Your First 24 Hours on a Trip Matter More Than You Think

What a case of food poisoning in Shanghai made me realize.

It turns out, we don’t really remember a destination objectively—we remember a place by how we arrived there.

I realized this in Shanghai last week, and it changed how I think about arrival days. It taught me that the first 24 hours might actually matter more than the rest of a trip.

When my husband and I first arrived in Shanghai after 30 hours of flying, we immediately checked into our hotel and went straight to bed. My Oura ring says I fell asleep within six minutes—a record—and we woke up ten hours later, feeling refreshed and ready to explore. We both had a full week of work ahead, so Sunday was our one real day to explore—along with everyone else in the city.

Tourists here are often told to head to busier areas like Tianzifang or Nanjing Road for shops and cafes, but we decided to explore the more-local Wukang Road and Anfu Road. Instead of being overwhelmed by sounds, scents, and stimulation, we slowly strolled around this alternative stretch, known for its boutique shops and historic architecture. We sipped new teas, took film photos, and stopped by a small business market. While still busy, our time there was much more peaceful, and I felt like we truly embodied “slower” travel in that moment.

The next 24–48 hours were very different.

On Tuesday afternoon, after a long stretch of work in the morning, I desperately needed to eat. And a confluence of negative factors came together all at once: The Chinese apps on my phone weren’t working properly for food delivery, it was raining, and I felt light-headed from a lack of food. I decided to pick the closest, highly rated vegetarian restaurant I could find and requested a ride-share.

After being dropped off, I realized I’d made a grave mistake: The vegetarian restaurant had closed for its afternoon break, I had no umbrella—just a windbreaker—to keep me dry, and I was starting to experience low blood sugar. Via a translation app, I asked two locals if there were other restaurants nearby they’d recommend, but neither had any in mind.

So, I had no choice but to walk in the pouring rain. Twenty minutes later, I stumbled upon a bakery and requested a pizza, one of their only substantive vegetarian options. By the time I got back to the hotel, my clothes were soaked through and I was frustrated, but at least I’d eaten.

Then came the food poisoning.

Within a few hours, I was incredibly nauseous and holding my stomach through waves of cramps. I’ll spare you the details, but all you need to know is: By the end of the day Tuesday, I wasn’t just sick, I was ready to go home—not because of Shanghai, of course, but because of how I felt in it.

The next morning, I was mostly recovered and able to eat light meals. I decided to take a break from work and head to Yu Garden and Yuyuan Market, determined to have a better day. I kept repeating to myself, “Today will be a good day.” And it was.

yu garden in shanghai

But imagine if my time on Tuesday had been the first 24 hours of my trip. I would’ve been miserable. Even if I could recognize that this was a one-off experience—not at all indicative of an entire destination—the tone of the trip would’ve changed irrevocably, and that’s hard to “undo.”

Similar to last week’s edition, when therapists shared about the importance of easing into your trip if you have anxiety, I also find that the first 24 hours are crucial. So instead of chasing that “perfect first day” amidst my excitement and anticipation, I try to focus on something else: arriving in a way that lets the rest of the trip shine.

Here’s what I mean, tactically speaking:

• The day you arrive at a destination isn’t for seeing a place, it’s for settling into it. Before you visit the sights, focus on getting oriented locally first: Scope out a nearby coffee shop, the closest pharmacy, or a local grocery. By doing this early on in a low-stakes way, you’ll feel better-adjusted and ready to explore, instead of intimidated or overwhelmed.

• Remember: The first day also shouldn’t be jam-packed with experiences. If you’re short on time, pick one or two at most.

• Eat light foods, stay hydrated, and get enough sleep upfront, especially if you’ve had a long transit time. I like to think of myself as a little Sim character, who needs to fulfill my basic needs before I can be fully present. After all, you don’t want to be in bed with food poisoning because you went somewhere out of desperation, do you? 🫠

IYKYK

• If you can, plan for an indulgence—I’ve spoken before about how my travel ritual of getting a massage reduces my plantar fasciitis pain and edema. Maybe for you, this is bringing along a sheet mask if flights give you dry skin. Or splurging on in-room dining while staying cozy in a hotel robe. Or getting a driver to bring you to your hotel directly, reducing your friction and anxiety when you’re at your most tired. Whatever it is, give yourself the budget, time, and space to enjoy the first few hours that will set the tone for the rest.

• Keep a piece of comfort media on hand. It occurred to me upon arrival that I wouldn’t be able to stream my favorite shows here in China, and I wished I had downloaded some episodes or a trusted e-book to keep me occupied when I was miserable in bed. (See also: The importance of the aforementioned sensory comfort kit.)

• Remind yourself that even if your first day included anxiety, sickness, or other challenges, it does not have to define your trip. Don’t let one bad experience sabotage your time. Instead, if you can, vent to a friend or write down your honest experiences in the moment, then follow up later on how the rest of your time has been. You might find that, overall, the entire trip was a pleasant one, and that one moment won’t color the entire memory.

Ultimately, if last week was about calming your mind before a trip, this week is about protecting yourself—and your experience—once you arrive. In my opinion, it’s the epitome of slow travel: To both see a place and be someone who can fully enjoy it.

• 🏆 We have a winner to announce this week! Paid subscriber G Knee (and one of my favorite people here!): You’ve won $50 to the gas station of your choice—DM me to claim.

• 🇨🇳 I’ve never had to prepare for a destination before like I had to do for China. This travel guide is invaluable for anyone also planning to head here any time soon. (Max Miles Points)

• 👟 By reader request, I’m working on a larger piece about packing a carry-on with a capsule wardrobe, but please believe me when I tell you: These clogs are the best shoes I’ve ever had, even with plantar fasciitis. I own them in multiple colors, have worn them on long-haul flights comfortably, and pair them with my casual outfits both at home and abroad. (affiliate)

• 🐘 Safaris are my favorite form of travel, by far. Daniel Scheffler’s write-up on safaris outside of Africa left me inspired: Borneo, Sri Lanka, Canada. A gem of a list with plenty off-the-beaten-path recommendations.

• 💡 United’s newest unveiling—lie-flat economy rows—is genius. More accessible comfort, please! (Travel + Leisure)

By the time you read this, we’ll be departing from Hong Kong and starting the final leg of our trip, Taiwan. This is the part of the itinerary I’ve looked forward to most: We have some once-in-a-lifetime experiences lined up, the vegetarian food scene is supposed to be incredible (which has been deeply lacking elsewhere), and Taiwan has repeatedly been named one of the top destinations in 2026. I’ll see you next week. x —Henah

weekend mood in shanghai // film credit: steve long