Travel Tips for Teachers (or anyone, really)

I was inspired to share some of my travel and money savings tips with you. Though it's not quite directly related with teaching, travel is something most teachers take advantage of in their time off during the summer. I realized my 2016 Eurotrip was a "last hurrah" before I settled into a regular fall school schedule and now my longest period to travel will be in the summer months. Rather than learn the hard way like I did, here are some (hopefully) useful, tried and true tips from a fellow teacher/travel enthusiast:

1. Pack lightly. It's all over the Designated Tip Lists of the Interwebs, but seriously. You don't need as much as you think you do. Only pack clothes you are comfortable wearing. You won't wear something if you can't walk in it all day. Every piece of clothing counts.

The top of Arthur's Seat hike in Edinburgh (free activity!)

2. Bring your own water bottle. (Just don't forget to empty it before going through security! I have been impressed at how much water I've needed to chug at a frantic moment's notice, though, hehe). My friend BreAnna, aka Crafty Coin attests to this, too. Don't pay for bottled water-it's better for the environment AND your wallet.

3. Map your route beforehand using Google Maps so you know if a taxi driver is taking the best route. If traveling internationally, you can also follow your location on the map this way to navigate without WiFi.

4. Bring bar soap and powder laundry soap so they don't count as liquids in your carry on baggage. This is if you're a savvy non-bag checker (or just refuse to pay the ridiculous fees).

5. Open a credit card like CapitolOne that offers no foreign transaction fees. Did you know credit card companies charge for changing over currency into USD?

6. Order local currency from your bank to avoid fees and get the best exchange rate. And order more currency than you need-many banks will change currency back to USD for free. Often, too, there's a significant ATM fee when withdrawing abroad.

7. Carry on. Do not check baggage *because of aforementioned ridiculous fees*. Embrace budget airlines, but beware of the hidden fees. I learned this the hard way, and also by reading tips from smart girls like Curiosity and a Carry On. I hope you feel the same exhilaration I do of packing everything you need for two weeks in a carry on.

8. Don't be afraid to take public transportation in a foreign country. Ask for directions at the bus or train station, as many employees speak English. It's so much cheaper than taxis! More beer money!

9. Take red eye flights or trains so as to not pay for lodging on a night between destinations.

10. Wash clothes while traveling. Buy a drain stopper, clothesline, and powder laundry soap to wash in the sink. This way, you save on room in your suitcase or time/coins at the laundromat.

11. Download travel god, Rick Steve's walking audio tours. There's an app for that! These free, guided tours save you from hiring and tipping a guide. Plus, you can stroll at your own pace.

I am enlarging this fave photo of Széchenyi Thermal Bath
in Budapest, Hungary as a souvenir

12. Plan a layover in a city of interest. If a layover is inevitable, you might as well make the most of it! For my Eurotrip, I had a five hour layover in Berlin while en route to Budapest. It was just enough time to see a few highlights, drink a good German beer, and stretch my legs before sitting on the plane again.

13. Make pictures your souvenirs. I hate feeling like souvenirs are inauthentic or not meaningful, but I still want a token to remember each place I've visited. Take your best photo and blow it up into a poster and frame it. Voila! New art for the bedroom and a great memento.

14. Use a Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour as transportation. These tours are offered in many cities, and I loved that it doubled as transportation. I got off at a stop and would take the bus route again to drop me off near my Airbnb or next destination.

15. Go to the grocery store. Pack a lunch for the day, but try authentic food and treat yourself for dinner. Breakfast and lunch items are easy to buy and much more cost efficient than eating out for all three meals.

16. When using a credit card, pay in the local currency if given a choice. This will give you the most accurate exchange rate, and sometimes banks charge a fee to change the money back to USD. See #6, above.

17. Use Airbnb (and get $35 off your first trip by using my referral code!). You will usually get a better deal than a hotel, and with amenities like a kitchen, shampoo, or breakfast included, it can save a lot! The hosts are also very helpful in recommending sights to see and places to eat in the area. You will automatically be connecting with a local who has insider information.

