Author: Pam Q.

Table For One – Tips for Eating Alone in Restaurants

On September 19, 2017

Traveling solo often involves eating meals in restaurants by yourself. Many women (and men for that matter) feel awkward about going to a restaurant alone. I’ve found that many restaurants are quite solo friendly, especially if you follow a few simple suggestions.

First, think about what setting makes you the most comfortable. Many restaurants have several seating options:

The two-person table – this is a good option if you want to minimize interaction with others and you’d rather read a book or surf the net on your small electronic device. The extra room gives you more space to spread out.
Eating at the bar or long counter – I learned this trick when I traveled alone for business. Many restaurant bars have TVs tuned to different channels and are a good option for having casual conversations with those sitting on either side of you, or just catching up on the news or sports event. Ask if the bar area has a separate menu or whether you can order off the regular menu. Also, many bar areas have small tables in a casual setting that you can use alone or join another person.
Communal tables – This is my favorite option, where you share a table with multiple other diners, each on their own separate check. Just like at a family meal, you have multiple people to talk with or as an alternative, listen quietly to the conversations around you.

Secondly, try to avoid the busiest times. I find a late lunch or early dinner works well. The pace is slower and the servers are often more able to accommodate your request for a single table near the window or the patio. Keep in mind that lunch is a better value in most areas. As you stake out places to eat, ask about when the menu changes from lunch to dinner or about any early evening specials. Also, if you are trying to order in a different language and/or have questions about various dishes, the servers have more time to interact with you when you come at a less busy time.

Third, bring something to do to occupy your time while you are waiting for your meal if you are sitting by yourself. Bring a book, some tourist brochures, word or number puzzles, or simply surf the net or read on your phone. Many restaurants have wi-fi available. Some people use their computer on the table. If you choose to do this, make sure you’ve chosen a seating option that gives you enough room to do this without encroaching on your neighbor at the bar or counter.

Finally, because you are on your own, you can choose whatever courses you wish without worrying about impacting your fellow diners. Sometimes I’ll order one or two appetizers and dessert. Tell your server your plans and whether you want all your selections at once or sequentially.

Experiencing local cuisine is an important part of travel. If you are new to solo dining, try a few trial meals at your local restaurants to find out which approach is right for you.

Solid Toiletries – Ditching the 3-3-3 Bag!

By Pam Q.

On September 14, 2017

In Other, Packing Light

Minimalist travel is all about taking just what you need and simplifying your travel. For me, this meant finding solid alternatives to liquid toiletries. Even with Pre-Check in the U.S., you still must pull out your liquids bag in some countries and in certain U.S. situations. Plus, no liquids means no leaking and often, less weight. I’ve been experimenting with different products and will share some of them here. Most stores don’t highlight solid items, so it’s helpful to do some internet research first and then go searching in the stores and online sites.

Shampoo and Conditioner – A disclaimer first – my hair is very short and easily washed. If you have longer hair you may need to find alternative products. Shampoo and conditioner come in various small bars. The key to using them is to keep the bars as dry as possible by letting them air out between uses. I cut off a piece or two big enough to last me for the specific trip and store these pieces in a metal or plastic small container. When possible I keep the lid off after use until these items fully dry. By using small pieces at a time, I don’t waste the product if the bar gets too moist and turns into goo. These bars tend to be expensive and this method allows me to get multiple trips out of a bar. I put the pieces of shampoo, conditioner, and soap in one small container to take into the shower.

For shampoo, I’ve tried Liggett’s Old Fashioned Bar Shampoo and Lush Lullaby Solid Shampoo. The Liggetts is more of a basic shampoo at fraction of the price of the Lush product. For conditioner, I’ve used the Bee Beauty Silky Hair Conditioner Bar. The Liggetts bar left my hair squeaky clean, but a bit stiff. Adding conditioner, I found that I had to use the Bee Beauty conditioner very sparingly or my hair would get sticky. It may be better suited to longer hair where you just swipe a little on the ends. My favorite is the Lush Lullaby shampoo, which is a gentle shampoo and leaves my hair soft enough to eliminate the conditioner. One product instead of two makes this minimalist traveler happy.

