When we traveled from Africa to Asia, four bags went missing. One of them being mine. Today, 10 days after arriving in Malaysia, three of us received our bags but my team leader is still missing hers.
- The way you divide stuff between a carry-on and checked luggage can be very important.
- Never assume your bag will arrive where and when you do.
- Just because your bag is located does not mean it will arrive soon.
- Soon is relative.
- You don’t need more than 2 pairs of pants and 3 shirts even in a hot climate.
- If you are with kids, they will ask why you keep wearing the same clothes over and over.
- The lack of spare clothing means planning ahead to do laundry is important.
- Most things aren’t as necessary as we tend to think they are.
- If you have a retainer, always pack it in your carry-on. Especially if your teeth start shifting after a few hours without it. Your mouth will thank you.
- A .5L bottle works just as well as the 1L bottle. It just means twice as many trips to fill it up.
- When traveling to Asia, travel size bug spray in the carry-on would be a wise idea just for in case your bag goes missing.
- Sleeping on airport floors is nicer when you have at least a blanket.
- Sinus infection/ear infection combos while on planes is annoying and extremely painful.
- It’s really hard to understand a different accent or pick up phrases in another language when one ear doesn’t hear because of said ear infection.
- Don’t go more than 2 weeks without washing your hair.
- Almost empty planes and buses are huge blessings as they often mean a better chance at finding sleep because you can take over multiple seats.
- In the past 6 months I have successfully trained myself to automatically feel tired/take naps during any form of transportation longer than 5 minutes.
- After 3 months of living in areas with drought and watching every single drop of water used, it feels weird to take multiple showers a day and be able to use as much water as you want.
- Always carry a deck of cards. You never know when you’ll have some time to play a game or do some tricks.
- Blank paper is a gift you don’t think about until you don’t have it.
- Couches and non plastic chairs are also things you never think about missing until you go a while without them.
- Street food festivals in Asia are a whirl of sights, sounds, smells, and colors – crowded but fun.
- Never wait to encourage someone.
- Prayer makes a greater difference than we tend to give it credit for.
- Over $2,500 has been donated since I started asking specific people to pray with me for fundraising. Now I’m only $2,000 away from being fully funded. Thank you to everyone who has been supporting me in any way.
