Episode 7: Travel 101

[Music] Hello and welcome to Unlaced with Trockin Bates. I'm Madison Trock. And I'm Evan Bates and we're Olympic Ice Dancers for Team USA. If you're into sports betting, bet online is the fastest and easiest way to bet all your favorite sports. Go to the new updated desktop or mobile website to sign up today and receive your 50% welcome bonus on your first deposit. Just use our promo code Believe50 to receive your bonus. Well, we are back in Montreal after spending a week in Tokyo competing at NHK Trophy. Our second Grand Prix of the season, check, done. We came in second place along with our second place at Skate America, which qualifies us for the Grand Prix final in just a few weeks. So we'll be heading back to Japan, but this time to Osaka. Right on. Oh yeah. Nice. So a quick recap of our trip home. Yeah. It was a slog. [Laughs] And not quite a quick trip, but a quick recap. It took us 24 hours to get from Tokyo back home to Montreal, but you know, it was a pretty smooth travel day, I would say, all in all. Honestly, I love the Tokyo airport so much. Naredo is so peaceful. They had great shops out of the ones that were open. I love the Naredo airport. It's a great airport. I feel like we're experts in airports. [Laughs] Yeah. Especially that when we arrived pretty early. Got to scout it out. Not too much was open. Yeah, it was actually the only time all week that we could physically go inside of a store. So, you know, because we were in a bubble in Tokyo when we were at the competition. So once we got to the airport, it was like shopping season. Yes. I bought some skincare products, some makeup products, found a great little pharmacy. It had all of the little things I could possibly hope. And we also bought some gifts for our friends who watched our dogs, Henry and Stella, Lolo and Nick and Lolo's mom. Yes. So whenever we go to Japan, I feel like you always have a few specific things in mind that you go on the hunt for. Yep. What? Would you share with people who might be going to Japan in the future? What would you recommend that they go shopping for? I mean, Japan, oh, they just have the best skincare. I love all of their accessories. I think their little earrings and hair accessories are just the best and they're so well made. That's the thing I love about Japan is you can go into any shop and I've just like never experienced bad quality when I buy anything there. And they take so much pride in their work and the products that they put out and it really shows. So I think even from the stationary to the clothing to the earrings and accessories to the makeup, you just, you can't go wrong. And I'm just so happy that I got to snatch up a little bit of that skincare and those face masks before we got on the plane. Nice. What else did you find at the airport? Because you can't find all that stuff at the airport, right? I was surprised to find all of the makeup and skincare. But I did also find you know what? I love the milk tea, as you know. I was talking about it a whole week. It's like, when can I get some milk tea? But I actually found some packets to bring home so I can make milk tea here. And yeah, pretty excited about that. Maybe make some milk tea for you if you're interested. You don't seem too interested right now. Just politely nodding your head. But that's okay. I'll try some milk tea packets. That's fine, more for me. That's no big deal. But also what I found at the airport that I love and always look for on the way home is they're mochi. So I got some matcha mochi this time and it was delicious. It had little tiny walnuts on the inside, but like not overwhelming. It was just so delicate that I, in fact, ate the whole entire box. I bought two boxes and I have eaten one whole box already. That's why you didn't have the airplane food. I had like, I had your meal and I was like, wow, she hasn't eaten anything in this whole flight. I filled up on mochi the entire box. But they were so light and they're just easy to eat and they just pop up up up and they were gone. And then you spread out in your whole row, right? Because we each had our whole row. Yeah, the flight was very empty. Everyone had their whole row. A very spacious flight. Love those. Yeah, the flight was good. I didn't sleep on the flight because I got obsessed with HBO show The White Lotus and I watched the entire series and without me. And sitting like telling me six consecutive hour long episodes, which I never really do that. Like it was a true binge watch. Yeah, that's rare for you to just sit there for six hours straight. I know. Usually when you didn't get up very much on that flight, I noticed because I was sitting in the aisle seat. I got out. You went to another row. You had your own row and then you've slept and I looked over at you. I just saw your little six hours of white lotus. It was a really good show. Wow, I'm going to have to check that out on the way to Tokyo next time on the way to. Yeah, because you know, we don't have HBO and that's why I was like, this is my opportunity. I must watch this series right now. So smart. I'll have to get on that HBO train when we head back to Japan. It was good and it takes place in Hawaii, which I know you are partial to Hawaii shows and movies. Yes, I love any movie or show that is set in Hawaii. It just brings me to a very, very happy place. So great. Yeah. I'm moving on, I'd say. Oh, well, actually, I do need to tell you. I did also watch a bunch of movies on the plane. Oh, yeah, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. What did you watch? Yeah, geez. Thanks for asking. I'm so sorry, mate. I was just telling my own story, my own sequence of events. Yeah, that's great. I'm happy to hear it. I'm happy you enjoyed white lotus. My own POV. Well, thank you for asking. I watched a bunch of Disney movies. I started off with one set in Hawaii, Lee