Kathleen, Queen of the Desert

Co-written with Judy Minami. Originally published in LLL US Western Division’s Connections #80, November/December 1998

A multi-day conference or other major LLL gathering requires special preparation and packing. Your family may need help planning for your absence and your Area has invested in your participation at this event. You want to be alert and get the most out of the gathering as possible. Whether you are attending alone or with your children, these suggestions may help make your trip more enjoyable and fulfilling.

1. Get into shape. A large LLL gathering can make extra physical demands on a Leader.

My first LLLI Conference . . . I was pooped, didn’t feel well the entire time, and my ankles became swollen from all the walking as I wasn’t used to that much walking. Perhaps that led me to the “build-up program” we devised in our family for vacations. We begin building up our stamina by taking a walk every day before we leave . . . a good month before the vacation.—Joan Richardson

Stick to your food plan during the weeks preceding your travel dates. Now is not the time to see how many “forbidden fruits” your body can handle. You’ll arrive feeling your best. —Peggy Wiedmeyer

2. Arrive well rested.

Usually you have so much fun in this “slumber party” atmosphere, one thing that you will probably not get a lot of is sleep! Not only will you enjoy chatting late with your roommates, you may have to get up earlier so you can have your time in the bathroom! —Misty Dunn

3. Watch the weather. Check the temperatures in your newspaper, watch the Weather Channel for weather trends in your travel destination, and plan your wardrobe accordingly.

I traveled to the 1995 LLLI Conference in Chicago from my home in Nome, Alaska. It was strange to put light-weight cottons into my suitcase while wearing a sweatshirt and long johns, but I knew Chicago’s July was going to be very different from Nome’s July! One day during the conference was the hottest in Chicago’s entire history: 106 degrees. Twice the temperature at home. —Kathy Grossman

One time I left 100-degree weather at home [Sacramento, California], drove two hours and nearly froze in the ocean’s breezes! I had to buy a windbreaker just to get by! I learned that it pays to check the news or ask someone what the weather might be. —Misty Dunn

4. Prepare your family Help your kids and husband learn to respond to alarm clocks, do the laundry, sort the mail, and cook simple meals. This is their time to be in charge. You know what they’re capable of. Now you need to convince them!

Trust your family to fend for themselves while you’re away. Ask for their help in preparing schedules, meals, etc., for the time you are gone. I’ve found that although my family doesn’t eat as healthy as I’d like, they don’t go without food, they do wear clean clothes at least every other day, and seem to manage fine without me. —Paula Nemes

5. Organize a toiletry kit. Include medications (normal and emergency) and special personal items (sanitary products, dandruff shampoo, etc.) that will give you peace of mind.

I’ve managed to buy doubles of things I need when I travel (hair dryer, travel iron . . .) . . . and I keep my suitcase ready to go. This way I don’t have to pack and unpack most of what is in my suitcase. Saves me time on both ends. —Barbara Emanuel

I keep a travel toiletry kit with lots of zippered compartments in my suitcase. When I find a handy travel size of something I use regularly, I put it in the kit. Since I travel quite often, I also keep a travel-sized hair dryer in my suitcase. —Peggy Wiedmeyer

The last thing I usually do before leaving for the airport is brush my teeth, so I’ve sometimes forgotten to repack my toothbrush. Ick! Now, when I get a new toothbrush at my six-month cleaning, I put my older one into my kit. Now I know I’ll never be without one. —Kathy Grossman

6. Create a running list and/or create a conference container. It’s amazing how many things you need to bring for many different people at a large LLL gathering. Keep an up-to-date list of the things you promised to bring, and create a pile or designate a container for all the things you want to take.

I try to bring postcards to send to Leaders I work with (not attending the event). Rather than carry a directory, I tuck address labels into an envelope with some stamps. Easy addressing! —Stephanie Heddon

I like to buy makeup when they have “gifts with purchase.” The fancy little zipper pouches they give are the perfect size for carrying office supplies. I fill them with such items as a small pair of scissors, paper clips, scotch tape, small stapler, several highlighters, colored pens, different size sticky notes, sticky colored tabs, extra pens and pencils, ink cartridges, hotel-size sewing kit, postage stamps, etc. I’ve yet to regret the extra weight or time to put together these items. —Pam Dunne

