My main long haul travel tip is to refrain from eating on long-haul flights. It helps with jet lag SO MUCH because your digestion is tied so closely to circadian rhythm. I worked in Poland for a year while living in NYC so A/B tested this as I went back and forth. Then as a bonus you don't need to worry about packing airplane food. I think the recommended fasting duration is 18 hours.
My other main travel insight....is to stay home. I had a dream job in my 20s where I got to travel the world, stay in Airbnbs, and get taken around to the local haunts by friendly locals. It was truly amazing. And then as I got older I'd start yearning for Portland wherever I was. I remember looking out at Lake Como and missing my favorite restaurants back home. That's when I knew I was ready to close the door on my travel life (for a while). Study after study shows that the key to happiness in life is your community and relationships. And leaving home to go spend time in places you'll never/rarely return does not lend itself to deep relationships. Like you, I get clarity and creative insights when I'm away from home, but I'm realizing I don't need to go very far to achieve this (an overnight stay in Sisters, OR was revelatory for me postpartum).
I clearly need to write a post about this because I keep finding opportunities to rant about it in Notes and Comments around the Substackverse. It's something I'm thinking a lot about, especially in light of the recent flareup of overtourtism news (not a new phenomenon sadly!).
If I were to travel, I'd set up shop somewhere and stay longer, just like you're doing -- I don't like visiting nearly as much as I like living in a place. Routines are grounding. Enjoy the rest of your stay, and Portland will welcome you back with open arms!
Thank you so much for this, Rebecca— both the fasting tip and for your reflection. Your former job sounds amazing, and also, at this point in my life, I completely get why it eventually affected you the way it did. (And yes! Write a post about this!) I’m enjoying this trip, but I’m with you. xo!
My best travel hack for women, especially for those of us pelvic floors that are, ahem, not as strong as they used to be, is panty liners. They extend the time between washings of any pants, jeans or leggings, can help keep things a bit fresher on a long haul flight ( without needing to fully climb out of my clothes in a plane loo) and in a pinch, can let me wear undies a second time if desperate.
I think the best advice I took when going to Paris recently was to pack everything in a carry-on and do laundry midway. It was an adventure to use a French laundromat, and I certainly didn’t mind taking 90 minutes to sit and read a good book in the late afternoon, after being on the go all morning. And, freshly washed clothes. Ahhh. (Surprise benefit was the laundromat in Paris has a machine to pay, where you insert a 20 Euro note and get back 19 in small change… I was forever looking for a way to break my larger euros!)
I can so relate to hard travel that I thought would be expansive and transformative. I can also imagine that finding gluten free choices in the pasta capital of the world would be challenging. At least you look adorable in that bathing cap, and isn't that what's really important? 🤣
While I do agree with the saying "That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger" most people don't remember the next line is "But first it will bring you to your knees."
Feel free to reach out if you ever need a hand to lift you up in NYC (we've got plenty of gluten free everything here). Sending you strong WiFi vibes, XO Amy
You are in Italy and can’t have dairy or gluten??!! 😂 That’s just wrong. I feel for you. I broke the rules and ate chocolate croissants and gelato in France years back. I couldn’t not. I said I’d rather suffer the consequences of my digression. They weren’t as bad as I thought.
Great to hear from you Emily. You look happy and rested in your picture. I love travelling, but I’m with you. There’s no place like home. That’s why these trips are always good to do. The feeling of coming home to your own bed is the best! Have fun. Xo
Thank you Kim! I tried the chocolate croissant thing in France in 2018 and I got so sick, gah! In Sicily it’s actually turning out to be a lot easier, which is great. We’re in Airbnbs, so making lots of meals at home too. Making it work!
I hope you have the best time. You look wonderful! Amazing gluten free pasta agrees with you!
