My favorite things: the Hoboroll

You know how carefully you organize everything in your backpack before you embark on a trip?  Your shoes (stuffed with socks and undies to save space, duh) are all together in the bottom.  Your clothes are carefully rolled up.  Your soap is totally separate from your AA batteries.

And then by Day 2 of your trip, it's all gone to hell and it's a mess in there.  You're scraping soap off of battery terminals, wondering how on earth your batteries even got in your toiletry bag, and you can't find a single pair of socks to save your life.

Enter the Hoboroll.  This thing is so deceptively brilliant in design that I resisted buying it for a while.  But now that I've given in, it's become one of my favorite pieces of travel gear.

The Hoboroll looks like a giant Trivial Pursuit playing piece.  It's a simple cylindrical piece of fabric with 5 pie piece-shaped compartments that travel its entire length.  It has a drawstring closure and compression straps along the outside that also function as a handle.  That's is.  

Trivial Pursuit playing piece.  Imagine this longer and in fabric form. 

Stuff your clothes and crap into each compartment, pull the drawstrings, and tighten the straps.  Your junk isn't going anywhere, and you'll know exactly where to find it.  

I wasn't sure the extra bulk of the Hoboroll was going to be worth the organization, but I was totally wrong about that.  The fabric is very thin, so it really doesn't add any extra bulk.  And knowing where to find my underwear without fishing through the entirety of my backpack is absolutely worth it.  I've taken this thing camping.  I took it to Croatia.  I'm sold.

Now, I've noticed that the Hoboroll has undergone a redesign since I purchased mine.  The new one looks even better, and I can't lie and say I don't want the latest version (my birthday is in August in case anyone was wondering...). The latest version has made some appealing improvements:  they've added a draft collar, the compression straps appear to be more user-friendly, it now comes with a storage bag, and they now offer an optional cushioned shoulder strap.  It also appears to be made out of even lighter, thinner material.  

Dammit, I really want a new one. 

I'm going to resist buying the latest version.  But you better believe I'm using this thing when I go to China next month (ohmygod that's next month).  And if you want one for yourself, get it here. 

*Note:  I was not paid to write this review, and I did not receive a free Hoboroll in exchange for a review.  I bought it on my own because I thought it was cool, and I have written this review because I thought you might like it as much as I do. So yeah, this is an honest opinion.

Re-evaluating the standard packing checklist

Packing for a trip tends to be a pretty standard exercise.  If it wasn't, there wouldn't be standardized packing lists all over the world wide web.  There's this checklist from TravelSmith, this customizable Universal Packing List, and even this camping-specific packing template from freakin' Microsoft Office of all places.

You know something has become truly standardized when Microsoft gives you a template for it.

I started packing last night for this weekend relay race trip.  We'll spend tomorrow night in Gettysburg, PA before starting our run the next morning, and Friday night will be spent in a van, in random rural parking lots, or just plain running.  This is nor ordinary trip, and neither is the packing list I had to put together (thanks a lot, Bill Gates).  Here are some of the items that made my list that may not make most standard packing checklists:

• Bunny ears.  Because why not.
• Body Glide.  Because chafing is bad.
• 3 sports bras.  Because I sweat like a pig in heat.
• Cards Against Humanity.  Because - seriously, have you played this game?  It's the best.
• Homemade protein bars.  Because yum.
• Embrace Sleep Collar.  Because I hope to sleep for at least a few minutes.
• Temporary mustache tattoos.  Because this should really be on a standardized packing list.
• Trucker hat.  Because I'm from Alabama.
• Fuzzy pink Viking helmet.  Because it's a fuzzy pink Viking helmet. 

I have all this stuff jotted down (or already out on my kitchen table), but watch me forget something basic like toothpaste.  Maybe I shouldn't write off Microsoft so quickly.

So when you start to pack for your next basic trip, the internet can help you make sure you don't forget anything.  But if you're going on a trip that requires dirty games and wearing pink stuff on your head, then I have a list for you.  Don't worry, - either way, you're covered.

Packing: to plan or not to plan?

If you wait until the last minute, it only takes a minute.

