Light is right!

A long while ago I found lugging around a heavy bag compromised my comfort and put me in a bad mood. Now the most I bring, no matter what the duration of my trip, is clothing for 3 days (2 casual outfits and one a bit dressier, if desired), a sleeping shirt, sweater and outerwear.  I wash the basics every night and do a full wash when needed. My repetitive outfits are a small sacrifice for ease and convenience. And it markedly cuts down on my, “What will I wear today? ” time.  Mix and match keeps the boredom at bay.

For inclement weather a wind/waterproof jacket, a down vest, polar and rain pants are great. I also bring a hat, gloves and scarf. This way, with minimal bulk and weight, weather doesn’t deter me. Layering is best. Smartwool offers some outstanding options.

I generally bring one pair of shoes(preferably water resistant) or boots, a pair of flip-flops, sandals and/or slippers. If I need boots I wear them while traveling in between my destinations.

My toiletries are the 3.4 oz(100ml) carry-on size and they have lasted months. My personal kit has the necessities, plus lip salve, antibiotic cream, band aids, sunscreen, bug spray, a small soap, moisturizing creams, vitamins, Advil, and pepto-bismol chewable tablets. There is also the requisite book, writing material (I still crave paper although many people do without), head lamp, alarm clock, daypack, security belt, lock, camera, eyeshades, earplugs and sunglasses. In lieu of a bath towel I bring a kitchen towel. It dries more quickly than those, “quick dry” towels, weighs next to nothing, and does the job.

Unless you are planning a remote destination virtually everything, if needed, is readily available. You will even see familiar brands thousands of miles from home.

It seems that everyone travels today with an iphone and/or computer. That’s great as long as they are used as a tool and not as an ongoing distraction.

ATMs are likely to be in most airports and cities so I almost never arrive with the foreign currency. If you have doubts, the Lonely Planet, Rough Guide or Trip Advisor travel forums can assist you. I bring a few hundred dollars in cash for emergencies, a debit/bank card and a credit card that do not charge international fees. To avoid any denied transactions or problems, I notify my bank and credit card companies, in advance, of my destinations.

If in doubt, you can try using only what you packed a day prior to your departure. It’s a great way to see if you forgot something.

We all have our own personal, “cannot live without” item(s). But before you leave, go for a walk, climb some stairs, even try lifting the bag(carefully) for that overhead compartment. (A previous post discusses the advantages of a small traveling bag.) You will see for yourself, very quickly, if what you packed is more than what you need.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post! Welcome to the tales of a woman solo traveler and thoughts to make today the start of something new. I hope you find information and inspiration in the text and images and join me in my quest for growth, wonderment and self-improvement.
 

Being alone can make us feel vulnerable. Starting to do something new can be intimidating. Keeping ourselves from fearing all potential hazards is difficult. But we succeed anyway. We have all overcome each of the above. And we continue to do so.

Safety is key to any venture and activity in life. We all have basic common sense and should bring that with us so matter where we are. But what new skills are necessary when going far from home?

It helps to do some research beforehand. If you are wondering about a country’s overall safety the US Govt Bureau of Consular Affairs posts warnings, but note that they err on the side of caution. Research all required vaccines.

With the advances of technology we are rarely a phone call away from any assistance. It is there if I need it, but my goal is not to need it! If the fees for certain international calls are not covered in my phone plan, I purchase a local SIM card. These are often very inexpensive, but you will need to “unlock” your phone first which can require contacting your provider. Keep local contacts in your phone: the hotel/hostel you stay in, friends you meet. Know the emergency numbers; each country has its own.

It’s more assuring to get to a new town during the day. However,  I have arrived at many a destination at night without incident. If you have any concerns, arrange for the hostel/hotel to pick you up or have a local taxi number handy. Be very wary of “taxis” soliciting their services at stations and airports. If unavoidable, check that they are licensed and note the number of the car. If in doubt, wait for something more secure. Always agree to the price before you get in. If there is a meter know the price/km beforehand. If you do not speak the language a calculator can be used to aid in communication.

Common sense dictates that you do not make yourself a target. Try to have an idea of directions and prices beforehand. Dress appropriately, walk with confidence, do not take unnecessary valuables with you and keep those you must have: passport, credit cards, cash next to your person and distributed in a few different places. I carry around only a photocopy of my passport, minimal cash and a single credit card once I have settled in and leave everything else in a safe or locked storage at the hostel or hotel.

Travel insurance is mandatory. If I am going to be in a country where the quality or lack of health facilities is a concern, I purchase a policy with emergency evacuation. These last few trips I have bought a policy from travelguard. I never needed it so I cannot comment on the quality, but the coverage was comprehensive and the price was reasonable. Shop around. Read reviews.

