While traveling in both the states and other countries, I have learned some very important things along the way. The following are some tips for anyone who wants to travel with minimal hassle and avoid looking like a tourist.
Less is More:
One of the most difficult things about traveling is figuring out what to take while you are planning to travel. Here are some things to consider when figuring out what to take with you. First, look at how long you are going to be traveling. For example; if you are heading out of state for a few days, then pack what you will need for that duration of time. While this is a no-brainer, it’s easy to overlook things like medications, snacks, even having the right amount of clothing. My advice is to start with the essentials regardless of the duration of your travel, simple phone, wallet, keys.
The Right Bag:
Picking the right bag for the job while traveling is both an art and a science. My rule of thumb has always been to go a little bigger than what you may need and overpack by a day. What I mean by that is, for example, for a three-day trip, you would pack for a fourth day. To do this, I recommend a backpack for any trip less than a week. Personally, I use a military surplus three-day pack or “assault bag” as it was colloquially known. Brands that are excellent for the money would be Sandpiper of California or Fox Outdoor. For any time longer than a week, you should pack a duffel for clothes and a smaller bag for essentials.
What You Should Take:
As a rule of thumb, I stick to the following rules for packing for any trip: usually it’s a shirt, a pair of pants, and socks per day with one extra outfit for any emergencies. No matter the season or weather, pack a sweater. Even a light cardigan or a hoodie can make the difference while traveling, as well as offer a chance to make a subtle statement. Along with packing a sweater, pack an extra pair of socks, just in case. Which brings me to the next and most important point: footwear. You live on your feet, and when traveling I have always made sure to choose the right footwear. For example, I recommend a pair of good boots, Danner and Thursday Boots for the ankle support as well as the protection from the elements. One important thing to consider is to balance comfort with protection. This is crucial when you are on the road and should also be, of all the things you wear or take, the most quality thing you have. Lastly for clothing, always wear a hat. Every place I have traveled, I have always found that a ball cap or a knit cap comes in handy when the weather turns.
The next thing to consider is the personal hygiene and medications you need while traveling. To start, pack with bar soap versus shower gel. This helps cut down on the volume of what you are packing, as well as keeps there from any mishaps while in transit. Likewise, I recommend using a travel-sized shampoo for hair care, as this also helps save space as well as causing less mess, again, in case of mishaps. Along with the soaps, you should also carry a washcloth and facial towel. In the same bag I recommend that you should also keep medications, as well as any pain relievers and over-the-counter remedies. This will keep it all centralized as well as in a place that can be checked easily. For an added measure, a pill organizer in a gallon plastic bag will also help with keeping any medications from spilling out.
What Not to Bring:
I feel that just as it is important to know what to bring, it is also important to know what not to bring. For starters, outside of a phone, possibly a camera, or a tablet for longer trips, avoid bringing very expensive tech while traveling, especially when traveling overseas. One major reason is to avoid making yourself a target for thieves. Second is the risk of damage or being misplaced, which is both inconvenient and expensive. Another thing to avoid is an umbrella, as weird as it sounds, because they may be handy in a bit of rain but offer more of an encumbrance when going in and out of buildings, and they often get left behind.
Something else to consider leaving at home is excess baggage. For my entire year abroad in Korea, I took photos and had trinkets no larger than a kitchen magnet (I have two, as well as a small Korean flag). Part of traveling is the memories that you will take away from being in the moment. Enjoy it and live in the moment, save yourself the backache and the extra baggage.
Living in The Moment:
One of the greatest pieces of advice for traveling like a pro came from, of all places, my dog. She would follow me anytime I would ride around or hike and just be happy that she was there. Being a border collie, she had a prodigious vocabulary and recognized when I would tell her where we would go. In that, I learned that it really didn’t matter where we would go, just so long as we were there. Live in the moment while you are traveling. Use all your senses and take in the sites without having to take a photo. The most memorable times I have had is living overseas and, in many places, I have traveled taking no pictures. The views live as an engram in my mind, where I can recall it at will and smile because it was a transcendent experience. As the late Anthony Bourdain said: “Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world, you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life and travel leaves marks on you”. That should be the philosophy in which you should travel, by letting the world leave its mark on you, and you leaving your mark on the world.
Edited and Reviewed by Kien Powell