Ten Things That I Don’t Travel Without

“He who must travel happily must travel light” Antoine St Exupery

Packing properly is an art form. Some travelers strike the perfect balance and bring just what they need. I’m not one of them but this helps me. Pick your ten most important things and then add to them. Socks, bathing suit, a long skirt,hat (or I buy one when i get there), underwear, makeup, toilet articles, medicine, umbrella, mini flashlight and few changes of weather appropriate clothing are a given for me to add in and then I’m done.

1. A Moleskin notebook and a cool pen. This is my homage to Hemingway – even though I also usually have an iPad.

2. Hanes wife beaters.  I hate the name but love the 100 per cent cotton.

3. Asthma medicine – I have asthma.

4. Lucky jewelry. I used to wear a red string bracelet when I was into Kabbalah.  I do like a red bracelet for flying (Asian lucky color) or an evil eye on a chain or bracelet. A necklace  made from a shell, piece of glass or a full circle charm is always good. I bring cheap beaded bracelets from other trips in the hopes of finding more.   I like wearing something that looks like I might have found it on beach or has some lucky meaning from a different country – something that looks valueless to anyone but me.

5. Two cameras, extra memory card and battery.  I have bad camera luck.

6. iPod and good sound canceling headphones. I like Bose.  I dont like small planes and they block out the noise.

7. A few pair of leggings or jeggings. This is something I never wear at home but packs well, can be dressed up or down,  layered for warmth. or rolled up if its hot.

8. Flat shoes. Also something else I never wear at home and sneakers something I do wear.

9. Jelly Bellys.They are my favorite superfood. I love finding them in the middle of the jungle in my suitcase. I also bring Protein Bars because I get low blood sugar.

10. Lots of glasses and sunglasses –  because I need them.

My big problem is resisting that last-minute urge to stick other things in if I have room – extra t-shirts, shoes, another skirt or sweater – I never end up wearing them and I’m always repacking them. I’ve learned from the French to always throw in some scarves . They can be decorative or functional.  Now if I only I can learn to tie and drape them in the way that only the French can. From my photos, I can see that I now have a travel uniform. Whatever works.

Fly safe,

JAZ