Tips for Everyone
Protect Yourself
I never travel without a simple rubber door-stop. It can stop intruders in
their tracks. It's inexpensive, light to pack, and gives you the peace of
mind to sleep well. The main door to your room usually has a pretty good
lock and peephole and sometimes a bar chain. But if there is an adjoining
room, that door usually has a fairly flimsy lock. The doorstop is especially
useful in those situations.
Another item I never leave home without is a foot-long
piece of duct tape, which I wrap around a pencil. It fixes so many things.
If a strap on a sandal snaps, a purse handle breaks, it's duct tape to the
rescue.
Beat Blisters
Foot problems are a painful part of the frequent-flyer lifestye. Long hours
of walking in airports, through convention halls or on uneven surfaces like
cobblestone streets can lead to blisters. Band-aids often slip off toes and
heels, so I pack thin moleskin instead. Buy the soft self-adhesive sheets at
a grocery or drugstore, cut them into small squares and keep them in your
purse or briefcase. If my shoe starts to rub, I can cover the area right
away before it turns into a nasty blister.
Wake Up Calls
Carry your own alarm clock or a sports watch with an alarm. Even five star
hotels screw up on wake up calls.
