so what did you wear....

[chri'stina 190]

Anyway you swing it, flying from the US to the Middle East/North Africa is a long haul and most times it includes an overnight flight and totals about 19 hours if you're lucky.

Couple that with the first time trip and I'm thinking I need a miracle to make me look good after traveling for so long in a tin can with no good air circulation.

What did everyone wear the first time they flew out to meet their SO? Any tips on lookin' "daisy fresh" once you step foot off that plane?

Well I know how the long haul is since I went to India...about 24 hours each way. I wore sneakers, comfy jeans, and a comfy (yet pretty) shirt.

I planned a lot of things to do to freshen up and change into fresh clothes before seeing Sujeet in "real life" the first time. I planned on changing in the airport or brushing my teeth again there, putting on more make up, etc.

BUT by the time I got there, I was extremely exhausted and nervous and did not do anything I planned. I didn't change, I didn't put on make up, didn't do anything else extra. I just went "as is". It didn't really matter though since we were just so happy to see each other.

I just know I didn't smell bad at least. That wouldn't be good.

[MrsAmera 41]

Well I guess this isn't a fair question to answer since the first time we met was by chance while I was in Marrakech but I had on jeans and a sweater and a jacket (December). The second time, I think I got more dressed up but I really can't remember, the third time my 15 mo old was with so I was just happy to be alive and getting off the plane with the two of us (I think I did change my clothes in Paris though). AND the last time I was alone and hadn't seen my honey in FOREVER, I changed into high heels and a nice sweater, leather jacket, applied my makeup and perfume etc. etc. (this was in London - they do have nice bathrooms ) THEN i was stuck on the plane - it got delayed, I cried Youssef crying my eyes out because I just wanted to see him, he was stuck waiting for me in the Casablanca airport because he had already taken the train to the airport from Marrakech. So there went my makeup! He had on brand new clothes everytime I came haha! I remember everything he was wearing but nothing that I was!

[CarolineM 0]

WOW - GOOD question. i can't remember the first two times, but I think at one point I wore really comfy khakis and a shirt? The last time I wore sweat pant s- not sweat pants but like...track suit pants...and a top.

It is a LOOONG flight and I know I looked horrible when I got off that plane, but I didn't care and I guess neither did Stewart! He still married me!

I love some of these ideas though - the summer's eve stuff and the perfume! I didn't even take clean undies - it was one LOOOOOOOONG trip!

Edited November 1, 2006 by CarolineM

[Aymerlu 3]

First time I wore cute capris and a t-shirt. Second time jeans and a baggy button up shirt. I had a 3 hour layover in Germany and Italy both times I went so I had time to wash my face, redo my makeup and brush my teeth. He didn't seem to complain when he saw me.

[Private 1]

Do you know any places like this in Paris?

I don't think toothpaste is allowed.

I have a 8 hour layover at Heathrow and read on a different forum that near terminal 4 you can walk to the Hilton and for $10 pounds you can use the gym facilities including the showers, sauna, etc. I think I'll do that to freshen up before the flight to Cairo.

I never even thought of changing in the plane. How the heck do you do that in those tiny lil bathrooms on the plane?

[~Jackie~ 30]

My first trip to Jordan, I guess I hadn't studied up much on 'what to wear'. I had studied the food, the traditions and culture, but not the most important thing, clothes. I knew to be modest and must have seen too many pics out of Saudi. I landed in Jordan with a black turtleneck, a long black skirt and black boots.

It's a shame they were in a heat wave and it was almost 110 degrees when I landed.

Mohammed's sisters had fun re-dressing me

Jackie

[Yasi 0]

No, I wasn't hot at all. It was December 26 when I left and very early on December 28 when I arrived. It was probably in the low 50s when I got there so it was quite chilly. I was also wearing a black 3/4 length coat.

Moody, I left SF on Dec. 28th for the past two years and was in Hamburg on the 29th...

I wore warm up suits in the plane the second and the third time... the not too heavy kind with a t-shirt under the jacket. It was so comfortable. The third time, the color was purplish and I had my mom shorten the pants... well, they were too short

By the time I got to Hamburg, the pants were riding up to my mid-claves and showing my white socks... it was snowing too...

Later on, he asked me what I was thinking to wear that color and what happened to my pants... needless to say I never wore that outfit again...

When I got to Heathrow, I freshened up and put on make up. The flight from Heathrow to Hamburg is only 45 min...

[doodlebug 3]

Do you know any places like this in Paris?

No I don't, unfortunately. I only got the idea of the Hilton by googling "layover in Heathrow" and reading a ton of message boards on what to do there. I'm glad I did too 'cause even though the layover is like 8 hours, I still have to show up for the next flight 2 hours early, so there's 6 hours...then I found out that it's really not that easy to just go to london to site see for a few hours..about 5 people wrote in that they almost missed their connection because of delays on the tube! That's when I read about a couple that wandered around, found the Hilton, went for a swim, took a sauna and a shower and was totally refreshed and ready to go!

