Give Yourself Mental Challenges

Much of a long drive is staring at open road for long stretches of time. It’s boring and can dull your senses. Mix things up from time to time with these little exercises.

• Change lanes every so often. Such a menial task may seem pointless but will get your mind off of autopilot for a moment. It’s also a good way to check how tired you are. If that lane change is more difficult than it should be (like taking forever to get the car over or within the new lane) it’s evidence you need a break, no matter where you are in the driving segment.

• Use your bladder. Mark H left an excellent tip in the comments yesterday about using your bladder to keep yourself alert. I mentioned yesterday that you should limit yourself to 8 oz. of liquid during the first 100 miles of a trip segment, but as the drive wears on increasing your water intake can help you stay awake. You’ll be taking a few more bathroom breaks as you get closer to your destination but you’ll probably need it as you go on.

• Don’t stare at the lines on the road. Staring at the lane dividers and solid lines along the roadside has the same effect on your mind as hypnosis. It’s dangerous and can make take you out of consciously being aware of your surroundings. Read license plates or try to remember the name of your high school math teachers to jolt your mind into action.

• Avoid cruise control. A great feature of most modern cars, cruise control is something you want to avoid on long solid stretches of road when you’re reaching for mental challenges. Force your mind to take conscious action.

Your efficient brain will check itself out of consciousness and start daydreaming. If you find yourself falling into this state, pull over for 5-15 minutes and take advantage of daydreaming to make use of this creative peak (write down your ideas!) or take a 20 minute nap to improve your response time. Keeping the temperature low will also make you less drowsy and more alert.

Be Silly

As UpTake suggests, sing loudly if you’re driving alone or shout for a moment or two. You can also make the drive a more interesting part of your travels and keep your mind occupied by taking Randomn3ss’ advice and looking for photo opportunities to drive 1,000 miles or more in a day.

Talk A Lot

If you’re lucky enough to be traveling with a partner, talk their ears off or get on your mobile if the laws and conditions allow for it. Have your partner or good friend on the phone jot down some travel blog ideas or things you’d like to do at your destination. You’ve got plenty of time on your hands and a long drive is a good time to let the ideas roll.

Check Your Ego At The Door

I used to fight fatigue and sleep mercilessly driving through the night to get to my next destination in as little time as possible. While I was racing against the clock, it was really my ego that was driving me. Ultimately your body is always in control and it’s better to pull over and sleep rather than risk an accident. Sleepy drivers cause more than 2 million accidents in the US alone each year and driving sleepy may be as bad as driving drunk.

The best way to drive 2,250 kilometers in a day is not getting hurt or killed along the way. Enjoy the ride and rest as needed so you get to your destination in one piece and feeling refreshed.

[photos by: greetheory., powerbooktrance, PhotoDu.de, AJamison, themaxsons, zoomar]

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Related posts:

• The Quick and Painless Ways To Drive 2,250 Kilometers In A Day: Part 1
• Quick Things To Post On Your Travel Blog When You’re Traveling Too Much To Write
• Quiet Ways To Beat Shady Taxi Drivers [Part 2 of 2]

Dress Appropriately

Wear loose clothing so your skin and muscles don’t get irritated and to prevent the restriction of blood flow. Same as when you’re flying, traveling for more than 4 hours at a time increases your risk of blood clots (for up to 4 weeks). Make it easier on your body by giving it as much room to breathe as possible. Wear loose socks as well since the blood supply to and from the legs is affected most.

Caffeine, Snacks, and More Caffeine

Ideally you want to drive in segments of about 500km (~300 miles) depending on how fast you’re driving. (Here’s how to avoid a speeding ticket just in case.) Pick your driving segments according to your bladder and ability to concentrate and stick with it. Limit yourself to 8 oz. of caffeinated beverage for the first 100 mile segment so you’re not pulling over early to go to the bathroom.

Also, you’ll be better able to drive further if your car is stocked with high fiber snacks (apricots, almonds, etc.) which will fill you up without insulin fatiguing you after you eat.

