There’s plenty of advice online about how to carry money — credit card versus ATM card versus traveler’s checks versus cash. That’s not what this is about.  

I’m going to assume that no matter what, you’ll be carrying some cash. And if you’re going to another country, you’ll be changing at least some of that cash into the local currency.

Now, I’m someone who packs meticulously (as I’m sure you’ve noticed by now). Everything has its place — my passport, my dollar bills, my malaria pills, whatever. Places are assigned before I ever leave home, and I don’t leave home with extra space just waiting to be filled. Every bit of space is maximized and efficient. And I tend to get a little smug about it. (Who me?)

So I was totally unprepared for the Malawi Kwacha.

When I traveled to Malawi in 2010, the exchange rate was roughly 150 Kwacha to 1 U.S. Dollar. When we first arrived in the country, I wanted to change $300. I handed over three thin and crisp $100 bills, which of course had fit nicely in the slot of my money pouch — the place I’d designated for dollar bills.

What I got in return was this pile of cash.

My pathetic little money pouch was no match.

Throughout the trip I had bills stuffed in so many different pockets and zippered compartments of my luggage and day pack I could never really get a feel for how much money I had on me at any given time.

Lesson learned.

• Do some exchange rate math before you leave home.
• Leave some space for a pile of cash.

How do you carry money? And what do you do with a stack of bills when you’re traveling and trying NOT to look like you’re carrying a stack of bills?

When you’re planning to camp and the weather reports for the mountains predict:

• 3-5 inches of snow
• High winds
• Hazardous driving conditions

My friend and I waited until about an hour before we’d planned to pack the car and head up the mountain, both of us still thinking: “We’re hardy. This will be fun!”

Then a text from my mom helped bring reality to the forefront:

“This is your mother speaking. Your dad and I don’t think you should go to the mountains.”

Yep, I’m 44 and I still listen to my parents when they make perfect sense. 🙂

So, we ended up at a beach resort instead.

All in all, a great weekend getaway. Sometimes change will do you good.

Ok, this is not the beach where we ended up, but hey, it’s a beach.

Have you ever had to change your plans at the last minute? How did it go?

Anytime you break out of your routine, your system will be a little shocked.

Everyone knows travel can beat up your body – there’s jet lag (zzzzz), intestinal distress (!!!!!), and walking walking walking that makes you tired tired tired.

But here are some less-obvious punches you might not be ready for.

[Obligatory caveat – I’m no fitness expert. Consult your doctor before doing anything strenuous. Also, if you know more about exercise than I do, please share your fitness ideas in the comments. Thanks!]

Squatting

Let’s face it: our backsides are pampered here in the States. While traveling you could be faced with any number of toilet scenarios that will shock your delicate sensibilities: creatures swimming (true story), seat covered with ?????, no seat at all, or simply a hole in the ground. 

Get those legs ready with some squats.

Bracing

At some point you’ll end up on a bus that is careening around cliff-side roads that curve left, curve right, curve left again … you get the idea. There’s nothing holding you in place, so your core muscles start to brace to keep you from leaning into the stranger next to you.

Focus on your core with planks. (Unless you want to get close to the stranger next to you. I’m not judging.)

Steady-ing

This is for those times when there’s no seat available on the bus mentioned above. So you’re standing. Around the curves. Maybe there’s something to hold onto. Maybe not. Hope your legs are up to the task.

Practice your balance with these tips.

Lifting

Unless you’re on a tour that includes people carrying your bags for you, you’ll be employing arm muscles that have never seen active duty. You’ll lift your carry-on to the overhead bin. You might lift your full bag to the luggage-organizer-guy on the roof of the aforementioned bus.

Get your arms ready to lift things above your head by, um, lifting things above your head. Or with these arm exercises.

Climbing

At some point you’ll probably have to climb several flights of stairs with your bag in hand or on your back. Or, if you like quaint hillside colonial towns (like I do), you’ll end up climbing those quaint hillsides on foot – because, to keep the town quaint for us touristy types, the town keeps all ancient narrow meandering roads (or footpaths) as-is. Your legs and lungs don’t always appreciate this as much as the rest of you does.

Get your climbing muscles ready with a treadmill set to an incline.

Have I missed any? And how would you fitness experts prepare for these movements? (Short of simply traveling more, which is always highly recommended.)

And remember this one thing – it’s all worth it! A little soreness is a small price to pay for experiencing the world beyond your city limits.