Luan's Stitch, Classic, Haven't seen it in a long time. I never saw it. Never seen it. Stitches in Alien. So that's really on brand for me right now. And yeah, I really enjoyed it. And then I followed it up with the little mermaid, kept the sea theme going. Nice. And then after that, when did I hit? I think I watched Gigi, which is an old one with Leslie Carrón. I know you love that movie. I love that movie. She's so charming and the outfits are just amazing. I love all the dresses and the fashion and that movie. I watched them all consecutively in a row too, so it was like Bing-Bing-BOOM. That's normal for you though. That is normal for me. I could just sit and watch movies all day. As an adult watching childhood movies that you used to watch as a kid, what movie really stands the test of time? Because you've recently watched a lot of Disney movies. Yeah, I have really, really been into the Disney. I think the Lion King for sure. I haven't rewatched that one recently, but that one just is an absolute classic and will stand the test of time. Just the storyline, the characters are strong. It's great. Little more made's good too, but I mean, Mulan. No, no, you know what? Mulan. I guess the better question would be, are there any movies that you watch as an adult and they used to watch as a kid and you're like, "This movie is not as good as I remember it?" I don't know. Yeah, I'm not sure. I can't think of any of the top of my head. I love rewatching movies, especially ones that I've liked in the past, so I mean, I have no issue rewatching movies, especially Disney movies. Nice. We got home quite late, I think like 1030, and then we crashed for 14 hours and woke up at 4pm the next day. And now I'm so jet lagged and my internal clock is all screwed up. I don't think we've ever slept that late. No, it was a new record. So we woke up at 4 and then last night I only slept an hour and a half. I am so off. That is brutal. I don't know what to do with myself. I'm super jet lagged. We have traveled a lot and I feel like we're pretty good when we go somewhere, but coming home is a struggle. Coming home is always harder. Do you have any advice for me as a jet lagged person and from you who is an expert sleeper as we've established in this podcast? I don't know, man. I mean, you took melatonin. Like that should have touched your tongue. I know. I took melatonin and I slept for 90 minutes. So clearly my body is just not responding to melatonin anymore. I mean, maybe don't take melatonin next time. I didn't take any last night and I slept like a rock. And I think I have abused it. Yeah, maybe your tolerance has gone up. But do you have any tips for people who are traveling who might be fighting jet lag like I am? Yes, I would tell you to drink a lot more water. I haven't really seen you drink a lot of water and I think that would help your body just like regulate itself a little better, maybe get to sleep easier. Okay. I would say try to sleep as much as you can on the flight and that usually helps when you arrive. You can adjust a little bit easier depending on where you're going. What helps me is I set my watch before we leave to the destination that we're going to be at. So then I can already have it in my mind what time it is where I'm going to arrive. And that really helps just my mind get set on track to the time zone. Let's see. I would also recommend that you take a melatonin the first day that you arrive to just also help adjust to that new time zone. Avoid any caffeine the travel day. I shade your plugs to sleep is super helpful for me. And whatever you do, don't nap during the day when you arrive. This is probably the hardest thing to avoid, but it is so crucial. If it's daytime, just get outside or get by a window, go for a walk, but yeah, do not lay down on that bed because you will fall asleep and melt into the bed and then wake up in the wee hours. Yeah. So yeah, I feel like if you don't adjust quickly, it can be hard. I don't know. I think the sooner you do it, the easier the rest of the week will be and then you're not stressed out about, oh, I didn't sleep enough or I'm tired. And then I think it puts a damper on your travel plans if you're not adjusted as quickly as you can. I have a lot of new information that I will use in my next trip to Japan. Oh, great. So happy to help. I do feel like we've gotten into a bit of a rhythm. though since we've been traveling a lot more. We've done three competitions in the last six weeks and it's been like pretty much packing similarly for each trip. Yeah the weather similar, our needs are similar. Right. We get there. I barely unpack one of our suitcases that had some snacks in it and our just equipment for the competition. Just left it all. It's ready to go when we need it again. That's super convenient. Do you have any tips for packing? I would ask you what are the tips for packing because you are the master packer. I love packing. We've established a lot of your strengths on this pod including sleeping, being a street smart, wonderful sense of direction on you and packing is also something I would say is a definite, maddie chalk attribute. I love sleeping. I love looking at maps, getting my bearings wherever we go. I love packing. You love packing the suitcases. I love packing my little cubes that go in the suitcase. It's so satisfying. What are some packing tips for travelers? All right. Well first of all use packing cubes. They're super helpful to stay organized for the week and help you pack more stuff if you like to pack on the heavier side which I do because I like to just have things just in case you know I would also say stick to a color palette because then you can mix in match or items and not be bringing too many extra unneeded things. Wow. Yeah. The color palette one is crucial. You've been wearing a lot of earth tones. I've noticed that about