Set The Trip Counter To Zero

Head over to a gas station, fill your tank full and reset the trip counter. While you should listen to your body (as you fatigue or get bored) you’ll find it easier to have a 500km segment goal to make a long trip seem shorter. It’s all about getting into the flow of each segment and not stopping in the middle of any of them. Make each stop a gas, bathroom, stretch, and go. You can cover a lot of ground this way, especially towards the end when you’re concentration is starting to fade.

Use Your Body Clock

The best time to drive is when there’s nobody else on the road which is generally in the middle of the night, conflicting with your normal human circadian rhythms. You want to free yourself from the mental wear of having to stop, go, and deal with other drivers (who don’t drive as well as you, of course).

If you’re normally a morning person, active and alert during the day shift your body clock with peanuts to get up a few hours earlier when the roads are clear. Night owls can do the same, except by leaving after the night rush, if there is one.

Now For The Actual Driving

Preparation is easy and breaking your trip down into manageable segments isn’t too difficult either…at first. Hours on the road will begin to take their toll, your eyes will get hazy, and you’ll want to stop more and more frequently. Tomorrow I’ll give you my tricks from the road to keep you alert and safe while at the same time being as lazy as possible.

[photos by: BottleLeaf, libraryman, !*S4N7Y*!]

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For personal updates, highlights from recent posts, and stories and pictures that don't always make it to my blog check out my bimonthly newsletter.

Related posts:

• Common Sense Advice On Handling Most Joint Injuries On Your Own – [Part 2 of 2]
• Quiet Ways To Beat Shady Taxi Drivers [Part 1 of 2]
• Quick Things To Post On Your Travel Blog When You’re Traveling Too Much To Write

I’m happy to say sales of the eBook were able to help fund micro-loans for 16 entrepreneurs around the world. If you haven’t heard of Kiva or know what micro-finance is I suggest you check out Kiva.org, a fantastic organization.

As a thank you for everyone’s support I’m having a sale on the eBook from now until the end of the year. You can download a copy if you haven’t already for $8.00.

Whether you’re still stuck at your desk or have been traveling for a while, I believe you’ll enjoy reading this book which really applies to more than just travel.

Recent Reviews

You can read some recent reviews of my eBook for a second opinion if you don’t want to take just my word for it.

• Review by Heather On Her Travels
• Review by Travel Blissful
• Review by Travel Wonders

About The Book

Long-term travelers aren’t lottery jackpot winners or capable of super-human feats. You can get out from behind that desk and travel, whether it’s full-time or a one year trip around the world my eBook breaks it down for you. Both the practical aspects of getting your life in order and the psychological barriers you’ll face and how to overcome each one.

You can also read some of the personal stories of these travelers: John Bardos, Marina Villatoro, Dan’s Adventure, The Q Family Adventures, Deb and Dave, The Road Forks, and Cody McKibben for more inspiration.

Affiliate Program

Earn some money by helping me spread the word about my eBook. By joining my affiliate program (a free and easy process) you’ll get 50% of every sale you make. I’ll also send you ad banners, links, and help you get set up.

eBook Sale

You can pick up a copy of Overcoming the 7 Major Obstacles to Traveling the World for $8 from now until Dec. 31 using one of the links below. I’m confident that you will enjoy reading it and find it useful whether you’ve been a vagabond for years or are dreaming about it. I hope by reading the eBook you’ll be able to bridge that gap and travel as much as you’d like and feel good doing it.

As always, thank you all very much for your support, -Anil

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For personal updates, highlights from recent posts, and stories and pictures that don't always make it to my blog check out my bimonthly newsletter.

Related posts:

• Overcoming The 7 Major Obstacles To Traveling The World eBook
• Overcoming 7 Major Obstacles To Traveling The World – #6 You Don’t Know What Your Significant Other Will Say
• Overcoming 7 Major Obstacles To Traveling The World – #1: You Are Comfortable At Your Job

It would be funny to hear some of you ask the questions he brings up the next time you check in some luggage with an airline.

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For personal updates, highlights from recent posts, and stories and pictures that don't always make it to my blog check out my bimonthly newsletter.