Lots of your travel tips are new to me, but others I have variations on already in my arsenal! Since the first time I went to Italy (in 2013) I've been looking for ways to go back. Went in 2018 after taking Italian lessons with my now husband, and was supposed to go in March 2020. Haven't made it back yet, but my dream is to go there for a while and just be.
Also, your mother's work and artistry -- incredible! As is yours. 🩵
I always bring gluten-free oatmeal packets for long plane ridesand then ask for hot water because #airplanefood 🤢Would love to hear what others bring for healthy-ish food on the plane - especially super long flights. I’m always looking for ideas
Not sure if this is of wide interest or not, but I would love to hear how you’re doing on the autoimmune diet. I assume this is no dairy, sugar or gluten? I need to do it, but it’s so restrictive that I have trouble finding anything to eat, your post here is a good start!
Aww, man. I remember that highway cappuccino from a trip I took in college back in 2001! We had all of five minutes off the bus to stop, so I drank about three scalding sips, pocketed the dark chocolate square, and sadly left a mostly-full and still steaming ceramic cup on the counter … to the chagrin of myself and the older gentlemen sitting nearby with their newspapers. To this day, I remember with slight guilt that delicious beverage I had to leave too soon! 😆
Emily, as you know, I have been to Italy many times and love it so much but I understand that travel can also be exhausting and when you have Health problems, even more!
I really appreciate your realistic view point and not just the glamorous Italians & delicious gelato and food that everybody raves about when visiting Italy.
I haven’t been to the Dolomites - have a wonderful time!
Thanks for the tips too… the sleeping bag and small puffy jacket, airplane slippers.
My main long haul travel tip is to refrain from eating on long-haul flights. It helps with jet lag SO MUCH because your digestion is tied so closely to circadian rhythm. I worked in Poland for a year while living in NYC so A/B tested this as I went back and forth. Then as a bonus you don't need to worry about packing airplane food. I think the recommended fasting duration is 18 hours.
My other main travel insight....is to stay home. I had a dream job in my 20s where I got to travel the world, stay in Airbnbs, and get taken around to the local haunts by friendly locals. It was truly amazing. And then as I got older I'd start yearning for Portland wherever I was. I remember looking out at Lake Como and missing my favorite restaurants back home. That's when I knew I was ready to close the door on my travel life (for a while). Study after study shows that the key to happiness in life is your community and relationships. And leaving home to go spend time in places you'll never/rarely return does not lend itself to deep relationships. Like you, I get clarity and creative insights when I'm away from home, but I'm realizing I don't need to go very far to achieve this (an overnight stay in Sisters, OR was revelatory for me postpartum).
I clearly need to write a post about this because I keep finding opportunities to rant about it in Notes and Comments around the Substackverse. It's something I'm thinking a lot about, especially in light of the recent flareup of overtourtism news (not a new phenomenon sadly!).
If I were to travel, I'd set up shop somewhere and stay longer, just like you're doing -- I don't like visiting nearly as much as I like living in a place. Routines are grounding. Enjoy the rest of your stay, and Portland will welcome you back with open arms!
Thank you so much for this, Rebecca— both the fasting tip and for your reflection. Your former job sounds amazing, and also, at this point in my life, I completely get why it eventually affected you the way it did. (And yes! Write a post about this!) I’m enjoying this trip, but I’m with you. xo!
My best travel hack for women, especially for those of us pelvic floors that are, ahem, not as strong as they used to be, is panty liners. They extend the time between washings of any pants, jeans or leggings, can help keep things a bit fresher on a long haul flight ( without needing to fully climb out of my clothes in a plane loo) and in a pinch, can let me wear undies a second time if desperate.
Sam this is SUCH a good one!!!
Also, pre-load your kindle with more library books than you can imagine reading, then turn off the WiFi on the device so they don’t expire
I think the best advice I took when going to Paris recently was to pack everything in a carry-on and do laundry midway. It was an adventure to use a French laundromat, and I certainly didn’t mind taking 90 minutes to sit and read a good book in the late afternoon, after being on the go all morning. And, freshly washed clothes. Ahhh. (Surprise benefit was the laundromat in Paris has a machine to pay, where you insert a 20 Euro note and get back 19 in small change… I was forever looking for a way to break my larger euros!)
