Guatemala Mission Series: Part 1 – Travel Day
Travel days are the longest! But of course, they’re also exciting (first day of school vibes?) Volunteers from all over the US make their first flight in the morning, all meeting in Houston for our designated team flight to Guatemala in the afternoon.
Coming from the same city as our Mission Coordinator, our local group met at the airport extra early to check in the remaining trunks of medical supplies. Our Mission Coordinator, Operating Room (OR) Director, and Team Administrator worked hard throughout the past year to ensure we have what we need for a successful week. Many supplies were shipped ahead of time and/or already on site in Guatemala, so we only had to check a couple of trunks each. There was a close call with some trunks only being checked to Houston rather than all the way through to Guatemala – shout out to the United agent who caught the error in time! After breezing through security (ILY pre-check), we made it to the gate for an on-time departure. Off to a good start!
For me, the hardest part about Travel Day is the packing! As a serial procrastinator, I never seem to pack until the last second. The trickiest part for me is packing for long, multi-stop trips, particularly with strict bag requirements. Since our checked baggage is reserved for supply trunks and there is limited space in our transportation vehicles, we need to pack our personal items carry-on only. I actually love this now and converted to a diehard carry-on-only traveler. Every time I travel, I learn something new that works well or not, so I figured I’d share some insights that might save you some struggle!
Carry-On Packing Tips
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#1 Choose the right bag
This applies to both the “carry-on” luggage item and the smaller “personal item.” Check the dimensions and baggage policies for the airline(s) you’re flying, keeping in mind the dimensions include the wheels and handles (plus any overpacking stretch). Some airlines charge for a carry-on or have tiered ticket inclusions, so pay extra attention when booking your flight so you’re not surprised with unexpected fees at the gate. Also check for weight limits! Some airlines don’t overtly specify, but others specify weight limits for each item – and actually enforce them. A handheld luggage scale is a great investment to avoid surprises.
When choosing your bags, consider the logistics of your trip and whether a roller style or some type of carried bag will be most convenient. Rollers are great for streamlined travel with routine transportation (ex. airport to hotel and back), whereas a carried pack would be better for any foot travel on uneven paths (flashbacks to some turbulent dragging episodes down cobblestone/dirt roads – oops). I’ve been loving this Northface convertible duffel and my older version of this Patagonia convertible tote for a backpack/frontpack situation.
#2 Check the weather and climate
This seems pretty obvious, but the reason I specifically mention climate is because weather isn’t always predictable! I’ve purchased many sweatshirts and jackets on the go because I wasn’t expecting a coldfront, or we went on an excursion I wasn’t prepared for. For example, “Guatemala climate in June” would be a helpful search for the big picture of what gear you may need (ex. lightweight rain gear). As a general rule, layers are always a good idea. Even if I’m going to a super hot climate, I always have something warm for the plane or bus, just in case the AC is blasting.
#3 Check the laundry situation
If laundry service is available, you likely only need a few outfits – easy! If you’re packing for the whole trip, you’ll need a bit more brainpower. I find it helpful to plan outfits, and even more helpful if they’re interchangeable. I love outfits that are interchangeable in both color and function. For example, all of my activewear can be mixed and matched to create new outfits, and some of the pieces can also be used for daytime or even a casual dinner.
If you do have access to laundry services, be aware they may not be able to accommodate specific care needs, such as delicate cycle or tumble dry low. Don’t send anything for service you wouldn’t mind being dried on high heat, washed all together (lights/darks/colors), or accidentally lost. I pack a mesh laundry bag to help keep my small items together, and I bring a bit of laundry detergent in case I need to do my own sink wash (swim suits, underwear, etc.)
#4 Consider packing cubes
Don’t come at me, but I don’t actually love packing cubes for the compression to fit more (although yes, that’s a bonus). I mostly love cubes for organization, especially for trips with multiple stops. I hate unpacking and repacking at each destination, so I love being able to just throw the cubes in the drawers and throw them back in my bag when it’s time to go (or just leave them in my bag the whole time). I’m also able to keep clean clothes separate from dirty and easily see what clean items I have left. If possible, I like a cube for each of the following:
Socks/Underwear
Sleep Wear (definitely recommend an eye mask)
Active Wear
Day Wear
Shoes (to keep them separate from my clean stuff)
Trip Specific (ex. beach stuff, hiking gear, scrubs/eye protection… I love that you can easily toss this cube into a smaller pack for the day you need it)
#6 Toiletries
I do this last because it’s the bane of my existence to figure out what liquids make the cut. In general, each liquid container must be 3.4 ounces or less, and all liquids must fit inside a one-quart sealable bag for carry-on luggage. There may also be overall maximum amounts for both liquids and powders, so be sure to check your airline’s restrictions.
This is an especially hard task for me on long trips, because I have a lot of hair, use contact solution, need lots of sun protection, and I use several products for my acne-prone skin. I’m currently loving this Kitsch travel set, especially for the pouch bottles (they shrink as you use the product, making more space for repacking later). I also love the Cadence system, but they’re better for shorter trips and/or weight is not a limiting factor.
Some other tips for saving space include simplifying makeup down to one refillable palette (I’m currently using Elate), finding mini versions of tubes and brushes, converting anything you can to a bar or wipe rather than liquid, and – I’m sorry ILY electric toothbrush – brushing your teeth the good old-fashioned way! P.S. I also bring mini clippers and mini tweezers, which have been surprisingly handy and often needed by travel buddies.
Screenshot Credit: mykitsch.com
#5 Downsize
I start by cubing up everything I would like to bring. If the clothes don’t fit in the cubes or the cubes don’t fit in the bag, it’s time to downsize. Decide what’s nice to have versus need to have. Ditch anything that’s annoying (the underwear that rides up or the maybe too small pants). My goal is to have used every item by the end of the trip, without buying something new unnecessarily. Let’s be honest though – sometimes it is necessary, or you may want to pick up some gifts or souvenirs, so it’s great to leave a little extra space just in case.
#7 Keep essentials in your personal item
Sometimes you unexpectedly have to check your larger carry-on bag, so it’s best to keep your essentials in your smaller “personal item.” Things you don’t want to lose, or you’d definitely want overnight if your larger bag was lost – documents, money, electronics, toiletries, medications, snacks, water bottle, a warm layer, spare underwear… you get the idea.
#8 CYA
For the just-in-casers of the world…
I love technology, and I love that so many things are now electronic. However, reception isn’t always reliable, apps crash, batteries die… I’ve found myself in a panic when I couldn’t load my confirmation code and was already late for my flight. Save some stress by downloading, screenshotting (not a word), or printing the really important things. I’ve heard some travel nightmares of lost passports, and that having a paper copy kept in a different place from your real passport can be a lifesaver. It’s also good to have some cash on hand, and even better if you can convert currency ahead of time for international travel.
Side note – if you’re traveling out of the country, your normal health insurance may not cover medical events on your trip. You may want to consider Travel Insurance to CYA , which may include medical visits, trip cancellations, extraction costs, etc… You know, just in case. It’s a good idea to have emergency contact info written down in case your phone isn’t an option, and share your general travel plans with that person before you head out.
Thanks so much!
I hope you found something helpful, and I’d love to hear your favorite travel tips and gear as well! Stay tuned for more updates from our Guatemala surgery mission. Safe travels!