Packing

Pretty much as soon as you start reading or talking about travel, you come upon packing tips.

I’ve read some tips I learned by living and was happy to see are on the web I once also read some that I wish I could tear off of the web as they were clearly written by a non-traveler who clearly just happened to be assigned an article. I’ve found some that although written with a tone of authority, were not my own experience in my 20s and definitely don’t apply to more mature women (or to men).

The posts tagged as “packing” here are either my own personal experience or those of people that I know know how to travel. As with all of my writing, I write only what I know to be true. To read any full post, click it’s header.

Always with me: ChicoBags!

 in Deb's Travels / Packing

I’ve written about ChicoBags for years now, raving about how I use them daily as I travel. My love for their quality, convenience, and compact design is as strong as ever. I’m adding this post because, until the past 2 years, I hadn’t realized how much I’d use them when not traveling. Unfortunately, for the past few years I haven’t been able to wander foreign countries, walking miles and miles per day. I’ve needed to stay near family and friends and at times even walking from home to sidewalk has been a challenge. But I’ve still had one or two ChicoBag Sling bags with me any time I waked out my door and even going from room to room or within my accommodations — just like when I’m out for an entire day of travel. (And there is always a TravelPack in my car or nearby closet as well.) I […]

ChicoBag Sling, their product shot
The bottom of the Cabeau Evolution soft inflatable Cushion. It's perfect for travel.

A seat cushion – long-term travelers dream

 in Deb's Travels / Packing

A soft place to sit. I don’t expect that wish will be a necessary anymore, thanks to a new item in travel — inflatable ergonomic Evolution Cushion by Cabeau! This cusion packs rather small & it’s light, so it’s well worth the packing impact. It’s strong and evenly distributes your weight. It’s easy to adjust the how firm or soft you’d like it.

Travel in health -Books for health

 in Deb's Travels / Food / Medical / Packing

Getting sick is especially bothersome when you’re traveling. But of course, illness happens and there are plenty of good, easy ways to deal with that. For now, let’s talk about ways to prevent illness. This page covers some online info and books that I know to be excellent and helpful. Each comes as an ebook too, so you can take it with you as you travel. Hint: Everything pretty much comes down to eating real food over fast and processed foods. This is often called Whole Food Plant-Based (WFPB). This sets you and your body up for its best health so you can minimize illness and maximize opportunities for great adventures.  I don’t give medical advice so don’t take my words that way, but I and others know that as you learn what’s in these books it’s possible to balance local experiences and enjoy the local cuisines of the places […]

How Not To Die book cover

Great Gifts for Travelers – under $15 1

 in Misc / Packing

When you’re seeking a great gift for a traveler — something this person can actually use while traveling — you ask friends for ideas and read “gift guides” but do they actually help? Are they realistic for this person’s travel? Can you afford them? (Did you know that per Fortune Magazine, More Than a Third of Americans Return Gifts They Receive Over the Holidays?)

wrapped gifts
wrapped gifts

Great Gifts for Travelers from $15-$30 1

 in Misc / Packing

This is what I call my Get-Real Gift Guide for People Who Travel because so many gifts given to a person who travels simply aren’t realistic as things a person can actually use while traveling. For a plane maybe, but not for the duration. If your friend must carry one-trick items for the entire time she/he is away, that isn’t actually helpful.

Best hair dryer for travel – Conair Travel Smart

 in Packing / Traveling with Technology

Travel with a hair dryer is viable. Even when living out of a single carry-on bag for an extended time. I know because I am doing it. And I’m so happy that I am!

Bottom Line: From my experience, any American who would like to travel with a hair dryer will be wise to take a Travel Smart® hair dryer by Conair. Specifically, the blue 1200-Watt Tourmaline Ceramic Hair Dryer, Dual Voltage, model TS263. (SRP $29.99)
(Unless it is replaced by an even better model when you read this.)

Conair Travel Smart TS263

Packing a hard-bristled brush 1

 in Packing

Once in a while, we who travel come into a packing dilemma and have to either give up the item or become creative.
For me, that was this hairbrush.

The issues:
It has too long a handle so it didn’t fit in a fabric pencil case, makeup case, etc.
The spikes grip everything they touch, eating clothes and everything else — including any typical fabric they’re wrapped in.
It takes too much precious room.

