Insights For Success

Strategy, Innovation, Leadership and Security

Travelling

Amsterdam is home to the only one person restaurant

TravellingEdward Kiledjian
Humans are social creatures and we dread eating alone (unless you are on a business trip of course). 
A new restaurant in Amsterdam called Eenmaal was designed [from the ground up] for single person dining. 
“Eenmaal is a restaurant like any other restaurant, but one thing is totally different: you only find tables for one person here. Eenmaal is an exciting experiment for those who never go out dining alone, as well as an appealing opportunity for those who often eat alone at restaurant.” - Marina van Goor, social designor
This is a social experiment as much as it is a restaurant. It will be open tomorrow (Thursday) for 2 days only in the Bos en Lommer district.

McDonald’s offers 3/4 Pound giant portion of french fries

TravellingEdward Kiledjian
Even if you loathe fast food, you have to agree that McDonald's has amazing French fries and now Japanese customers can buy 3/4 pounds of the glorious golden delights. This gigantic serving weighs in at 350g and delivers a smooth 1152 calories.
This is a limited time promo selling for [the equivalent of] $5. So if your in Japan, make sure you pickup a serving and post pictures on Facebook to make your friends jealous.

6 tips from an experienced traveller

TravellingEdward Kiledjian
As a frequent traveller, there are 7 rules that I live by when travelling by plane. For me these have become absolute laws of travel that make every trip easier and more enjoyable.

Plan what needs to be planned

Nothing is as stressful as realizing your forgot something so planing is very important. For each type of trip (business, conference, vacation, etc) I have pre-determined checklists to ensure I don't forget anything. If you don't have one ask a friend or email me.
Make sure your passport is up to date (having at least 6 months before expiry). Make sure you have all the required vaccines, visas, etc. Make at least 2 photocopies of each official document that you can keep just in case the original get's lost or stollen.
Plan your trip to the airport properly. I would rather get to the airport an hour earlier than required and comfortably check in, go through security and relax with a cold beverage at the gate rather than showing up late and constantly worrying about missing my flight.

Stay Hydrated

Read my article about the importance of staying hydrated. The summary is avoid all caffeinated beverages and alcohol. Drink lots of water and drink it constantly. 
Dehydration can make you sick and really contributes to jetlag.

I got to move it move it

Don't use your flight to be a couch potato. It is very important to move around and get some "exercise". by exercise I don't mean running, jumping or breaking a sweat but making sure you stretch your muscle and get the blood flowing. This makes you feel better, reduces jetlad and reduces the risk of deep vein thrombosis.
Get up and walk a little. Stretch your legs and calves. maybe even stretch you back, arms and shoulders. Walk, move, walk.

Eat well

Airplane food is extra salty which dehydrates you. Don't use your trip to gorge. Eat normal portions and choose healthy options. Think veggies, fruits, etc.

Check with your doctor

If its been a while since your last physical, go to your doctor for a full physical and have a blood test done. This will ensure you are in tip top shape and won't have any surprises at your destination. Take extra meditations (if needed) and make sure you carry all your meds in the original pharmacy container which has the pharmacy name, medication name, dosage, your name and often the doctor's name. Some countries demand this or will confiscate your meds.
When I travel to some African countries, I bring along my own seringes just in case. For these I get a presciption from my doctor. I don't want anyone confusing me for a drug user.

Travel carry-on only

A huge frustration is waiting for your luggage at the destination or having it "delayed or lost". Read my article about travelling with a carry-on only.

How clean is airplane air

TravellingEdward Kiledjian
A question I get asked often is :
"Is the air in an airplane safe? Am I at increased risk of infection in a plane?"
Let's separate fact from fiction. The air in a plane is constantly circulating and it is passed through a HEPA filter. The highly filtered air is also mixed with clean outside air which further improves air quality.
Every research paper I have read clearly shows that air contaminant levels during flight are well within acceptable levels. 

Why do people get "more" sick on flights

This is an interesting question but the premise is wrong. People get more sick not because they are on a planes but because they are sitting in very close proximity. It is the proximity which increases the risk of infection and not the plane, its air or anything else related to the flight.
If someone next to you is caughing, sneezing or otherwise exhibiting sick behaviour. Try to have your seat changed. Typically plan for a "2 seat" buffer from Mr Sick in every direction and you should be fine.

What about ozone?

Passengers are now aware about the "dangers of ozone exposure" and tend to worry about how much ozone they might be exposed to during a flight. Some flights (depending on location and altitude) may subjected to more ozone exposure but typically those planes are equipped with ozone converters for external air being pushed into the cabin.

Conclusion

Planes are an extremely reliable and safe method of transportation. When you get on a plane, plan to enjoy the experience and leave your worries at the gate.