On my last redeye I set mine on the floor in front of my seat, and later noticed it had rolled to the aisle where people were gingerly stepping over it.
That is too funny What a great idea. I can't count how many hours I have shuffled, folded, and maneuvered my airline-provided pillow(s) to try to get them to fit nicely against the wall/window. I may need to try this.
That is too funny What a great idea. I can't count how many hours I have shuffled, folded, and maneuvered my airline-provided pillow(s) to try to get them to fit nicely against the wall/window. I may need to try this.
another possibilty is a giant Hefty zip lock bag. Just open it, close the zipper and you have a ready made pillow that can be as firm or soft as you like. Once I even took a straw and used it to top off the pillow by opening the zip a bit , blowing the bag up and closing it quickly
Great suggestions. I like to carry a few binder clips in several sizes. They have many uses: keeping loose travel-guide pages together, closing curtains, even hanging laundry. Stronger and more versatile than clothes pins or regular paper clips.
I scan my passport/ID etc. and email it to myself, so that no matter what happens I can access a copy.
Also, if I am going to multiple countries, I like to photocopy the relevant pages of a travel book, and recycle them as I go, instead of bringing lots of heavy books for different countries.
One thing I do before I go on a vacation for travel is print out the WikiTravel page for the city I'm headed towards. The price is right (free) and normally the advice is excellent -- for the most part, it's written by people who have lived there and know the ins-and-outs. It's typically quicker to read and a better summary than a thick guide book, and you can read it in-air.
I've recently discovered WikiTravel and find it quite useful for directions and general advice. Instead of printing out the pages, I do screenshots of the relevant sections on my iPhone; that way I have access to it anywhere without having to shuffle through a stack of papers. More environmentally-friendly as well.
I'm not a big fan of guidebooks though, I'd rather access sites like Tripadvisor for travel advice.
I don't go anywhere without a portable water heater. This is just a five inch coil with a clip to attach to the side of any container and a cord to plug into the wall. It takes up almost no space. FANTASTIC!
I got this in India from a fellow backpacker and used it to heat water to do my laundry and to take the edge off of frigid bucket showers.
In Europe (or anywhere else where eating out everyday gets expensive) I use it to make pasta, rice, porridge, and steamed veggies from the local supermarket.
Find a floss container that you can open, and put a medium needle, a large needle, a fish hook and a sealed antiseptic pad in the container, along with the floss.
I have used floss for sewing, stitches, emergency repairs, fishing, and (of course) flossing my teeth. If you have floss, you can skip the sewing kit.
World edition Blackberry or Iphone with translator guidebook and PDF of your passport loaded up
Ray-Ban Sunglasses
Jungle Juice Bug Repellent
Rainbow Sandals
LED Headlamp
Board Shorts
Standard Bandanna
Johnny Cash is a friend of mine T-Shirt
A travel French press (I'm picky about coffee, and spending £3 or €3 for a cup adds up quickly). Starbucks sells a Bodum one for around $10 now. This would work great with Natiaka's advice above on the portable water heater.
Corkscrew (if checking luggage, otherwise they tend to get confiscated) or a simple bottle opener, again to save on costs. In Germany, at least, I get more interesting beers and wines in grocery stores than in bars, for a lot less.
Plasticware. Places outside the US aren't as generous with the free cutlery, even when getting takeout.
I'm addicted to Muji and all the little travel trinkets, which, unfortunately, often aren't all that cheap anymore depending on the exchange rate...
Im a big fan of travel magazines, books, guide books, gadgets etc. I subscribe to budget travel, and like the lets go series. anyone else? am i missing out on a little know magazine or book?
i like conde nast the best. foder's has some good books too.
i go to border's and have a coffee and can read them for free. they have all the travel magazines and books. if there is one i really like , i will purchase it.
they do not mind if you read for a couple hours. i asked the manager because i felt bad opening a "new book". i was assured that it's fine to browse them all day long if one wanted to.
enjoy yourself. i was thrilled to learn this and very pleased with the good leadership of that store. they have a nice way of handling customers. i wonder if their business is profitable. might be a good stock pick ?? not sure :-)
Location: On the I-95 stuck behind a big truck/Seat 5C UA/Amtrak Cafe Car
Programs: Platinum level FF Pay your Chiropractor's Mortgage Club.
Posts: 173
Other than the basics already mentioned, I like to bring a pair of flip flops for use as shower shoes, slippers for unclean hotel/BB floors and of course flip flops.
A few extra ziplock bags are also great to take leftovers back to your room or to take a picnic out with you during the day. Also a Platypus water bottle.
If possible one of those travel knives and a pair of travel chopsticks.
And of course a folding tote bag to carry stuff in and to avoid having to pay for a shopping bag in Europe. I use Chico bags, Kiva or even Envirosax.
Last edited by tcl; Sep 30, 09 at 8:03 pm..
Reason: add item
What a great idea. I can't count how many hours I have shuffled, folded, and maneuvered my airline-provided pillow(s) to try to get them to fit nicely against the wall/window. I may need to try this.