Moisturizer –The skin on my face is very dry and sensitive. I need to use moisturizer twice a day to keep the dryness at bay. Trying to find a solid alternative to moisturizing lotion proved to be a challenge. Honey House Naturals puts out a Bee Bar Hand and Body Lotion Bar, which uses the warmth of the hands to soften the bar sufficiently to get a film of lotion on the hands for application. Looking for something more face specific and finding little for adults, I turned to baby products. Babyorganics puts out an organic lip and face balm in a stick that works reasonably well for travel purposes.

Sun Block –This one is easy with lots of options. I’ve used the various sticks from national brands. Target and other retailers have similar generic versions. Neutrogena makes a sunscreen solid the size of a deodorant stick, but I wanted something smaller. These sticks are good for limited coverage for everyday activities, but probably insufficient if you are going to the beach or pool. If this is the case, it is easy to buy sun block on site. Because my nose easily turns into a beacon, I also use Badger Zinc Oxide Sunscreen All Season Face Stick. This product has a bit of a whitening effect, so I only use it when I’m in strong sun.

Soap –This is where those hotel sized soaps can be put to good use if you are staying somewhere that doesn’t provide soap (i.e. a hostel). Either take a small bar or cut a larger bar to meet your needs. I sometimes cut a chunk off of an organic olive oil bar (Felicity’s Handcrafted Soaps) I like to use because it is more soothing to my sensitive skin than regular soap. I also have a bar of lavender soap from our local farmer’s market (Ridge Runner Soap Co) that is great for travel.

In addition, I bring soap for washing out clothes. My preference is Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid soap in a leakproof one oz bottle, but this doesn’t fit with my goal to eliminate liquids. Dr. Bonner’s makes a bar soap version of their Castile soap that works fine. I use this to wash out quick drying underwear and other clothing. I’ve had the best success with the following method, which can be done in the sink or the shower. Wet the garment and thoroughly soap up the trouble spots – crotch for underwear, armpits, spots, etc. Lightly soap up the rest and let the garment sit (and preferably soak) for a few minutes. Then rub lightly and rinse thoroughly, wring in a towel, and let dry.

Toothpaste – I definitely prefer regular toothpaste, but for a couple of weeks, can deal with an alternative product. Eco-Dent makes a Baking Soda Toothpowder that has enough mint flavor to cover the baking soda taste. Some people make their own toothpaste dots. The LadyLightTravel Blog has detailed instructions. I find they take a much longer time to dry than the instructions (at least for my brand of toothpaste). I store them in a very small plastic container and they work fine. The first batch I made were too big, and now I make them about the size of a chocolate chip. Dusting them with baking soda keeps them separated.

Makeup –Generally, the TSA allows lip balm (not lip gel), lipstick, and powder based makeup. I rarely use makeup, but do frequently use lip balm and keep one in my toilet kit and in my purse or backpack.

Other items – Badger makes an After-Bug Balm in a stick which helps with itch relief. Purell comes in individually wrapped travel wipes. Stall Mates makes individual wrapped flushable wipes. Olay and other brands make facial cleanser-infused dry towelettes that you moisten and use like a washcloth. Amazon and other vendors sell boxes of individual packets of antibiotic and cortisone gel (such as those in first aid kits), but I am not sure how TSA feels about these. I’m experimenting with taking a cotton swab and covering one end with antibiotic ointment and wrapping it tightly with foil. I haven’t needed to use them yet, so time will tell.

The first time I traveled liquid-free, I was hooked. The products worked well and not worrying about leaks was a plus.

Finding a Community on the Bike Trail (or Anywhere Else)

By Pam Q.

