Jess Knows Best
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It has always been my intent that from time-to-time, I’d take a break from my regular question and answer advice column, to instead offer you advice editorial style; a sort of “Advice for the Masses.” This week will be my first column in that format. I hope you find it useful! So, without further ado:
5 Tips for Surviving and Enjoying San Diego Comic-Con!
1. Bring a backpack or messenger bag that will be comfortable to carry all day. Make sure to place your valuables (wallet, money, etc.) in a pocket within the bag (or zippered), instead of a pocket where it could fall out easily. Comic-Con is the last place you want to find yourself without money or ID.
2. Sunscreen! Grab yourself some SPF 50 and cover yourself with it before you leave your hotel room in the morning. I like the spray since you’re more likely to achieve total coverage. Since most of your travel will be on foot, you will spend a lot of time in the sun. Just 10 minutes in the sun and you’ll have a head-start on a nasty sunburn -- and I promise you don’t want to spend your weekend nursing one.
3. For the love of Grodd, buy a sample size deodorant and take it with you everywhere you go! Last year there were approximately 125,000 attendees , and I’m pretty sure about 60,000 of them were sans deodorant. While vigorous reapplication of deodorant may get you through the day, it is not a substitute for a shower. Other items you should travel with: Hat (optional), sunglasses, sunscreen (the stick kind, for easy reapplication), and hand sanitizer.
4. Pick up a large tote to carry your spoils; TokyoPop and Dark Horse have provided oversized “shopping” bags for free in the past. You can easily fit a day’s worth of shopping in one, and you won’t pinch your fingers trying to carry a bunch of plastic handled shopping bags. Plus they make a perfect carry-on when you’re flying home.
5. Don’t let your food expenditures break you! Stop by the local Ralph’s (101 G St), and pick up some bottled water, breakfast or snack bars, trail mix, and some fruit to take back to your hotel room.
• Breakfast: Hit the “complimentary breakfast” bar (if your hotel has one), or start your day with a piece of fruit.
• Lunch: Snack bar and trail mix!
• Dinner: Congrats! You saved your pennies and avoided convention “food” all day! Now you can drop a few bucks on a decent meal – and San Diego has plenty of places to do just that. If you’re looking for a great local dining experience, visit San Diego Visitor’s Center (1040 1/3 West Broadway) and pick up a Visitor’s Guide and coupons. You can also print coupons from their website. Last year my travel partner and I found ourselves eating spectacular buy-one-get-one burgers in a quaint shopping plaza down by the water (just a cool six blocks from the convention center).
• What about the water? Take a bottle with you when you leave your room in the morning. When you find yourself thirsty at the convention later, you’ll be happy you’re not stuck dropping $4 in an act of desperation.
San Diego Comic-Con is a geek’s dream-come-true, but it can turn into a total nightmare if you’re not travel-ready. The trip can be expensive, but my advice is free. Hopefully you’ll follow these easy tips…and I’ll see you at the con!
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