Speak Your Dreams Out Loud You guys. We have to talk about the most bonkers thing that’s ever happened to me. BONKERS. Those of you who’ve been reading Petit Elefant for a long time might remember that 6 years ago, my family traveled to Eastern Europe for a month. My husband’s parents still have an apartment in Warsaw, Poland (where they’re from) and travel home every year to stay for a few months. I really wanted my kids to have…
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Beauty hack for travel. You guys, I accidentally stumbled on the best ever beauty hack for travel when I flew to Washington D.C. a couple of weeks ago. I needed 5 days worth of my everyday facial moisturizer, but I was out of room in my T.S.A. approved travel toiletry case, (I have very strong, very adverse feelings about the T.S.A.) so I had to improvise. I couldn’t get rid of any of the toiletries I had already packed, but…
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When I go to a new place, especially a new country, I’m fascinated by all the trinkets and souvenirs that my eyes behold. It’s like a little piece of culture that grabs my attention, because it’s usually different and unique to the place I’m visiting. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of souvenir shopping and then get home, open your suitcase, and realize you brought home a whole lot of useless “stuff.” Over the years, I’ve refined…
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International Travel Checklist International travel can be a bit daunting, especially if you’re a first timer. Don’t worry. This continent hopping extraordinaire has you covered with an international travel checklist. I don’t necessarily pretend that this is an exhaustive list, but the ten questions below should help create some peace of mind as you prepare for that excursion to a different land. 1. Did I update myself on travel laws and do I have the appropriate documents? Laws are always changing. Don’t make…
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The PG version of explaining jet lag is that it’s a bear. I’ve never experienced an alcohol induced hangover, but I imagine morning hangovers have similar characteristics as jet lag…foggy brain, headache, blurry vision, slurred speech. If you’ve flown over multiple time zones and have the above symptoms along with the inability to form coherent thoughts, then you’re probably deep in the trenches of jet lag. I recently flew over seven time zones. As if 23 total hours trapped with…
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When I talk to people, the biggest hindrance I hear in being able to travel the world is money. I get it. Things cost money and the more people in your party, the more money it costs. There’s basically only three categories that seem to wear on the pocketbook. Let’s have a look see, and maybe we’ll come up with some solutions. 1. Where You Lay Your Head. This is important. Who wants to sleep in a place that is dirt…
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In our line of work in South Africa, we have the amazing privilege of taking adults on trips out of the country for the very first time. Some of these adults are people who have grown up in African communities and haven’t ventured as far as Johannesburg (3 1/2 hours away) much less ridden on a plane to a faraway place. Anxiety often gets high in anticipation of hovering in the air for several hours. A couple of years ago,…
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I have never taken the time for a girls’ weekend with friends. I’ve done girls’ night out, lunches, breakfasts, and day outings, but never an extended period of time, with just my girlfriends. I’ve been married for 14 years, come this October. Those of you that have had girls’ weekends, bravo! The truth is, life is so busy, it’s difficult to find the time. With our family, we treasure travel time, and each weekend together, and work to maximize our…
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My oldest turned thirteen this year. As a parent, my boy entering the teen years felt huge. I mean, how did my baby get to thirteen so fast? I know. I know. It’s cliche jargon, but I have to say it. My husband and I decided his rite of passage to the teen years would be a special trip, just him and dad. “Where would you like to go?” we asked him. “Thailand,” was his response. Perhaps his desire to…
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