On September 11, 2017

In Lifestyle, Other

Sometimes traveling is about the destination, but it can also include learning how to view experiences through a different lens – even when you are not far from home. People who are considering traveling by themselves often have two major fears 1) the possibility that something bad will happen and 2) that they will be lonely and miserable. The first one is a topic for another time, but I’ve learned that with a simple shift in mindset, I can go a long way in mitigating the second one.

I live in Connecticut where we have miles and miles of ‘Rails to Trails’ bike/walking/running trails (see link). I try to ride my bike three times a week, weather and spirit permitting. The trail goes right near my apartment complex and I can just hop on and ride my typical 12 – 15 miles (round trip) in either direction. Nine-thirty in the morning is my time to ride and most of the people who are on the trail during the week at that time are retirees or stay at home parents, often on the trail by themselves. People for the most part are pleasant and we typically acknowledge everyone we pass with a ‘hello’ or ‘good morning’.

A recent Sunday morning was a particularly beautiful day – sunny, low 60’s, low humidity. I broke out of my ‘avoid the weekend crowds on the trail’ mindset and headed out for my favorite ride to the trail bridge over the Farmington River. Perhaps it was something in the air, but I think it was more my awareness was targeting the right things. I noticed:

The ‘hellos’ and ‘good mornings’ seemed cheerier and more heartfelt.
The man who was running while pushing a running stroller with a ten-year-old boy (give or take) who appeared to have Downs Syndrome. The boy was enthusiastically greeting everyone he passed. I’m not sure whose smile was broader – the man’s or the boy’s.
The man walking gingerly holding a newborn baby in a baby carrier, likely giving the new mother a few minutes of rest.
The person with the bike shirt covered with sponsors tinkering with a bike on the side of path that belonged to a woman my age who, like me, didn’t have a clue how to fix it.
The woman (likely 50 plus) on roller blades, who was approaching the intersection where I was crossing and shouted: ‘Is it clear?’ It was indeed and she flew by me. You go girl!
The younger person holding the traffic on the crossing busy street so the older couple could cross without hurrying.

I began to think about how the people on the trail that morning were a community. We greeted each other, shared time together, conversed, helped each other, and appreciated each other.

I’ve told people that one of keys to traveling solo is to learn to participate with others – in a sort of community – for even brief periods of time wherever you travel. It’s hard to be lonely when you’re part of a community. These quasi-communities pop up when you’re on a tour with others, eating dinner at a communal table, or sitting in the common area in a hostel or hotel. They are not meant to be permanent – just people sharing the same time, place, and experience.

People have asked me how to join one of these communities. The easiest way is to just say hello and begin a casual conversation. If the person doesn’t want to participate, find another person. But what I’ve come to realize is that sometimes just being with others doing similar activities can be a community. You don’t have to engage in a meaningful conversation.

That day, I said nothing more than a bunch of ‘Good Mornings’ and one exuberant ‘You Go Girl,’ but yet, I was truly part of the community of people on the bike trail that morning. It’s all a matter of perspective. When you are traveling solo or doing activities by yourself, you can perceive that you are all alone in a group of strangers or as an alternative, you are part of a group (a community) of people doing the same thing as you are.

When I used to travel for business by myself, I often felt lonely especially at night. I was determined to learn to travel comfortably and happily by myself. Now I look forward to each trip and focus on the sights I will see, the culture I will experience, and the people I will share this experience with in a progressive series of communities that form throughout my trip. A good place to practice forming your communities is at home. Try it the next time you are on the bike trail.

Hosteling After Age 60 – Yes, You Can!

By Pam Q.

On September 7, 2017

In Destinations, Travel Tips

Source: Sydney Harbour YHA

Inspired by a son who has stayed at hostels and another over 60 traveler I know, who stayed in a hostel for the first time and survived a 12-person co-ed dorm room, I was ready to give hostels a try. Newly retired, I wanted to travel more, but really couldn’t afford a lot of expensive trips.

