I have learned a few things during these years of touring. First, check your sanity, daily. The sleep deprivation will do funny things to you, and crying out of the blue for no apparent reason, usually means you're tired or hungry. So far, on this tour, I haven't gotten to that crashing point, but things got close a few times. Which got me thinking about the few little tidbits of advice I can give about life on the road.
1. Pack lightly. Do not bring your whole wardrobe with you. Venues sometimes have laundry service, as well as hotels, and you usually don't spend more than a week away from a laundromat. Laundry time is people-watching time, never take that for granted. Grab a coffee, sit yourself down on the corner chair and enjoy the show. Reason for packing only the necessities? You will buy shit on the road. Clothes will multiply in your bag, leaving you wondering whose shirt is that and whose pants are those. It's part of the deal. As long as you have clean underwear (yours or otherwise), you're a step ahead of the game.
2. Cottonelle Wipes will become your best friend.
3. Buy groceries to eat a healthy breakfast every day, or you'll end up eating last night's leftover pizza - toppings "questionable".
4. Showers every day are a luxury. See #2. But when you do have access to a shower (venue or hotel), you'll think that was the best shower ever, even if you absolutely must shower in your flip flops not to touch anything with your bare skin. But it will be the best.shower.ever.
5. Wear pajama pants. Always. The day you don't, is the day you oversleep and must do a mad dash from bus to hotel with all your luggage because the bus is getting serviced. Pants are not optional.
6. Bring your own pillow and pillowcase. That small comfort will go a long way when you hit a bumpy road.
7. Get your bus legs as soon as you can. Or you'll end up sitting on the guitar player's lap unintentionally while you're trying to make coffee in the morning.
8. There is such a thing as drunk gravity. Doesn't necessarily pull you towards the ground, so be aware of your surroundings and plan ahead for a nice face plant in your bunk when necessary.
9. Antibacterial everything. Soap, wipes, hand sanitizer. Non negotiable necessity.
10. Be flexible and have fun. That's the whole point of the adventure.
And if you're lucky, you'll get to see some of this awesomeness.
All awesomeness! Super happy for you!
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