Ha, as I type this Daniel is sitting next to me looking for a local laundromat. :)
I can so relate to hard travel that I thought would be expansive and transformative. I can also imagine that finding gluten free choices in the pasta capital of the world would be challenging. At least you look adorable in that bathing cap, and isn't that what's really important? 🤣
While I do agree with the saying "That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger" most people don't remember the next line is "But first it will bring you to your knees."
Feel free to reach out if you ever need a hand to lift you up in NYC (we've got plenty of gluten free everything here). Sending you strong WiFi vibes, XO Amy
Thank you Amy! ❤️❤️❤️
You are in Italy and can’t have dairy or gluten??!! 😂 That’s just wrong. I feel for you. I broke the rules and ate chocolate croissants and gelato in France years back. I couldn’t not. I said I’d rather suffer the consequences of my digression. They weren’t as bad as I thought.
Great to hear from you Emily. You look happy and rested in your picture. I love travelling, but I’m with you. There’s no place like home. That’s why these trips are always good to do. The feeling of coming home to your own bed is the best! Have fun. Xo
Thank you Kim! I tried the chocolate croissant thing in France in 2018 and I got so sick, gah! In Sicily it’s actually turning out to be a lot easier, which is great. We’re in Airbnbs, so making lots of meals at home too. Making it work!
I hope you have the best time. You look wonderful! Amazing gluten free pasta agrees with you!
Lots of your travel tips are new to me, but others I have variations on already in my arsenal! Since the first time I went to Italy (in 2013) I've been looking for ways to go back. Went in 2018 after taking Italian lessons with my now husband, and was supposed to go in March 2020. Haven't made it back yet, but my dream is to go there for a while and just be.
Also, your mother's work and artistry -- incredible! As is yours. 🩵
Thank you Deb! You’ll make it back… love your plan of just being. 🥰
I always bring gluten-free oatmeal packets for long plane ridesand then ask for hot water because #airplanefood 🤢Would love to hear what others bring for healthy-ish food on the plane - especially super long flights. I’m always looking for ideas
I bring various kinds of GF bars, miso soup packets, cashews, seaweed snacks, dried fruit. So dumb that hummus is considered a liquid!
Not sure if this is of wide interest or not, but I would love to hear how you’re doing on the autoimmune diet. I assume this is no dairy, sugar or gluten? I need to do it, but it’s so restrictive that I have trouble finding anything to eat, your post here is a good start!
Oh these are all great ideas - Thank you!
I giggled at your subtitle! So great the WAPO is running your piece.
Thanks Jolene!
A vibrant read! Enjoy yourself dear Emily. Best of luck solving the challenges that come your way. Sending heaps of hugs and best wishes. 🤗🤗
Thank you Beth! xox
Aww, man. I remember that highway cappuccino from a trip I took in college back in 2001! We had all of five minutes off the bus to stop, so I drank about three scalding sips, pocketed the dark chocolate square, and sadly left a mostly-full and still steaming ceramic cup on the counter … to the chagrin of myself and the older gentlemen sitting nearby with their newspapers. To this day, I remember with slight guilt that delicious beverage I had to leave too soon! 😆
Ha! This moment took me back to basically every bus trip I’ve ever taken. Never enough time!
Enjoy!
Thank you Andrea!
Emily, as you know, I have been to Italy many times and love it so much but I understand that travel can also be exhausting and when you have Health problems, even more!
I really appreciate your realistic view point and not just the glamorous Italians & delicious gelato and food that everybody raves about when visiting Italy.
I haven’t been to the Dolomites - have a wonderful time!
Thanks for the tips too… the sleeping bag and small puffy jacket, airplane slippers.
Ciao!!