Thursday, May 7, 2009

The best kind of research, is trip research!

After what seems like months and months of only using my beloved laptop for school-oriented research, my mom gave a much more fun assignment this morning. I'm allowing myself today and half of tomorrow to do nothing before I have to start studying for exams.


This means I can devote some time to my favourite kind of research - Planning my trip to Dublin!

We're still trying to get the logistics down, such as how long we're staying and which hotel to choose, but its coming closer and closer, and I can't wait!

Today I'm researching restaurant choices and planning the itinerary. At most we're only spending 4 days in Dublin so I'm trying to squish everything the city has to offer into only a few hours. A few very jet agged hours no less. Seriously, wouldn't the world be a better place if jet-lag didn't exist? Especially flying from North America to Europe: the dreaded night flight when you arrive all dissoriented and then can't sleep properly for days.

I've heard of lots of "home remedies" for helping jet lag like drinking lots of water, doing yoga, staying up until the new time's bed-time etc etc, but I have to admit after 20-some years of flying transatlantic, NOTHING has ever helped me.

Do any of you have this problem as well on your travels? Or better yet, does anyone have any other home remedies that will work?

7 comments:

  1. I heard from a friend who lived in Australia that the only thing that helped her get over the 13 hour time difference was going outside and trying to sleep in the sun....the Vitamin D or something in the sun helped her. I take vitamin D on a regular basis since I'm not a morning person, and that has helped me be a little more personable in the morning.

    I saw a really cool special on PBS HD (yes, I'm a dork) not too long ago that featured Ireland...both the landmarks and the scenery. It looks awesome! Enjoy researching!

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  2. I've heard about the sleeping in the sun thing too, it's supposed to help switch your body's internal clock or something.

    Dublin sounds amazing! My friend studied abroad there a few years ago and raved about it.

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  3. I have never found anything that works for me and I have traveled pretty extensively.

    I will have to try this sleeping in the sun thing. It must have something to do with vitamin D and circadian rythms.

    I loved Dublin when I was there. I hope you have a blast!

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  4. It's my favorite research too!

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  5. i haaaaate jet lag!! flying home from japan takes me about 22 hours on board a plane, not to mention all the stop overs in airports that are interesting for about an hour and then just get tedious

    last time i flew home, i stopped in hong kong for 9 hours and caught flu and a stomach bug. when i got home it took me about 5 days before i could get out of bed. how sad is that??

    so i guess next time if all i get is jet lag, i won`t complain. although it would be nice if it didn`t exist. but if there were no time difference, that would be sad too. i take comfort in knowing that the world won`t end today because it`s already tomorrow in Australia :)

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  6. I don't know any remedies for jet lag because I have never flown overseas.. :( Hope to go to NY next year for holidays : ) But I love planning the holidays just like you! Hotels, restaurants, I print out maps, public transport schedules, itineraries of things to see, interesting places to visit. I'm really good at it! : )

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  7. Thank you for all your comments everyone!

    I'm going to try the Vitamin D thing, perhaps it will help me

    I'm really excited about Dublin, we booked our hotel on the weekend. A charming b&b with breakfast located not far from Temple Bar

    I would trip plan as a living if that was possible.

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