Eat Your Colors - June / July 2024

WHAT SHOULD I PACK??

This is the second most-asked question that I receive as a travel journalist. The first most-asked question is, “Where is your favorite place to be?” Well that question has an easy answer- my favorite place to be is home. The second most-asked question has a more-comprehensive answer…

Although airlines are much better at not losing suitcases, there’s still a 30% chance that they may lose yours. This is exactly why I’m Team Carry-on but that’s another story and another article. If you check a bag(s) and bring a smaller carry-on with you, there are some essentials that must go in that carry-on bag, heaven forbid they lose your checked luggage.

*By the way, if you do check bags, it may be a good idea to invest in those locator digital air-tags.

Medications / Prescriptions

it's highly recommended to carry your prescriptions in your carry-on bag when flying. It keeps your medications accessible and ensures that you have access to them. Checked luggage can get lost or damaged and may lead to medication loss.

Carrying your prescriptions in their original packaging or a copy of your prescription can help with security screening and customs.

DOCUMENTS

I believe that every traveler by now knows to bring their documentation. But you also do not want to be separated from other documents and identifications- so keep them with you. If you’ve packed and checked bags with certain identifications, and you get separated from that bag, then you may be in some trouble in some countries.

Marriage licenses and other IDs are necessary to perform ceremonies in some countries. Same-gender couples may have to prove that they’re parents to their kids. Mix-gender couples don’thmmmm? Keep your docs with you.

Bring a First Aid Kit

Always pack a small first aid kit in your carry-on. Make sure it has the basicsbandages & band aids, antiseptic wipes, pain meds, and antidiarrheals. Heaven forbid you get ill, feel pain or get tummy troubles. If you are traveling through remote areas, these basic items won’t be readily available. And if you're in an expensive city, you will save money by purchasing these items from home.

Extra Set of Clothes

You must carry with you an extra set of clothes when traveling, Again, if they lose your bag, at least you have some thing to change into.

You may be able to get away with extra footwear in your carry-on but load up on extra underwear.

If your checked luggage is delayed, you’ll be fine. If your bags are lost, you’ll have to buy some clothes- which can get expensive. Did I tell you that I’m Team Carry-on?

Comfort and Hygiene

There are toiletries that one should take in a carry-on but most of the basic toiletries may be given to you at the hotel that you’re staying at.

However, you should always carry your toothbrush & toothpaste. Carry your deodorant if you wear it as well. I bring my own soap (I’m allergic to most soaps). I carry some earplugs, cottonswab sticks, lotion and mouth wash too. Sunscreen and lip-balm are also good things to take in your carry-on bags

Feminine products should also be brought in your bag. I Can’t tell you how many of my female friends gag at the cost of feminine products in the countries they’ve visited. You may be able to buy some of these toiletries at the hotel but it may be over-inflated.

ELECTRONICS

You never want to stow away your pricey electronics with checked luggage. In fact, some cannot be checked if they contain ion batteries- there are restrictions.

Airlines have varying processes when you pass your electronics at the security gates. Some want them out of your carry-on bags while others permit them if they are smaller than a mobile phone.

I carry my electronics because if I check them and they lose them- I’m going to go nuts! Besides, I like to work on the plane if I’m not doing meditative artworks.

My photographer friends carry all of their equipment with them in a carry-on while their checked luggage contains their clothes.