Don't Forget to Pack This One Thing for Summer Trips

There are a lot of things you should pack for your summer travels, like sunscreen and shorts and your bathing suit, but there's one thing that's much more important than anything else to a successful trip: your patience. Yes, this sounds like I'm telling you that summer travel will be annoying, and, shockingly, I am. 

How do I know? Because Summer travel is always annoying. There are too many people everywhere, things cost more than usual, traffic is bad, and there are kids everywhere. (No offense to kids. I could say the same about drunk adults or incredibly rude people.) Know that things are going to be challenging and plan for it ahead of time.

If you're flying, then get to the airport early, even if you have Precheck or Global Entry. If you haven't booked your flights yet, you need to get on it ASAP. Try to book the earliest flight in the day that you can afford, so you may sidestep the worst of the delays that start in earnest in the afternoons. 

Speaking of, there are still staff shortages at all the airlines and at the airport, so delays and cancellations will happen. Generally, flights get overbooked, which makes travel in the summer rougher than usual, because most flights are at full capacity and getting bumped is more common than the rest of the year. Check in with your flight as soon as you're allowed (I always have the airline app on my phone, so I get a push notification to remind me when check-in is open, and I can do it quickly and easily, no matter where I am).

This is another reason to get to the airport early. You don't want to be the last person through security for your flight, because the odds of you getting bumped are much higher then. Build in extra time to get there and have entertainment to keep you busy, or plan on getting a meal post-security or using other amenities, like a yoga room, movies, or looking at art. 

Pack light, so the possibility of your bag not getting to your destination with you drops to nearly zero. Not only will you save time and money, but if you get delayed or your flight gets cancelled or rerouted, you have all your belongings with you. There's nothing worse than having to spend the night somewhere and not having an extra change of clothes, toiletries, or other necessities when you need them. 

Invest in travel insurance or check your coverage through your credit cards. Things happen and it's not always optimal. If your travel gets cancelled or you lose days due to a delay, you should be covered.

The plane hasn't even stopped, but there's a line to get off. *sigh*

Let's circle back to patience. Though all of the above things will require it, try to keep your composure and stay chill. Travel can be stressful for a lot of people and when things change, it makes it worse. Remember that it's not the airline crew and gate agents' fault when things go wrong or are delayed. Be nice when you ask them to help you rebook or change seats or whatever else. People are rude to them all day for just doing their job, please don't make it harder on them. 

So, yes, things will take longer, cost more, and be generally more annoying, but knowing that ahead of time and planning for it can help you relax and travel better. Even with the crew shortages and fewer flights to choose from over the last few years, my travels have been fairly normal and all the big annoying things have been things out of my control and have still worked out in the end. Breathing through it and not overreacting, even when I feel like it, is always the best choice.

Once you make it through the airport and get to your destination, annoying things may continue when you have to wait in lines for attractions or get your rental car or visit a museum. So, patience - don't leave home without it!

How do you try to keep your travel days from getting the better of you?

Live Your Bridgerton Dreams

If, like much of America, you have gotten caught up in the gossip and drama of Bridgerton - the period series about well-to-do British families with amazing instrumental covers of modern pop songs - then you might also be loving all the filming locations featured in the show. I know I am. Everything is so vibrant and gorgeous that it makes me want to put on a poufy floral gown and stroll the countryside. Here are 7 filming locations where you can indulge your own Bridgerton dreams:

Even if you aren't interested in walking in the dainty steps of this amazing show, this would still make an amazing visit to England, full of pretty affordable activities and beautiful backdrops to take some truly spectacular photos, sure to make all your IG followers jealous of your fancy travel life.

Are you watching (and loving) the new season of Bridgerton? I'm so happy we're finally seeing Penny's story, along with some new flattering looks for her. 

Celebrating the Achievements and History of Asian Americans

Our country is a melting pot of culture and that's what makes it the amazing place that it is to live in and visit. While not all history is great history, it is still important and can really help you learn why we do things we do, because tradition comes from somewhere, and oftentimes it comes from immigrants or those that came to this country through slavery. Just like Europeans took this land from the Natives, they also took their cultures, language, foods, and music as their own.

Now, maybe that sounds depressing, but it is also wonderful to learn where each thing came from and to celebrate those that created the things we enjoy. Also, think about how bland our food would be without spices that came from other places or how boring our music would be without any outside influence. This month is all about Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage, so here are some things you can do to learn more of it:

Visit a museum in person or virtually
A lot of museums are showcasing AAPI artists. Sometimes, art can really speak to you about an artist and their life. Here are a few exhibitions that you can view in the coming months. If you can't travel right now, there are some museums that offer virtual tours:

• Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, CA
• Wing Luke Museum in Seattle, WA
• Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, DC
• Museum of Chinese in America in New York, NY

Look for local festivals

So many large cities have festivals throughout the year, many of which are a celebration of different ethnicities. Check listings in your city to see if you have a lantern lighting or a dance troupe or a market before the end of the month. Of course, I recommend engaging with the community all year long, because you will only be better for it and learn some cool things.

Support AAPI businesses

I'm really lucky that where I live, right outside of Portland, a ton of Asian-owned businesses have popped up. I frequent several Asian- and woman-owned coffeeshops, eat at many Asian-owned restaurants, and have access to some wonderful Asian-owned shops. Check out LA's Thai Night Market. Another way you can do this is by shopping for travel goods from some great companies:

• Calpak - Luggage and other bags
• Lo & Sons - Carry-on totes
• Copper Cow Coffee - Pour-over coffees for those on the go
• Cadence - Travel containers for your toiletry bag
• Tatcha - Skincare inspired by Japanese beauty methods
• Tower 28 - Makeup and beauty items that are made for everyone, but specifically for those with eczema
• Serenity Organizers - Tray or seat organizers to make your flights less annoying

Listen to Asian-American podcasts

I listen to a lot of different podcasts, from educational, to political, to real game play. Sometimes I will stumble upon some gems through other podcasts that I wouldn't otherwise have listened to. If you're looking for some new ones to broaden your horizons, check these out:

• They Call Us Bruce - Hosts Jeff Yang and Phil Yu present They Call Us Bruce, an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America.
• Asian America: The Ken Fong Podcast - Ken Fong gets to the heart of Asian American culture, history, and spirituality. Through interviews with culture-makers and -shapers in the Asian American community -- some you know, others you've never heard of before -- prepare to laugh, cry, and be amazed.
• The Asian American Athlete - The Asian American Athlete is a podcast that celebrates Asian American athletes and Asian Americans in the sports world.
• Worst Asian Podcast - A comedy podcast hosted by a couple Asian American millennial best friends. We have fun chatting about what it means to be Asian including what's trending in relevant Asian news, society, culture, lifestyle, comedy, movies, entertainment, and everything else in between.
• But Where Are You Really From? - Hosts and life-long best friends Angela Lin and Jesse Lin explore their identities as Asian-Americans through the lens of their first-generation upbringings and how those influences have shaped how they see the world and their place in it.
• Asian Enough - In this podcast from the L.A. Times, hosts Jen Yamato and Frank Shyong chat with celebrities about the joys and complexities of being Asian American, and invite their guests to share personal stories and unpack identity on their own terms.

Now, finish out your May strong and a little smarter about the world around us. Maybe you can also start planning a trip somewhere you've learned about. I'm hoping to get to Japan in the next 5 years. What Asian countries are you planning to travel to?

Support Shereen Travels Cheap by using the links in my posts to shop. I receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) so I can continue to create helpful free content. I earn from qualifying purchases made to the featured retailers. Thank you. I appreciate your support!