When in Rome; it's Not Just About the Coliseum

If you have ever been to Rome, or want to go, one of the first iconic sites that comes to mind is the Coliseum.  It is a fascinating place full of history.  However, take a moment to consider the Pantheon.  Built in the days of the Emperor Augustus by Marcus Agrippa, it is over 2000 years old and an architectural wonder.  It was completed by Hadrian sometime before 125 AD.

 

The interior is lit only by one window at the very top of the structure called the oculus.  Throughout the day, the natural sunlight from the oculus moves around the interior creating a sundial effect. It also serves as cooling and ventilation. There is a drainage system in the floor that handles any rain coming through the oculus.

Originally, the Pantheon was created to honor all pagan gods and later turned into a Catholic church called Santa Maria ad Martyres.  You can still attend mass there on Sundays.

Recently, a USAToday reporter did a video regarding the building.  It is worth the four and a half minutes to watch. Click the image to go to the link.

 A presto!

Packing Toiletries

I try to keep this motto in mind for everything I pack.  What do you want to do on your trip, look cute or have a great time?  Besides underwear, toiletries are going to be the most important thing you pack.  Use things that can have dual purpose such as conditioner.  You can use conditioner as a shaving cream.

These are the toiletries I bring for every trip.  I always pack my toiletries in my carry-on in case anything checked is lost or delayed, I don't want to wow my fellow travelers with my awesome smell!  Everything is under 3oz and goes in a clear bag according to TSA rules.  If I didn't have plant-based sensitivities, I might not bring most of this.  It's also because you never know how long you might be delayed or in a country that these things are hard to come by.  In the back, moving from right to left, the Aquaphor is a great all-around non-scented ointment for dry patches, minor bug bites and scrapes.  I bring the Downy wrinkle release to straighten my clothes as well as freshen them up in between washes.  There's the shampoo and conditioner.  I also bring body wash as it can double for shampoo if necessary.  That aerosol bottle with the pink cap is a great little product.  When I travel for more than a couple of hours, I tend to feel gritty and yucky.  This is just a mist of purified spring water.  It makes me feel fresh and dewy!  Finally, there's the deodorant.  And moving back around, there are razors, hand sanitizer, soap, q-tips, toothpaste and toothbrush.  The Tide packets are single wash use gel packs.  This way I can pack less clothes.  I also bring a travel size spray of Poopourri.  Nothing like going to the bathroom before or after someone else on the plane!

The only thing not included in the picture is the combination sunscreen and insect spray or lotion.  You can find this at most sporting goods stores.  Be careful and research your product.  Sometimes, one chemical can negate the effects of the other.  You may also need just sunscreen, but rarely do I find that you need bug spray without sunscreen.

My final tip of this post is geared toward women.  A lot of our clothes are made without pockets.  Pockets are essential for traveling!  You don't want to hold up a line because you have grabbed the wrong boarding pass and now you need to dig in your bag to find the right one.  I don't like to carry a lot of bags and I like to wear skirts because I have fat thighs.  A great compromise is a light vest or jacket.  I found an outdoor quick-dry vest (all of your clothes should be quick dry) that has four zippered pockets on the outside and two zippered pockets on the inside.  I'm really excited to try it out on our trip next month to Cuba since we are limited to packing in a backpack.  I told Lance I will probably look like a dork or a hamster with beef jerky hanging out of my pockets, but I might be able to quickly bribe the security agents with Jolly Ranchers!  -Que tengas buenos días!

How are you getting all of THAT in your bag?!: Part 2

In the previous post, I showed a bunch of stuff scattered all over my bedroom floor and called it "what I can't live without when I travel".  Now, a week later, I realized I left some stuff out.  Can't believe it, can you?  That's a lot of crap!  Here's the picture of the basic stuff that I posted previously.

I keep a shoe box in the closet with travel items.  This really helps when it comes time to pack for a trip.  Advance preparation is the difference between panic & pain or smooth sailing with a smile.

Now we can get into some of the fun stuff, but I really think I'm going to need another post to cover toiletries.  Yikes!

I did not take a picture of my laptop here, but I would include it at a conference because I type way faster than I write.  Basic electronics include an external charger, my tablet, and my phone.

I included my expired passport here, but I guess it probably should have gone in misc.  This would be a good time to point out that your passport must still be valid 6 months after your return date.  Don't get to the airport and make this mistake in the security line.  Back to electronics.  It's smart to buy a universal adapter if you're traveling abroad.  This way if you visit multiple countries or travel in the future, you are not back in the luggage aisle looking for the one that works for that particular country.  Always try to make everything you use have a dual purpose.  (Except your underwear.  Seriously.)  Another thing to mention with an adapter is that unless you get one that is also a converter, you might have issues with your electric razor, hair dryer, curling iron etc.  My daughter and her friends almost caught their room on fire.  Luckily, they only blew out the electricity for the entire floor of the hotel.  Don't let this be you.

