September 27, 2009

September 27, 2009

My last post was when I had six days left on my last ship. Now I have six days until I board my next ship.

The time between has been spent trying to relax for the most part. Right now I'm in New York City, sitting in the upper east-side apartment belonging to a friend from the ship. This vacation has actually been full of encounters with people I met on the ship. I went to San Francisco with a trombone player, stayed for five days in Brooklyn with a guitarist, and have hung out with a musical director, drummer, and my old roommate in New York - all from the ship. I'm glad I'm getting to cash in on having friends in cool places so soon. I expect to do so again after this next ship, only in Europe that time.

Until I'm back on board and have things to say, I leave you with some travel wisdom I've picked up:
1. Always pack vitamin c and medicine. Every new place I visit seems to have a new cold virus for my immune system to check out. Rather than hope you're lucky and finding it at a corner drug store somewhere (like I did today), just carry it with you.
2. If it gets cold at night where you are, bring a sweater when you leave in the morning. You'll thank me when you stay out later than you meant to and have a sweater handy.
3. Carry mints! They're much more accessible and compact than a toothbrush, and you never know when you'll go back to your hotel room/hostel/what-have-you
4. Keep a list of phone numbers you'll need, for when your cell phone dies.
5. Always have at least $50 in cash on you in mostly $10s. You never know when they won't take visa.