An easy google search yielded a wealth of information about hostel groups, hostel apps, and enough tips to get me started. Although the focus of most hostels is geared towards the under 35 crowd, I found that Hostelling International (HI) welcomed seniors to their community. The hostels in their system are clean, well appointed, and located in good locations. I was traveling to Broadbeach in Australia to stay with a son who had rented a beach apartment for a business conference (yes there is a conference center in this beach community – genius!).

I decided to take a side trip to Sydney and HI had a hostel that intrigued me. Located in the Rocks Section near the harbor, the HI Sydney Harbour YHA was housed in a modern building, with clean bright rooms and a great communal lounge and shared kitchen. The building was on stilts, perched over an archeological dig and surrounded by historical buildings, plenty of restaurants and small grocery marts, and within easy walking distance of the major attractions. I opted for a 4 bed (2 bunk beds) all female room with an ensuite bath and individual lockers.

Fair warning – some hostels can be quite grubby. Hostelling International appears to have some good standards (at least from my experience so far) and has ratings for staff, cleanliness, location, security, service, comfort and green rating. A search site, Hostelworld (which has an app), also has good information. Trip Advisor review hostels in many areas. Although cost is important to me, I’m not interested in the cheapest option. I’m looking for good value that supplements, rather than takes away from my travel experience.

My first roommates were women (aged 25-35) from Great Britain, Belgium, and Finland. The second night, the woman from Great Britain remained and we were joined by two college aged women from South Korea. For the most part, people did not hang out in their rooms, but either were out and about, or spent the evening in the common lounge. There was no shortage of people to talk with in the lounge and I soon realized that likely 25% of the people there were not what I would consider traditional users of hostels.

There were families (a private family room was cheaper than many hotels and provided access to the communal kitchen), others my age, one gentleman in his 80’s with another family member, and everything in between. People were sharing meals, information about things to do, and insights about life in their country and community. The second night I had a 3-hour conversation with my roommate from Great Britain and it was fascinating to hear her take on our recent presidential election, government sponsored health care, the EU, as well as some of the other places she had traveled on a shoestring.

Source: Sydney Harbour YHA

As I climbed into bed the first night, I had that feeling reminiscent of the first night of college, sleeping in the same room as strangers, but it was fleeting. The women the first night were very courteous (window open or closed, light left on or off in the bathroom, who had to get up and out in the morning, etc.).

The second night, the two younger women wandered in around 2 after clearly having more than a couple of drinks, zipped and unzipped their luggage no less than 30 times, and finally climbed into bed where one of them snored and ground her teeth so loudly it was painful to listen to. I found the value of good earplugs and soon was back to sleep after a busy day of sightseeing. The young women were still in bed when I left the room for breakfast the next morning.

Fortunately, I had read enough blogs to heed some suggestions on how to be a courteous roommate. Among them are 1) keep a flashlight in your bed so you can get into your locker without turning on the light, 2) lay out your clothes for the next day along with your toiletries so you can shower and get ready quietly in the bathroom, 3) keep the items in your locker organized so you don’t need to rummage, and 4) make sure your flip flops are handy because even though the bathroom was spotless, you want some protection for your feet.

Food is kept in an individual cubby in the kitchen or in a tagged bag in the refrigerator. Most people kept only small quantities of food to cover just the time there were there. The kitchen is well equipped with pots, pans, dishes, silverware, and utensils. Everyone is expected to clean up after themselves and for the most part, the kitchen was quite clean.

The enthusiastic people who worked at the hostel knew where everything was and a wall in the common area had all kinds of information on the area, things to do, coupons and discounts, and directions on how to get to places. They also served a bare bones breakfast from a small kitchen area and had a few other food items for sale.

