so fun! where are you going?
i'm living in europe right now (i'm american) and love it so much but the trip over here can be tiring! most airport security people have seen the Vest or similar types of breathing machines and shouldn't give you too much trouble about it though they will check to make sure its not explosive <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> i've only had one airport security person make an issue out of it but that was one bad experience....be sure to pack any refridgerated meds with plenty of iceblocks for the plane ride over. i usually put mine in a styrofoam cooler in my suitcase and check it--probably not the safest way to ensure my meds get there, i know.....but you can also ask the steward/ess if he/she will store the meds in their fridge during the flight if you carry them on board with you in a cooler. call or email your hotel and request a small fridge or check and see if there is already one provided in the room. european hotels don't have ice-machines (at least the one's i've stayed in didn't) and so keeping stuff cool in the icebucket in your room is not an option.
also, they HAVE to let you on with medications and medical equipment even if it exceeds the allowed number of carry on bags so just be sure your meds are in their original containers and maybe a note from the doctor explaining the necessity of it all--i've never had a note though and never had an issue.
i would start taking some vit. c a few days before you go and also an immune booster like lauren suggested. planes are gross and with that many people in one tight cramped space someone is bound to be sick and pass it on to others. i would bring your own little neck pillow and a small blanket or sweatshirt. the provided pillows and blankets are gross--i found a hair in my *sealed* "clean" blanket. sick.
BRING LOTS OF PURELL. i'm sure they have hand sanitizer in europe b/c i've seen and know europeans that use it but i can't seem to find it. maybe at a pharmacy or something, but anyway, just bring a few little travel bottles you can toss in your purse, etc.
i know its hard but try really hard to sleep on the plane. i usually take nyquil which i know dries out your lungs but you'll feel so much better and adjust to the time change faster when you arrive if you can get a little sleep on the plane. don't sleep the day you get there!!!!!!! i'm assuming you'll be arriving early in the morning so just get your stuff to your hotel and shower (get those plane germs off) and go right out and get started with your day! if you sleep you will have a much harder time adjusting to the time difference and it'll be harder on your body (at least for me it was the first time i came over).
TONS of europeans smoke and so just take note of that if you plan on going to bars, clubs etc a lot of the restaurants and indoor places (shops, museums, etc.) are smoke free although not everyone follows that rule so well!
the Vest works without a currency adapter but obviously will need the outlet shape adapter. the proneb ultra II nebulizer will not work and so i would recommend the pari trek or use an eflow if you've got one. if you have another nebulizer you want to use just be aware that european plugs are 240volts so just check and see if your compressor is compatible. it should say somewhere on the back
definitely check out the blog amy/saveferris posted. i've gotten so much good travel info from her in the past <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
don't forget your camera!
i'm living in europe right now (i'm american) and love it so much but the trip over here can be tiring! most airport security people have seen the Vest or similar types of breathing machines and shouldn't give you too much trouble about it though they will check to make sure its not explosive <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> i've only had one airport security person make an issue out of it but that was one bad experience....be sure to pack any refridgerated meds with plenty of iceblocks for the plane ride over. i usually put mine in a styrofoam cooler in my suitcase and check it--probably not the safest way to ensure my meds get there, i know.....but you can also ask the steward/ess if he/she will store the meds in their fridge during the flight if you carry them on board with you in a cooler. call or email your hotel and request a small fridge or check and see if there is already one provided in the room. european hotels don't have ice-machines (at least the one's i've stayed in didn't) and so keeping stuff cool in the icebucket in your room is not an option.
also, they HAVE to let you on with medications and medical equipment even if it exceeds the allowed number of carry on bags so just be sure your meds are in their original containers and maybe a note from the doctor explaining the necessity of it all--i've never had a note though and never had an issue.
i would start taking some vit. c a few days before you go and also an immune booster like lauren suggested. planes are gross and with that many people in one tight cramped space someone is bound to be sick and pass it on to others. i would bring your own little neck pillow and a small blanket or sweatshirt. the provided pillows and blankets are gross--i found a hair in my *sealed* "clean" blanket. sick.
BRING LOTS OF PURELL. i'm sure they have hand sanitizer in europe b/c i've seen and know europeans that use it but i can't seem to find it. maybe at a pharmacy or something, but anyway, just bring a few little travel bottles you can toss in your purse, etc.
i know its hard but try really hard to sleep on the plane. i usually take nyquil which i know dries out your lungs but you'll feel so much better and adjust to the time change faster when you arrive if you can get a little sleep on the plane. don't sleep the day you get there!!!!!!! i'm assuming you'll be arriving early in the morning so just get your stuff to your hotel and shower (get those plane germs off) and go right out and get started with your day! if you sleep you will have a much harder time adjusting to the time difference and it'll be harder on your body (at least for me it was the first time i came over).
TONS of europeans smoke and so just take note of that if you plan on going to bars, clubs etc a lot of the restaurants and indoor places (shops, museums, etc.) are smoke free although not everyone follows that rule so well!
the Vest works without a currency adapter but obviously will need the outlet shape adapter. the proneb ultra II nebulizer will not work and so i would recommend the pari trek or use an eflow if you've got one. if you have another nebulizer you want to use just be aware that european plugs are 240volts so just check and see if your compressor is compatible. it should say somewhere on the back
definitely check out the blog amy/saveferris posted. i've gotten so much good travel info from her in the past <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
don't forget your camera!