Stunning view of Vitosha Mountains from my Airbnb in Sofia, Bulgaria

18. Ensure time is on your side. Let's say it takes 15 minutes longer to take public transportation than a taxi. You will be more likely to opt for the dough-saving route of time is on your side. Same with allowing for grocery shopping and standing in lines versus their queue-skipping, costly ticket counterparts will help save money and allow for a more enjoyable experience.

Homemade Czech meal.
Best meal of the trip!

19. Research. Trips take tons of planning. You need time to research which options will save you money and which aren't worth the hassle.

20. Get lost. Don't plan too much or you will feel super stressed to fit everything in your schedule. Allow time to wander and stumble upon your own treasures. Also consider getting out of the city. The countryside of many spots is more authentic and less touristy. And cheaper! The best decision was to rent a car in Prague and drive three hours to the country. We had the best homemade Czech meal of our lives and breathtaking scenery!

21. Take M&Ms. It's chocolate that won't melt and they make you feel at home. :)

I love planning trips. If you are thinking of traveling, but don't want the hassle, let me do it for you! Email me for a quote at racheltalen@gmail.com.

Summer Lab

I meant to post earlier about my Summer Lab experience, but started traveling soon after the session was done.

I really had a blast with this group of 3rd and 4th graders. Going to work didn't feel like work. My head teacher was so knowledgeable and had been teaching this course for nearly 10 years!

Nature Detectives mostly involved kiddos showing me insects they discovered. Kidding, but really! We caught a lot of bugs to study them up close and then released them. We learned about what animals need to survive, food chains, and food webs. We explored Botany Pond on the U of C campus, learned about beehives, dissected owl pellets, glued together real vole skeletons, and went on a couple really cool field trips-a nature walk at the Little Red Schoolhouse, to a Nature Preserve in Lake Forest, and to the Field Museum.

It was exciting to see the kids so enthusiastic about science and nature. They LOVED to read, and just ate this material up. 

I often find myself to be a student of my students.They teach me so much. During Summer Lab, they reminded me to be curious, and it's OK to get nerdy excited because that means you're passionate!I find myself noticing and appreciating nature more, and saying things like, "LOOK at that fascinating spider web," and "Oh my! Those mushrooms are oddly shaped." As an adult, I am constantly learning, thinking, and growing.

I couldn't have asked for a better summer experience. These kids rock!

Year of Zen

Learning to let go should be learned before learning to get. Life should be touched, not strangled. You’ve got to relax, let it happen at times, and at others move forward with it.

-Ray Bradbury

The offer to teach at Lab is the culmination of many experiences, applications, odd jobs and uncertainty this year, as I really didn't know what I would do or where I would be post student teaching in India. After subbing in charter, public, and private schools for a year, I realized (after wrestling with and challenging my longtime idea of teaching internationally and to low-income students) the private school setting is my best fit. Though a homeroom teacher position would be my ultimate goal, I am over the moon excited to start at Lab.

This summer I'll be a TA for Nature Detectives, a course offered at Summer Lab. I'm nerdy excited to explore the outdoors with 3rd grade, my favorite age group, and because science is my favorite subject to teach!
No one knows exactly how difficult and how wonderful it's been this year, living life not dictated by a schedule. It kind of felt like the slower pace of retirement, but undeserved without a lifetime of work, productivity and contributing to society. Without the backbone of a 9-5 (or let's be honest, for teachers it's more like 7-6), I was left all jiggly, with muscles and brains and had to figure out how to support myself.

I went to the gym and morning classes and I ran along the lake. I didn't worry about when I'd be back, just listened to how far my body wanted to take me. I even let myself get lost a couple times. Once, Jake the pup and I stumbled upon the Japanese Garden.

I finished my ESL endorsement. 40 hours of schoolwork per week for 3 months. I enjoyed reading and learning because I had time to read and learn.

I nannied for cuddly little Lincoln and watched as he rolled over, ate solid food, giggled, and grew over 3 months. He still remains the only human who will tolerate my singing. I babysat, and truly had fun with the kids, not worrying about what time the parents were coming home on a Sunday night because I needed to be in bed for work the next day. I took my time. I blogged for Twist OP because it was fun and because I got paid for it. I spent time with my feelings, which was really scary.

I cried because I wasn't working full-time and didn't feel productive and I cried because I was so happy I wasn't working full-time. I cried because I had to face who I truly was and how I really felt and what I really wanted in life. But I also laughed a lot, too. I think that means I embraced life's highs and lows, and sometimes both at once.