you lately. I've been really drawn to the creams lately like an all cream outfit is just my favorite. Do you think that is indicative of the looming winter? Perhaps. Because I feel like we got back to Montreal and all of a sudden it's winter. Like it's much colder than it was a week ago. Yeah. Did you notice that? I mean I'm not trying to attract winter by wearing these colors. I truly like that's not what I'm trying to do at all. It's just happening. I'm not saying that you and your wardrobe are causing winter to happen. I think it's just mid-November and winter is happening. Yeah. And the temperatures are plummeting. It's snowed today. I think it's getting darker and I want to keep it light. And I think that's just like where my mind is at when I'm drawn to the the neutral colors, the lighter palettes. You are a light in this world. Oh. Gosh. You're so sweet. All the information you just speeches. All the information you just delivered on this podcast was very informative and helpful for people I think who may be traveling in the future is hopefully people are starting to get the opportunity to travel more. Well, I hope it's helpful. It certainly has been. Yeah. What do you think? What are your like most important things that you want to pack? Like what do you think people should remember to bring with them on a trip? For me, it's like, do I have my passport? Do you have the chargers? Do I have? We have so many. I've been with the cords and stuff that we bring with us. I have assumed the responsibility it seems of carrying all the electronics in my backpack. Bless you for that. And we bring a lot of electronics like recovery tools and a massage gun and norma tech pants. And basically every time I go through airport security now, I get anxiety because it takes me so long to unload all the electronics in my backpack. I'm very aware of the people behind me. I'm always like, Maddie, let me go in front of you so you can kind of create a little pocket for me. A buffer. So I can do my 10 minute unload of my backpack and then a 10 minute reload once I get through. It's just you literally have to take out all the contents of your backpack every time we come to security. I appreciate it. I appreciate you taking all the electronics because they're heavy. But you know what? You're strong. You're built for. I don't actually put it on my back. I put the backpack on top of the rollie back. But anyways, thank you. I will assume the responsibility from here on out because it's I'm in the rhythm now. I've got the routine down. You're getting faster. I should record your next time. Maybe you'll break your own record. But beyond the electronics, I think what would I recommend people bring on a trip with them? Sunblock. No matter where you're going, if you're as pale as Evan, you have to bring sunblock. That is just my personal. Even if you're in a bubble. Struggle. And your only access to the outside is a window. Bring your sunblock. But you via through the windows, it's almost like a magnifying glass. I mean, I can catch a sunbird inside just as easily as I can outside. You can catch a moon burn. The reflection of the sun off the moon onto you at night. Not with my sunscreen on. Nope. Nope. Yeah, you're great about sun protection. I feel like you deserve an honorary doctorate. For what? For travel tips, shopping tips in Japan, skincare, so many things. Dr. Madison Chalker. Sounds good. I mean, yeah. I wouldn't oppose an honorary doctorate. Doctorate. Where can I get one of those? Sounds fancy. I'm thinking I don't know. We have a printer. We have an inkjet printer. Perfect. And I'm just putting me up a paper. I think we can do something in Microsoft Word for you. I love it. It'll be like Michael's timepiece. A proud owner of a psycho time piece. A proud owner of an honorary doctorate. A fabricated honorary doctorate. No, but you are an expert in many things. And I think it's really nice that you're disseminating all this knowledge to the people who listen to this podcast. And I hope that some people out there will use some of these tips because I certainly will. I hope so too. I certainly love traveling and love collecting little pro tips along the way. Life hacks. Life hacks. Exactly. That's exactly it. Oh, I have one more for the plane. If you have some little hotel slippers, those are great for on the plane. So you don't have to keep putting your shoes on and off because for me, I wear compression socks. And even with my compression socks, sometimes my feet just are uncomfortable in the shoe. And so recently, I've been just bringing these little thin hotel slippers and they're amazing. It just makes you feel more comfortable on the flight. So yeah, pro tip 101. You also changed into a different pair of clothes when we got on the flight. Oh, I did. I put pajamas on because it was a really long flight and I didn't want to be in like the same like nothing worked like tight sweatpants, but they were like not what I would wear if I wanted to sleep. And you know, when a 13 hour flight, you really want to sleep. So yeah. That's great. I feel like maybe you've learned so much because your parents worked with the airlines. Is that you know what that too? My mom and dad both worked for the airlines for a very long time. My dad was a flight attendant. My mom was a gate agent. And so yeah, lots of pro travel tips from them. Well, I'm looking forward to our next trip. And I will certainly implement some of honorary doctor chalks travel tips and life hacks. And I thank you so much for sharing all that knowledge. You're so welcome so much. Happy to share the knowledge. Hope it's helpful. This has been unlaced with chalk and baits presented by Bet Online. Make sure you subscribe for future episodes. And you can follow us on social media at chalk baits. Thank you so much for listening and we will talk to you soon. Bye. [Music]