Mainz

by

WFPB Travel “Insurance”

99DDC404-A245-46C8-A093-D6B3AC4DDBF3Planning a five week trip requires active anticipation and preparation for a WFPB traveler.

Where will I source WFPB meals, especially without added oil and salt?  I have mentally walked through all stages of my trip.  I don’t need to be concerned about the vegan cruise days, but the bulk of the trip is on my own.  For much of this time I will be staying at a VRBO, AirBNB or an apartment hotel.

I will have kitchen access to a small refrigerator and Microwave oven.  The remainder of the amenities are never guaranteed.  Not wanting to be inconvenienced, I have assembled a “Minimalist Prep Kit” pictured above.  Included are a quart sized BPH free plastic bowl with steam lid, a sprouting lid (which will act as a colander for draining a can of beans), a lemon juicer, spork, tea ball spoon, shielded knife and can opener.  The red backdrop is a cutting mat.  The black mesh is a super light zipper bag to store these different elements.  The green clip can always be used as clothes pin in a pinch.

For the few nights without a kitchen, as well as for long flights, I am packing several Leafside WFPB meals.   Using my quart sized green bowl and adding water, a delicious, nutritionally balanced meal will be ready in minutes.  These freeze dried meals  have given me food travel insurance.  I never have to worry about finding fuel with Leafside in my bag because I  can always find hot water. You can view their website at http://www.goleafside.com, for details about where to purchase.

Bethblogphotominimalist2

Advance cultural immersion: Mainz
by

Advance cultural immersion: Mainz

Today is D-day (departure) minus 13 as I depart for Frankfurt on October 1.  I think of the first few days of an international trip as a cultural immersion.  In addition to the jet lag there is always the shock of new language, signage, weather and the airport population.  Its better to anticipate some of these novelties by planning ahead.  Here are my tactics:

I checked the schedule for my AirBnB in Mainz. Finding it vacant for the night prior to my arrival, I asked the owner if an early check in is possible (his page cites 4 p.m). He responded immediately to the affirmative and told me where to pick up the key (a block from the apartment).  Glad I waited as a premature request would likely be met with a “no” as he anticipated a prior night reservation.

Next step was to investigate the train options from Frankfurt Flughaven to Mainz HBH. While most German sites list options for multiple languages, DB (DeutschBahn) showed English for ticket purchasing of long distance trains, but not for the much cheaper regional trains (noted as S or R). For these my only choice was to review in German.

It was a surprise how quickly my understanding of key words returned, and I was soon in the flow of comparing and contrasting different options (destination point changes with the S/R choice).

My attempt to find a linenplan (route map) for Mainz led me to a number of apps.  Since I didn’t want bus maps into and out of Mainz itself, but rather local routes, I found a paper linenplan that will be available upon my arrival at the Mainz HBH (Hauptbahnhof—main train station served by the S trains).

This search also revealed that if I purchase an S route ticket (rather than an R) its cheaper and is good for the entire day of bus/tram rides within Mainz. Incidental learning.

Because the adjustment to a different culture comes with a big dose of jet lag, I recommend this kind of advance connection to the routes, the options and most important to the key words/phrases you will need to recognize upon arrival! It’s a confidence builder when you know you will easily find your first destination for less than $10 as opposed to the options cited by app RideGuru (Uber to private limo: $50 to $200).