In my moments alone, I listened to my body and paid attention. I was diagnosed with mild ADD and actually had time to go to appointments and do health-related things.

I taught art and music and all subjects in between; I taught students with little faces and big faces, middle schoolers with lanky arms and kindergarteners who ask too many questions to substitute teachers. Now at least I know I don't want to teach kindergarten. I interviewed for jobs that I felt no pressure to accept...unless I felt that love connection deep down in my soul that it was right.

I wrote poetry for the first time in five years. It made my brain hurt, but it was the good kind of hurt. I got up early for not having to work. But not too early. I barely needed my iPhone alarm. I drank wine and got caught up in silly TV shows. I didn't need naps. Some days I didn't get out of my pajamas; some days I was running errands morning until night. PS, Grocery shopping and errand-running midday is 4829937483 times more enjoyable.

When I saw friends or visited family, I was fully present-not tired, stressed, or time-pressed. I enjoyed their company. I went on a few first (and last) dates and tried (not that hard) to put myself out there.

I went on more than 18 trips, national and international-Nashville, St. Paul, LA, DC, Detroit, Grand Rapids, up and down western Michigan's winery trail.

I went to India to student teach. It was dusty and tough, but the people are colorful, and hey, now I can cross that one off my list and at least I got to see the Taj Mahal. I toured the Scottish Highlands in the fall and the countryside of Ireland. I went to The Dominican for a friend's wedding and didn't worry about taking time off of work. Planning and executing my sister's bachelorette party to NOLA as her MOH and was a blast! #SwampSquad #AlmostStrandedInTheBayou

I balanced my budget, made ends meet and still ate pretty healthy. I spent less money and had fewer expenses but wasn't less happy.

It's hard to simplify, but I did it. I sold shoes and books on eBay and donated clothing. It's just stuff, anyway. I got used to the way I look without makeup. My Facebook friend count is down by 500.

I learned to cook, to care for Jake and Tabby, the best pets in the world, and earned their affection in return. Oh, and I learned how to run a household-it's really hard. Dishes, grocery store, cooking, walk the dog, dishes, vacuum, dishes, dishes. Dishes.

I was hungover every once in a while, and without consequence to my work. I explored churches, I explored Hyde Park. I stepped back from my faith and am slowly coming toward it again, allowing for the ups and downs that come with a God relationship, any relationship. I stepped back from friendships and acknowledged that some run their courses. I meditated on what these precious relationships had given me, that they met my needs when I so needed it. I thanked them for wonderful memories, grieved these losses, and then celebrated new additions to my life.

I bonded with Julie, a new and wonderful friend, who loved me and taught me important things, like to advocate for what I want in life. She listened, and I had time to talk. And her daughter, my surrogate little sister, Ellie. I got to be an older sister again and give advice, now tried and true because I'm a little older. I went on vacations, to Christmas parties and dinners. I became part of their family. My Chicago family.

At the end of the Year of Zen (doesn't that sound like it belongs in a Dr. Seuss book?) I finally learned how to be zen. Be your own kind of zen if you can. You can be more you, and that's what the world needs.

Year of Zen

Learning to let go should be learned before learning to get. Life should be touched, not strangled. You’ve got to relax, let it happen at times, and at others move forward with it.

-Ray Bradbury

The offer to teach at Lab is the culmination of many experiences, applications, odd jobs and uncertainty this year, as I really didn't know what I would do or where I would be post student teaching in India. After subbing in charter, public, and private schools for a year, I realized (after wrestling with and challenging my longtime idea of teaching internationally and to low-income students) the private school setting is my best fit. Though a homeroom teacher position would be my ultimate goal, I am over the moon excited to start at Lab.

This summer I'll be a TA for Nature Detectives, a course offered at Summer Lab. I'm nerdy excited to explore the outdoors with 3rd grade, my favorite age group, and because science is my favorite subject to teach!
No one knows exactly how difficult and how wonderful it's been this year, living life not dictated by a schedule. It kind of felt like the slower pace of retirement, but undeserved without a lifetime of work, productivity and contributing to society. Without the backbone of a 9-5 (or let's be honest, for teachers it's more like 7-6), I was left all jiggly, with muscles and brains and had to figure out how to support myself.