[ya falaha! 0]

Have you been through Heathrow before, doodle? It's a huge, confusing airport. I had a two hour layover and still almost missed my flight.

[sarah and hicham 3]

Do you know any places like this in Paris?

I don't think toothpaste is allowed.

I have a 8 hour layover at Heathrow and read on a different forum that near terminal 4 you can walk to the Hilton and for $10 pounds you can use the gym facilities including the showers, sauna, etc. I think I'll do that to freshen up before the flight to Cairo.

I never even thought of changing in the plane. How the heck do you do that in those tiny lil bathrooms on the plane?

When I was in Paris I saw a hotel in the airport. I think it might have been a hilton or something like that. It was upstairs in the airport when I got off the train coming from Paris.

[Together4ever 1]

I wore a loose-fitting ankle-length "travel" dress with a sweater and comfortable flats. The dress was a godsend. It didn't wrinkle and it was stretchy and comfortable. It was "appropriate" for Egypt. I did as everyone else said. Freshened up in the Paris airport and again on the plane before landing. None of it mattered when we saw each other. That was a wonderful moment.

[myfellah 0]

I wore a pair of black dress slacks and a pink sweater set with black heels. I went to Morocco the first of October and it was so hot in the terminal waiting for my luggage, which seemed to take forever, wish I had worn something else. I showed him the outfit I would be wearing so I had to wear it. I thought that way he could pick me out of the crowd much faster. I don't know if it worked or not but he was right there in front of me when I first looked up. Next time we both go back, will be easier and I'll be sure to be comfy!

Doreen

[girl 37 7]

Actually they've changed that. This is per British Air, though it depends on where you're going. This is for those exiting London going on to an International destination...

Got an email from British Airways with this info tonight:

Dear Ms. X,

The European Union, including the United Kingdom, has adopted new security rules that permit the carrying of liquids, gels and pastes in limited quantities through airport security in passenger hand baggage. The changes will be effective from November 6, 2006.

This new policy applies to all passengers on all carriers who are departing from or transferring through any EU gateway, as well as those departing from or transferring through Albania, Kosovo, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland. This means the same policies apply for any customers travelling from or through any of these countries.

These new rules bring the EU policies more closely in line with current policies for US- and Canada-departing flights, and ensure that customers transferring on British Airways flights in the UK will be able to carry liquids, gels and pastes in limited quantities on board to their final destination.

Liquids must be held in individual containers not exceeding 100ml (approximately 3.5 fl. oz.).

Liquids, gels and pastes that may be carried onboard include shampoo, creams, hair gel, hair spray, suntan lotion, toothpaste, liquid or aerosol deodorant, perfume, cosmetics such as mascara and lip gloss, water and other drinks, soups and syrups. Other items of similar consistencies may also be carried on board.

All liquid, gel, and paste containers must be carried in a clear plastic zip-top or re-sealable bag that does not exceed 20cm x 20cm (8 inches x 8 inches) or one-quart capacity. Each passenger will be permitted to carry one of these re-sealable bags. Items must fit in the bag comfortably and the bag must be completely closed.

At the airport security search, the plastic bag must be removed from the cabin bag and x-ray screened separately.

For more information on this policy, along with other baggage information and information on duty-free goods, please visit ba.com.

Yours sincerely,

William B. Harford Jr.

Senior Vice President Commercial, Americas

[othman and lavon 0]

I did not get to freshen up in Paris. As soon as I got off the plane I had to get into a line to get my carryon bag xrayed and go to my gate. When I got there I saw they was already lined up. I did not even have time to use the toilet.

I wore stretchy jeans with a design on the legs and a nice blouse and sports shoes even though it did not go with what I was wearing. But , I wanted to be able to walk comfortable at the airports.

When I got there Othman, his brother-in-law, and a friend picked me up and we did a little bit of sightseeing on our way to Safi so it was a good thing I had on sports shoes.

Lavon

[doodlebug 3]

Have you been through Heathrow before, doodle? It's a huge, confusing airport. I had a two hour layover and still almost missed my flight.

I've never been out of the US, so no. If it's too confusing trust me I won't do it, I'll just "freshen up" in the bathroom at the airport. With 8 1/2 hours though I"m gonna be bored if I don't do anything. I think there are some stores there but I"m not sure if they're much of a bargain or not.

As for the clothes...anyone have any sites I can go to to get cool looking track suits? I think that's the way I'm gonna go. He can just accept the fact that I've been traveling 19 hours and I'm not going to be in my Sunday best. I'm sure he won't care anyways.

I'm looking for a non-cotton track suit since the cotton ones I don't like and tend to wrinkle easily. I like some of the Addidas ones but they're all so plain looking...I wish they had like a floral design or something on them. Remember back in the day when they used to sell those nylon ones with all kinds of gaudy prints on them? I want something like that but not so gaudy.