Your external charger should be able to power your phone or your tablet.  Make sure to look at the amperage.  Most that you buy at the check out will not provide enough power to charge your tablet.  I use my tablet quite a bit on longer trips for reading on ebook apps, watching movies and looking up stuff for the next day.  I won't be bringing it to Cuba because it is a poorer country and we will be there less than a week.

The velcro strips are neat because I don't have to fool around with twisty ties or knots in my charger cords.  They run about $2 in the sewing aisle at Walmart, otherwise they can be priced quite a bit more in electronics. When it's time to leave your hotel room, make a point to grab your charger.  This is always the first item people leave in their hotel rooms.  Trust me, I have a box full of them in our lost & found.

Next stop is the medical supplies.  Oh man, hold on to your hat.

The generic pills are pretty much for everyone else (The Hubs takes excedrin, kids take tylenol or advil, etc).  I also carry immodium, tums, decongestant, allergy, fiber pills and motion sick pills.  This usually covers the all around "my fill-in-the-blank hurts".  That bottle underneath with the green lid has bobby pins & hair ties.  If my hair springs loose from its various constraints, it is truly an emergency.  Right next to that is a little tube of non-medicated eye ointment and chapstick.  The plastic jar with the blue sticker is a non-scented muscle rub.  I also carry afrin.  Sometimes I have trouble clearing my ears and a couple of squirts of Afrin will clear them right up.

The purple extra pill box is for other prescription pills that I only take when necessary.  Labels with the medication name to cover the days ensures that my whole bag is not filled with a bunch of pills that I may or may not end up needing.  I also carry my regular pill box.  Once a month, I sort my pills & supplements into boxes like this.  There is no thought involved in taking meds this way.  When I'm ready to start packing, I grab the containers with the appropriate amount of days plus a couple of extra, and I'm ready to go.  I also carry a list from the pharmacy of prescribed meds so that if questioned, I can prove I'm not a dealer!

Next to the pill boxes is the essential oil inhaler and a bag labeled Comfort.  This bag has just in case feminine items, an eye mask and ear plugs.  On longer flights, the airline usually gives you complimentary ear plugs, ear buds and an eye mask.  I have smaller ear canals and a funky piece of cartilage that makes wearing average ear plugs difficult.  I keep an eye mask for just in case because I like it dark when I sleep.  It could be four o'clock in the afternoon,I've been in between places for 32 hours and the person sitting next to the window is trying to pick out cloud formations.

In the above picture is a little kit that goes everywhere with me also.  Different size bandaids, gauze, wipes, antibacterial ointment in small packets, fingernail clippers, sewing kit, scissors and a jump drive.  The container is from a travel first aid kit which was a joke & had practically nothing in it.  When we travel, no matter how short my nails are, I consistently break a nail on luggage and need those clippers.  Also someone didn't listen to the All Knowing Tour Leader and wore new shoes and needs a bandaid.  Someone else ate more than they should have on the trip and popped a button on the way home.  I back up my important home files on the jump drive and encrypt it.  This gives me peace of mind that if there's a lightning storm at home, I haven't lost all of my work files.

In the very first photo above are snacks.  If you are on tour with a group, you may not be able to get the bus to stop when you have a sugar crash.  Even when traveling solo, it's a good idea to pack snacks.  Having a granola bar can help get you to the next meal time when there's no convenience store in sight.  I also carry hard candies.  These help with blood sugar and dry throats from exhaust, allergies and a/c.


Not pictured in the Great Packing List of 2017:  a travel pillow, compression socks, a portable scale and a microfiber towel.  These items are essential to me for any trip longer than two hours.  If you are flying less than two hours, you usually only have a half an hour of steady altitude.  My problem being that if I sleep during ascent or descent, I don't clear my ears and end up with a massive earache so I only sleep if travel time is longer than two hours.  I appreciate the compression socks as I get older and prefer not to have cankles getting off a plane or even a long car ride.  Don't pack the neck pillow unless you have tons of extra room in your bag.  If you are buying one, make sure you get the one with the little strap that will connect it to your carry-on.  I can't sleep comfortably with just one pillow so my travel pillow helps with that issue.

The microfiber towel is a great item because you never know when you're going to stop on the side of the road at that beautiful little beach at sunset or that fabulous hidden waterfall off the beaten path.  I've also read that not every guest room in Cuba offers towels and I don't prefer to drip dry.

When the road has ended and it's time to make the journey home, you will probably have accumulated more stuff than you started with. Most airlines allow you one checked bag, sometimes two if you are traveling to Australia or the Orient.  The weight limit of the checked bag is 50 lbs.  Trust me, they weigh it every time.  When you finally get to the ticket counter and you discover that your bag is overweight, your choice is to pay for the extra weight (up to $10 per pound over) or try to move some of your items to your carry-on, or pay for an extra checked bag.  This can be a nightmare.  You think fifty pounds is quite a lot, but when you add two bottles of wine to said bag, we enter a whole nother ball game.  It's much easier to know the weight of your bag before you get to the ticket counter.  You can find these on Amazon for about $15.

The final packing items that I am going to write about today are extra bags.  This might sound kinda silly at first, but hear me out.