I went to the gym and morning classes and I ran along the lake. I didn't worry about when I'd be back, just listened to how far my body wanted to take me. I even let myself get lost a couple times. Once, Jake the pup and I stumbled upon the Japanese Garden.

I finished my ESL endorsement. 40 hours of schoolwork per week for 3 months. I enjoyed reading and learning because I had time to read and learn.

I nannied for cuddly little Lincoln and watched as he rolled over, ate solid food, giggled, and grew over 3 months. He still remains the only human who will tolerate my singing. I babysat, and truly had fun with the kids, not worrying about what time the parents were coming home on a Sunday night because I needed to be in bed for work the next day. I took my time. I blogged for Twist OP because it was fun and because I got paid for it. I spent time with my feelings, which was really scary.

I cried because I wasn't working full-time and didn't feel productive and I cried because I was so happy I wasn't working full-time. I cried because I had to face who I truly was and how I really felt and what I really wanted in life. But I also laughed a lot, too. I think that means I embraced life's highs and lows, and sometimes both at once.

In my moments alone, I listened to my body and paid attention. I was diagnosed with mild ADD and actually had time to go to appointments and do health-related things.

I taught art and music and all subjects in between; I taught students with little faces and big faces, middle schoolers with lanky arms and kindergarteners who ask too many questions to substitute teachers. Now at least I know I don't want to teach kindergarten. I interviewed for jobs that I felt no pressure to accept...unless I felt that love connection deep down in my soul that it was right.

I wrote poetry for the first time in five years. It made my brain hurt, but it was the good kind of hurt. I got up early for not having to work. But not too early. I barely needed my iPhone alarm. I drank wine and got caught up in silly TV shows. I didn't need naps. Some days I didn't get out of my pajamas; some days I was running errands morning until night. PS, Grocery shopping and errand-running midday is 4829937483 times more enjoyable.

When I saw friends or visited family, I was fully present-not tired, stressed, or time-pressed. I enjoyed their company. I went on a few first (and last) dates and tried (not that hard) to put myself out there.

I went on more than 18 trips, national and international-Nashville, St. Paul, LA, DC, Detroit, Grand Rapids, up and down western Michigan's winery trail.

I went to India to student teach. It was dusty and tough, but the people are colorful, and hey, now I can cross that one off my list and at least I got to see the Taj Mahal. I toured the Scottish Highlands in the fall and the countryside of Ireland. I went to The Dominican for a friend's wedding and didn't worry about taking time off of work. Planning and executing my sister's bachelorette party to NOLA as her MOH and was a blast! #SwampSquad #AlmostStrandedInTheBayou

I balanced my budget, made ends meet and still ate pretty healthy. I spent less money and had fewer expenses but wasn't less happy.

It's hard to simplify, but I did it. I sold shoes and books on eBay and donated clothing. It's just stuff, anyway. I got used to the way I look without makeup. My Facebook friend count is down by 500.

I learned to cook, to care for Jake and Tabby, the best pets in the world, and earned their affection in return. Oh, and I learned how to run a household-it's really hard. Dishes, grocery store, cooking, walk the dog, dishes, vacuum, dishes, dishes. Dishes.

I was hungover every once in a while, and without consequence to my work. I explored churches, I explored Hyde Park. I stepped back from my faith and am slowly coming toward it again, allowing for the ups and downs that come with a God relationship, any relationship. I stepped back from friendships and acknowledged that some run their courses. I meditated on what these precious relationships had given me, that they met my needs when I so needed it. I thanked them for wonderful memories, grieved these losses, and then celebrated new additions to my life.

I bonded with Julie, a new and wonderful friend, who loved me and taught me important things, like to advocate for what I want in life. She listened, and I had time to talk. And her daughter, my surrogate little sister, Ellie. I got to be an older sister again and give advice, now tried and true because I'm a little older. I went on vacations, to Christmas parties and dinners. I became part of their family. My Chicago family.

At the end of the Year of Zen (doesn't that sound like it belongs in a Dr. Seuss book?) I finally learned how to be zen. Be your own kind of zen if you can. You can be more you, and that's what the world needs.