Travel Preparation

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Effective WFPB Eating While Traveling

As you have been following my posts on social media on my trip, you can see how effective WFPB eating while traveling requires planning.

A perfect example is my anticipation of food for Sunday, which I failed to account for is that Viennese groceries are closed. I sprang for the 35 Euro entrance to the Austrian Air business lounge: salad with huge black beans, sauerkraut and white fig balsamic (added peanuts); an apple as a airline offered snack en route!! Much to my delight the salad bar at the Chateau offered much in the way of raw veggies, again with white balsamic. More bread than typical, but potatoes always clothed in butter/cheese and I need some starch. The bread here is fabulous, and I am walking it off!

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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

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Packing Advice and List

BethblogluggageIMG_0006https://bemorewithless.com/simple-travel-and-packing-tips/

The website bemorewithless.com contains great travel tips. I particularly like “The Minimalists” 20/20 rule. Their rule is don’t take something along “just in case”. The authors have found that in five years of minimalist travel only a few times have they needed something that they could not find and purchase in less than 20 minutes for less than $20. Sounds right to me!

My packing list for the upcoming five week trip:

Checked bag:  4 sets of underware/socks, 1 pair jeans, 1 pair black pants, 4 thin LS knit shirts, 2 blouses, 1 sweater, 1 goretex jacket, 1 pair of shoes, rain hat, umbrella, gloves, scarves, warm hat, minimalist food prep kit, 6 Leafside meal packs , 4 packs oatmeal, unscented laundry soap, Dr. Bronner’s lavender soap, Baggalini day bag.

Backpack: In compression sack: 1 set of underware/socks, LS knit shirt, yoga pants, Polyester washcloths (as Europe doesn’t use them) No jet lag supplements, eyeshades, earplugs, vitamins, bandaids, toiletries, TRTL neck pillow, headphones, IPad, IPhone, charging kit, excerpts from travel books, Cruise ticket, 2 Leafside meal packs/prep bowl/spork

Wearing:  LS knit shirt, black pants, underwear/socks, waterproof walking shoes, warm jacket with storage pockets, money belt (Euros and coins), passport, scarf.  Minimal jewelry.

Toward the end of the trip I intend to donate the jeans, and probably couple of the shirts.  Thrift stores (charity shops) are available for donations.  My must haves are staying warm and dry, plus clean underwear and socks.

In order to minimize stress, I never travel with anything I would hate to lose (special garments, jewelry, shoes).

I’m ready to travel!

Advance cultural immersion: Mainz
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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).