TSA Luggage Locks
Luggage may be locked if the TSA-approved luggage locks are used. The TSA has a
tool to open these and will not break the locks if your luggage needs to be opened.
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Exploring Grocery Stores
Whether you travel across the United States or across the world, one of the best
ways to gain insight into the local culture is to stop by the grocery store. In
some countries, this may be small convenience stores, market stalls or large
surface commercial enterprises. Or it may just be a different chain that isn't
found in your region. What are people buying? How are the products organized? What
do things cost compared to what you pay at home? This is also a great place to
strike up conversations with local people and really step outside the “tourist”
sphere. After looking around, pick up a few local specialties for a “picnic” snack,
lunch or dinner. Prepare for this in advance of travel by packing a lidded plastic
container with some zip-top bags, a couple forks, spoons and at least one sharp
knife and a corkscrew. (Be sure to pack in checked luggage, not your carry-on.) In
many countries, people bring their own shopping bags, too. A handy conversion card
of ounces to grams is especially helpful for sampling small portions.
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The Importance of Water
Staying well-hydrated is one of the most important factors in staying healthy while
traveling. Dry climate, heat, high altitude, fatigue from travel, and even the
effects of a different diet are all reasons to drink lots of water while on the road.
Before leaving home, choose a water bottle or container that will work well for you,
and be easy to carry with you throughout the day. Will you use a shoulder strap, or
put it in the outside pocket of your daypack? Make sure that the bottle is sturdy
enough to last throughout your travels, or bring a second, empty bottle in your
suitcase. Nalgene makes leak-proof plastic bottles that don't impart any taste to
the contents, come in different styles and shapes, and are available through many
sporting goods stores or outdoor specialists. Commercially sold water bottles with
a push-up top work well for travel. Although they are easily found in the USA, they
are not very common overseas, so bring one with you.
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Staying Cool in Hot Places
You already know that when traveling in warm climates, it is important to stay well
hydrated. Feeling cooler is helped by wearing clothing made from fabrics that breathe
and reflect bright sunlight. Another way to enhance that ÒcoolÓ feeling is by wearing
a cooling band around the neck or head. The evaporating water in the fabric cools
your skin. This can be as simple as a bandana that you wet over and over, or by using
a purpose-made neckband that contains water-absorbing polymer granules — the same
ones that are used to retain water in your garden. Cooling neckbands can be purchased
from online or mail-order suppliers, or at sporting goods stores. If you are handy,
you can make one yourself by sewing a tube in the middle of a bandana or length of
fabric, and inserting two or three teaspoons of polymer granules. While traveling,
keep a zip-top bag handy to store it while not in use, and let dry out overnight in
your air-conditioned hotel room.
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The Money Tablet
In many places around the world, even if only local currency or credit cards are
used for meals and store purchases, a supply of small-denomination U.S. dollar bills
comes in handy for incidentals such as postcards, a bottle of water, street vendors,
or in case of emergencies. Many experienced travelers suggest carrying $25-$50 in
$1 bills, $50 in $5 bills, $100 in $10 bills, and $200 in $20 bills. But how to keep
all of this loose cash safe and organized? Begin by ordering the total amount in new
bills from your bank, in advance. Then, stack them in order by value in one pile. Put
a small, pea-sized dab of all-purpose household glue on your index finger. Hold the
short end of the stack tightly together and smear the glue across the stacked ends.
Lay it on a flat surface and weight with a book until dry. Now you have a “tablet” of
cash. You might consider including a cover sheet with a list of the total amount that
you can update to keep track of your expenditures. As you travel, just take out a
small supply for daily needs; the rest of the neat package is easily stored in a
money belt or security pocket, or can be left locked in the hotel safe with airline
tickets and passports. The same process can be used to organize travelerÕs checks,
and keeps the pile of important travel documents small and neat.
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Make Your Own Amenities Kit
These days, there is nothing glamorous or luxurious about flying economy class.
However, with a little advance preparation, there are some things you can do to
make your flight more comfortable.
Use a plastic freezer bag with a zipper top, or any other small zippered bag.
Basic items:
- Foam earplugs
- Cloth eyeshade
Lip balm
- sample-size moisturizer
- Chewing gum, hard candy or breath mints
- Individually wrapped anti-bacterial wipes
- Toothbrush and sample-size toothpaste
For long-haul flights:
- Boroleum skin protectant ointment: protects nasal passages from drying
out as well as chapped skin and lips
- Sample-size vials of aromatherapy oils: use a few drops on eyeshade
around nose to promote relaxation, or rub on pulse points.
- Mini-atomizer filled with spring water to mist face and neck
- Toothpicks
- Miniature bottle of Tabasco: adds zing to in-flight meals
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