Travel Advice from Dad

On packing: if you have your ticket, your passport, and a credit card, you can deal with anything else you’ve forgotten. (We almost messed up on this one – Mike got cash yesterday and managed to forget his card in the ATM. He realized this about an hour before we had to leave for the airport. Fortunately, the ATM was at our bank branch, and they had it at the desk – we swung by in the taxi on the way to the airport.)

On not packing: If the revolution comes, do not return to the hotel for your luggage. Just get out. (This advice was originally delivered before my trip to Russia in college. It is unlikely that the revolution will come to Munich while we’re there.)

On getting to the airport: Be there two hours ahead for international flights. It’s not such a big deal to miss a plane these days, I suppose, but Dad missed a flight out of Chile in the ‘60s, and had to wait two days for the next one. Meanwhile, his family didn’t know where he was and the CIA was out looking for him!

On beverages: Ginger ale is a good airplane drink. No caffeine to dehydrate you, and the ginger is good for possibly upset stomachs.

On cultural preparation: Before going to Russia, one must watch Dr. Strangelove. Before going to college, one must watch Animal House. (We have perhaps fallen down on the job on this one as well. Does watching Conspiracy count?)

On international non-cooperation: Carry no packages for Akhmed.

Travel advice from Mike:

On pastries: it’s nice to have a cinnamon toll or Danish or lemon poppyseed muffin to get you through a trans-Atlantic flight. Unfortunately, Terminal E gate 26 is not close to anyone who sells these items. There were supposed to not one but two Starbucks nearby but I couldn’t find either one.