Tips for the traveller Barbara Kingstone September 19, 2016 Health Travel, Travel Tips For the habitual traveller, there’s nothing more exciting than planning and packing. Yet for others, organizing for that long-awaited trip becomes a stress-filled ordeal. The trick is in knowing what to pack that will cover every imaginable social function and climate change. The seasoned traveller has learned by trial and error that it’s often the ordinary household articles tucked into the bottom of the case (or a shoe for that matter), that can turn into a lifesaver. Wise travelers have discovered how to make clothes do double chores. For instance, for women, the now fashionable pashminas can be worn over a coat or jacket for extra warmth, or on their own for evening on coolish nights but double as a great blanket on the plane. If insomnia is your problem buy an eye mask since these once freebies are not being passed around as they once were – a cost saving device for the companies?. Don’t laugh, I even carry a pepper mill. I can’t enjoy a meal without the freshly ground stuff and small mills are available. One of my all time travel favorites is a long oversized T shirt which I stuff into my carry- on. It’s a just in case sort of item. Just in case the luggage gets lost and I’m going to a beach, I have a cover up. Just in case I’ve forgotten my nightgown or sleep wear, voila etc. And along with these strange must-haves, is my invaluable invisible tape. In a pinch it takes off lint, if you break a nail, it’s a fast fixer upper, if that front piece of curl just won’t stay down stick it on for a few minutes, and what a blessing if there’s a leaking cosmetic bottle in your case. You can depend on tape. Although I don’t take any, I’ve used it at home and double faced tape is great for that hem that might have given up and headed south of the rest of the skirt or dress. It works wonders on cuffs also. For people with chronic neck aches, I find that a down- filled neck pillow is very useful especially if you’re travelling in economy where they often run out of pillows. Carry-on necessities, one should have eye drops and facial mineral water spray for the dryness on the plane. I know a very social woman who never leaves home without a silk dress and shoes, necklace, underwear and a scarf- an entire day’s wardrobe- which she packs in a small fold-over carry-on bag. She tells me that she actually managed for five days interchanging the suit she was wearing and the carry on outfit when her luggage was lost. And being practical side, I always take plastic zip closing bags, one with damp towelettes, the other empty for whatever usage I may need it for. And if I don’t, it’s no big deal, I toss it away.. It doesn’t take space but here’s a scenario of the wet bathing suit and a plane to catch. It’s a handy dandy and very useful necessity. And don’t leave home without a pen. These days there are more forms to fill out then every before.