Things to carry when you travel that you might not find there
Traveling is an art and a skill, and the seasoned traveler knows that a big part of traveling smart is carrying the right stuff – and not carrying the wrong stuff – so that you can travel light as well as right. Some essentials that you might take for granted won’t be there when you need them most, and if you can figure out which items to carry with you to avoid that scenario, you are way ahead of the crowd. For instance if you are going to Guatemala, you may expect to find plenty of good chocolate, since they grow it there. But they export almost all of the good stuff. If you want to have first class chocolates for your week in Guatemala, buy some at home and take it with you. If you are going to India, you might want to bring along your favorite antibiotics, because you might get sick and not find them there. If you’re going to the Andes Mountains, bring along some polartech fleece, to keep you warm, and if you’re heading out to Tehran, don’t forget to bring along your favorite Beatles records on a portable player, or you might not hear many Beatles tunes while you’re away.
Most veteran travelers will say to carry your favorite medicines and brands of personal hygiene products like razors, toothpaste, and condoms, because you might not find those particular brands where you’re going. Take plenty of good batteries and if you have a quirky camera, take film for it. And of course, comfortable shoes and extra pairs in case you lose a pair, are a must.