That’s my philosophy for many things in life.  I’m a perpetual procrastinator.  I pulled more than the average number of all-nighters in college. But I graduated, so it worked, right?

I often use this philosophy for packing, too.  In fact, I’m using it today.  I have to catch a flight to Alabama in a few hours, and I haven’t packed jack.  Granted, most of my packing involves paperwork to take care of my mom’s affairs rather than clothing (I keep some clothes down there), but I still need to take a few articles.  Mainly because of the temperature difference - it’s about 60F in Alabama right now.  It’s a balmy 20F in DC at the moment, and it isn’t even snowing.  There’s just no excuse for that.  Hear me, snow gods? 

If I’m going on a longer trip to someplace far, far away, then I’m normally a little more proactive in my packing approach. It can be hard to find some every day items in a foreign country.  I highly doubt I could find socks to fit my mammoth feet in, say, Vietnam.  But for a quick trip to Alabama?  Here’s what I do:

A few days ahead of time: 

1. Make pile of paperwork, mail, music, etc., that needs to go with me on the kitchen counter.  
2. Make mental note of other random items that I will later forget about.

Day of flight:

1. Open closet.  Stare into closet for 20 minutes.
2. Pull out 3 outfits plus running shorts and shoes.  
3. Remember that I don’t need anything nice since I’ll be in sweats 80% of the time.  
4. Put 2 outfits back in the closet.
5. Contemplate remaining outfit for another 10 minutes.
6. Decide that it doesn’t matter, I’m probably not going to wear said outfit anyway.
7. Stuff everything in the suitcase. 
8. Go to airport, remember all the things I forgot. Decide I didn’t really need them anyway.

I could easily eliminate steps 1-6 the day of if I were a dude.  In that case, I would just sleepily stuff an extra t-shirt and pair of jeans into a backpack and consider it done.  Not that I can’t do that as a girl, but I’m too vain to go that route.  So I still wait until the last minute.  But, ok - I'll admit it, it takes me a hair longer than a minute.  

And with that, I’m going to stop writing and go stare into my closet.  Happy Friday!

My favorite travel things: Footzyfolds

I’m mildly obsessed with packing lightly when I go on a trip.  But being a girl and all, I still like to feel somewhat like a girl when I run around another country with a backpack.  Packing a little bit of jewelry and makeup can go a long way, but quite frankly, if all I have to wear on my feet are clunky (yet comfortable, and probably waterproof) shoes, I’m still going to feel kind of dowdy.  And given the fact that my feet are freakin’ huge to start with, I’ll actually feel more like Ronald McDonald. Yeah. “Hey, that’s a sexy clown!” said no one, ever.

But about a year ago I stumbled across something interesting online:  Footzyfolds.  They make super-thin shoes in a myriad of colors and patterns that fold into each other and fit neatly into a tiny tote bag. 

Brilliant!  And perfect for traveling (or just commuting around the city).  They come in sizes S - XL, and, well, the price isn’t half bad.  Miss Bigfoot here ordered a gray leopard print pair in XL.

    

They came in the mail in a ridiculously small box.  I couldn’t believe a pair of shoes that fit MY feet were actually crammed in there.  Only, after putting them on... they were actually a bit too small.  Bollocks!  

I came up with an easy solution to that, though.  The shoes have a bit of elastic on the sides to ensure a bit of stretchability and fit.  I took a pair of scissors and cut right through that elastic. Perfect.  After years of study and experience in engineering, I can make a pair of shoes fit using nothing but scissors.  I’m like MacGyver, but with boobs. 

I threw my newly-engineered Footzyfolds in my backpack at the last minute before leaving for Chile a few weeks ago.  I ended up wearing them all over Santiago and wine country.  I may have been wearing hiking pants and a fleece, but my feet looked fabulous, dadgum it.  Those suckers are going with me on every trip from now on - they’re fantastic.  Ladies, get your Footzyfolds! 

Oh, and one more note...

Dear Footzyfolds:  could you make your shoes in XXL?  That would rock my world - thanks.  Love, Carla.

Note:  The Amazon links above are affiliate links.  If you feel so inclined to have some Footzyfolds of your own, you can support this blog at the same time - thanks!

