those gifts can break your back

Gifts, gifts, gifts! Many have suffered from carrying that perfect gift thousands of miles for weeks and have the spinal damage to prove it. We should not neglect our family and friends but try to find gifts which do not weigh us down. International postage can be high, but many countries have a special book rate which allows book shipment at a relatively cheap cost. Find a book then write a special note, poem, or draw in the book making it a distinct and unique gift. Then ship it directly to the person you would like to receive the gift. A postcard, once mailed, is a gift you do not have to trudge across numerous borders. Your back will thank me for this advice. Please, comment and share any ideas you might have!

oh the burden of gifts

Another great way to travel light is to bring a couple gifts which are slightly larger and greater in number than the gifts you intend to bring home. Your bag will feel heavy and full with a couple bottles of local wine/local history books/regional gifts in it. When these gifts are given to other travelers or locals, you will notice your pack quickly lightening with each new friendship. Replace these gifts with smaller and lighter gifts for yourself or a family member back home. This will lighten your bag and create more room at the same time. Please, feel free to comment as you wish and happy traveling!

the weight of literature

Books are one of the many items required for your trip. Rather than 5 or 6 travel/phrase books look for one or two books which combine several countries or regions. Additionally, instead of 5 or 6 phrase books bring one which encompasses a large collection of languages. Rather than 15 pounds of literature in your backpack, you can significantly reduce this weight by bringing only the few books necessary. Even consider using a razor blade to surgically remove the undesired parts. Why carry around literature on countries you will not visit and languages you will not use? Please feel free to comment and post any travel suggestions you might have.

being safe while being abroad

I must preface this by saying as a person who studies abroad twice in college, once in graduate school and has had about 10 long trips to foreign, never have I had a problem with my personal safety. I have actually been in the collapsing Soviet Union and was never robbed using my wits to guide me. Safety is an issue for many travelers as there are professionals who rely upon irrational foreigners to pay their rent.

As somebody who has never been robbed I must admit to meeting many travelers who have. Most of the conversations start with “it was late at night and I was drinking with a beautiful woman…”, and so on. A friend of mine was robbed at 3AM after a long night of drinking under a bridge in Leningrad (yes now St. P) by strangers he thought friends. Although I feel bad for him, honestly what did he expect? The first tip is simple, be smart and if the party seems to be too good, secondary motives exist. Be guided by wise choices and avoid situations you would not participate in at home. I never met anybody who said they got robbed at 2PM after an operatic performance at a church in the center of town. Please feel free to comment, suggestions, and or provide feedback as you like.

The Benefits of Traveling Light

While standing in your living room you quickly come up with reasons while all of what you see is a special item and will be needed sometime, someplace. If you are traveling for just one week, you are right, take as much as you need and or want. This travel thought is intended for the traveler who plans to spend a couple weeks, or longer, from home.

Do you really need to check two bags? One small carry-on(with important documents and medication) and one checked is all you need. Generally, the extra clothing and products will sit in a hostel room as you are half way across the city and not help you in any way. Conversely, you will feel their presence on your back as you schlep two miles to the hostel in the rain, wait for the extra luggage at the carousel, or have to dig for that one special item you know is someplace.