People Editor
This Spring Break I traveled to Europe for the first time ever. Now that I am a seasoned international traveler, it is only fair that I offer my expertise on soaring across the world.
DO pack snacks for the flight. Now, this might seem like a given, but you’d be surprised by how many of my friends, including myself, forgot to bring food on our 11 hour flight. You may be naive like I was, thrilled about bringing gummy bears and a singular Twix bar on the plane, but it’s time to start packing REAL food. I mean it. I know you can’t exactly pack a full meal, but you are going to need those crackers, bars, and savory snacks to tide you over as the flight progresses. Airplane meals are hit or miss. You could win the lottery with a delicious pasta, or you could wind up hungry with a cold piece of bread, fake butter, and mysterious zucchini meatballs in front of you. It is best to be prepared.
DO be careful what you watch on the plane. I know you’ve been dying to watch Saltburn, Anyone But You, Don’t Worry Darling, and more, but I’m here to warn you. Proceed with caution! Although you want top-notch entertainment, don’t forget that your screen is in full view of those around you, including everybody who walks by. It’s hard to beat the silent judgment radiating from somebody’s nearby grandpa as he peers at your PG-13 or R-rated movie. Do yourself a favor and keep it professional.
DON’T be vegan or vegetarian in Austria or Germany. On this school trip, we followed a schedule complete with pre-planned dinners. Being a vegetarian on the trip, I can confidently advise you DON’T do it, unless of course you find mysterious piles of lettuce and cold potatoes appetizing. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes we lucked out, but every dinner was a roll of the dice. The majority of the meals were slabs of meat. One night, they gave everyone an apricot cake, that is everyone but the vegans, who received a hunk of orange. Delectable!
DO be careful who you talk to. I know it is tempting to sing Let It Go to the random man dressed as Elsa on the streets of Switzerland, but please refrain! And trust me, the “Mozart” outside of the palace is not as friendly as he seems. They may look inviting, but you never know if they will suddenly demand money in exchange for the photo you already took. Keep calm and keep walking.
DON’T walk near bike lanes. Especially in Salzburg everyone travels by bike, so avoid being the tourist who stumbles near their lane; locals WILL scold you!
DON’T try to speak more German than necessary. While locals appreciate “dankes,” anything beyond this makes them chuckle. It’s okay to only know “Apfel” and “Puderzucker,” just try your best!
DO try local activities. Nothing is as fun as dancing a traditional Bavarian dance with an old Bavarian man in lederhosen! You’ll never know how fun the German salt mines can be until you are stuck in a mountain, boating across an underground lake watching a light show and listening to a German man describe salt.
Categories: Humor