The initial moments of any new environment is disorienting. Talk to the staff at your hostel/hotel, talk to fellow travelers, talk to the locals; you will quickly get a sense of the place and are likely to feel at ease in no time.

Keep in mind that the vast majority of people travel safely, even while ignoring the above advice! When you begin meeting them yourself, you will see.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post! Welcome to the tales of a woman solo traveler and thoughts to make today the start of something new. I hope you find information and inspiration in the text and images and join me in my quest for growth, wonderment and self-improvement.

When traveling, I aspire to bring as little as possible.  But that “little as possible” still requires a bag.

Most people traveling independently carry the large iconic backpack, particularly when planning extended hiking trips.  I cannot comfortably support that weight, but that restriction still leaves me with a multitude of traveling options.

I’ve been traveling with an Eagle Creek bag, approximately 23″ X 13″ X 7″ carry-on size, with wheels, hidden straps for an optional backpack mode and a large expandable compartment, for about 15 years. ( I’m pitching the brand because I just sent it in for repairs as part of their lifetime warranty. The wheels, zipper and clasp were replaced, willingly, and the bag is almost as good as new. I just had to ship the bag one way, which set me back about $13.) I highly recommend those that stand by their products. Briggs-Riley is another company with excellent customer service and I am certain there are dozens more, but look for that lifetime warranty. I had no help with a very poorly constructed bag from Samsonite.

Despite the wheels, I still try to keep the weight to an absolute minimum. There are always stairs or hills to climb and transportation to get on and off of. The expandable compartment is great if needed, but I try not to use it.  What I cannot fit into the bag, I do not bring and this has yet to be a problem.

Compromising my ability to  walk on rough terrain for short distances is rarely an issue. Even when rocky or grassy I’ve only used the optional backpack mode once. If I plan a hike it will be for the day and I carry a small knapsack for the essentials.

The size of my travel bag keeps my transportation options open. I’ve managed  on scooters and motorcycles easily enough; on certain buses and trains I can keep it near me.  And plane carry ons are not only convenient, no chance of lost luggage or waiting endlessly at the baggage carousel, but they do not incur additional fees.

The smaller the bag, the less you bring. The less you bring, the less to fuss with. The less to fuss with, the better the trip. The better the trip, the smaller the bag.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post! Welcome to the tales of a woman solo traveler and thoughts to make today the start of something new. I hope you find information and inspiration in the text and images and join me in my quest for growth, wonderment and self-improvement.

Birds do it, bees do it, even fleas do it and I’m not talking about falling in love.

Traveling to certain parts of the world acquaints us with new methods and challenges of a rather delicate nature.

Perhaps all you have ever seen, and ever care to see, is a sit down toilet accompanied by toilet paper disposed of in the aforementioned. And the thought of anything other than this is unimaginable,  But before you strike all foreign travel off your list, let me try to abate your apprehensions.

Rest assured that what initially seems unusual, can quickly become commonplace; humans are highly adaptable.

Many countries outside the US and Europe have toilets whose pipes withstand sewage but not toilet paper. In such instances there will be a wastebasket nearby and proper etiquette encourages a “jelly side down” approach. Do let your imagination run wild. I’ve dealt with dirtier restrooms here in my own hometown.

Elsewhere you may find a pail and a scoop with no paper. Do not panic. Take the scoop with your right hand, fill it with water and wash with your left. The water and scoop, when used properly, are kept clean and afterwards you should be too.  If the pail is running low on water, fill it up for the next person. A spigot will be nearby. Have a small bottle or bar of soap handy and wash your hands thoroughly. It is a highly effective and sanitary system.

Some countries have hoses that extend from the toilet. The concept is similar to the one above with an added convenience.

Sit down toilets are not everywhere and you may find yourself confronting a ceramic hole in the floor that may or may not flush (a bucket of water will be used for the latter) or some variation such as a very large hole in the ground with wide slabs of wood positioned atop for you to stand on; there may even be less, much less.  No matter what your gender a crouch or squat, nothing fancy, will be required at some point. If you have ever been camping you know the routine. If not, practice a bit at home. Your confidence and leg muscles will be stronger in no time.

A sense of privacy might also vary throughout the world. I have been on long bus rides where a “bathroom break” was a stop on the side of the road. Women might wrap a shirt or sweater around their waist as a kind of curtain, wear a skirt or, like the men, simply turn their backs . For obvious reason,  carry some tissues, toilet paper or a package of wet ones.  If need be, you can dispose of the paper in a plastic bag and discard it later. It’s simpler than it seems and not having to wait in a long queue is admittedly delightful.

Do not be dissuaded. Keep an open mind and do it.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post! Welcome to the tales of a woman solo traveler and thoughts to make today the start of something new. I hope you find information and inspiration in the text and images and join me in my quest for growth, wonderment and self-improvement.