. So, without further adieu, here are my essential pre-trip planning tips.
Store your Stuff
I sold a lot of my furniture and house decor before I left, but obviously you don’t want to sell absolutely everything you own as this will make it harder and more costly to start again when you return. I kept a lot of my kitchen items, decorations and my TV, etc. Whether you are going to store your things at home with a relative or choose a professional affordable storage option, safe, secure, and affordable storage is a godsend while traveling. There is nothing quite like knowing your things are being looked after while you are abroad. This will put your mind at ease and let you concentrate on having fun and sightseeing.
Music To Go
One thing I couldn’t live without at home or traveling is music. Nowadays, there are many ways to take music with you when you travel, so you really cant go wrong. My recommendation though is Spotify, as I have used it from day one on this trip and I cant recommend it enough. It has allowed us to keep up to date with the latest pop charts and even discover some new bands all without having been anywhere near a radio. I can’t imagine travelling for two years and coming back and not know the meaning of Call Me Maybe or Gangnam Style. In the end, it isn’t just about the music, its about keeping up with what is going on in the world and how good it feels to not be out of the loop.
Dont Stress The Dress
This might be the biggest bit of advice I would give to those about to set out traveling short term or long term. Unless you are traveling to the most outer reaches of the Antarctica, the Amazon rainforest, or the Gobi desert, clothes will be available to be purchased anywhere you are visiting, and plenty of them for that matter. Everywhere we have gone has had plenty of shopping malls or markets available. My recommendation is to bring with you considerably less than you would ever think you could get by with, and then plan on buying clothes abroad. You will likely see some local styles that interest you or clothes that remind you of the destinations you have visited, and they will be souvenirs you can wear.
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