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.