The solution…

Will your Amazon purchase be what you expect – or counterfeit?

 in Packing / Travel Tips

If you’re shopping on the Amazon website, you need to read this!

As you prepare to travel are you looking at travel supplies, items, or clothing on Amazon?
While slow traveling or digital nomading, are you thinking of buying something at Amazon because it can be sent to you?
Are you living in a country that lacks certain products and using Amazon to get them?
I’ve been reading articles and press releases from TheCounterfeitReport.com for a few years now. The things they report are always disturbing — and important! Wherever you live, if you end up with a counterfeit power cable, your device may become damaged, and even fire is a possibility. If your SD card is counterfeit, you may lose your cherished travel photos. And what good will a fake not-waterproof raincoat do for you on wet travel days.

In everyday life, counterfeit products are a disappointment, perhaps with a serious cost. But as you travel, your loss may well be even greater. So, I want you to be aware of what’s going on at Amazon. (Other sale sites too but today the focus is on this most popular website.)

Rather than try to write this all for you, I have received permission to reprint the press release in full. 
I hope you’ll read it.

The-Counterfeit-Report_logo

A favorite travel top by KikiSol

 in Packing

Once in a while, you happen upon clothing that’s absolutely perfect for travel. Here’s one that’s a go-to top for me in 2018. It’s a brand called KikiSol and this top is called Storm — Black Back and White Jagged Tee. I love KikiSol’s fabrics; they are “printed by hand.” The top has depth and feeling. Plus, it’s cotton! I LOVE cotton clothing — it’s healthy and comfortable.

It takes up almost no space in any travel bag.

Pack an umbrella for travel?

 in Packing

Is it worth the space and weight to pack an umbrella for your travels? There were too many times having to carry my backpack was already bringing me to tears, so I resisted. But an umbrella can be so much nicer than a rain poncho at times, so I’d buy one, then discard it and buy another later.

This changed when I discovered the Fjord Folding Trekking Umbrella by Innate. It’s the thinnest in diameter and lightest umbrella I have found. Yet, it’s durable.

Now that I’ve put this Innate umbrella to the test, I can tell you about it and recommend it.

RhinoShield CrashGuard Bumper Case, RhinoShield's image

Minimalist phone case for travel – RhinoShield bumpers

 in Featured / Packing / Traveling with Technology

I have loved the RhinoShield (Evolutive Labs) CrashGuard™ “Bumper” protecting my iPhone. Light and minimal while doing a great job of keeping my iPhone from breaking — and keeping in my hand where it belonged when in use.

I didn’t have to worry about my phone sliding out of my pocket or handbag because the CrashGuard™ bumper keeps it from sliding. At the same time, it wasn’t thick and sticky, not difficult for me to pull the phone out or a pocket or my Lewis N.Clark Waterseals water-resistant pouch when I needed it.  This and a plastic (not glass) over the screen was a perfect combination for my phone’s protection while traveling.

I’m excited to have my new RhinoShield case coming! It’s called the Mod and it’s a next-generation bumper but with an optional backside too.

Take this towel when you travel long-term or short-term 2

 in Packing

When you travel, always bring a towel. (But the right towel — and I have one to recommend!)

“You got a towel with you?” were some of the first words said to Arthur Dent as he started his adventures through the universe. And so they went, towel coming in handy. Today, I ask you the same, and offer you the same advice.

Matador’s new Nano Dry Shower Towel ended my search for a great travel towel.

This is the story of finding the right towel and why it’s so good.

The hairdryer that died once and I killed later.

Killed my hair dryer

 in Deb's Travels / Packing

I was absolutely determined this time to carry a hairdryer and have hair that looks nice and polished each day. That was not meant to happen.

Be careful what you wish for. I am carrying only a 50-L carry-on duffel bag that converts to a small backpack and after logging in around the Miami airport for a day and walking 5 or 6 miles in one day just to find a plane out of Miami and another 5 miles the next day to get somewhere, I was feeling the load. I was wishing my backpack would be lighter.

Having finally escaped from Miami because of a sympathetic American Airlines staffer who fully understood the situation, I was in New York City JFK airport. But frankly, I smelled. I certainly did not feel good look decent. I had hoped American Airlines and their Ambassador lounge people would understand the errors made and in sympathy allow me to use their shower for five minutes but their rules didn’t allow for this. So instead I bathed in the public women’s room. And… I blew dry my hair. That was my downfall.