Last Minute To-Do Lists Before a Long Pilgrimage

Dear Friends,

I am getting very excited about the upcoming trip! It won’t be long now. I have been making all kinds of lists and sticking them around the house to remind me of what I still need to do. I have my last-minute packing list next to my small pile of items that I cannot pack until I leave. I have had sticky notes laid out in front of my computer all this week. At the top of each note, I have a day of the week with a list of what needs to be done that day. The sticky notes are getting fewer now because the trip is getting closer. Later on in this letter, I will share my “To Do” lists with you, but first I want to tell you how the actual packing of my suitcase went.

I have to say it was a success! My new suitcase, by SwissGear, has hit the mark on all the important features I look for in a suitcase. I even had the opportunity to use it last week on a road trip to Iowa. So, I know how it handles. The important features for me include, easy, but durable zippers, lightweight, has a large front pocket to stuff extra bags and a jacket in for easy access, a pull up handle, an extra cloth handle at the bottom to help left the suitcase, a built-in plastic compartment for liquids, and most important of all, 4 very durable smooth wheels that glide along and turns 360 degrees easily. I have never had a suitcase that moves as easily as this.

This suitcase is close to the maximum size that will be allowed on most tour buses. This is important to know. Tour companies have limits on a size of a suitcase, the weight and how many suitcases you can bring. The suitcase for this trip cannot exceed 62 inches. This is calculated by adding together the length, width, and height. It also cannot weigh more than 50 pounds. My suitcase is 58.25 inches so I am good to go. However, I still need to weigh it.

I was surprised how much I was able to pack into this suitcase. Everything fit easily. One reason for this is that I use packing cubes. These cubes work well to keep all the clothes organized. I don’t always group items together the same way for each trip, but within a short time into my journey, I have a system down so that I always know where each item in my suitcase is located. For example, sometimes I pack the cubes to include a full outfit- including undergarments, socks, and even hairpieces. Sometimes I pack my items to wear to bed in one cube including my comb, toothbrush, and toothpaste, along with slippers- then I just have to pull the cube out. I always place this cube at the top of my other items so that I have easy access to it when I arrive at my destination.

Having a good suitcase and a way to organize, for me, is high on my priority list, especially when I take as long of trips as I do. This is not the place to cut corners if you are traveling on a budget. Your suitcase will become your constant companion and it can either be helpful or drag you down. Make sure, when you choose one that it will take care of you.

Now, about the “To Do” list. Everyone’s will of course be different but some of the items will be the same. Here is my list:

Seven Days Prior to Leaving

1. Order foreign currency. However, remember each bank is different in how long it takes the currency to come in, so make sure it will arrive in time. My bank receives the currency by the next business day.
2. Finalize Itinerary. Carefully go through your itinerary and make sure everything is done that needs to be. Check for reservations at restaurants and book now if it has not been done. Make sure to add emergency contact numbers and all hotels you are staying at. Then make a separate copy without all the personal notes and costs. This copy you can send by email to those who need to know where you are at, such as family and your travel agent. Your travel agent may have booked some or all of your trip, but anything you booked let them know about along with your contact information for family/friends. In case of an emergency, your travel agent will be a key information point. Let your family/friends also have the agent’s contact information. My travel agent has been my foundation in all my travels. She takes very good care of me and has gotten me out of some tricky situations! It helps to have their personal cell number in case you have to contact them after hours. Some may not be willing to give this out, but my travel agent insists I have it. After you finalize the itinerary do not send it yet. Over the next few days, you will find yourself adding more information to it.
3. Begin a “Coming Home” list of what you would like to come home to so you can have it done before you leave. This list could include clean sheets on the bed, clean clothes, and a list of groceries to buy on the way home from the trip so you can relax when you enter your house. Continue to add to this as the days go by.
4. Reconfirm Pet Accommodation. If you have pets, by this time, you probably already made reservations at a boarding facility or with a friend/family member- but reconfirm. Make sure your pet isn’t due for any shots, including for kennel cough.
5. COVID vaccine card. Make sure you know where your COVID vaccine card is and have it packed with your passport. Probably in a passport carrier with your important documents.
6. COVID entry requirements. Check today and each day for any changes in the COVID entry requirements for each country you will travel to. Each is different and the requirements change often.
7. Make sure you have all your COVID tests booked at all your departure places that you need. The test usually has to be taken within a certain amount of hours before departures so I highly recommend reserving your slot. As this is my first time traveling out of the country after COVID, it may be easier than I think. However, I have not left finding a place to take the test to chance
8. Travel Paperwork. By now your travel agent probably has all your paperwork together. If so, collect it so you can go through it with them to make sure everything is correct.

