Alright, so a while back, I was gearing up for a big trip. You know the kind – new country, new foods, super exciting, but also a tiny voice in my head going, “Don’t get sick, don’t get sick.” I’d heard stories, you know, friends coming back with not-so-fun souvenirs from their digestive systems. I really wanted to avoid that club.
My Pre-Trip Rituals – Getting My Head in the Game
First things first, I didn’t just jump on a plane. I actually sat down and thought about it. My main goal was to enjoy myself, not spend half the vacation feeling miserable. So, I started with the basics. I made a little mental checklist. It wasn’t about being paranoid, more like being prepared. I figured a little effort upfront could save a lot of trouble later.
I packed a small kit, nothing too crazy. Some pain relievers, band-aids, the usual. But the star player? Hand sanitizer. Lots of it. And I made a mental note: water is not always your friend when you’re abroad, at least not straight from the tap in some places. So, “bottled water only” became my mantra before I even stepped out the door.
Out There in the Wild – My On-the-Ground Tactics
Once I landed, that’s when the real game began. My number one, absolute, non-negotiable rule was about my hands. It sounds ridiculously simple, I know. But man, it’s a game-changer. My personal rule was: Wash your hands often with soap and water. I mean, often.
- After using the bathroom? Obviously.
- Before eating or even touching food? Always.
- After being on public transport, touching railings, money? You bet.
- If I sneezed or coughed (into my elbow, of course!), I’d try to wash up soon after.
Seriously, I think I washed my hands more in those few weeks than I do in a regular month at home. And when soap and water weren’t available, out came the trusty hand sanitizer. I wasn’t shy about it. People probably thought I was a bit nuts, but hey, I wasn’t the one feeling queasy.
Then there was the food and drink situation. I love trying local food; that’s half the fun of traveling! But I was cautious. For street food, I’d look for stalls that were busy, especially with locals. If the food was being cooked fresh, right there in front of me, sizzling hot, that was a good sign. If stuff looked like it had been sitting out for hours, I’d give it a pass. No shame in walking away.
And water, like I said. Bottled, sealed, every single time. Even for brushing my teeth. I know, some people think it’s overkill, but I wasn’t taking chances. Ice in drinks? Mostly avoided it unless I was in a pretty reputable-looking restaurant where I felt they’d be using filtered water. My general rule for fresh produce was “peel it, boil it, cook it, or forget it.” Salads were often off the menu unless I was super confident about the place.
Listening to My Gut – Literally and Figuratively
Beyond the hand washing and food vigilance, I also made a point to just listen to my body. Traveling can be tiring! New time zones, lots of walking, constant stimulation. I made sure to get enough rest. I didn’t try to cram everything into the first few days. If I felt a bit off, I’d take it easy. Pushing through when you’re feeling rundown is just asking for trouble, I think. Your immune system is already dealing with a new environment.
Did It Work? The Aftermath
So, the big question: did all this fuss actually work? Well, I came back feeling great! No horror stories to tell, no emergency pharmacy runs. Just good memories. Maybe it was luck, maybe it was my slightly over-the-top hand hygiene, or maybe a bit of both. But I genuinely believe these simple things made a huge difference.
It’s not about being scared or avoiding new experiences. It’s just about being smart, a little bit careful, so you can actually enjoy all those amazing experiences to the fullest. That’s my two cents, anyway, from what I’ve done and what’s worked for me.
