However this time I have to say that I packed pretty well. There were only a couple of items that I didn't use. I used the down jacket when I was freezing in England and I used the light summer dresses. I kept to a simple color scheme: navy and white. Navy sweater. White sweater. Layered a microfiber shirt over a tank top on not so warm days. And I washed things out in hotel sinks. The new Hanes underwear with the little holes in it is brilliant for drying overnight!
And while I was on the trip I found myself thinking :what is the one thing that I would never travel without? If I could choose just one thing? That's hard. Maybe the pashmina because it dresses up pants for evening, it keeps me warm on planes and when restaurants are too air conditioned (something that doesn't happen much in England). Ziplock bags hold all my cosmetics and toiletries. Very useful. Large ziplocks hold dirty laundry. But if I had to pick one item it would be my tiny flashlight. Only as big as my little finger but you never know when power will go out in a strange hotel room or you try to read a menu by candlelight. So yay for the flashlight.
How about you, Reds. What is your one item?
INGRID THOFT: Ear plugs. A good night’s sleep is essential, and there are plenty of noises that threaten to disrupt it. I’m not talking about ambulances or trucks rolling by; I hear that all the time at home. I’m thinking of the man in the hallway of a London hotel who was wearing two pairs of boxers—one of his torso and one on his head—when I opened my door and requested he pipe down. Or the person who watches the all-night Law & Order: SVU marathon at top volume. One of my biggest pet peeves is when hotel staff stand right outside your door, the same door on which hangs the “Do Not Disturb” sign, and chat at length in loud voices. Ear plugs guarantee that I’ll slumber like Sleeping Beauty.
Jenn: Ingrid, ear plugs are the best. When the hooligans were young and prone to wailing, I used to buy ear plugs and pass them out like lollipops to all of the unfortunate souls sitting around us on the plane. Rhys, ziplock bags were also used to dispose of soiled diapers. The flight attendants loved me for that!
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Almonds. There's always a need for food. Almonds work with coffee, with diet coke, with wine. And it's so distressing and destructive to be hungry--especially when you need every bit of your adrenaline for every event. Also: yes, most definitely, black pashmina. Dove soap. Flat shoes. Seriously, I always have them. And! A phone charger. Definitely a phone charger!
HALLIE EPHRON: Cotton socks! You need them on the plane along with the pashmina. Also a seriously comfy pair of walking shoes -- I have a 10-year-old pair of ECCO sneakers I hope never die.
Ingrid, so funny about the guy wearing his skivvies on his head. Not fun to experience. We once stayed next to a room that was being rented to team of telemarketers, making calls all night in Chinese. Even earplugs didn't help. Then there's the time we were in room 2126 at the Hyatt in NY and the phone kept ringing all night Ring. Hang up. Ring. Hang up. We finally realized it was guests trying to make area 212 calls direct without dialing 9 first.
JENN MCKINLAY: Laptop. I'm a workaholic so I need to have my laptop with me at all times, which is fine because the Hub needs his guitar. My other must have item is my enormous black Aerosmith hoodie. I bought it years ago at a Motley Crue/Aerosmith show that Hub was reviewing for the newspaper when it was outside and unexpectedly freezing. XXL was the only size they had. It has since become my travel cocoon - I pull the hood over my ears and eyes and burrow into the body of it to sleep on red eye flights or at airport gates or wherever. Very handy!
DEBORAH CROMBIE: : This is tough! But I think I have to go with my Coolmax travel blanket. I never go anywhere without it. It folds up to practically nothing, but will cover me from the top of my head to the tips of my toes on the plane. I use it to nap under in hotel rooms or flats, or for a pillow if I get stuck with a lousy one. You can also fold it up and wear it like a shawl.
Ingrid, still snickering about the guy with the boxers on his head. You must stay in much more exciting London hotels than I do!
RHYS: By an amazing coincidence I had just written this post when I saw that USA Today had asked seasoned professional travelers the same question. And only one of them agreed with us: plastic bags. The others were not what I'd choose at all. One woman said lipbalm. Lipbalm? Come on. I have lipstick in my carryon. Another said toilet water spray to make her feel fresh. Uh, not essential to my way of thinking. Nor were the noise-canceling headphones. I know they are good but they also take up tons of space. I did agree with the hand sanitiser wipes for that airline tray and bathroom.
So dear readers, what is your one indispensable item when you travel?