Source: Sydney Harbour YHA

Many of the young people were traveling for some time, and carried huge backpacks with lots of extra possessions lashed to the outside, as well as regular backpacks worn as a front pack. As I watched them struggle under the load, I began to fully appreciate the concept of packing light. I had chosen to limit myself to a small bag (15 lbs) and a minimalist approach to avoid baggage charges, and I was hooked after experiencing how easy it was to travel with a small, light bag. My last day I went sightseeing after checkout, carrying all my possessions, without a problem.

After this positive experience, I knew hosteling would be part of my future travel plans.

Packing Light Part 3 – Other Stuff

By Pam Q.

On September 5, 2017

In Packing Light

This blog post is the third of three posts to get you started on packing light.

Electronics – When I must carry a computer, I use my Surface 3. It is light and compact. However, the more I travel, the more I find that I leave the computer at home. My iphone is sufficient for email, internet searches, camera, and kindle – and much lighter than carrying the computer, camera, kindle, and phone. To mitigate the additional drain on the phone battery, I carry a small supplemental battery charger and also, a small multiplug extension cord so I can easily recharge my phone, fitbit, and supplemental battery charger. Occasionally I carry my small point and shoot camera with a couple of extra batteries so I can leave the charger at home.
Lightweight Fold Up Bags – These fit compactly in your main bag for use at your destination. I typically add a small lightweight tote bag to use for keeping my clothes off the floor in the shower if there is no counter space and/or for picking up grocery or snack items. I also have a lightweight fold up day pack by Neatpack that allows me to keep everything in my main travel bag and still have a day pack to use every day. If you plan on doing laundry, a mesh laundry bag can be helpful. Just keep all the clothes in the bag when you wash them – no more lost items. Also include a couple of plastic bags if you are carrying snacks or wet items.

Travel Towels – If you are staying somewhere where towels are not provided or need a towel for the beach, lightweight travel towels are great. They take up little room, are super absorbent, and dry fast.

Odds and Ends – A small flashlight is essential in a hostel and helpful in any travel environment. If you are washing out some clothing during the trip, Sea to Summit makes a great tiny clothesline to string up and hang clothes on. Foldup water bottles are a good alternative to buying bottled water on location. My current bottle of choice is Vapur, but I have also used Platypus with success. Keep in mind that the roll-up bottles are not as study as the rigid ones and need to be replaced periodically. I always carry a small amount of toilet paper and a Stall Mates towelette in a snack size plastic page along with a couple of bandaids and safety pins. These items take up little space and are nice to have when you need them. A small roll of duct tape can help with a quick temporary repair. I always carry a spork in my day pack so I can pick up meals and snacks at the grocery or convenience store and have something to eat them with. Finally take a couple of small combination locks – certainly a necessity in a hostel (for lockers) but also useful for securing your bag or backpack in troublesome areas.

This series of three blog posts will hopefully get you started with packing light. Look for additional suggestions in future posts.

Packing Light Part 2 – Bags, Cubes, and Toiletries

By Pam Q.

On September 1, 2017

In Packing Light

This blog post is the second of three posts to get you started on packing light.

Bags – For years I used my trusty LL Bean roller bags. They have proved to be sturdy and continue to serve me well from time to time. However, they don’t work well on uneven surfaces, stairs, and the rollers take up valuable space and weight. When I decided to start packing lighter, I began to look for other options. Taking a cue from the younger generation who travel from hostel to hostel with a backpack, I began to look into those options.

Thinking at first that I could travel with my Osprey Talon 44 that I use for extended hiking, I quickly found that travel and hiking were two different activities. My hiking backpack has lots of straps and pockets that can get hung up on conveyor belts, and a top and bottom load. A suitcase is more streamlined and opens for full access. Although through use of a rain cover or duffel, you can contain the backpack straps sufficiently to check the bag, I found that there were better options for general traveling – the backpack suitcase.

