I'm going to do a series of posts for y'all concerning my favorite
travel toys, tips and tricks. I feel like I get asked all the time where I got
such-and-such, or other travelers tell me what a great idea whatever that thing
is, so I thought I'd condense all my favorites into a few posts. Enjoy!
My Top Travel Toys: 20 Essentials That Make Life Easier
I included links to where you can buy these things if you wish to
do so, although I was lucky enough to get a lot of stuff from friends, or on
sale (REI garage sale anyone?). I've been accumulating this gear for years, all
over the world, so I tried to find the most similar models I could as reference
points :)
1. Packing cubes: These bags are made of nylon and Mary Poppins
magic. They help keep your ish organized and easy access (nearly impossible
with a pack), plus they somehow transform 5 long sleeve shirts into one tank
top. Don't ask me how it works, it just does.
2. Compression bag or giant Ziploc freezer bag: as far as I can
tell, they do the same thing, but the real one is more durable. I carry a
"small" one with me for dirty clothes because they're great at
isolating your smelly or grubby stuff into the smallest space possible. If
you're traveling with winter gear (and don't plan on wearing it all the time)
they're perfect for compressing a puffy ski coat into a manageable and packable
sheet.
3. Rubber sink stopper (& powdered soap): If you're not doing
laundry at least once every four days or so, you're probably over packing. And
powdered soap doesn't go all over everything like liquid detergent does. You're
looking for a flat style sink stopper so it can go over any drain.
4. Camping towel: Hostel towels are scratchy and
sketchy. Plus it's a great multitasker! I use mine as a blanket on cold
trains, a pillow on airplanes, and to wring out excess water after doing
laundry.
5. Portable charger: This little gadget has saved my butt so many
times! You charge it up before you travel using the usb side, and then when
you're panicking in an airport because you have no idea what hostel you're
staying at and your phone is at 2% battery, you plug it into your phone using
the micro usb side. If you're, say, blogging on an airplane, and use up all the
battery, it's a great relief to be able to charge up on the go. Especially if
your phone is also your camera!
6. My phone: I know some people choose to travel without one, but
for me, it's indispensable. I use it as my kindle (AWESOME device to get if you
don't have a smartphone! I also have a kindle that I got for graduation that
travels with me when I've got a bit more space. I'm a huge fan of reading, and
I go through way too many books to be economical.), email, for connecting with
people at home and abroad alike, my camera, and so much more. (Keep an eye out
for "Watkins' Favorite Travel Apps" in the next couple weeks to see
how I load mine up!)
7. Collapsible tote bag: Most of the budget European airlines only
allow one bag, which means no personal item. I use this bag as my
"airplane stuff" bag on the flight and then shove it into the top of
my pack before boarding/deboarding. They're super light, waterproof, and mine
even has a carabineer so I can take it anywhere. Another reason I love mine is
that it's cross body, so I feel a bit more secure when it's got my laptop
inside. My bag has been an airplane bag, beach bag, school book bag, shopping
bag, and once I even stuffed a bunch of clothes in it and used it as a pillow.
8. Packsafe purse: It sounds like one of those stupid products
geared towards paranoid first time travelers, but I love it. Mine has an RFID
pocket, wires woven through the straps and body, and a lock on the zipper.
Petty crime is huge in Europe, and it's so nice to be able to relax and take in
the sights rather than clutch my bag and worry about losing everything.
9. Tiny carabineers: Along the same lines as the Packsafe bag, I
travel with tiny carabineers holding together my backpack zippers. It's
impossible to watch your back at all times, and I'm like an infant on greyhound
buses (asleep in minutes) so the extra insurance is necessary. It's not going
to completely stop a tenacious pickpocket, but it causes enough hassle that I
like to think I would notice something happening.
10. Earplugs: Hostels and hotels have such thin walls that if
you're like me, and people always manage to come in screaming right when you've
fallen asleep, you'll want earplugs. They're light and don't take up much room,
so why not bring them and get a good night's sleep?
11. Water bottle: So essential!! Finding potable water is way less
painful than parting with 3euros for a tiny bottle at the airport. Mine is
leftover from a bar in Barcelona that I keep around because it fits perfectly
in my purse. I hate reusing a non-reusable bottle for this long, but it's so
perfectly sized that I can't part with it! I wish I'd found something like this
one before leaving: http://www.amazon.com/Vapur-0-5-Litres-Anti-Bottle-Purple/dp/B003A722UG/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1385934019&sr=8-5&keywords=collapsible+water+bottle! Collapsible for easy transport,
machine washable and bpa free.
12. Detangler: If you're a dude (or gal with short hair) pass this
one up, but I love my detangler! Somehow I always end up with tons of knots in
my hair, even when it's in a braid or bun, and super skinny serum saves my
life. It's also great for smoothing out frizzy post-airplane hair.
13. Pashmina: Pashminas are great because they're super versatile.
I typically only travel with solid, neutral colors (mix and match ftw), but
with my bright, patterned pashmina I never get bored! It's a scarf, pillow,
cardigan, blanket, eye mask on bright flights, and the easiest way to
dress up those jeans you've been wearing for a week in case of a fancy event.
(Are we seeing a pattern of multi-functional items yet?)
14. Local currency in small bills: I can't stress enough how
important it is to use local currency. They'll probably let you use your USD or
EUR, but the exchange rate will be a joke. For example, in Morocco, you can use
EUR instead of MAD, but the rate they give you is 10MAD-1EUR instead of 11.2-1.
Then, since they know you use euros they won't barter with you.
15. Comfy walking shoes: When you travel, every day is a big
walking day! Wear shoes appropriate for the climate where you're going, make
sure they have arch support, and are broken in well. Sometimes you have to
choose function over style. As painful as it seems now to wear tevas non-stop
for a month, the absence of blisters will be worth it. My tevas: http://www.rei.com/product/796011/teva-tirra-sandals-womens
16. Basic first aid kit: Stuff happens, and if that stuff happens
when you can't get to a farmacía, you could be in a tough spot. For specifics
on what I carry in my first aid kit, click here: http://whereintheworldiswatkins.blogspot.com.es/2013/12/bare-bones-first-aid-kit.html
17. Tissues and hand sanitizer: Bathrooms here in Europe are not
always equipped with toilet paper and soap like we're accustomed to in the
states. Even at my uni, the girls’ bathroom is always lacking soap and
frequently toilet paper as well. Be prepared, because for a girl, missing tp
can ruin your day! (pro tip: prepare for travel by doing excessive amounts of
squats.)
18. Lip balm: I never go anywhere without
chapstick, so there's no way I'm travelling without it! Something that's been
my fave for the last year or so is Maybelline's baby lips: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod3800003
19. Travel Sheet: I've heard people go both ways on this one. For
me, it's a must-have. I've definitely used it in some less-than-lovely
hotel/hostel situations, and it's another one of those things that's a great
multitasker. Plus, it brings up the temperature of sleeping bags 10 degrees
(F!), which is nice, because I'm always cold at night.
And the most important of all:
20. The backpack! Go read my post "Watkins with a
Backpack" to read about why I travel with a backpack, and why I'm so
attached to mine in particular.
Happy travels!
Katie
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