Carry-On

I love going new places, but despise flying, so being comfortable and having the right distractions is imperative.

• I usually carry one of my Tenzin bags by Maruca Design. It’s the perfect size.
• Small Zip-lock bag with Burt’s Bees Chap-stick, Boscia Recharging Night Moisture, and possibly some hand creme, I love Aveda’s. If I have to see someone I want to impress, I’ll pack mascara and concealer, but I don’t apply it until I get off the plane.
• My wallet with essentials only: ID, Debit and Credit Cards, Frequent Flyer Card, Health Insurance Card, a couple Band Aids, and maybe some paper money. Take out every Receipt, Punch Card, Grocery Card, and Coin you’ve got. There’s no need.
• Checkbook. Sometimes it’s massively helpful. Bring it.
• If I’m traveling overseas, my current Passport with any visas I may need prior to arriving at my destination (I’ve learned this the hard way. I spent my sister’s birthday in Bahrain rather than in Saudi Arabia because my father and I had forgotten to get my entry/exit visa into the Kingdom. The hotel did have a great gym though…)
• Bottle of water, bought after stripping to get through security. (Booooo.) Drink lots of water for skin and health. No caffeine if you can help it.
• A few pages of Sudoku. (You don’t need the whole book, who are you kidding? Plus the weight and space is takes up is a pain. If you must rip out the answers in the back, fine.)
• A novel (brought from home) and or a magazine (bought at the airport.)
• IPod with lots of music, and if you have an IPod with video; movies, shows, etc. This helps those like me who are terrified of flying and need to be overstimulated (ie: do a Sudoku Puzzle on top of an open trashy magazine while listening to a Russel Peter’s comedy skit)
• Sugar free chewing gum (Trident’s original is my childhood favorite) for relieving ear pressure. Also great to freshen breath before seeing your mother-in-law, just be sure to spit it out before you see her.
• Some treats…such as trail mix or peanut M&Ms and a piece of fruit.
• Keys to car, house, and maybe a mail key, but nothing else. When my husband Jim and I travel we try to remember this. Really, we only need one set, but we seem to forget this and check both in our suitcases that ride under the plane. This puts one in a bad place if you’re bags are lost.
• One large cotton or cashmere scarf. Planes are cold and many airlines (domestic mostly) don’t offer blankets any more. It can act as a blanket, pillow, or shield from light coming in through the inconsiderate passenger’s window, behind you.
• A pen and a mechanical pencil. Don’t want to bother the flight attendant with borrowing their writing utensil so you can play Sudoku during the flight. Not everyone is cheerful about it.
• Sunglasses (If they aren’t your permanent headband, therefore already on your person)