Backpack Suitcase – I chose the eBags TLS Motherload Weekender Convertible. This model has all the features I wanted in a suitcase, plus the ability to carry the bag as a backpack or as a regular suitcase. If I don’t want to use the backpack straps or need to check the bag, they simply can be tucked into a pocket. The bag has an expandable main compartment, a smaller front compartment, a laptop sleeve in the bag, a document holder, and a small pocket on the front of the bag for your 3-1-1 bag or other quick access item.

Day Pack – In addition, I travel with a day pack either in my bag or if needed, carried as a front pack when using the backpack option on the larger bag. I use this bag for my Surface 3, kindle, small purse, snacks and other carryon items when traveling and as a day pack when sightseeing. I have a Pac-Safe 100 that I have had for several years and use regularly on my daily walks and other times at home. It is designed for travel and although smaller than a typical day pack, holds a couple of water bottles, a jacket, small camera, wallet, cell phone, snacks and other items. An alternative backpack to consider is the Neatpack foldup travel backpack. It is inexpensive and designed to fold up small enough to be carried in the regular luggage and used on site.

Super Lightweight Pack – For those superlight trips where size and weight is limited, I use the Patagonia Lightweight Travel Tote Pack 22L, which can be used as a backpack or tote bag. It fits my large packing cube, my toiletry kit, and several small cubes or stuff sacks for other items.

Packing Cubes and Stuff Sacks – These are a must for organized packing and for compressing your clothes into a smaller space. The come in various sizes and shapes. With good planning, you can configure a selection of packing cubes and sacks of various sizes to hold all your items and fit snugly within your bag. Everything goes in a cube or sack, so if I need something, I just grab that cube/sack without rummaging through the entire bag. Especially when you are staying at a hostel or moving from hotel to hotel, using a packing cube and stuff sack system (and keeping items in their respective spots when not in use) makes packing up a breeze and reduces the chances of leaving items behind.

Toiletry bag – I’ve found a small hanging toiletry bag works best. Often in hostels, there is no place besides the floor to put your bag (yuck) and when hanging, the bag provides easy access to all the contents. I use the Neatpack Small Toiletry Bag, but there are many similar options available.

Toiletries – Decant your daily liquid toiletries into small leak-proof bottles contained by a plastic bag for 3-1-1 compliance. After a few bad experiences with leaky inexpensive bottles, I now use only Neoprene bottles (the 1 oz size is perfect) or the smaller Go Toob squeeze containers. For some trips, I use only solid toiletries, thus eliminating the 3-1-1 bag and the risk of leaks. More on solids in a later blog.

See Packing Light Parts 1 and 3 for other tips

Packing Light Part 1 – Clothing

By Pam Q.

On August 30, 2017

In Packing Light

This blog post is the first of three posts to get you started on packing light.
When designing my packing light system, I started thinking about clothing from two perspectives 1) what’s the lightest, most compact version that will work and 2) could I put together a clothing system that provided me with what I needed and no more?

I realized that I had some great clothing alternatives already in my wardrobe – fitness and hiking clothes, lightweight long underwear, lightweight jacket and rainwear. After reading a few blogs (there is a lot of good information out there), I developed my own list. Fair warning – if you are a fashionista, this blog isn’t for you. I want comfortable, serviceable clothes and am less concerned about being fashionable or looking my best. I am trying to see the world, not be seen by the world.

Underwear – I invested in 3 pair of Ex-Officio underwear and one Ex-Officio camisole. Although pricy, the Ex-Officio products wash out easily in the sink or shower and are dry by the next morning. I have another lightweight modal Jockey camisole that dries almost as quickly. For bras, I already had two lightweight, dry-wicking, unstructured bras that would work most of the time. Again, these garments dry overnight. This sure beats the dozen pairs I used to bring when traveling.

Sleepwear – I have a set of Lands’ End lightweight long underwear that doubles as sleepwear in cooler temperatures and a super lightweight pair of shorts and sleeveless top for summer. No need to have specific sleepwear. The lightweight long underwear can go under pants or tops as needed to provide an additional layer.

