Hi all! It's Kaitlin Hawayek here again!
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I recently just got back from a whirlwind of travel, first to Hiroshima, Japan where Jean-Luc and I earned our very first Grand Prix gold medal and after that to Grenoble, France
where we earned our "golden ticket" to the Grand Prix Final in Vancouver, Canada.
As the holidays approach for all of you, and
as the Grand Prix season wraps up for myself, I thought it would be the perfect time to share some of my best tips for traveling! As a seasoned veteran on Team USA, this is my eighth season
traveling internationally with U.S. Figure Skating, and it's safe to say I've learned a few things over the years. Whether you're taking a vacation to escape the winter blues or going home to visit family, hopefully these tips will help you travel a bit easier!
Kaitlin's Guide to Traveling Like a Pro
- Make a packing list.
As someone who is notorious for forgetting that one thing (or two, or three) when traveling to competitions, I have found it incredibly helpful to grab a notepad and jot down the items I know I need to bring with me a few days before leaving. That way when I start packing, I can go down the list one by one and make sure it goes in my bag and isn't left at home on the Island of Misfit Toys.
- Invest in packing cubes for your luggage.
These guys give you just a little extra space in your luggage, so you can pack that extra ugly Christmas sweater we all need to travel with for the holidays. All jokes aside though, I also love using them because I can organize what goes into them, so pants/bottoms can go into one cube, tops into another, socks and undergarments in one, etc. This takes out the necessity of ripping through all of your clothes because you can't find that one item all the way at the bottom of your suitcase.
- Bring a small candle with you if your holidays include a stay at a hotel.
I love bringing a mini version of one of my favorite candles with me because it makes a standard hotel room a bit homier. Especially for skaters who often spend time in hotel rooms during their competition, having a familiar cozy scent can bring a nice calm atmosphere.
- Always give yourself 2 hours (+ travel time to the airport) when traveling internationally.
Generally, boarding for larger international flights can start anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour before the departure time, and especially with the holidays being a busy time of year to travel, check-in and security lines can be tedious. Better to be safe than sorry, so give yourself that extra half-hour to start your trip without a sprint across the airport!
- Bring some healthy snacks in your carry-on or grab a meal in the airport before taking off.
Airplane food is guaranteed to be full of sodium, and it's safe to assume it's not the healthiest either. Usually, I like to try to find a healthier alternative at the airport before boarding, and bring some pre-packaged food such as nuts or dried edamame for a mid-flight snack.
- Pre-hydrate.
Not only is it important to drink lots of water while traveling, but your hydration in the days before leaving is equally, if not more, important. Increasing your water intake several days before your flight will help you from arriving feeling excessively tired and dehydrated.
- Bring a good old-fashioned pair of corded headphones with you.
Despite the rest of the world transitioning to a cordless Bluetooth-connected society, the flights that are equipped with a TV screen aren't equipped with Bluetooth technology just yet. Some airlines provide headphones, but they usually aren't the highest quality and often times, the audio is muddled and unclear. If you have an old pair of iPod headphones sitting around, pack 'em up!
- Learn a bit of the language of your destination.
If you're staying local for the holidays, you're in the clear! But if you're traveling to a foreign country, I always suggest learning some important words and phrases of their language. As an athlete, I think it is important to be able to express gratitude to the local volunteers, organizing committees and fans of the countries we compete in, so one phrase I always learn is "thank you."
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Hopefully these tips will help make your travel this upcoming holiday season and new year a bit smoother and stress-free! As for me, I'm headed home after an incredible first senior Grand Prix Final experience! Talk to you next time!