I keep a list of things I can’t do without in my briefcase and check it before leaving every time I travel to any LLL event. The list in my briefcase has evolved as I forget something and then add it to the list for next time. —Rosetta Bartels

I use a box or bag or crate as a “don’t-forget-to-take-it-along” drop spot. Several weeks before the event, I begin tossing in things I think I may need to have with me. These items may include paperwork to hand off to another Leader, pens and pencils, a small notebook, gift for a secret pal, bag of M&Ms, Post-its, etc. As I get ready for my final packing, I may not take all of these things, but I’m more likely to leave with what I need if I put them in my box when I see and think of them, rather than hope I’ll remember later. —Paula Nemes

7. Plan for rest and sleep. Getting to bed at a reasonable time and getting up early can be challenging at an LLL event–especially for those traveling east and jumping time zones. Travelers jumping time zones going west may want to plan for those mornings when they wake up too early for even an early-bird breakfast. Bringing exercise clothes and a swimsuit (very light!) may help your dilemma.

You might pack your own comfortable pillow if you have a hard time sleeping on hotel ones. —Judy Minami

A most helpful discovery to help me sleep away from home: ear plugs! . . . I bought some easy-to-shape silicon plugs and they were very useful and effective. Disposable foam ones work even better, and I use one set for months! —Diana Lewis

8. Pay attention to your clothes. A public gathering of LLL Leaders may require more attention than usual to your choices in clothing. You mght start with a simple outfit and layer from there. Hotel air conditioning can be quite chilly: bring a light sweater. Consider dressing in only one color scheme so that your outfits can mix and match. Most hotels provide irons and ironing boards in the rooms or you can call housekeeping and request them (at no charge).

Think ahead to what you’ll wear each day you’re away. Whenever possible, bring along clothes with multiple uses (one pair flacks/two tops; one jacket/two skirts; T-shirt for swim cover and for sleeping); wear comfortable shoes; pack for an extra day in case of altered travel plans; put some clothes in a carry-on bag if possible. Bring a light jacket or sweater for air-conditioned meeting rooms. —Peggy Wiedmeyer

One time I tried so hard to travel lightly, I arranged my wardrobe to mix and match with one pair of slacks, one skirt, and a couple blouses. I ended up having to hand wash at least one part of apparel each night because of my toddler’s messy hand prints on me! —Misty Dunn

Reduce duplication. Take one belt and one pair of shoes. Choose lightweight, nonbulky versions of everything you need to take. If you have a choice of packing heavyweight jeans or lightweight clacks, pack the slacks. Make pockets a priority in your travel wardrobe. Crushable cotton clothes travel without noticeable wrinkling and are in fashion, too! —Patty Hirschman

9. Bring empty folders, plastic bags, and tote bags.

A few years ago I bought an inexpensive briefcase for use at conferences. It’s great for keeping papers and handouts organized and looking nice. And there’s room on the bottom for a few of the things I’d normally carry in a purse. —Stephanie Heddon

Bring one empty folder for each panel you’re attending. Label with panel title and put all handouts, outlines, notes, etc., from that panel in the folder. Filing will be easy when you get home. —Peggy Wiedmeyer

I never leave home without a few empty plastic bags. They are great for isolating messy things inside a bag and protecting the rest of your possessions from west swimsuits, dirty laundry, food that crumbles, etc. —Patty Hirschman

It is always a good idea to bring along spare zip-lock bags . .. with tissue paper, some ribbons, small gift bags, and spare note and birthday cards. When room allows, I also like to include some extra small gifts, like sachets, note cards, cute sticky notes, chocolates, etc. —Pam Dunne

I . . . take lots of folders and big envelopes to put in the zillions of papers we always seem to collect. This has truly reduced the anxiety and frustration I used to feel after I arrived home. Wading through mounds of stuff or worse, not finding what I needed, really wore me out. —Barbara Emanuel

10. Consider the realities of air travel. Confirm your reservations several days ahead. Sitting on a plane is like sitting strapped in a chair at home for several hours–tedious and often uncomfortable. There are delays, inconveniences, and usually no choice in seatmates. Put your hotel address, phone number, and shuttle instructions where you can get to them easily once you deplane.