Layers, Layers, Layers – Speaking of layers, they are the key to any travel clothing system. Rather than packing a bulky, heavy sweater, instead wear your long underwear top or merino wool base layer, followed by a long sleeve top, and then heavier shirt or fleece. If it gets warmer, you can just peel off the layers.

Tops – I use dry-wicking, quick drying fitness/hiking shirts. The temperature at your destination will dictate whether you focus on long sleeve or short sleeve. Even if it is warm, one long sleeve is nice. Ex-Officio and other brands have long sleeve, button-down, lightweight hiking shirts. These can be paired with a short sleeve shirt to provide a little warmth or protection from sun or insects. In cooler weather, the same button-down shirt over a lighter long sleeve shirt and topped by a fleece can provide lightweight warmth. Merino wool tee shirts (long or short sleeve) are another great alternative. Merino wool is itch free, breathable, and comfortable year-round. It also doesn’t pick up odors as easily as synthetics. The beauty of using lightweight clothes is that they can be washed out in the sink mid trip without too much effort. Because of this, you only need a maximum of 4 – 5 tops in some combination of long-sleeve and short sleeve.

Bottoms – Again, fitness clothing is the key. Lightweight hiking pants and capris, yoga pants, and opaque leggings all work well. I have one pair of EMS Isabella pants in black that are a little dressier looking and when coupled with a tee shirt and my button-down shirt, make a reasonably presentable outfit when needed. I won’t win any fashion awards, but my clothes are clean and comfortable. I often wear a pair of lightweight skinny jeans on the plane/train. That way I have my beloved jeans without sacrificing packing space.

Jackets – This is an area that is very temperature specific. Over the years, I invested in the following pieces: 1) a lightweight down jacket with a hood that compresses to a small pouch, 2) a lightweight goretex rain coat that compresses to a small pouch, 3) a lightweight thermal vest (not down, so it can get wet) that compresses to a small pouch (do you see a pattern here?), 4) a lightweight hoody, 5) a rain resistant ‘soft shell’ windbreaker, and 6) a very light rain shirt that packs down to nothing. Depending upon the weather, I take a combination of these. The rain coat or the softshell jacket, over the vest, over the hoody, over my other layers, can salvage a cold rainy day. In a very warm area, the light rain shirt will keep me somewhat dry in a moderate rain and keep the chill off at night. Don’t forget to add a lightweight hat and gloves if the weather might be chilly.

Shoes – I primarily travel with two pairs of shoes. The first is a pair of sturdy walking shoes (mine are Dansko) that give me the comfort of sneakers without looking like sneakers. These shoes are sturdy enough for a day of walking or a light hike and look fine with pants. I also add a pair of TEVA sandals, which are comfortable to walk in and work fine with pants, shorts, and a dress if I need one. I sometimes add (or substitute) a pair of flip flops, especially if I am going anywhere where I will be using a communal shower. If you really need a pair of dress up shoes, avoid heels and consider a pair of fold up ballerina style shoes. Just don’t walk very far in them. Occasionally, I will want my hiking boots, so I substitute them for the shoes. Although they are overkill for most sightseeing, my feet appreciate them on the trail if my travels include a lot of hiking. Wear your heaviest shoes on the plane.

Socks – Don’t skimp on socks! Find dry-wicking or wool socks (even in summer) at a weight that works well with your shoes. Don’t use cotton. At least one pair should be ankle length for cold or rainy days. Three pairs should do. The dry-wicking socks will dry out faster than the wool.

Other clothing – I often pack one very lightweight travel dress and either a lightweight sweater or pashmina. Occasionally the hiking clothes don’t cut it and this type of dress, even with the TEVA sandals can work. The pashmina or sweater can of course do double duty. Unless I absolutely know that I won’t need a bathing suit, I pack one. My recommendation is a good fitting two-piece suit that can double as a bra and underwear in a pinch, coupled with a long-sleeve sun/rash shirt. The shirt of course can be used as a layer if needed. If I know that I only will be using the hotel hot tub, I have an unstructured tank suit that covers all the essential parts.

