For the past few years my friends and I have been linking up in cities around the US, and soon enough we’ll be linking up outside the country. We went to college together at Florida A&M University, and since graduating, have parted to different states. Our distance has never caused a dent in our friendship or communication. We keep in contact regularly through our group texts or social media. It’s our space to check in on one another, share dope events happening in our cities, or even coordinate a crew link up.

As you may know, traveling is good for the soul, but traveling with a phenomenal crew is what makes it all worthwhile. Traveling is also a testament to the strength of your friendships. Some trips can make or break a friendship or relationship, which is why it is important to know your crew well. It is nearly impossible to find a person who travels the same way you do, so don’t expect your friends to always be on the same page as you. Be open to the possibilities and try your best to go with the flow.

If the traveling bug has just hit you consider these basic tips before taking your crew adventure

Don’t Plan Out EVERYTHING. You may have that person in your crew who is trying to make an itinerary for every single day of your trip. It’s important to have some sort of game plan, don’t get me wrong, but an e-mail itinerary is OD. Politely tell them to have all the seats and just plan on visiting some major sites that everyone can agree on. Having a well thought out itinerary may seem like a good idea, but chances are, you all will not stick to it. Don’t even waste your time. It’s nice to just go with the flow sometimes. You never know who you may meet on your adventures. They may introduce you to some spots you’ve never heard of, so just take a chance.
Pack Light. Follow the advice of Mother Badu and pack light my friends. You don’t want to be that bag lady on your trip, struggling through the airport with 3 bags, when ya ass should’ve just brought a carry-on. When in doubt, leave that s**t out. Now’s the time to plan! Decide on what outfits and shoes make the cut. If you’re not the greatest packer like myself, feel free to look up some YouTube videos on how to pack efficiently. If you’re going on a weekend trip, there’s no reason you should have more than one bag. Think and pack smart!

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3. Make a Cash Budget. Plan out a budget before you go on any trip. There should be no reason why you’re asking your friends to help you pay for your meal or excursions. We’re all grown and we should know how much we can afford. If you need to ask for handouts, ya ass should’ve never come out (unless you had some agreement beforehand). Most of the time, I like to take out a certain amount of cash for weekend trips. The cash that I take out($200-$300), is usually my cash budget. Stash it in your suitcase or keep it tucked away in your bra.Try to use your cards only for emergencies or getting gas.

4. Secure the Funds. When you’re traveling to places that require hotel or Airbnb reservations, it’s always easier to collect the funds before you get there. CashApp, PayPal, and Venmo make it easier to wire funds to your friends that are making the reservations. Be considerate, and get them the cash as soon as possible. They’re not trying to check in with you every day asking for their money, but you gave them no choice.

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5. Respect Your Friends Likes & Dislikes. You should know your friends pretty well. Well enough to know what type of bars and clubs they’d enjoy as well as the type of activities they’d be down for. Your friend who’s afraid of heights may not want to go to the top of the Willis Tower in Chicago. Come to a compromise or split up. You don’t necessarily have to stick with your entire travel crew the whole time. Some people aren’t going to want to see the same sites as you and that’s fine. Grab the few that are down, call a Lyft and link up for drinks with everyone else after.

6. Don’t Sleep The Day Away. Get as much rest as you need to, but try not to stay in your room til 2PM and later. You may be missing out on a bomb ass bottomless mimosa brunch or food specials. Wake up as early as you can, while still feeling rested, so you can explore your new city.

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NOT ON THIS TRIP BOO BOO

7. Get Ready Early. If it takes you 2+ hours to get ready, get your ass up 3 to 4 hours before you’re supposed to head out for the night. There should be no reason your friends are still waiting for you. If you know you take a while to get ready, grab yourself a drink and head to the next room to start prepping.

8. Split Rides. We all know not to drink and drive, so thank God for Lyft and Uber. There is a function for each app that allows you to split the fare with your friends. If you don’t want to split it via the app, feel free to wire your friends some coins. My friends and I would either Cashapp whoever ordered the ride the money right away or we’d pay for the next ride. Nothing wrong with taking turns on ordering a car, but don’t be that person not chipping in.

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9. Communication is key. Let your traveling crew know how you’re feeling beforehand. Don’t be the Debbie downer, waiting until the last minute to say you didn’t want to come to a particular bar. Please know that you need to speak up for yourself! If the vibe of a place seems off to you, let the crew know. They may want to migrate elsewhere. Some places may not be in your budget, so it’s best to let your friends know before y'all get to Ruth Chris Steak House.

10. DON’T. YOU. DARE. CRY. OR. DIE. I can not stress this enough! DO NOT be that person who cannot hold their liquor. Your friends should not be carrying you out of bars anymore, especially in a foreign city. Pace yourself, my friends! Drink plenty of fluids and eat before you start the pregame. We’re not in college anymore, and our bodies will definitely let our ass know it. Keep your own pace and don’t get so drunk that you end up texting exes. Trips are meant to be fun and bring us joy, so don’t ruin it with drunk crying or passing out. If need be, avoid as many Drake songs as possible. Keep it classy friends.

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And there you have it folks, some basic tips that may get you through your next vacation with your homies!

the crew

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