Although her frequent travel has made her efficient in packing and knowledgeable about world cultures, the one thing it hasn't taught her is a foolproof solution for beating jet lag.
In Africa, there's an 11-hour time difference. In Indonesia, it's 15 hours. Sometimes the plane rides to get where she's going take 17 to 24 hours.
"One would think one would get accustomed to jet lag, but it's a bit of a fact of life," she said. "I try to get on their time schedule as quickly as possible."
Otherwise, she follows traditional recommendations regarding jet lag--eating lightly and avoiding alcohol in flight.
Sometimes, however, there's nothing to do but tough it out. "Mostly you just have to be tired," she said. "And drink a lot of coffee."
Carol Smith is a freelance writer based in Pasadena. If you have experiences to share or suggestions for Executive Travel, please write: Executive Travel Editor, Business Editorial, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, fax (213) 237-7837 or e-mail to business@latimes.com