When setting up your clothing list, remember that the quantity includes what you are wearing. Travel in your long pants, long sleeve shirt, shoes, and jacket to save space and weight. In other words, if you can’t lift it, wear it. You’ll avoid overweight bags this way as well.

See Packing Lights Parts 2 and 3 for information about Bags, Cubes, Toiletries and Other Stuff.

And So It Begins . . .

By Pam Q.

On August 29, 2017

In Packing Light

It all started when I was coming home from a visit to a friend. We had gone on a bit of a shopping spree and although I was joyous when I was able to zip up my already stuffed carryon, that was short lived when I discovered I wasn’t able to lift the carryon into the overhead bin on my own.

I graciously accepted help from another passenger and then embarrassed, retreated to my seat. Not long after, I embarked on a 3 week visit to Switzerland, where I would need everything from shorts to sweaters plus hiking gear and gluten free snacks. I sighed with relief when the suitcase checked in at the airport at 2 oz below the limit.

Clearly, I had to do better. After all, people backpack all over Europe with limited luggage. After some trial and error, I’ve come up with a system that works!

My first big test of the travel light system came in February 2017, when I had an opportunity to travel to Australia for 10 days. I was tagging along with one of my sons who was there for a conference, and the second bedroom in the 2-bedroom apartment his company rented was up for grabs. It was summer there (as opposed to winter where I live!) and the opportunity to spend time in Broadbeach was too tempting to turn down. I’m adamant about handling my own luggage and my carryon backpack, eBags TLS Mother Lode Weekender Convertible, was perfect.

The challenge came when I decided to take a side trip to Sydney via Tiger Air and stay in the Hostelling International hostel in Sydney. My trusty backpack carryon suitcase was over the weight and size limit for avoiding baggage costs. What had been a remarkably cheap flight would double in cost because of baggage. Could I skinny down my items to fit in a smaller bag and come in under the 15lb weight limit? Well, indeed I could. I purchased a Patagonia Lightweight Travel Tote Pack 22L which has straps for both a backpack and tote bag.

Although the side trip was only a couple of days, the weather ranged from pouring and damp to sweltering. Coupled with the clothing I wore on the plane, I only needed a couple of changes. I learned the hard way that a compact umbrella was a nice thing to have. I ended up buying an inexpensive one and left it in the ‘free’ pile at the hostel for the next traveler.

But all in all, the system worked. In addition to the compact umbrella, I increased my packing list to include a small extension cord with multiple outlets and a lightweight bag to hold my clothes when showering to keep them off the floor. I also learned that my decision to leave my Surface 3 back in Broadbeach was a good one. I was too busy to spend time hanging out on the computer, and I just used my iphone when I needed to look something up or read via the Kindle app.

This trip was really the turning point in how I traveled. Over the past couple of years, I’ve learned what I need to bring and what I can do without. The trip to Australia was the first time I put it all in practice. This blog is about passing on what I’ve learned and encouraging women of all ages – and especially those over 60 – to shed their inhabitations about solo travel. Learning how to pack light so I can easily handle my luggage has made all the difference.

See the next posts for a Three-Part Series on Packing Light.

Hello and Welcome!

By Pam Q.

On August 28, 2017

In Other

Finding myself retired earlier than expected, I decided to capitalize on my new-found time and good health to embark on some travel adventures. Without the budget to travel like a queen and recognizing that there was only so much luggage I could manage on my own, I came up with a travel system that can be scaled up or down to meet my needs. Sometimes it’s a bare budget venture traveling with only a small backpack and staying in hostels, and sometimes it’s a more upscale tour using a larger carryon, but it’s been great fun!

This blog share some of my travels with a focus on how to travel light and inexpensively. This approach isn’t for everyone, but hopefully you will find something you can use. Happy traveling!

Pam Q.