I suppose I’ve talked about how much I’d like to travel, and I’ve been thinking about how much I detest flying. Lately, I’ve been paying more attention to a couple of facts. Hubby likes to fly places and he gets seasick. What do these two things have in common with my desire to travel airline free?

It’s simple.  If I get my way and go by sea to Hawaii, for instance, then in order to travel with me, Hubby would be forced to live on juice and anti-nausea medication. I’ve suggested he try those anti-nausea wrist bands that people claim prevent seasickness, but he does not believe they will work for him.
  Before we get into whether or not Hubby is taking this stance to convince me flying is the only option, I would like to consider if it would be better to fly, hence get there faster. Perhaps there is a way to deal with my main reasons for not wanting to fly, which are being stranded by the airline along with their consistent capacity to lose my luggage.
  Being stranded is either a dreadful problem or a great opportunity. I suppose it depends how you look at it that matters. For instance, if you are left sitting at an airport you could use the time to explore how one actually can sleep in those uncomfortable chairs normally provided for waiting.

Due to some long hours by bus, I have discovered a method of being able to sleep sitting up. To sleep in a chair you need a neck pillow to keep your head from bobbing around. You can buy an inflatable travel pillow and squeeze one into your purse or skimpy luggage. You also need something to help you feel secure. This can be a pillow or something pillow-like to hold on your lap. This will keep your hands busy and reduce the possibility that you may fling your arms out while sleeping, thereby striking a fellow airline strandee, in that way ending your own sound sleep.
  There is no issue in finding something to hold in your lap. A smart traveler will be wearing layers of clothing, to prevent them being lost in the luggage check. You can remove a few clothes and stuff a t-shirt to make a pillow.
  No doubt you will be clutching a carry-on case and a purse, or man bag, if you are a gentleman carrying a purse. A smart traveler will keep these on his/her person at all times so select soft, expanding cases, since you may be sleeping in the airport a long time.
  Naturally, except for the items stuffed in your t-shirt pillow, your bags will be firmly attached to you with carry straps. Try to avoid placing them around your neck, but do keep the straps around your body to prevent an eager airline employee, from the luggage department, getting his/her hands on your luggage. If they do you may not see it again until after you have purchased replacement items.
  Getting ready to travel by air means a bit of practice. For instance, you might want to see how long you can go wearing the same clothes. If you can pack everything you need into one bag and make that bag a padded, soft-side bag, of an allowable carry-on size, you will sleep soundly, secure in the knowledge that when you awake your gear will still be available to you.

Be sure to have a package of nuts in your purse or man bag. They are high calorie and will keep you from starvation, while you await the return of your flight. They will also provide you with something to bribe the local wildlife should you be asked to vacate the terminal whilst awaiting your delayed flight and status return to "onboard and going somewhere".
  Yes, I am seriously considering flying, and that means learning to pack more carefully and also to accept wearing the same outfit in all my travel photos, including the same hat. Worse yet, it may mean wearing my clothes for several days without being able to wash them. Yet, if I shop intelligently, perhaps I can get some quick drying nylon material and a stylish overcoat and learn to love my folding hat.

Since arrival to Dawson Creek in 1960, Margo Hannah plants, paints and ponders.