New! Travel Tips!

I have been asked by my friends to add this tab of travel tips that I have learned along the way.  My travel friends have added that some of my tips have proved so invaluable that I should share them with the world.  So here they are.  These are a few things I never leave home without:

• Wipes.  Yes, Wet Ones.  I buy a pack of 100 from the wholesale club and keep them in my purse.  They are so handy.  The moment I get to my assigned seat on an airplane, I disinfect that seat, seat belt, tray table, air vent, button and TV screen. Call me neurotic or whatever you want, but the bottom line is it keeps me healthy.  If it keeps the germs of weirdo sitting in my very seat before me who was hacking his brains to death at bay, what do I care?
• Ziploc bags.  I make sure I pack (2 or 3 each) brand smacking new ziplocs in the gallon, quart and sandwich size bags in my luggage.  One never knows if one will buy something that will require some added security of a sealed bag when it comes time to start packing to come home.
• Pocket tissues.  I usually keep a pack in my purse, but when I travel, I make sure I pack one or two additional pocket packs in the luggage.  These things come in handy at the roadside bathroom when toilet tissue is hit or miss.  A lot of restrooms abroad don't have TP!!!  Better safe than sorry.
• Rain slicker.  Inevitably it always rains somewhere. Seems like lately it's rained at least once on one of my trips.  My yellow North Face slicker has proved to be a reliable friend.  Guiseppe loves his as well and it takes zero space in the suitcase.  
• Slippers.   I prefer the disposable white terry hotel kind over bringing my own because what goes in the room, stays in the room.  I also seem to have become a bit of a germaphobe.  Giuseppe and I never touch a hotel room or foreign floor barefoot.  Why you ask?  This goes back to my college backpacking days.  I backpacked Asia a hundred years ago and read in my Let's Go Asia book that there is a tapeworm that penetrates through the soles of one's feet.  Is that disgusting or what?   So even with airport security, I always carry a pair of socks and put them on the moment my shoes go into an x-ray bin for screening.  There is no way in heck(!!!!) that I will get this worm!  I have the heeby jeebies just thinking about it.
• Traveling water purifier.  My sister bought me this at my request.  How many times have you gone somewhere, got thirsty, but couldn't find a shop that sold a bottle of water? Have you been somewhere where the water quality was suspect??  I found this in a catalog.  It kills 99.9% of the microbes, staph and all that good stuff with UV light.  It typically purifies 0.5 liters or a full liter at a time in 90 seconds.  I LOVE this.

I read in The New York Times Travel section about what Silicon Valley frequent flier entrepreneurs pack since these are the true road warriors today.  I smiled at some of the things -- because I already employ the same tactics -- and some I thought were worth adding, like:

• goggles and swimsuit.  The article refers to them as lightweight exercise tools, but I will refer to them as the extra outfit for that super sunny day in Amalfi!
• lightweight dress.  One of the interviewees preferred moisture wicking and wrinkleproof material.  I like dresses because it's a complete and polished look.  If it's a sleeveless dress that's knee length, I will carry a bolero or cardigan so I will have no problem visiting a place of worship in my travels.  Nothing is ever completely wrinkleproof, so a print on the dress is helpful.  Stay away from the clingy stuff.  If you're vacationing, it's absolutely horrible for the pictures!  Look for fabrics that can hold its own.
• a lock.  I don't normally travel with one because these locks are so pathetic looking.  My recommendation is to carry the jewels on your person and anything else you deem valuable.  Make sure it's in the carry on bag!
• small flashlight.  The article refers to a Fenix flashlight.  I carry a squeeze kind in my purse every day because some restaurants are so dark, it's like eating at one of those all dark places!  The candles are not much help, so the flashlight comes in handy.  I like the idea that the bright light can blind an assailant.  I checked the REI website and they sell Fenix flashlights in various sizes.  I would go for the small one.  It's compact and packable.

I'll keep adding to this as time goes on.  If you have a suggestion, post a comment!

Links:
http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/07/15/travel/how-the-tough-get-going-silicon-valley-travel-tips.html?ref=travel
http://www.rei.com/search?query=fenix+flashlight