Travel

Handy Things to Pack for a Trip

My list of essential travel supplies : Here's a list of things I take on most of my trips (picture):

A hand fan (top), ear plugs to help with changing air pressure, nose spray for dry air, fabric refresher, spot remover, bathroom refresher, hand sanitizer, sleep mask, small sewing kit and safety pins, and my vitamin crystals.

These small but essential variously keep me clean, fresh and comfortable during the flight and at my destinations.

Not shown in the picture is an inflatable neck pillow and a roll of duct tape. These items are all small and light, so take up little room in a purse or day pack. Read on for more details on each of my essentials, and consider packing a few for your trip.

Ear Planes (TM). For about 6 years now, before each flight, I insert these ear plugs and remove them when it lands. I have trouble with my ears adapting to changing air pressure, especially on landing. Chewing gum, yawning and swallowing, etc. help many people adapt to altitude changes in flight, but not me :-)

For a  6 week trip, with four international/continental flight legs of 11 hours each, I take along two pairs. [Details on Amazon: EarPlanes. I see they have them for kids, too.] Decongestant use is sometimes suggested as a remedy for blocked ears, but I personally do not take them. Check with your doctor or pharmacist. You may just need a good ear cleaning before travel to keep your ears happily equalizing air pressure changes.

Small Folding Fan: I will be in a hot climate, and air conditioning may not always be available, so I am packing a small hand-held fan in my backpack. In the picture at top of page, it's the patterned item at top. I got this foldable fan that converts to a sun hat when I was in Thailand, on a day trip to the Floating Market (picture bottom of page). It kept me comfortable throughout the cultural show. You can often buy them at Chinese markets. Also see on Amazon: Folding Fans. They are inexpensive, light and compact enough to carry extras and share with fellow travelers in need.

Sleep Mask. Travel First Class, and the airline will likely provide you with a sleep mask. I use one all the time as I find it makes a huge difference to quality of sleep. In flight, these sleep masks add a bit of privacy: People cannot tell if you are asleep or not :-)  Sleep masks are fairly inexpensive, light to carry. [Pictures, prices on Amazon: sleep masks .]

Inflatable Neck Pillow. I prefer these blow up styles as they collapse to a very small size when I am not using them. I see others use the more traditonal pillow styles, but these are too big for me to carry around. [See pictures and styles of inflatable neck pillows ]

Nasal Mist: When I know I will be in a dry climate, including an airplane cabin on a long flight, I take a small tube of nasal mist/gel in my carryon. This really helps to make breathing more comfortable, and is supposed to help your nose repel germs, etc. I don't know if that part is true, but the gel type sure makes a long flight more comfy for my nose and sinuses.

There are a lot of saline sprays on the market, so take one that you like. See nasal gel Rhinaris brand. I find the gel type more soothing than plain saline mist, but check with your doctor or pharmacist to see what type may work for you.

My Travel Supplies list For Freshness (under 'Carry-on Liquids' Guidelines for air travel)

Just a Drop: This is an excellent product for dealing with a delicate subject, but if you will be sharing bathroom facilities when staying with friends, or in a B B, or sharing a cruise ship cabin or a hotel room, you'll love these types of products. Some people keep a bottle for home use to make bathroom sharing more pleasant at all times. Read the description here. Just A Drop Toilet Odor Reduce Neutralizer) N'uff said. (I see there are other brands listed. These are new to me so let me know how they work.)

Febreze Travel Size. I carry a refillable bottle in my car or in my purse at all times to freshen the car, a public restroom, etc. It's also great for refreshing my travel clothes between washings. At the end of the day, I hang up my travel pants and give them a once-over spray, ant they are good for another day on the road. See a picture of the size on Amazon, but note this is sold as a whole case -- Febreze To Go. I bought mine at my local pharmacy and refill it from my large bottle as needed.

My List for Cleanliness: (Falls under Carryon Liquids Guidelines for air travel)

Hand Sanitizer (Small Bottle). Like many people, I carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer in my purse. For travel, I can pack a 100 ml (3.4 oz.) or smaller container in my carry-on, in a ziplock bag. This amount would last me for a long trip. Pack your bottle, too, when you travel. Refill it to the top before you go and it should last for a few weeks.

Tide Pen. Or other 'pen' filled with fabric stain remover. Should I dribble coffee or such on myself while out for the day, I pull out this pen and dab the stain. Works a treat! Again, I got mine at the pharmacy, and I see them sold in grocery stores. Here's the info. Tide pens. IMHO this is a good price compared to Ontario Canada retail.

Emergen-C or other Vitamins etc. My personal favorite vitamin supplement is Emergen-C -- packets of vitamin and mineral crystals that you mix into water. I learned about it from people in the film community in LA and Toronto about 5 years ago. One glass stops my sneezes in fairly short order. (Details here. Emergen-C Vitamin C Fizzy Drink Mix ). Again, it's a fair bit cheaper on Amazon than at retail in Ontario :-( Do check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplements.) When traveling, remember to pack your own personal choice vitamin supply.

Just in Case: Travel Sewing Kit and Safety Pins Tuck a sewing kit into your bag just in case a button comes loose or you pop a seam. Safety pins, too, are a great help should your back pack strap come loose from the pack, as mine did once in Australia. The large safety pins held the seams closed until I got home. Small safety pins can hold up a hem, keep a shirt front closed, or any number of useful tasks.

This is my list of travel aids ; I am sure you have your own favorites. I share my must-have list here to show what's available to make your travels more enjoyable, but caution you to check with a medical professional before taking any OTC meds etc.

Happy Packing!