While he was talking, I felt myself swaying. His voice sounded far away. Spots appeared in my vision. My ears rang. I looked around for a seat, but there was none. The next thing I knew, I was lying face-down on the ground. People were gasping, and hands hauled me up. Water was thrown on my face as I came to.

I’m not usually a fainter; it must have been the combination of intense heat, humidity, jetlag, dehydration and probably a dose of anguish as I listened to the sad tales of land mine victims.

It is not uncommon to travel to a country with a climate very different to the one you are used to. It might be searingly hot. It might be suffocatingly humid. If you are small, or old, or heavy, or with low or high blood pressure, it can be hard to cope.

So what to do? You don’t want to miss out on an adventure because it’s a little warm outside, and you probably want to avoid embracing the ground like I did. The trick, as always, is to be prepared.

• Avoid the hottest part of the day (10am-2pm) if possible.
• Give yourself time to acclimatize to a new environment. If it’s boiling hot, don’t run around. Take it slow.
• Look around: what are locals doing? Are they back home at certain times? Napping under a tree at midday? Follow their lead.
• Stay hydrated. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Carry water with you so you don’t run out.
• Carry food. Salty snacks are best if you have low blood pressure.
• Check the seasonal temperatures when planning your trip. Do you need to travel at the hottest time of the year? Monsoon weather can be refreshingly cool, with rains falling mostly at night time.
• If you are feeling faint, put your head between your knees to return some blood to your head.
• Consider carrying a fan, water spray, and a hat. Wear loose clothing. No jeans!
• Opt to hang out in the shade if you can. Standing in the sun too long can result in heat stroke.

Related Reading:

• Hot Weather Health Threats from HealthAtoZ.com

If you’ve been on a plane more than once, chances are your luggage has been ‘misplaced’ at some point.

In the grand scheme of things, lost luggage is not a tragedy. But after a butt-numbing 20 hours in a plane (New Zealand to the UK, for example), you’re desperate for a shower and change of clothes. Not to mention exiting Heathrow as quickly as possible, and not filling out Lost Luggage forms while weeping into your itinerary.

Luggage goes missing for a variety of reasons: the airline misplaces it, someone mistakes it for their bag, or it falls off a trolley or luggage belt. Generally you won’t have to wait too long to get it back.

Preventing Lost Luggage Stress

• Buy a distinctive suitcase. I have pink. No one touches it. My black one used to go walkabout all the time…
• Don’t over-pack or check in luggage that is broken or worn. Check for loose straps etc that could get snagged on things.
• Label your luggage. Clear contact details. Put stickers all over it.
• Avoid checking in luggage if possible. If it’s a short trip, consider a carry-on bag only. Skip the queues.
• Hold onto your checked luggage ID tag. It’s usually a sticker on your ticket/boarding pass.
• Have travel insurance.
• Don’t pack precious items. Carry them!
• When picking up your luggage, hover near the beginning of the carousel. Sometimes bags fall off. Sometimes people let them.

When Your Luggage is Lost…

• Don’t panic. Most luggage turns up within 24 hours. Report the loss to the airline at the baggage terminal immediately, before you leave the airport. Fill in the forms with clear contact details and a clear description of the lost bag and its contents.
• If your luggage is damaged, most airlines will compensate you. Follow the process above.

Related Reading

• Lost luggage airline stats. It’s really not too bad. But to prevent any kind of delay or damage, I still recommend my tips above.

It hit me the first time I left New Zealand properly (as in, packed up and moved away for my first OE) when I arrived in Bangkok. Bangkok is smoggy, hot, hectic, basically very foreign if you’re from the country where Hobbiton was set.

So I hid in my room a lot; I ventured out occasionally but the newness of it all wasn’t enticing at first, it was just overwhelming.

Culture Shock can range from mild to severe. I’ve known it to cause people to abandon trips entirely, or just have a miserable time. It’s a valid condition when in a very different situation, but there are ways to overcome it without running away.

• Research your destination in advance. What will the temperature be? What dress standards do people there have? What is considered respectful/disrespectful? How is the economy and the political situation?
• Learn a few words of the language. I always bang on about this but understanding a few snippets can make all the difference between getting by and feeling completely lost and helpless.
• Look around you. Venture out to explore (not down dark alleyways at midnight, but you know what I mean). The feeling will wear off as you sense the beauty and/or excitement of this new place.
• Change your attitude. The people around you are not all the same; they are individuals, like you. What can you learn from them?
• Lighten up. Get swept along by it all, don’t resist. Have an adventure. Get rid of the picture in your head.
• Make yourself more comfortable. Culture Shock can stem from physical discomfort. If in a hot climate, drink plenty of bottled water. Carry a fan. Buy lighter clothes. Eat regularly, even if you have no appetite.