Related posts:

• Where Are You Traveling Over The Next Week?
• How To Fight The Airlines Effectively
• Quick Things To Post On Your Travel Blog When You’re Traveling Too Much To Write

It was a pleasure to write the guest post for Mary who provided the wonderful guest post Remedy For the Port Travel Blues: 7 Ways to Bring Your Trip Back Home back in September. There was quite a lively conversation in the comments on that post which I think you’ll enjoy reading. Mary and Sean’s Adventures is a wonderful travelogue with lots of fun videos and is certainly worth a click over.

Thanks again Mary, it was fun to collaborate and trade guest posts!

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For personal updates, highlights from recent posts, and stories and pictures that don't always make it to my blog check out my bimonthly newsletter.

Related posts:

• Guest Post: Hidden Ankara
• My Guest Post At Travel Blissful: 5 Surefire Ways To Offend The Locals
• 4 Thing To Pack and Not Feel Guilty About: My Guest Post At Travel Experta

What’s The Difference Between Tech Here and The Tech Guide For Travel?

I won’t stop posting about technology, software, and other gadgets here on foXnoMad. The Tech Guide For Travel will be the place though where I dive right into the details of nifty hacks, review gadgets, and tackle the age old question – Mac or Windows – all of course from a traveler’s point of view. There will also be some cross over between foXnoMad and the Tech Guide For Travel.

Why The Tech Guide For Travel?

I get a lot of questions about technology and many emails about various products, services, apps, websites, and programs – so many that I can’t fit them all here on foXnoMad. I love technology and have many years of experience as a computer security engineer and am excited to create a blog that’s all about the technology that makes traveling even more fun.

Here are two posts already up on the Tech Guide For Travel:

• My Interview With Raz Carcoana About iPhone App Travelholic Confessions
• 5 Ways To Get Your Gadgets and Software For Less

Be Prepared When Things Get Rolling

The Tech Guide For Travel gets rolling full steam next week and will be updated every Tuesday. You can be prepared and help the blog grow by providing your feedback and comments on the posts or in an email.

• Don’t miss future posts by subscribing to the Tech Guide For Travel RSS feed or weekly email updates.
• Consider a Guest Post. Dying to write about travel and technology? Consider submitting a guest post and I’ll let everyone know about it. I’ll also return the favor with a guest post of my own for you.
• Links. If you’ve already emailed me about a link on Travel Blog Advice, I’ll be adding you to the Tech Guide For Travel links page shorty. Otherwise shoot me an email I’ll be sure to add you.
• Ideas. Have any ideas for a post or question about anything tech and travel related? What about optimizing your travel blog code or jailbreaking your iPhone? Send me an email and if applicable I’ll set up a post to answer your question.

Coming Up

I can envision expanding the Tech Guide For Travel to a few more posts per week than just once on Tuesdays but for now I’ll pace myself. I’m very passionate about travel and technology and I can see the Tech Guide For Travel growing into something bigger with your help.

I hope that you’ll take a moment to check out the Tech Guide For Travel and consider subscribing to be ready for some brand new posts about the geeky side of backpacking.

As always, I appreciate all of your support. Many, many thanks again, -Anil

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For personal updates, highlights from recent posts, and stories and pictures that don't always make it to my blog check out my bimonthly newsletter.

Related posts:

• Introducing Travel Blog Advice
• My 5 Cruise Mistakes You Don’t Want to Regret At Artun Travel
• New foXnoMad Features and Bimonthly Newsletter

Doesn’t Take Hits Well

The iPhone is a well designed piece of hardware that Apple has done its best to make compact and durable. While the stainless steel back well suited to a fall the sensitive touchscreen on the front is easily damaged or destroyed. You’ll have to protect the screen (Invisible Shield is a good option) and likely put it in a protective hard cover for the rest of the iPhone. An basic Nokia might not be able to do much in terms of booking a hotel room like HotelPal, or quickly finding a place to potty like SitOrSquat, but it can be dropped, take a knock, and keep on going.

