I’ve perused several “What to pack” sites online. With my upfront apologies to the authors of these articles, most of them are just downright stupid. Really? Do you need someone to tell you to pack a toothbrush or underwear or your glasses? That kind of travel advice kind of gets on my nerves.
A few years ago, I met up with some ladies who had just arrived from Canada in Amsterdam. We decided to walk to the youth hostel together. After about 100 yards, one of the ladies stated “I can’t feel my arms anymore.” Her backpack was the size of a Volkswagen Beetle (well, almost). When we arrived at the hostel, I discovered why. She had packed Costco sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner, a brick of deodorant, two full-sized bars of soap, a quart of sun screen, a bottle of Chanel No 5 . . . well, you get the picture. I’ve always wondered how she fared on the rest of her backpacking trip through Europe.
Unless you are going to hang with the Aborigines in the outback or have a taste for sand in the Western Sahara, you’ll find shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, contact lens fluid, and toothpaste in every developed country in the world. You don’t need to haul around your Costco-size grooming provisions with you. Take enough to get by on for a couple of days until you can get to the shops.
So we’ve talked about things you don’t need to pack. Now here’s a list of items I won’t leave home without: 1. A few ounces of laundry soap. Most of my travel wardrobe is quick drying, so I can wash things out and they’ll be fine to wear the next day. I’d rather do that then spend any of my precious sight-seeing time sitting in a laundry mat. 2. Spot cleaning for clothing. It’s a given that I will spill something on my clothes. I’m a stain magnet. I use these, in the towelette form to sop up any spots on my clothing further saving me from the clenches of aforementioned dreaded laundry mat. They work really well and very quickly. 3. Duct tape. There are few problems in the world that duct tape can’t solve. And you’d be surprised how useful it is when traveling, especially if you’re not doing a Carnival cruise to Disney World. It can repair shoes in a pinch, shore up a ripped bag, take out a splinter, stop the lady next to you on the plane from talking so much (nahhh, just kidding). But, trust me; I’ve remedied dozens of small catastrophes with duct tape. And I’m currently experimenting with using it as a hair removal system. 4. A small flashlight. Imagine this—you’ve on a red eye. It’s night. All the passengers on the plane are asleep, including that baby in the seat behind you who has screamed all day. In fact, you are finally feeling that glorious sensation of sleep coming over you. Then calamity strikes—your glasses slip out of your hand and onto the floor. If you have a small flashlight handy, you can find them without turning on those annoying lights above your head. Of course, I haven’t figured out how to locate my flashlight since I can’t see without my glasses. My sister-in-law gave me some great reading glasses with little lights embedded in the bows. Great for finding things. But I lost them. OK, I’m still working on this one, but a small flashlight is one thing I’ve always got in my bag. 5. A microfiber washcloth and travel towel. I also use disposable wipes, but a good washcloth and towel can freshen up even the grimiest traveler. Nothing beats real soap and water. 6. Ziploc plastic bags. Almost as useful as the duct tape. If I’m going on a business trip and have to look presentable, I get the largest size and pack “outfits” in them. Skirt, top, tights, and scarf or jewelry. Each outfit is in an individual bag. Also, they are great for packing a lunch. When I’m on the road, I often buy large vegetable sandwiches, eat half and save the other half in a plastic bag for later. And what about that towel and washcloth you just cleaned up with? Yep, into the plastic bag. You might want to label your bags with a Sharpie just so you don’t get the bag for the sandwich mixed up with your dirty washcloth bag. Finally, and you won’t believe this, in a pinch, I can take a shower of sorts with a zip lock bag filled with warm water. I have to refill it a couple of times, but it holds enough to get you wet all over, then again to rinse. This is especially useful on camping and backpacking trips; however, I have done it, discretely, in the ladies room of train stations and rest stops. 7. I HATE mosquitoes and, unfortunately, they LOVE me. One really hungry mosquito will ruin my whole trip. I get welts the size of a quarter that sting, itch, and burn all at the same time. I always make sure I have something to discourage the little buggers. I used to use a nasty smelling spray. But then I learned about the Avon Skin-so-soft method of mosquito aversion. That’s right—Skin-so-soft, originally developed as a bath oil. Some itchy genius discovered its mosquito repellant qualities. Avon, seizing the marketing opportunity, began manufacturing their product in handy little packets just for this purpose. A few years ago, I took some of my students to Mississippi to work on areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. We stood in ankle deep swamp water pulling debris out of a bayou. Nary a bite! So, the upshot of this whole story is, unless you are going to the North Pole, bring some repellent. 8. For packing liquids, I like to use small colored plastic bottles. I bought mine at IKEA. I like the bright colors because without my glasses in the shower I can’t read whether it is shampoo or conditioner. I put these bottles in a smaller Ziploc bag to avoid leakage. 9. A small first aid kit. This should only contain a few Band-Aids, some anti-bacterial spray or ointment, some Vaseline for feet blisters, a pair of tweezers, and maybe some anti-itch cream in case one of those little suckers breaks through the Skin-so-soft barrier. I’ve seen people pack the contents of an operating room in their bag. Folks, if you have an injury that can’t be taken care of with the above mentioned items, seek medical help. 10. A compass. I am the most directionally challenged person on the face of the earth. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve been lost . . . well let’s just say I wouldn’t have to try to write for a living. You see, I live in San Diego and that location handicaps us in the need to develop direction senses. We know that if the ocean is on our left, we are headed north and if it’s on our right, we’re headed toward Mexico. It’s the opposite if we draw a bead on the mountains. That’s where we live—right between the ocean and the mountains. No need to consult a compass. But, man, if when I get out in the middle of somewhere like West Texas or almost anywhere in Australia, all four directions look exactly the same. If I have a compass, I can consult a map then figure out whether to make a right turn or a left one. That’s the theory anyway. But I tell you, a compass has gotten me back on track more than once or twice. I wonder if Columbus had a compass?
So that’s my take on the non-clothing items everyone should pack. I hope it’s more useful than “be sure to pack underwear and your glasses.”
Check out my other travel tips at jderoc24.com