More Travel Tips

Before You Leave
-Make sure you have all your paperwork in order.
-Call your credit card companies and notify them of your itinerary.
-Use a travel wallet for easy access to your tickets, passport, and money.
-Leave a copy of your entire documentation packet with a reliable source at home.
-Wash and prepare baby clothes and bedding for when you return from China.
-Start drinking extra water about 2 weeks prior to your flight day.
-Get to bed early all week before you leave.

Flights
-Wear comfortable clothes!
-Get up, move around and stretch your legs at least once per hour.
-Wear shoes that are a little loose in case your feet swell, which they will do unless you drink lots of water and wear flight socks, available at http://www.travelsmith.com/.
-Keep your skin, eyes and lips well hydrated throughout the flight.
-Try and get as much sleep as you can.
-Don't overeat on the plane.
-Keep your seatbelt fastened whenever you are in your seat.

In China
-Whenever you are in China and getting on a flight, you must fill out these little white cards before you get in the Customs lines. Also, have your passport ready to show and your airline ticket while in the airports.
-The air pollution is quite heavy and if you have asthma, take your inhaler with you.
-Always, always take kleenex, or some sort of paper with you when out of your hotel room. You will need it if you have to use a bathroom outside of your hotel room.
-Be prepared to squat! You will build up your squatter's muscles in your legs faster than you ever thought possible! Don't worry, it gets much easier after a couple of days!
-Whenever possible, let the hotels or little shops outside of the big hotels do your laundry for you. You will be very happy you did. They do great laundry in China! None of my stuff shrunk either.
-Get your hair washed, get a body massage, and get a foot massage! They cost about $5.00 for an hour! You won't find these great rates in the big hotels though. Ask your guides for recommendations!