Expensive Data Plans

Almost every traveler I know who takes their iPhone with them ends up with a very expensive bill their first month or so. That’s because the data plans for the iPhone are costly and you’ll be charged a lot more for roaming. It’s better to turn off the iPhone’s data roaming option when you’re outside of your home area and use the iPhone’s built-in wireless. Use the iPhone version of NetStumbler to find hidden wireless networks (airports and bus stations are a good bet) and make your calls with Skype to avoid outrageous charges.

Attractive For Thieves

The iPhone is a sleek piece of equipment that Apple has done an excellent job marketing. It’s one of the most recognizable gadgets in the world which means that you’ll grab the attention of pickpockets along the way. If you don’t have an iPhone and carry around a basic Nokia or other common mobile phone you don’t have to worry that someone may target you specifically for your phone. (Try to uglify your iPhone to keep it undercover if you have one.)

Repairs and Replacements Are Costly

The iPhone lithium-ion battery will give you about 80% of it’s maximum charge after 400 recharge cycles. While Apple will replace a battery if it dies completely (under a 1 year manufacturer’s warranty) you’ll have to send the phone in – something that can be difficult if you’re traveling. iPhone batteries are not something you usually have to worry about for the first 3 years and extended batteries and third party replacement kits are available in case you need them.

Some Other Ways To Make Yourself Feel Better About Traveling Without an iPhone

• They Take Up Time. Having an iPhone means it’s much harder to disconnect, which can be a good thing or a bad thing at various times.
• You’ll Rely On The Built-In Camera. iPhone users tend to neglect their digital cameras in favor for a quick shot with the iPhone which has a decent camera but certainly not a replacement for the real thing.
• You Won’t Stop Fiddling With It. With your eyes peeled to your iPhone you’ll be missing out the scenery around you especially on buses, trains, or wherever else you can distract yourself.

There are some advantages of traveling without an iPhone but even more ways to reduce or eliminate the disadvantages. There are many free and useful iPhone apps for travelers and plenty of others you can install on a jailbroken iPhone (or iPod touch in most cases). For maximum flexibility though you can take both your old beater phone and your iPhone and use as needed.

[photos by: J.Baker, cdresz, Archie McPhee's Seattle]

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For personal updates, highlights from recent posts, and stories and pictures that don't always make it to my blog check out my bimonthly newsletter.

Related posts:

• 5 Free and Useful iPhone Apps For Travelers
• My Interview with Ben Kazez About The Free iPhone App HotelPal
• Overcoming 7 Major Obstacles To Traveling The World – #6 You Don’t Know What Your Significant Other Will Say

There have been quite a few active discussions going on this month on a number of posts. Here are just some of the best comments of the month I plucked out. Don’t be shy and hop in on some of the discussions with some comments of your own.

• Can You Stop Aging Out Of Travel?: “I have to say that when I have traveled I’ve found the older mature people more active and adventurous than the younger ones. Older people are up earlier, plan better, have more money and don’t stop until they have seen exactly what they want.” – Cate

• Overcoming 7 Major Obstacles To Traveling The World – #7 You Will Travel The World…Later: “I’m the worst procrastinator imaginable. Sure, when I’m at work I’m dreaming of travelling and at lunch I’m plotting and planning ideas for my trip but despite having many hours every week to plan nothing gets done at all. In fact, whilst I sit here in retrospect all I’ve done in 2 months is plot lines on a map and make a basic travel budget. Hopefully I’ll have it finished in 5 years time, although the deadline I have set myself is next year. Really good series, really helped me out and now I must sort myself out, which is the hard part.” – Christop

• Why You Need To Take A Motorcycle Trip At Least Once In Your Life: “I learned how to drive a motorbike (ok – I know it’s not as cool as a motorcycle) 6 months ago in Vietnam and it’s been the highlight of my time here. It’s a wonderful feeling when you do hit the open road (which is rare in Vietnam!)” – Sherry Ott

• Learn New Languages For Free Using These Online Resources: “One other suggestion before you travel is that libraries often have language courses for free (such as the Rosetta Stone ones) on video or DVD that you can take in the comfort of your own home before heading out.” – Mark H

• How I Got Robbed In Guatemala and Other Hard-To-Believe Escapades Part 11: “I’m really glad and really sad the story is over all at the same time! Since the first post, I’ve been anxiously awaiting the rest of the story.” – Carla Young

• Interview With Grant Lingel Author Of Imagine A Vagabond Story: “I also enjoyed the book but like you I did wonder what Grant’s parents, neighbors and friends might think about what he got up to. If I’d been one of those lovely girls he met along the way, would I have wanted to see my name in print?” – Heather

Many thanks to all of you who left comments this month bringing life to each of my posts.

