Tips on Arrival

So now you’ve arrived to your destination. What things can you do to ensure an enjoyable stay? Here are just a two of several tips that are recommended in the June 22, 1998 Awake! magazine:

• Allow time for your body and mind to adjust
• Restrict your diet to safe food and drink

When it comes to the first tip mentioned above regarding allowing your body and mind to adjust over time in a new setting, the article noted:

“‘It takes me four or five days to unwind before I begin to enjoy my stay,’ is a comment many vacationers make. True, adapting to new surroundings takes time. So it may be wise not to rush around the first day or two after you arrive. Allow your body and mind to adjust to a different schedule. Failure to do this can cause stress and undermine the good your vacation can do.”

The 2nd tip above regarding safe food and drink is essential, especially if you are traveling overseas. The article continued:

“Since a traveler’s body needs to adjust to different strains of bacteria in the atmosphere, food, and water, it is especially important during the first few days that you be careful about what you eat. ‘Food should never be assumed to be safe,’ cautions Dr. [Richard] Dawood [editor of Travellers’ Health], ‘unless it is known to have been freshly and thoroughly cooked (heat sterilized) — in the case of meat, until no red colour remains.’ Yet, even hot food can be suspect. So, ‘satisfy yourself that today’s lunch is not yesterday’s evening meal, re-heated and re-arranged.’

Thus, if you are on vacation in an area quite different from where you live, you may not always be able to eat exactly when, where, and what you want. But this is surely a small price to pay to avoid the diarrhea that has reportedly affected two fifths of all international travelers.

As for drinks, bottled water is often safer than what is available locally. To avoid problems, though, it is wise to have bottled and canned drinks opened in your presence. It may also be wise to avoid ice. Always view it as suspect unless you know it to be safe.”

So these are just two tips, but they pack a whole lot into them. May it be that your vacation is safe and sound and do your part to make it that way!