Rehearsing for travel ... playing what if

No matter if I'm sleeping or awake, I'm playing the what-if game as I get ready to travel to the Philippines. As a North American, I'm allowed two checked-in bags at no more than 70 pounds each. According to Cathay Pacific, all persons except those from the Americas (both continents) are allowed only 44 pounds in each bag if they're traveling economy, as I am. However, there's no maximum on the number of bags they can check in.

My initial thoughts went something like, "Wow, that's great! I surely can't handle more than two checked-in bags by myself, and I can stuff them full!" How funny that thought seems to me now, as I have realized, after packing and repacking several times, that 70 pounds feels like 70 pounds no matter how you distribute it in the luggage. And 70 pounds is too much for me to lift more than a few inches off the floor, using both hands and all my newly developed core strength. All those years of carrying five grocery bags on each arm has only a little residual years later, even after my last 6 months of working out with a trainer.

Playing what-if is a good thing because it helps me plan ahead.

What if I can't lift those bags off the luggage delivery system and get them through customs? That question took me on a search for PH pesos. I had to go to the bank, anyway, so I could have some USD to carry, so I asked about foreign currency. I found that I can get it from my bank, but I need to order it in advance. Too late for that. The teller told me about a new currency exchange place at North County Fair; but, alas, when I got there, I learned that you must order in advance from them, too. However, now I know the place exists, and it will be very convenient for exchanging any PHP I bring back with me. Their rates are supposed to be pretty good. So, plan foiled, but my knowledge is increased. Check!

The next question, then, is what if I can't get PHP at the airport before I arrive in Cebu, and the answer is to use USD for a tip for the porter, hoping that's acceptable. Mavash says her custom is to use USD and it seems to work well. Checking my wallet, I found that I had very few smaller denominations ($10 or less), and what I had was pretty shabby. Lauren exchanged some bills with me this morning. Check!

What if there's fog in San Diego tonight and my commuter flight can't leave on time, making me late for my flight out of LAX? I guess I can't do anything about that one. I have to put that one in the uncontrollable event list.

What if I can't find my way from terminal 8 at LAX to Tom Bradley? The solution is to get on the Internet and find a map of LAX, then read and study the system so I'll know which bus to catch. Check!

What if United doesn't check my bags through from San Diego to Cebu? That means LAX might be a problem. I need to make sure I have USD in the right size bills to pay a porter on both ends of my LAX transfer - arriving from San Diego and departing to Hong Kong. The wallet looks ok for that one. Check!

What if sitting that long time, from LAX to Hong Kong, (15+ hours) is too much for my posterior - even with frequent ups and downs from my seat? So I modified a soft pillow to create a travel size and stuck it in my carry-on. I can sit on that and it will help change the pressure points. That, and special socks to keep my legs compressed to prevent swelling, should help alleviate the legs-hanging-down-from-the-seat problem. Physical resilience is a fond memory, not a reality. Check!

What if, what if, what if. I've even rehearsed what I want to do while I'm there and mentally checked off the contents of my over-stuffed luggage - books to enjoy with Erica, coloring books, fabric for little girl clothes (with patterns) or a four-year-old sized quilt - or maybe both; threads, elastics; needlework for me to keep my hands busy; books that Donna, Amanda, and I might like to read; an origami book plus plenty of nice paper for folding, along with glue sticks, scissors, pencils; nice lotions and shampoos to leave with Donna; small presents for everyone; vitamins and some of my special foods (things I can't buy there) that help to keep me healthy - oh, and yes, clothes for me! My hope is that I have packed well enough that I will be able to return with my smaller checked-in bag nested in my larger one.

Traveling in the RV has spoiled me. Just throw it in back packs or plastic storage containers and take off. Stop at Wal-Mart (our Wal-Mart Rand McNally points out ALL Wal-Marts close to the freeway) and pick up what we forgot. Store unneeded things in the "basement" of the coach. Any travel in the U.S. is simple, by comparison. Everything is familiar, no matter where you are. Use the cell phone to keep in touch. Ask questions when you're unsure of something. Piece of cake!

I'm excited. Playing what-if prepares me; and by the time I get on that first plane this evening, I think I'll be satisfied with the things I can and can't control. I've done what I can now, and I'm ready to go!