[photo by: Cameron Maddux]

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For personal updates, highlights from recent posts, and stories and pictures that don't always make it to my blog check out my bimonthly newsletter.

Related posts:

• The Best Comments Of The Month: February 2009
• The Best Comments Of The Month: July 2009
• The Best Comments Of The Month: January 2009

The ready-to-go gap can be called anything really (I just made it up) but it’s the name I give that period of time before you travel and after you’re done planning and preparing. I tend to procrastinate and do things at the last minute so my ready-to-go gap is about 5 minutes before my next flight but most people are organized and have a few days or even longer.

Generally spare time is a great thing to have but good planners tend to try and fill this gap with even more plans which lead to stress. The key to handling the ready-to-go gap is to shift your focus temporarily and do less, not more.

Are You There Yet?

No matter how well you plan or prepare, there are some things that can’t be done too far in advance. Packing your bags or securing your house weeks in advance doesn’t make sense and there is such a thing as too much research about a tourist destination. You’re there now, in the gap. Fight the urge to plan more things in addition to all of the other plans you’ve already made. All you’ll accomplish is to stress yourself out by adding more things to do in the same amount of time.

Shift Your Focus

There are a few ways to go about this but the important constant is to forget about your upcoming trip temporarily.

• Start traveling. There is an entire countryside, town, city, etc. right around you. Take your travel planning skills and arrange a few small trips around town. Not enough time for that? Go out for a drink at a place you’ve never been to or change your focus and give your surroundings a new angle with your camera.
• Plan for your next, next trip. If you can’t get enough planning, set your sights on future travels. Don’t get bogged down in details and have some fun with it. You’ll be overcoming one of the obstacles to traveling the world too by figuring out where else you’d like to go.
• Take a mental break. Don’t drive yourself nuts by thinking about your next trip constantly, squeezing in “one last thing”, or get depressed because “this sucks, I’m ready to be gone.” We all get like that at times but the thing that takes the least amount of work can be the hardest. Let go and appreciate the moments you’ve got so you’ll enjoy here as much as there.
• Delegate. Instead of tracking your plans like a hawk ask someone else you trust to help you out. Put your fears that you’ve forgotten something aside by running your plans by a friend. If you’re traveling with someone share the responsibilities so you can both have an enjoyable ready-to-go gap.
• Write about it. It’s always fun to write down your expectations of a particular place before you go and see the differences once you return. If you have a travel blog use the ready-to-go gap to prepare and imaginary trip post.

Don’t Fight It, Enjoy It

Traveling takes work for most people. You’ve got to save money and make sacrifices (financial and otherwise) to do it. Don’t mope too much before your next trip and enjoy the fact that you were diligent and planned ahead. Reward yourself for being a good planner and take the time to relax, catch up on some other things you’ve been putting off, or go out to that local museum you never knew about. You may even find yourself enjoying and planning for the ready-to-go gap one day.

[photos by: Marcin Wichary, erix!]

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For personal updates, highlights from recent posts, and stories and pictures that don't always make it to my blog check out my bimonthly newsletter.

Related posts:

• Overcoming 7 Major Obstacles To Traveling The World – #6 You Don’t Know What Your Significant Other Will Say
• Common Sense Advice On Handling Most Joint Injuries On Your Own – [Part 1 of 2]
• Topics To Post On Your Travel Blog When You Haven’t Traveled In Forever

If you are going to stick to the bare minimum though, there are 4 word combinations you shouldn’t neglect to translate.

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For personal updates, highlights from recent posts, and stories and pictures that don't always make it to my blog check out my bimonthly newsletter.

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• The Cheesiest Travel Photo Contest [POLL RESULTS]
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