By Tara Clampett
With consulate
appointments around the corner, the time has come for everyone to start
preparing for the exciting journey ahead!
One stress (especially
for the ladies) is always what to pack: do you take the plain black bikini or
the one with the floral print? Or maybe one bikini and one full piece? How many
pairs of heels should you take? Do you really need the short and long sleeved little
black dress?
Packing can be a
nightmare, especially for first time travelers, however as all the returners
say: pack as lightly as you can because you are going to buy a lot of clothes,
shoes and accessories while you are in the USA. Plus, you do not want to pay an
additional $100 - $400 for an extra suitcase when you return home.
Below are my top travel
hacks that have saved me a lot of money and stress:
1) The best investment
is a decent handheld luggage scale. This allows you to weigh your bags without
the struggle of trying to position your case on a body weight scale. It is also
much more accurate.
2) Roll all your clothes
instead of folding them as this takes up less space. I also put all tops that I
have rolled into Ziploc bags to save even more space and keep my suitcase
organised.
3) Ensure that your hand
luggage does not contain any liquids over the 100ml rule. I made this mistake
my first season and had to throw a lot of toiletries away.
4) Remember to pack
enough toiletries in your check-in luggage bag to get you through your first
few weeks, as toiletries are expensive in the USA.
5) Always remember to
take travel adaptor plugs so that you can still use your electronics in the USA.
6) Buy a neck pillow for
the plane - trust me, this will save your neck and back.
7) Remember to check
your luggage in to your final destination for example, Fort Lauderdale. HOWEVER,
you still need to collect your luggage at the first point of entry into the USA;
for example, JFK Airport.
8) Lastly, stick with
the returners throughout your journey, from South Africa to the United States.
It can be very stressful and confusing; however, the returners have been
through it all and can offer guidance.
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