Travel for the Older Adult Part I
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By Billy and Akaisha Kaderli
Because Billy and I were able to retire early, we have been on the road meandering through continents for two decades. (http://www.retireearlylifestyle.com/20_years.htm).
While we like to think of ourselves as spry, flexible and ready to take on the world, truth is, we are no longer twenty or thirty years old. Travel for the older adult presents challenges that we didn’t have when we were younger. Energy levels have changed and our bodies require different comforts in order to feel well.
If you are over 50 with active wanderlust, independent journeying is still possible. Take advantage of what we have learned over the years.
The Importance of Sleep
The value of sleep is a priority that we protect, since its absence is felt for the next day or two, creating havoc in moods, energy level and even decision making. Whenever possible, we no longer take red-eye flights. Air travel has become more complicated in recent years and it’s enough to handle the new requirements, the lines, and the disorientation of time zones without adding severe sleep schedule interruptions. Besides, what’s the rush?
In years past we’d blow into a new location without a care, knowing we would find some kind of hotel arrangements. Now, we are more inclined to reserve a room for our first night in a new city or town, or at least have a definite address where our taxi can take us. Once we arrive, we can scout out a more suitable hotel if we aren’t pleased with our first choice. We also check the beds for firmness, get a quiet room off the street if possible and we pay a bit more for better quality.
Sometimes an afternoon nap is the height of luxury, and can be the pick-me-up needed for the rest of the day, especially if there is an evening event planned. We’re retired, so why not enjoy it? Allowing time for rest instead of continuous motion can be delicious.
Fueling the Machine
We don’t skip meals and run on empty. Solid, quality, protein-based meals and snacks have always been a focus for us. We’re the machine that makes our lives run, and this machine needs proper fuel. Light-headedness, indecision and fatigue due to lack of nutrition contributes to needless bickering and is something we avoid at all costs. Why make things harder on ourselves? We are sure to eat at regular intervals and to bring travel food with us on buses, trains, planes and even if we are out day-tripping. Dehydration is another important consideration and we remember to bring bottled water with us wherever we go.
Tip: There is no need to purchase expensive bottled water at the airport concessions. When traveling by plane bring an empty water bottle with you through security. Once through, find a drinking fountain and fill it up there.
Be sure to check out Part II where we discuss Dividing up Duties, and Committing to Paper Instead of to Memory
Akaisha and Billy Kaderli retired almost 2 decades ago at the age of at the age of 38 and began traveling the world. They wrote the popular book, The Adventurer’s Guide to Early Retirement (http://retireearlylifestyle.com/orderpage.htm ) which has sold in 40 countries. Their new book, The Adventurer’s Guide to Chapala Living is available on their website as well as more of the wisdom, creative lifestyle options and information they share. RetireEarlyLifestyle.com ( http://retireearlylifestyle.com/ )
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