P2P: Hawaiian Island Discovery

Here are some things our Delegation has shared with us that they are taking as trinkets. What are you taking?

They should be cheap (free or under $5), small enough to fit in your day pack, and you only need 12!

• Ohio postcards of famous Ohio spots (Football HoF, Rock & Roll HoF, OSU, Ohio map, black squirrels, Amish country, Lake Erie, Goodyear Blimp)
• Pencils (Cleveland Browns, and Caveliers, etc.)
• yo-yo's
• Ohio quarters
• Note cards with Cardinal on them to write "thank you" notes
• Photo of ambassador making a snowman (12 copies)
• Handmade bookmarks
• Recipe cards for "buckeye candy"
• Buckeye seeds (may not be permitted through security, but we'll see!)

What will you take as a Unique Ohio Trinket?

Hello fellow pen-pals! A few super tips from your travel-savvy Delegation Leaders on how to write home when on vacation in Hawaii.

First: Before you even think about packing for Hawaii, make a list of names and addresses of people you want to write home to. You know, friends, family, sponsors, and others you want to make jealous!

Second: Type or write these names and addresses onto self-adhesive mailing labels. Make more than one for people you'll write home to more than once, of course!

Third: Fold this label sheet up carefully and place it in a Ziplock along with postcard stamps that you buy here in Ohio before you leave! (Postcard stamps cost $.24 ea.) Put this Ziplock in your carry-on and forget about it until you get to Hawaii.

Fourth: Get to Hawaii.

Fifth: When in Hawaii, buy yourself some postcards of places that you actually visit so that the picture tells half the story for you. (You could also buy some postcards to keep for yourself since the pictures are so nice and usually say something about what the picture is about.)

Sixth: Place the appropriate pre-made address sticker on the RIGHT side of the postcard along with the pre-bought postcard stamp.

Seventh: NEATLY write a friendly note on the LEFT side of your card to your pen-pal to say what you've seen, done, eaten, etc. See example below . . .

"Dear Friend,
The weather is great, but it rains every afternoon for one hour at exactly 4 pm! I met some cool friends who let me borrow a hula skirt and taught me how to hula this afternoon. My roommate snores a lot, but is a good friend to laugh with. Our delegation leader, Nick, is afraid of the water and will only go in with those orange "floaties" on his arms, but we went swimming with him and he felt much safer. I can't wait until tomorrow when we go to Secret Island where they filmed Jurrasic Park! I'll let you know if I see any veloceraptors!
Your friend,
Me"

Eighth: Ask your Delegation Leader or Manager where and when you can mail your postcards. Most hotels will mail your cards for you at the front desk if you ask politely.

Ninth: Mail your postcard.

BONUS:

For those of you who feel up to the challenge: Practice writing a postcard. Log on to the "On Board" site and look up the addresses of your Delegation Leaders. Mail a postcard to each of us telling us what you're up to now that school is/is almost out! See if it gets to us! We'll let you know at the picnic and put the postcards in a drawing for a prize. You have four chances to win! One for each leader who receives your postcard before the picnic!

We'll be waiting!

When do I have to be at the airport?
Right now, it looks like our plane will be leaving at 7:30 AM. For domestic (USA) flights, we all need to arrive at Cleveland Hopkins Intl. Airport two hours early, at 5:30 AM. This will be an early day, we know, but try your best to go to bed early the night before and drink plenty of water the four days before we leave so you don't become dehydrated in the air or the first few days of the program. (This prevents barfing! Take any motion sickness medicine at this time as well, since most medicines take a few hours to kick in. This also prevents barfing!)

Where will we meet?
When you and your family arrive at the airport, look for your leaders in the BAGGAGE CLAIM LEVEL. This is a safe place for our large group to meet and not be in the way of others at the airport. Your leaders will be wearing khaki pants and blue polos and big smiles!

How will we check in?
Your parents will be asked to wait in the baggage claim area while the leaders organize small groups of you at a time to bring your luggage to the check in desk to drop off your suitcase and your gear bag and receive your boarding pass. (Leaders will keep your boarding pass until you step through security, then you'll give the boarding pass back to your leader.) Once your bags are checked in, you may go back down to baggage claim to wait with your family. You will keep your backpack/carry-on with you.

What happens next?
Once all bags are checked in, we'll pose for a group picture downstairs. Give your family a big hug and gather with your assigned leader and travel group. (You'll know who your group is by the picnic.) You and your travel group will head upstairs to the gate.

How does security work?
Your leader will hand you your ID and boarding pass. You will line up very seriously (security does not joke around) and place your belongings in a tray to go through a conveyor belt for security to check. Belongings include your backpack, wallet/money belt, shoes, lanyard (anything metal besides jewelry) and jacket.

Walk through the metal detector with your boarding pass and ID. You may be asked by a security guard to have them pass a portable metal detector over your arms and legs. This doesn't mean you're in trouble; they give random checks to passengers and you might be next. Be polite and cooperative.

The security agents may ask to go through your bag by hand. Let them do what they need to do and you'll be on your way. Gather your things, be sure to have all of your belongings, then line up and wait quietly for the rest of the group to come through.

Immediately give your ID and boarding pass back to your leader.

Where's the plane?
We always walk through the airport in a single file line. This keeps us together and helps us to maneuver through the concourse without running into other travelers. We usually walk quickly, so stay together! We will then head to our gate waiting area and chill until they announce that it's time to board. Photo: students NOT walking single file take up the entire hallway!

By this time, the program has officially begun and you must abide by the official rules for your safety. Remember:

• Take your own bag with you at all times. (Carry your own stuff!)
• Travel in groups of four (even to the restroom).
• Ask your leader for permission to use the restroom, or buy a snack. (We must know where you are at all times.)
• Be polite.
• No running.

While you are waiting, you may read a book, sleep, or get out one of your games to play with a friend. Photo: Ambassadors waiting to board. See the snacks, book and card game?

When do we take off?

As soon as the airline announces for us to board, line up with your leader and receive your boarding pass and ID again to pass through the gate. Keep your voices down.

Find your seat on the plane and give your boarding pass and ID back to your leader when they board the plane. Place your carry on under the seat in front of you, put your seatbelt on and get ready for take off. Follow instructions of the guides on the plane. Use your best manners. Photo: Keep your eyes peeled! You never know what you'll see from the air. Can you identify this famous spot?

Photo: Hoover Dam

Where are we going?

We will fly from Cleveland to Chicago and from Chicago, we'll catch a second plane to Honolulu. As we land each time, chill out and stay seated. P2P is polite and always lets all other passengers off before we get off the plane. This will give us time to make sure we have everything and gather as a group with our leaders as we arrive at the next destination. Photo: Chicago from the air. Can you locate the skyscrapers through the haze?