Since I always get travel gadgets from Mountain Equipment Co-op for my birthday, I thought I would use the next few posts to write about the gizmos I like to take traveling with me.
But first, here are things that I do not, I repeat do not like to pack. Note: I have taken all of these in the past, and learned from experience that they aren’t worth the space in my bag.
1) A towel. My mother thinks I’m crazy for not bringing a towel, but it’s much more hassle than use. Not only does it take up a lot of space, but it starts to smell. (Note: those tiny quick-dry towels start to smell even more.) Instead, I either drip dry if it’s hot out, use a piece of clothing, use a multi-purpose piece of cloth, or buy a towel locally if I’m staying in one place for a while.
2) Outdoor performance-type clothes. My first time in Africa, I took a bunch of quick-dry, Mountain Equipment Co-op type clothes. Looking back in photographs, I realize I look like a buffoon. Why does traveling require specially-made clothes? If I’m going somewhere hot, I’ll bring what I’d wear in Canada on a really hot day (but maybe a bit more conservative.) If I’m going somewhere temperate, I just bring normal clothes. I do, however, like to bring one pair of outdoorsy pants (usually capris) for hiking.
3) Many, many books. Even in Ouagadougou, the capital of a francophone West African country, I’ve been able to swap novels with other people or borrow from the library at the American Rec Center. There’s always a place to find books if I look hard enough. Usually one or two novels is good to start off with – otherwise I’ll be lugging around a ton of weight.
4) Any fancy uber-multi-use Swiss Army knife or cutlery contraption. Seriously, a good sharp knife (Swiss Army or otherwise) and a bottle opener is the only thing I ever have need for. If I have access to a kitchen, there will be cutely and other stuff there.
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