Travel Hacks You Will Need
I’ve been on hundreds of international and local trips. It
got me thinking that it’s that time of year when young people and adults start heading
out for international travel.
Around my own region, I know of at least three groups
heading to exotic locations on volunteer trips to help build schools or homes
overseas. Other folks are touring Europe. It seems like a good time to share a
few of my personal travel tips, gained from hundreds of overseas trips. Some
years back, I wrote an article about avoiding travel trauma in which I focused
on your mindset for cultural differences. Today I’ll open up my suitcase and
unpack a few of the items I take along that you may not think of.
What you take is critical for enjoying your trip and of course, it will depend on where you are going. I’ve taken countless trips to developing
counties. Even If you are staying in 5-star hotels, this list is for you. It is
especially for you if you are heading to volunteer in Africa, Asia or Lain
America.
Here’s my list:
1.
My trusty multi-tool. It’s pliers, a knife, a screwdriver,
and who knows whatever else all in one. DO NOT carry this in your carry-on. The
weekend after 9-11, I learned this the hard way in Amsterdam. It was instantly
thrown into the trash by the security folks.
2.
I’m probably known for having a light cotton
scarf around my neck whenever I travel. If you are cold it keeps your neck warm
in Afghanistan, if you’re hot it keeps your neck dry and out of the sun in
Mauritania. It’s a pillow on a train crossing India, It’s a hand towel, it’s an
eye cover to take a nap, it’s a face mask to keep from breathing dust in Sudan
or a cover for your nose to reduce breathing tear gas during riots in Jakarta.
I’ve used it for all that and more. Pick a colour that does not show dirt!
3.
When I started travelling, all we had for communication
was telex. Today an unlocked cell phone is mandatory. You can buy a sim card
and airtime for about $20 when you walk off the plane. I buy local plans, not
international plans from Canadian providers. It’s better for my in-country
friends. But this may depend on the nature of your trip. If you are using a
phone to take photos, ensure that you are backing up those photos to the cloud
over wi-fi that is available in most places. There are many ways to do this free
while travelling.
4.
While we are on the topic of mobile phones, I’d
suggest downloading the WhatsApp messenger program for staying in touch. This
has become the standard for locals in many countries. It enables phone calls,
texting, and the sending of recorded voice messages, which is handy when Internet
connections are weak. It only requires data, which you can buy separately in most
counties and is inexpensive. WhatsApp also works over wi-fi, of course. Your local
hosts are guaranteed to be using it already for communication.
5.
Pack two new syringes. If you or one of your
team needs a needle for an emergency in a developing country, it is wise to use
your own.
6.
Bring two photocopies of your passport. Place
one in your carry on, and one in your checked bag. And while you are at it,
take a photo of your passport details with your Smartphone.
7.
Consider buying some quick-dry shirts and undergarments.
Many of my friends use these. They can be a bit pricey but you want something
than can wash and dry overnight. This reduces the need to carry extra clothing.
8.
Place items in various sizes of zip lock bags to
help keep dust out and to keep things like electronics, toiletries, pills and
documents separate. There’s nothing worse than digging through your suitcase looking
for tweezers or a phone charger cord.
9.
Pack a small bundle of zip ties or cable ties.
I’ve used these to hold bumpers on cars, temporarily repair sandals, lock my
luggage and repair lots of things that won’t hold together in places where
stuff gets broken. They are simple, light and economical.
10.
Purge your wallet. Remove your Costco card, Guelph
library card, Blockbuster video card from 2006 and all the stuff that you don’t
need to carry around the world and possibly lose.
11.
My final suggestion is simple. Before you start
packing, make a list of everything you will be taking. If you’re organized you
probably already do this. This avoids the airport panic that you forgot some
items. I keep a standard list of absolutely everything. I update it as needed,
tape it to the back of my door and cross out items as I toss them in my
suitcase.
The interesting thing about travel is that
you may go to learn about another place, but you end up understanding much more
about your own.
Happy trails.
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