Imagine you are going to your hotel pool.  What are you going to carry your stuff in?  Are you taking everything out of your backpack just to go to the pool?  How about the village market?  These shopping bags take up no room whatsoever and can come in handy!  The trash bag is to separate your dirty clothes from your clean clothes.  I don't really care to have Hubs' smelly socks wrapped around my clean shirt.  The extra ziploc is for your wet bathing suit.  Pretty smart, hunh?!

Stay tuned for next time, folks, and we will talk about toiletries.  Hasta la próxima

What I can't live without when I travel, or How to pack with chronic illness: Part 1

If you can't tell, I absolutely love to travel.  It is easy to get cynical as you get older when you repeat experiences in your life.  To overcome the potential of "having seen that," I enjoy leading tours and pilgrimages.  It is such a joy to watch a teenager have a life-changing moment that will remain with them long into adulthood.  Being able to watch a pilgrim who is touched by the Holy Spirit is totally awe-inspiring.  How can I not want to be a part of that?  I have made some concessions in my life due to my disease, but if I plan right, traveling isn't one of them.

Every trip and pilgrimage is different, but I have a basic travel kit that is always ready and a go-to.  Whether I am spending the night visiting family, attending a long weekend conference or traveling abroad for a couple of weeks, it is easier to pack when you always start with the same things.  Being prepared goes a long way to keeping me looking like a normal person!

Let's begin with a good wallet.  This seems like a no-brainer, but I really don't like carrying bags or purses around so on a daily basis this is what you'll see me with.

 Why is this important?  This wallet is large enough to hold my phone, id, passport and sunglasses.  The clip on the side holds my wrist strap and can attach to my keys.  It also attaches to my case with earbuds.  Despite what you might think, I am not a patient person.  I always have a podcast, online class lecture or audio book loaded on my phone.  This way I can sit for quite a while and not feel like I'm wasting time.

My next bag that I always carry on a trip is my backpack.  It is lightweight and has a ton of pockets and zippered and mesh compartments.  I prefer carrying a backpack since it puts equal weight on both shoulders.  I have tried messenger bags over one shoulder, handheld shopping bags and various other personal items.  I always end up with my trusty backpack.  My neck, shoulders and back muscles appreciate it.

It's bright red so that my group can always pick me out of a crowd.  You can just barely see the top of the fingernail clippers and the Tide pen.  Another essential is a large scarf.  The scarf is a multipurpose item, either thin cotton for summer or wool for winter.  I use it to cover my shoulders or wrap around my legs in churches, a blanket to cover myself when napping on a bus or plane, a hair wrap in windy conditions, and a makeshift blouse if you know how to tie it right.  The hat in the picture has a ponytail opening in the back and a chin strap if we're on a boat.  Sometimes I might bring just a visor in the winter. I know I look like a dork with the full coverage hat, but it gives a lot of protection from sun exposure which can occasionally give me a migraine.

Now on to the basics that go in the bag.  I probably wouldn't carry that much if I was younger, healthier and didn't need to be prepared for my peeps (family, kids, tour travelers, pilgrims & sometimes people I meet while traveling).

This stuff all goes in my carry-on.  I think I'll start on the left and move to the right.  At the top right is my crochet bag.  This is a little bag that will contain a small project such a socks, bunting or granny squares.  If you notice, it has a pocket for my pen & pattern.  Usually, I will drag this along to keep me from getting anxious while we wait.  I am forever waiting on someone whether it's a kid at sports practice or a delayed flight.  Below the crochet bag is an ankle brace and water filter straw.  The ankle brace is for when we do a lot of walking which is practically any trip.  I broke my ankle some years ago and am now partially bionic.  Pathways are never straight or level.  Be prepared.  The water filter straw is for our next trip in May.  Typically, I wouldn't bring this, but we are traveling to Cuba and I understand that the drinking water is not always readily available.  This leads me to the next items to the right.  Facial tissue is always good to have whether your nose gets drippy from that field of yellow flowers you just walked through or if there's no toilet paper in the bathroom.  Below it is a universal power converter needed for any trip abroad and gorilla tape.  The tape would have come in real handy once when our daughter over-packed and her luggage exploded in the airport.

The last item I'm going to write about today is that little aqua colored lipstick looking tube.  This is one of the best inventions since sliced bread.  No joke.  It's called and Essential Oil Personal Inhaler and you can get it on Amazon. Click the picture for the link.

 

I can't put anything plant-based on my skin due to sensitivities so any perfume is out.  Besides the fact that who wants to go around smelling like a cosmetic counter. How it works is you unscrew the silver top and put your essential oil on the cotton insert in the bottle.  Screw the metal lid back on and put the aqua blue base over the bottle.  There are tiny holes in the top of the metal portion.  The other metal top goes over the metal part.  When you take the top off, you can smell your essential oil.  I also have a strong sense of smell.  Oftentimes, certain smells such as exhaust can nauseate me.  This is the perfect counter to the odor.  In an airplane the air is circulated throughout the cabin which can cause problems for me too.  I just grab this little baby and I am set.

So in my next post I will explain the rest of the stuff and why I pack the way I do.  Hasta luego!