Six Days Prior to Leaving

1. Continue with what you have started on day seven. As you focus on the trip new ideas and what needs to be done will come to you.
2. Address Book and Important Notes. Put together a small book or tablet, that fits easily into your purse or backpack, of addresses and phone numbers. This list should be a list in case you lose your phone or the information on it. What numbers do you have to have? Family, your bank, your travel agent, your doctor, etc… The addresses are or postcards if you like to send cards. I do. You can use this book as you travel as well to jot down what you spend each day and to keep travel notes. Maybe you will meet a new friend on the trip- this is a good place to write their information down. Favorite foods, wine, and songs can also be jotted down. I use my little book every day when I travel.
3. Passwords. What to do about passwords. If you are like me they are easy to forget and then I am stuck. Somewhere in your luggage or on your person jot down your own clues in case you forget. I would not actually write your passwords in case someone gets ahold of your stuff, but if you wrote some clues only you knew it could help jolt your memory.
4. Finances. Make sure all your finances are in order. Some of you may pay everything online, but if not you may want to pay ahead so you are not having to mail payments from other countries. You never know how long it may take to reach their destination. You don’t want to risk late fees.
5. Pick up the foreign currency.

Five Days Prior to Leaving

1. Beauty salon. This is about the time I get my hair trimmed for the trip. I keep my style very simple so it is easy to take care of. I keep in mind that other countries have different outlets and so American curling irons and hairdryers are useless. Even if you have an adaptor, using them for items such as these uses so much electrical current it can cause big issues. If you are wanting to get a manicure five days prior might be too early.
2. Last-minute shopping. I always have those last-minute, forgot to get earlier, items. I also shop for the “last days prior to leaving” groceries. I am very busy during these days, so I keep my meals simple, keeping in mind not to purchase what I am not going to use before I leave.
3. Continue with lists adding to and crossing off. Don’t forget to check on each country’s entry requirements in case you have to book a COVID test or change the test you have booked to a different type of test. For example, some countries only accept the PCR test, while others are good with the Rapid Antigen test.

Four Days Prior to Leaving

1. Pack. Yes, pack what you can in your suitcase in case there are any surprises. You may have to downsize. Packing can take a lot of time so I always begin about four days prior to leaving on a big trip like this. Obviously, some items can’t be packed, but I keep a list of these items. I find, that once I am packed, I feel relieved and closer to leaving.
2. Keep up with the lists. Make sure if you have family that relies on you, they are provided for before you leave. It helps to jot down these areas on your list. For example, does anyone need a Power of Attorney or do you need to update your will? Unfortunately, on long trips like this and in today’s world it is important to cover all areas.

Three Days Prior to Leaving

1. Finish everything you can on the lists.
2. Hold Mail. Hold mail forms can be found at the post office. You can fill it outputting the dates you want the mail to stop and resume. Then you can either give it to your carrier or hand it in at the post office.
3. Landlord. Being gone for so long it is wise to let your landlord know if you are renting. Otherwise, you may want to arrange to have someone check on your house while you are gone.
4. Security System. If you have a security alarm on your house you may want to let the security company know you will be gone. Also, any trusted neighbors should be told so they can watch for anything unusual.

Two Days Prior to Leaving

1. Fill out travel and country health forms. Get a COVID test if the country you are traveling to requires a test within 48 hours of departing. You can find the country health forms on the country’s COVID entry government websites. Not all countries require this- but if they do it has to be done within a certain amount of time for departure and sent to your email. You may also be able to get the forms from your tour company or cruise lines.
2. Prepare Coming Home. This is the day I wash my bedding and pick up the house. I clean out the fridge of any perishable items that won’t last. I give these away or throw them away. I make sure also to charge the battery in my recliner so, hopefully, when I return home I have a recliner that reclines.
3. Take pets to the boarding facility. This can be done this day or the next, depending on your schedule. I usually take my cat, Hermione, two days prior to leaving because it is less stressful for her. If I wait, she picks up on the commotion and it upsets her. After I drop her off at the facility I change out her litter so it is all fresh when I bring her home.
4. Change the filter in the furnace.
5. Top off salt for soft water system.

One Day Prior to Leaving

1. Everything on the surface should be about done. Today try and relax as though the trip has already begun. If I am going on a pilgrimage, like this time, I try to plan something spiritual. This time around, I am going to a Divine Mercy retreat at my church. This coincides perfectly with leaving. Another good idea would be to spend some time with a priest or with a spiritual director to talk about the pilgrimage. They may have some helpful ideas for you.
2. Check into your flight or cruise online.
3. That Night. Relax. Eat a simple meal. Run the dishwasher. Layout last-minute items. Go to bed early.

Day of Departure

1. Rise early enough to enjoy a cup of coffee.
2. Empty dishwasher. You don’t want musty-smelling dishes when you come back.
3. Wash up last-minute dishes.
4. Make your bed.
5. Take out the trash! Make sure nothing is left perishable in the refrigerator.
6. Pack last-minute items.
7. Pack car or put it in one spot for transfer.
8. Turn the heat/AC to where you want it while you are gone.
9. Turn off the lights. Unless you are keeping some on to make it look like someone is home.
10. Bon Voyage!

I hope this letter today helps. Next week I will be sharing the first step, of many steps, along my journey. My hope is that you will feel like you are traveling with me. Until next week-

Yours in Christ Light- Jody