Travel Tips

This is from my own personal experiences, so I'm sure there's a lot I'm missing, and I'm also sure there's a lot here you wouldn't have thought of if you've never gone on spring break. Most other sites I've visited seem to focus on safety tips, but I believe that an ounce of common sense goes a long way, and no list is gonna help you (at least not much) if you don't have that, so I'm providing instead a more practical list of what to pack and what to leave behind. I'll add more as they come to me, and if you can think of anything here that I'm missing, or want to suggest a new section, let me know by dropping me a note on the message board.

What to Pack

• Cigarettes - If you smoke and you are traveling to Mexico, bring your own cigarettes. Mexican cigarettes taste like a ten year old ashtray, laced with cianide.
• Sunblock - You won't want to buy to buy an old dusty bottle in a convenience store when you're there.
• Rolaids, Aspirin - You will thank me for this one.
• Calling card - you can buy one just about anywhere, but it's so much easier just to have one handy.
• A small amount of cash ($20 should cover it) in case your destination has a departure fee/tax (always know before you go. If you are booking with an agency, they should inform you). They only accept cash, and they won't let you leave unless you pay it.
• Just one credit card for emergencies.
• Condoms - No matter how much you think you will behave during spring break, chances are a few of you will meet someone you'll want to crush, so better safe than sorry! Ladies, you need to bring them too.
• Contact information for someone in case of an emergency - keep this in your wallet. If you are traveling with an agency, they usually get this info from you, but it's worth it to keep something on you as well.
• Disposable cameras - I've known people who have lost their cameras, dropped them in foam (foam parties), or had them stolen out of their rooms, so it's just easier and safer to bring something you wouldn't mind losing. Don't forget underwater cameras!
• A book or magazine - Yes, there is a chance you may actually want a break from the partying.
• Sneakers - Especially if you are going to a foam party. You don't want to wear sandals to a foam party, believe me.
• Mix CDs and a cheap stereo (cause it will probably break). It's nice to have music in the room while you get pretty. Don't forget that for places like Mexico they use DC instead of AC, or is it the other way around? Whatever.
• Vitamins - Lots of people get sick when they first get to where they are going, cause of the jetlag, the A/C in the hotels (something a few of my friends, as well as myself, experienced), climate changes, etc. so bringing a small supply of vitamins will make you feel better faster so you can start wrecking your body deliberately.
• If you're planning on going to a foam party, make sure your watch is waterproof.
• A map of the area you are visiting.

What Not to Pack

• Your entire wallet full of your credit cards, checks, etc. Just bring what you need.
• Drugs, unless you want to spend your vacation time in jail.
• Your laptop or anything valuable that you don't want stolen.
• Jewelry that you don't want to lose. I've known people who have lost class rings in the foam parties, and guess what? It's gone. So don't bring it and you won't worry about it.