Embrace the Unknowns
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Travel to far away exotic places is always fun, even in-province travel can be a great experience too. We had great fun when Club Elite rented a bus to attend the Provincial Stream Provincials 2000 in Vernon. Of course the coaches were smart enough to bring headphones. ;-))
- You tend to take things for granted at home. Travelling to other parts of the world makes you appreciate things at home so much more. For example, in Canada, tap water is safe enough to drink, the amount of space in a basic motel room is quite ample, the general living standard is decent, the quality of air is reasonably good, etc.
- Seeing other cultures open your eyes to different ways of seeing things and possibilities. For example, in my personal trip through the Silk Road, I realized there are even many differences among various tribes and minorities within China. Their languages, the customs and the looks are dramatically different. Seeing how kids can be happy without video games, platform shoes and fancy clothes gave me a new perspective in life's priorities.
- History and geography is much more interesting when you can see it in its natural setting. For example, a buddhist temple cannot be appreciated without smelling the pine trees surrounding it, listening to the prayers of the Buddhist, touching the tall pillars and seeing the Buddha. The Columbia Icefield in Alberta cannot be appreciated on a photo, you have to see the sunset casting over the entire valley, watch the wild lifes, and actually walk on it for the experience to be complete.
- It sharpens your survival skills. Even simple things like knowing how to get back to the hotel, using hand signals and drawings to complete a conversation.
- Meet other people. It is a great way to meet people from different walks of life. We still keep in touch with some friends we met on our trip to China from over 10 years ago.
- You may be inspired. My dad and I spent almost a whole day finding our way to Kudokan, Judo's headquarters in Japan. I saw how they worked on everything including the basic drills inspired me to work a lot harder. I am sure if you see how big rhythmic gymnatics is in Japan and Europe and how hard they train, it will give you inspiration to try that much harder.
- Try out the local food. We were in a small local restaurant in Japan. Nobody inside speaks any English. We wanted to try everything so we just did some random finger pointing from the menu. We ended up with 6 different variations of tempura. :(
- Surprises. You may be able to find some ethnic music and/or color scheme for your next routine.
Competitions Smart Aboard
- Jet lag can really affect one's performances. Red eye (overnight) flights may safe you some money but can easily ruin your competition. Get out there early and enjoy fully the travelling experience, do some sight seeing and shopping.
- Climate differences can change one's energy level. Get use to the heat/cold, dryness/humidity or time change before a competition. In some of the important competitions, gymnasts are known to arrive a week in advance.
- Dryness affects your contact lens. It creates static for your ribbon and leotards. Humidity and heat, together can really affect you if you wear velvet unitards.
- Your gym bag and hoop should always go with you to make sure all pieces arrive together. You can give them to the air steward on board the plane, but DO NOT check the equipment into the luggage. Competiting without your apparatus can be quite a challenge. If you have a few teammates travelling together, keep all the hoops together in bundles of maybe 10 inside a hoop cover.
- Allow spare time for your departure. Competitions sometimes run late due to uncontrollable circumstances. These panic attacks are not worthwhile. Since you come this far, you might as well try to book an extra day to see the city. If you can't, at least try to allow ample time between the scheduled end time and the time that you need to start heading out to the airport. Some international travel require passengers to be checked in two hours prior to the flight. Furthermore, you need to allow for rush hour traffic and lineups. This is most important when your tickets cannot be changed.
- When you have back-to-back competitions especially in different parts of the world, you may consider skipping out of the event finals to arrive at your next competition a little earlier. You gain more rest which can be a significant competitive advantage.
- Aeresols are not allowed on the plane - airport security will confiscate your aeresol "Stick-em" (Skin spray that helps to prevent leotard from sliding up). Buy only the skin glue in "roll-on" application bottles (eg. Sasaki).
- Once you know where you are heading for an invitational, make sure you check the visa requirements, check your passports expiry date and get all the paperworks done early. Some countries need a turn around time of close to four weeks for a travel visa. You do not want to be the only one left behind.
Hazards, Hints and Survival
Travelling can be fun but there are some basic skills that you must learn. We have run into many situations when we travelled and have heard many horror stories.
- If someone ask you for changes, . I have had a few Euros disappeared right in front of me at Frankfurt when they try to count the foreign currency for you. Don't put anything valueable in your backpack because 9 out of 10 times, you wouldn't even know when someone open your knapsack while you are shopping or in the mass transit.
In Europe, using pre-paid phone card or internet phone booth is much cheaper than calling collect. Calling from Canada to Europe is cheaper than from Europe back to Canada. If you plan properly, you can safe quite a few bucks.- Watch out for car rental scams. Some companies won't honor the price quoted or when you arrive, they don't have the type of vehicle needed. Booking it through BCAA or equivalent gives you more leverage, otherwise you are just one consumer out of thousands. If you did get into trouble, get all the necessary documentation and details, it will give you a chance to file a formal complaint when you get home.
- Doris and I were food poisoned in Holland by a contaminated ham sandwich (that looked fresh). After struggling for a few days and arrived at Paris very ill, we had to find a physician that speaks English (as we don't speak much French). We called Air Canada and got help from them. we finally ended up in the US Army Hospital in France. Consulates, airlines, telephone operators, travel agents, big American Corporations are places where you can find language help in emergencies.
- Allergies can kill!. In other countries, the awareness of nut and other food allergies is not the same. If anyone have any severe food allergy, take all necessary precautions.
- Don't carry bags/items for others while crossing customs or securities. It has been known that criminals sometimes take advantage of innocent young people to help smuggle illegal items across the border.
- Carpooling is great, but when you are crossing the border with someone else's kid, make sure you have signed permission from the parents and the proper papers. Immigration and Customs are doing their job to prevent kids being smuggled across the border.
- A few years ago, when we were in Las Vegas, we had to see a doctor and get some medication for a flu. The consultation lasted 10 mintues and costed US$120 - that does not even include the prescription. Make sure you have enough out-of-province/country travel insurance. It is a must when you travel. (Hospitalization can cost US$1000 a day and intensive care can cost US$10,000 a day.)
- We were in Barcelona, Spain and there was a demonstration near the hotel. The police came to break it up - with guns and tear gas. Always be aware of the local hazards like war, riots, work stoppages, etc.
- Do you have all the proper papers and vaccinations before you leave? We had to be smuggled through Germany from Denmark to get to France once. A lot of countries will only issue visitor visas in your home country.
- Do you have enough local currencies in useable denominations? Are the banks opened when you get there? What are the commonly used denominations? (For example, twenty dollar bills in US is common, but hundred dollar bills may present a problem.) Do you have money for airport levies? If you do not have a credit card, it is a good idea not to spend your last dollar.
- Gymnasts have had their wallets stolen from their hotel rooms. Lock your valuables properly in the hotel safe. Gyms are not completely safe either. I have had my video camcorder stolen from me in less than a minute. To have your valuable, travel papers or air tickets stolen while you are travelling can be one of the most distressing experiences.
- Trish and Alex had been mugged at gun point in Mexico City. When you are in a foreign country, your passport and air ticket have to be kept in a safe place away from your purse and handbags.
- When you stop at a traffic light inside a tour bus, do you expect people to reach in and snatch your purse or necklace? Lori had some first hand experience. Beware and close the windows at least half way up!
