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[whoSEZ]

When you write a trip report, do you write it all from memory, or do you take notes as you go?

I kept notes on my last trip, and I've been using those for writing out the full report, but I'm also finding that flipping through my pictures is helping me remember a lot of details, too. Just wondered how you all write yours!

[eliza]

I write mine almost immediately after returning from my trip. I fill out my Passporter Pages each night of the trip after DD goes to bed. I keep almost every receipt and between these and, as you said, the photos (which I have developed IMMEDIATELY, too ) I am ready to write! I love sharing TRs with everyone and, most importantly for me, I have a wonderful record of my trips. There are so many details you forget (at least in my case) and it's wonderful to be able to re-live the Magic!

[luvnwdwgal]

I would sit down every night after getting back to our room and make notes. DH would help me remember things too.

[Colexis Mom]

Last time, I wrote down notes in my Passporter - what rides we had done in what order, where we ate, etc. Having lots of pictures also helps, as you can retrace your steps thru them as well

[graygables]

I take my laptop with (to download pics, too) and write every evening. I think detail is important as well as fresh reactions to things that I would much too easily forget. I can "slide show" my pics to refresh the day quickly, too. For me, it's a private time to reflect on the day, "debrief" so to speak, and prepare for the next day. This was very important on my last trip when so many un-magical things were going on so that I felt like I'd released all my frustrations and was able to start fresh. I also try to keep a seperate log of "lessons learned" as they came up to include for my and others future reference. It would have been just as easy to use a spiral notebook. BTW, while I loved the PassPockets and used them to store things, I really didn't write on them much and had to go back and "reconstruct" them for storage. I really needed more room for writing and less room for the nitty gritty stuff.

[goofy4goofy]

I write in my passporter every night. This helps to remember what happens. I keep all my receipts as well. My digital pictures are uploaded to my computer in the order in which they were taken, so that helps remembering when we did what. The last thing I do is ask everyone who went what their opinions were on the trip and add that to my trip reports.

Kelly

[Teddysmom]

[ QUOTE ]
My digital pictures are uploaded to my computer in the order in which they were taken, so that helps remembering when we did what. The last thing I do is ask everyone who went what their opinions were on the trip and add that to my trip reports.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with Kelly on these two things. Digital cameras are excellent for remembering the order of things. We also use our room charge print out. It sets the time for some of the stuff I cant remember. Since we usually travel with mostly adults and DS I always ask them once the report is done and they help remember stuff I forgot too. I also used a tip I read in Chezp trip report to keep a small notebook with you and update it while in line or waiting for a meal. It was especially helpful with all the cute things DS was saying. I definitely would have forgotten some of them if I hadn't written them down a few at a time.

[LLaffinPlace]

Sandy,



The rest of the folks have given some great tips already, but here's my summary:

<ul type="square"> [*] Save your receipts in the PassPorter.
[*]If you charge things to your room, the room receipt can be a great outline.
[*]I take a small pocket size spiral notebook and write down notes and impressions whenever there's a chance, such as standing in line, traveling on a bus or a boat, waiting for food, etc.[*]When you eat in a restaurant that has them, keep a copy of the menus (I try to save the food, wine, and dessert menus if these exist) and put each person's initials by what they ordered for each course. Then make general notes on service, impressions, people's comments, etc. CMs will often make sure you have clean copies![*]Try to take a few minutes at the end of the day to make sure you've caught up with the last things you did that day.[*]And if it gets to be a chore, be as sketchy as you would like--such as just listing the attractions--because any little clue will jog your memory later.[/list]


Have fun!

[statelady01]

Last trip I had my laptop with us and I was able to write each night while everything was still fresh in my mind. This time, I won't have it so I am going to try and write in a journal every night, using reciepts and my digi pics as a guide. I am also going to make sure to interview my boys each night on the camera, asking them to tell me their favorite and not so favorite things of the day.

[chezp]

I actually write the whole report as we go round in shorthand and then translate it when we get home. That's why it takes so long to post it all - trying to read shorthand a couple of weeks later can be fun!

[LilMarcieMouse]

<font color="blue">I have a travel diary I take with me. I try to write in it every night before bed. I also try to put notes in my Passporter.</font>

[Shell_of_the_South]

I am the odd man out, because I wrote mine completely from memory! Never stopped to take notes during the trip!

I have a tip or suggestion for trip report writers. When yo break up your report into smaller paragraphs, it is so much easier to read!

Thanks everyone for taking the time to share the Magic!

[TeacherKim]

Here's my tip: Don't be afraid to include details. I don't mind hearing any back story (what you do for a living, what your kids do for fun, etc.) if it helps me to enjoy your trip report. Then when it's time to do the actual report, don't just write, "We checked in and went to our room," tell me how long you waited, whether the CM was nice, whether you got your requests, your first impressions of your room, etc.

BTW, I have my 9 year old addicted to reading trip reports. I try to only give him reports which are short and that he'll find interesting, but he's loving them. He even asked if I planned to write one when we get back. Of course! Silly child!

[desiab]

I have only written one trip report, but I found it helpful for me to write each evening. I have a terrible memory and for the life of me I cannot always remember the day before. Once I would type up the report for the day my DH would read it and add additional notes and comments. On really eventful days I would start my trip report when we would take breaks. During the day we would save receipts, maps, menus, and any other memorabilia to jog our memory later. Once we got home my report was basically written except for a few touch ups and some pictures. Then I just posted it.

[KimandMark]

I write totally from memory because I like to wait until I have the "big picture" of my trip, but I would probably have more trouble remembering if there were more than two of us or if we went for more than a week. I also pre-plan the days and have that written down with PSs on them so I can refer back to it if I need to remind myself of something.

I agree with Michelle, I like paragraphs with a breaks, its easier on the eyes. If I open a report and its all smushed together I usually don't read it because I get a headache. I also like to hear the details-why you picked what ever, how you felt, how long things took, etc.

I also really like when people post their final thoughts/lessons and when writers change the thread title so I know its been updated.