Screw checking a bag

There aren’t many things in life I truly hate.  They pretty much boil down to spiders, shopping for yogurt in Alabama, and checking a bag on an airplane.  I will over-analyze my packing strategy for days and send my blood pressure up to epic levels in order to keep from having to check a bag.  I’ve traveled for weeks at a time with nothing but a carry-on sized suitcase or backpack and a purse. Carrying a bunch of crap around is so, so, SO overrated.  

Now, given the fact that I’m a girl and I’m rather partial to things like funky shoes, jewelry, and my hair dryer, my packing list is probably a bit more involved than most dudes’ packing lists.  But I still manage to fit all I need into the overhead bin and under the seat in front of me.  Here’s my basic list for any trip:

Clothing 

• 3 outfits for regular daily wear.  That’s it.  Three shirts and three pairs of pants or shorts/skirts/kilts/whatever is plenty.  Trust me.

Shoes 

• 2-3 pairs.  And 3 pairs is pushing it. I have huge feet, and my shoes take up a lot of room.

Outerwear

• 1 rain jacket.  If you don’t bring this, you know it will rain - a lot.  Even if you’re going to the Atacama Desert, it will rain.
• One sweatshirt/long-sleeve t-shirt/coat/parka

Accessories 

• 1 scarf.  It will dress up your dirty hiking pants in a pinch.  Seriously.  Also, it can keep your neck warm.  Who knew?
• 1-2 pairs of cheap earrings.  I lose single earrings at the rate that most dryers eat single socks.  If I lose cheap jewelry, I won’t throw an epic fit.
• 1-2 cheap necklaces.  I don’t lose necklaces nearly as easily as earrings, but I still don’t want to lose or break something valuable.  If I leave my $6 necklace from Forever 21 in a hostel bathroom, I’ll be ok.

Other

• Laundry detergent, and plenty of it.  It takes up much less room than another pair of jeans.  Also, even if you’re going somewhere for just a couple of days, it will come in handy when you spill something on your clothes.  Because if you don’t pack the detergent, you know this will totally happen.
• A swimsuit.  You never know when you’ll come across a hot tub. 
• My funky sunscreen - because I’m white (I recommend wearing sunglasses if you look directly at me) and I’m allergic to most over-the-counter sunscreens.  Let me tell you, that combination is a whole barrel of fun.

That’s it.  Of course, filling out the rest of the list depends on the destination and the climate.  But the list above is where I start, and I stick to it.  No matter where I’m going - a quick weekend trip or a multi-week backpacking trip across another continent - using this basic list keeps me from having to pay stupid airline baggage fees, worrying about whether or not my bags will actually make it to my destination, and waiting for my bags for ages at baggage claim.  

If you want to go pseudo-minimalist on your next trip, I hope the information above is helpful.  Happy packing!

For the love of laundry detergent

I took my first trip to southern Africa with a great friend that I’ll call Nathan.  Nathan showed up at my house where we were hitching a shared van ride to the airport in a state far beyond excitement, and frankly, I was right there with him.  And because of this ecstatic state, I didn’t notice the gargantuan rucksack that he unloaded from his car.

That is, until I tried to lift it.  I could barely get it off the ground.

“Nathan, WTF are you taking to Botswana?  A dead body?  Lead bricks?”  I was struggling to get this thing up the stairs into my yard, and Nathan was going to carry this thing halfway across the world?  Now he’s a strong guy and whatnot, but... geez.

Nathan:  “It’s just 15 pairs of jeans, 20 t-shirts, and all the underwear I own.  What’s the big deal?”

Ok, maybe I exaggerated the numbers slightly, but only slightly.  He said something along those lines.

Me:  “What?!  Why don’t you just bring laundry detergent and wash your clothes periodically?”

Nathan:  “I don’t want to be bothered with washing stuff.  I’d rather bring more clothes.”

Me:  “You’re going to regret that.”

And sure enough, by the time we made it to our friend’s house in Gaborone 26 hours later, Nathan was cursing his rucksack.  He learned quickly that laundry detergent is a beautiful thing, and slogging through customs with 20 pairs of jeans is not.

