East Coast Trip Advice

For those of you going on the trip for the first time this spring break. Here’s some advice to help you make the most out of it.
Because Hawaii is a rock in the middle of the Pacific, I believe that it is essential for everyone to visit the East Coast at least once in their lifetime. It has a completely different vibe from the rest of the mainland and especially Hawaii; it is brusque, fast-paced, and alluring at the same time.
Staying Warm in Spring Weather
Obviously, the climate differs greatly from Hawaii’s. It’s difficult to predict how cold it will be, but it’s a safe bet that you will encounter weather that ranges from 20-30 degrees fahrenheit if your trip is during spring break. I think the warmest weather I encountered was 40 degrees while the coldest was a nippy 12 degrees. Always check the weather forecast, whether on your phone or on the TV news channel in your hotel. The most important tip to remember for keeping warm is to dress in layers. I recommend buying thermals and tights to wear beneath your clothes. I, along with several friends, attempted to brave the cold in jeans. Solely jeans. It didn’t work out well. On a few occasions, I actually wore two layers underneath my jeans.
As for your upper body, I suggest that you bring a good number of long sleeve tops. Make sure that you can layer your tops; oftentimes, I wore three layers of them. If you don’t want to deal with many layers, wear a long sleeve shirt paired with a thick hoodie. On windy days, you might need an extra layer of warmth. I brought along a thick coat with wind-breaking qualities, and it definitely saved me from the biting cold.
Fending Off the Dry Climate
A coat, a long sleeve top, and jeans kept me alive, but I greatly benefitted from several other items. My hands got really dried out because of the cold and dry air. I brought along gloves that kept my hands very warm. They were made from lambskin on the outside and were lined with cotton on the inside, and had a similar function to my coat. To fight off dry skin, I used a lot of lotion, and I suggest bringing travel-sized tubes with you so you can carry them wherever you go. You will need to reapply several times throughout the day to keep your hand moisturized. Do not minimize the severity of dry skin; when your skin starts cracking, it is very painful. I also had lip balm with me at all times, which really came in handy. I highly recommend applying moisturizer especially to all exposed skin, but covered areas like your legs and arms should be cared for with moisturizer every night after showering.
Taking Care of Your Feet
Footwear is the final step in completing your get-up. Do not make the mistake of sacrificing fashion for comfort. I recommend a good pair of walking shoes and a few sets of thick socks. I almost always wore two pairs of socks: one low cut pair, and ankle high socks over those. Some of my friends brought Ugg boots, but some of them said they were uncomfortable to walk far distances in. If you do wear boots or Uggs, you might want to consider putting in some sort of sole insert that will take pressure off your feet. You will constantly be walking, so make sure you’re as comfortable as possible.
Tips from Last Year’s Travelers
[one_half]Jantzen Nakai (’16)
[/one_half] [one_half_last]Chambre Mangiarelli (’16)
[/one_half_last] [one_half]Marissa Kwon (’16)
[/one_half] [one_half_last]Jantzen Nakai (’16)
[/one_half_last] [one_half]Chester Hui (’16)
[/one_half] [one_half_last]Chambre Mangiarelli (’16)
[/one_half_last] [one_half]Shelbi Nakano (’16)
[/one_half] [one_half_last]Kylie Yamauchi (’16)
[/one_half_last] [one_half]Chester Hui (’16)
[/one_half] [one_half_last]Kayla Takemoto (’16)
[/one_half_last] [one_half]Blaise Takushi (’16)
[/one_half] [one_half_last]Marissa Kwon (’16)
[/one_half_last]A Few More Words of Advice
Some Favorite Memories
[one_half]Chambre Mangiarelli (’16)
[/one_half] [one_half_last]Keisha Ching (’16)
[/one_half_last] [one_half]Marissa Kwon (’16)
[/one_half] [one_half_last]Kayla Takemoto (’16)
[/one_half_last] [one_half]Chester Hui (’16)
[/one_half] [one_half_last]Shelbi Nakano (’16)
[/one_half_last]Jantzen Nakai (’16)
My Favorite Memories
I went subway surfing with a few of my friends. We would all try to stand without having to hold the poles in the subway cars. Whoever could stay standing in the same position the longest won. I also remember that in NYC there were lots of people wearing mascot-like costumes. I saw several Elmos, Spidermen, Buzz Lightyears, and many others. I walked past this one guy dressed as the Statue of Liberty, and when he asked if I wanted a picture I got excited. He wrapped an American flag around me and placed Lady Liberty’s crown on my head and her torch in my hand. After I took the picture, he demanded $5 for the picture. I didn’t know that I had to pay, so I stood there trying to find my way out of the situation. I ended up asking if he could accept a debit card because I didn’t have any cash on me—it was not the complete truth—and he eventually gave up and let me pay him with a high five.
I hope that you all enjoy the trip as much as I did!