Physical Tips for trip preparation

Physical preparations for SE Asia:

Now as you can tell, there are multiple preparations you have to make before a trip. But there is one you may not of expected, you better hit the GYM!

Each daily activity while traveling requires fine toned muscles in peculiar places, and if not in shape, you may get left in the 11 pm bus to Bangkok dust trail.



- [Arm curls] Reason: Your arms will be used in the occasional hitchhiking wave, which is not a thumbs up, but rather a palm down wave toward the ground. Benefit: When standing on the side of the road for hours because the Cambodian people won’t give you a lift, your arms won’t get fatigued and you’ll be able to harass every passing car or tuk-tuk.

- [Frisbee toss] Reason: This wrist strengthing and accuracy exercise will be perfect when haggling in the outdoor markets. When that pesky old man selling silk purses just won’t budge another 2 dollars off the price after you’ve been ‘kindly haggling’ for 15 mins., you have two options. You can purchase the product, because in the end, what is 2 more dollars (my choice), or you can use this new Frisbee toss move to walk a few steps away and then pick up an object of your choice, and Frisbee toss it at his head and run like a bat out of hell. Benefit: No explanation needed.

- [Jump Rope] Reason: In case you are ever challenged to walk across hot coals. Your foot hoppin’ skills will be polished! Benefit: Impress the hell out of the locals, and maybe score some free food. Mmmmm.

- [Squats] Reason: Now here in the US, our bathroom experiences are spoiled events. I work at a bathroom fixture company, and trust me, people spend thousands of dollars on the bathroom remodel. Personally, my trips to the bathroom are like trips to the spa, leisurely, time consuming, and like a Coca-cola, refreshing! But, other countries aren’t so lucky. The adventure of going to the bathroom in other countries is exciting, and doing squats will help your cause. If you are traveling by bus, you may be going to the bathroom at the side of the bus where most sitting at windows can see you. If in the jungle, you may be going to the bathroom in an elevated wooden box above the river. Squats will help keep you from falling into the not-so-healthy river :-/ If in a rural town, you may be going to the bathroom in a public facility. Public…no doors…just flimsy siding. Squats help so you don’t have to touch the walls! And if you run across the occasional nice bathroom, you may have such thunder thighs (;-p) from all these squats that you won’t think twice about squatting over porcelain. Benefit: Pre-trip meditation over squats may save you some extra baths and cleansing.

- [Yoga] Reason: Uh…. Buddhism, duh. Benefit: Uh…relaxation, duh.

- [Crunches] Reason: This exercise has multiple benefits. These countries have beautiful beaches. When your prancing around on the beach, you don’t want the locals laughing at you, so I’d suppose a 6 pack is required! Haha, not. More importantly, when snorkeling or scuba diving in these world-renown dive spots, you’ll want the fish and turtles to be saying, ‘WOW, she must work out!’ Yes, it is very important they say this. More importantly even yet, when you try that mystery meat at the hawker food stand, you’re in for a surprise benefit of crunches. Crunches happen to be the same motion you’ll be using when your throwing that food up in the toilet, while doing squats!! It all comes together!!! Benefit: You’ll be able to hang with the locals, because one, your stomach is prepared for that sun tanning, and two, you’re able to eat what every mystery food they throw your way with those toned abs! (Side note: I don’t endorse the lap band belt, it will not get you the same effect with the locals!)

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Sooo with your new workout list, you can now take it to your personal trainer and say 'I need Thunder Thighs, PRONTO!!" I wish you luck on getting in shape for your next adventure.
 
(p.s. I hope you find as much humor in reading this post as I did in writing it!)