I rarely pack more than about 3 or 4 outfits for any trip.  But I always pack a container of detergent, because washing out clothing in the sink of a hostel or hotel is much less of a pain in the ass than dragging a heavy sack around, having to check it at each airport, and generally having to keep up with all the crap that’s inside it.  Besides, I don’t even own 20 pairs of jeans.

We went back to southern Africa just two years later.  And this time, Nathan had a carry-on-sized backpack filled with plenty of detergent.  I was proud of him.  Laundry detergent - it’s a traveler’s best friend.  Ok, well, maybe that would really be a passport and beer, but it’s pretty dadgum close. 

Going, going, (almost) gone!

Tomorrow is the day!  Have I packed yet?  Nope.  In fact, I haven't put a single thing into the backpack.  So what if I need to leave the house in about 12 hours?  Bah, details.  Besides, who wants to pack when a good friend comes to the door with a farewell batch of maple bacon chocolate chip cookies?  That's right - maple bacon chocolate chip cookies.  I can see the utter envy on your face.  And yes, they are exactly as fabulous as they sound!  Pork products should be included in baked goods more often.

.Remember that packing list I posted yesterday?  Add cookies to that list.  Now that I have them, they are an absolute necessity.

Ok, enough drooling over the cookies.  I have packing to do.  Next stop:  India!

A minimalist month

I will be boarding a plane for Delhi in exactly 38 hours.  That's right, the countdown has progressed from days down to hours!  I'll be spending a month on a wild goose chase around Asia (though I have no idea what I'm chasing), which means I will need to pay careful attention to what I pack.  The whole packing process would be fairly easy if I were willing to bring a ton of luggage.  I could throw in anything and everything I might possibly need!  Way to go, right?  No effing way.  I hate carrying stuff, keeping up with stuff, and most of all - I hate checking luggage because I have firsthand knowledge of how checked luggage gets treated.  I'll keep all my things with me, thank you very much.  That is why I'm putting forth the effort to pack everything I will need for 32 days in this:

Yep, I will be living out of a carry-on-sized backpack for a month. Since I don't need to dress (or specifically, dress up) for anything in particular, it makes choosing clothing much simpler.  I also won't need bulky clothes for cold weather.  So what am I taking?  Here is my list:

1.  2 short sleeved shirts
2.  One tunic
3.  2 pairs of long pants
4.  One skirt
5.  Waterproof rain jacket (it's monsoon season, y'all!)
6.  Fleece pullover (mainly for planes and airports, which blast AC like they're trying to freeze hell over)
7.  One pair of water sandals (Teva Westwater - they are awesome, awesome, awesome.  And cute.)
8.  One pair of super old running shoes that I will probably chuck along the way
9.  One pair of super old ballet flats that I will probably also toss somewhere along the way
10.  DRUGS.  No, not crack.  I'm talking Cipro, Pepto, Excedrin, and Benadryl for when different parts of my body decide to rebel against my current location.  Oh, and Malarone.  Because it's all fun and games until you catch malaria, and then it's just fun.
11.  Wine and pantyliners for our hosts in India.  That's right, wine and pantyliners.
12.  My Embrace Sleep Collar.  This thing beats the pants off of every neck pillow I've ever used.
13.  Enough Lonely Planet guidebooks to suffocate a small animal
14.  An extra backpack that folds down to freakin' nothing.
15.  Toilet paper.  We live in relative luxury and always have it provided for us here in the good ol' western world.  Not so much in other places, like, well, everywhere I'm going.
16.  Laundry detergent.  Lots and lots of laundry detergent...
17.  A sarong.  The single most versatile thing you could ever pack.  It's a blanket!  It's a skirt!  It's a dress!  It's a towel!  Take that, Shamwow.

Not a sarong.  Fail.

So other than the obvious basics like toiletries, a camera, and a swimsuit, that's all, folks.  And it's all going in that blue bag - except for the wine, which I will actually check in a small bag and pray to the airline gods that it makes it to the other side of the world.  Now all I have to do is throw everything in the bag and go!