The "Remember To" List

Before taking off on long term travel, it's important to tie up any loose ends you might have.  This is my "Remember To" List I kept going in my iphone during the last few weeks of my trip. 

*forward mail

*make copies of EVERYTHING (leave them with someone you trust)

*change address on student loans

*register with the state department

*back up computer(s)

*set up a blog

*address book

*Moo Cards (I love business cards, so this is a fun way to keep that going.  You can upload your own pictures so the card is suddenly a conversation piece.  I'm loving them!)

*taxes

*pay lawyer

*ebay

*renew NZ visa

*pick one person to go through your mail/notify you of anything going on – leave a few checks, etc.

*make a detailed list of your stops, etc. for parents or others

*update ipod

*update nook

*pack earplugs and an eyemask for the plane

*remember to pack a scarf and chap stick!

*extra passport photos

*research the weather

*medical insurance

*visa requirements

*consign clothes

*donate clothes

*vaccinations 

(Vaccination Resources: The Adventure Doc’s vaccination page, CDC’s Malaria Map, CDC Traveler’s Heath recommendations, World Health Organization’s Country-specific Reports).

Keeping this list on hand no matter what I was doing was really helpful.  Your brain goes a million miles a minute when you're preparing to leave, so it's important that you have a pen and pencil handy when the thoughts come.  By the grace of the dear lord I managed to get all of this done and am now footloose and fancy free over here in Turkey!  I can't wait to share my thoughts with you on Istanbul, but I think I need to let the city soak in a few more days to have a more accurate perspective.  First impressions though, what an interesting layer cake.  It's ancient but modern, conservative but progressive...the city in itself is an oxymoron.  Today's explorations include a ferry across The Bosphorus to the Asian side as well as The Blue Mosque, The Grand Bazaar, and the Basilica Cistern!

Here are a few shots taken yesterday that will inspire you to plan that big trip!  Enjoy :)