Airlines usually let people traveling with children early, but you may be better off boarding late so kids aren’t sick of the confined seating before the plane even takes off. —Karis Gausman

Take advantage of special meal ordering when making your reservations. Special categories include: vegetarian, kosher, children’s, etc. I order diabetic meals and get my food ahead of everybody else. —Kathy Grossman

Bulkhead seats [seats that face an inner wall] are often recommended when flying with small children, but bulkhead seats may not be best because there is no underseat storage for carry-ons (bags with snacks, diapers, etc.) which may be needed during the flight.
—Karin Gausman

11. Consider the realities of car travel. Make “nests” for people that include a pillow, snacks, and interesting toys and distractions. Plan regular stops.

I like to put driving instructions on 3 x 5 cards in an easy-to-read format. They’re easier to handle in the car while driving than a large piece of paper. —Judy Minami

Avoid flying in the middle of the night unless you’re used to being awake at that time of day, and you’ll have time to catch up on sleep when you arrive.—Peggy Wiedmeyer

The key to a successful road trip for passengers is the quality and quantity of the times when you stop the car! This helps the driver stay more alert and comfortable, too. —Kathy Grossman

11. Consider the realities of train travel. Midnight departures, stopping for no discernible reason, and sleeping upright can be hard on parents. But the moving around between the cars can be great fun for kids!

I always take one or two pillows from home. Train pillows are tiny and flat. My own pillows make sleeping and relaxing much more comfortable, especially in the coach section. I always bring a blanket; they’re not provided unless you’re in a sleeper.

Upgrading to sleeper accommodations is often less expensive after you’ve begun your trip. On one trip I inquired about a sleeper for the second night. I was able to get into one for a lot less than it would have cost when I first made my reservation. Meals are also included when you’re in a sleeper, so some costs are offset. From now on, I plan to get a sleeper for the last night, both ways. It’s worth it to be better rested.

I take cross-stitch projects, lots of reading material, and LLL work. An inexpensive padded lap board works great for writing while on the train. —all from Stephanie Heddon

12. Bring your own snacks and a personal water container. Consider packing foods you like that travel well. Keep a filled water container with you throughout the conference.

My flight was too turbulent to allow me to eat on the plane, so I was hungry later [and] airport food was very expensive. I didn’t know where to buy fast, inexpensive food and lacked the time and transportation to get it. It was a lucky accident that the [crackers] I packed were easy on a recovering stomach. —Patty Hirschman

Bring your own snacks if you’re on a restricted diet, and the planned menus may not offer a lot you can eat. A water bottle is handy if you’re accompanied by a small child—you won’t have to be concerned with tipping over water glasses. —Peggy Wiedmeyer

I put in a couple of packages of breath mints. That might sound silly, but it’s nice to know I’m not offending anyone, and chewing on something perks me up if I start to drag in the afternoon. —Stephanie Heddon

13. Consider alternatives to a purse. Be aware of the inconvenience and hazards of having a purse to keep track of on a trip.

I found a wallet-on-a-string purse that opens flat to fit my soft-side briefcase. It’s handy for traveling (only one bag to carry), and I can pull it out when I need my purse and not my paper!—Diana Lewis

I use a belt [also called a “hip” or “fanny”] pack. I like it when traveling through airports because I don’t worry about setting it down and leaving it behind, nor do I worry as much about pickpockets. I put the bare necessities in it, like money, photo ID, etc. —Rosetta Bartels

I like to advertise LLL, so I usually use a tote bag from our last Area Conference with a smaller bag inside filled with the few important items that I would otherwise carry in my purse. —Misty Dunn

When I get my LLLI Conference tote, I fold it up and pack it away in my suitcase. I don’t want someone else picking up my tote with all my materials just because it looks like theirs. This happened to me at the 1999 gathering in Miam, and I never got it back. I also use a hip pack or the pockets of my pants, skirts, or nametag for my cash, meal tickets, room key, and other small items. —Kathy Grossman

14. Pack a good attitude and a sense of humor. This trip is a special opportunity to educate yourself and enjoy the company of other LLL people. Keep a positive attitude for those misadventures and delays that are part of all real travel.

Come ready to learn, make friends, and laugh a lot! —Peggy Wiedmeyer

Tucked n with all the packing you do, bring congeniality, willingness, and an excitement to learn, listen, and accept each other. Pack an open mind for new ideas and bring your own ideas to share. Carry on an appreciation of each other’s talents and dedication. And be sure to bring good will and lots of smiles as an LLL ambassador to the outside world in the hotel.