Face wipes, sanitizing wipes, and flushable wipes – at the bare minimum, buy a travel pack of each and make sure to pack them in your carry-on luggage. I can now say that I’ve been to 6 of 7 continents and here are a few essential things I’ve learned along the way:
Not all bathrooms are created equal
The first time I encountered having to pay to use a public bathroom was my trip to Egypt in the year 2000. We had just landed in Cairo and some members of the group decided to use the restroom before departing the airport to check in to the hotel. A nice older lady was in the restroom handing out toilet paper as well as paper towels as you finished washing your hands. It wasn’t until you tried to exit the bathroom that it became apparent her services were not free. In Egypt the woman just asked for “something” before you were permitted to leave the restroom – primarily those individuals that had been issued toilet paper or a paper towel.
Fast forward several years to my journey to Beijing. In addition to now making toilet paper or flushable wipes an essential item on my packing list, I discovered the non-western toilet. Yes ladies, it’s time to perfect the squat as some of the toilets are really nicely tiled commodes in the ground. This is especially true near the Great Wall.
Last but not least, not all countries have the plumbing and sewage treatment systems you may be used to – no matter how developed they are. On my latest journey to Ecuador, I had flight connections in Mexico City, Mexico and Guadalajara, Mexico. In both of the Mexican airports as well as my hotel and locations throughout Ecuador there were signs asking you not to flush any toilet paper; instead to dispose of it in the trash can next to the toilet. This definitely takes some getting used to especially since flushing your toilet paper is a standard practice at home.
If you can’t drink the water, you have to be picky about what fruits you eat
To date, I have been to three countries where the water was unsafe to drink unless it was boiled or bottled – Egypt, China and Ecuador. Not drinking the water also means no ice and no fruits that have been washed in said water. You want to avoid grapes and berries and try to limit your fruits to those that have to be peeled i.e. bananas, pineapple, melons, etc… Typically, your hotel/hostel will provide filtered or bottled water for use and some restaurants have signs letting patrons know they only use filtered water as well. Additionally, if you’re concerned about even the bottled water (a basic travel warning – don’t buy water from people off the streets as they may have refilled the bottles with unsafe tap water) consider ordering and/or buying sparkling water. Also, buy some water purification tablets or a life straw to drink from.
Around the corner is relative
I have an ongoing joke with one of my friends regarding distances – we once embarked on a bike ride around Charleston, SC and every time I felt I was too tired to go on she would say that our destination was right around the corner even though this conversation went on for seemingly miles. Distance relativity applies to international trips as well. I encourage taking a walking tour of your destination to get the lay of the land. However, keep in mind that city blocks where you’re from may be much longer or shorter than those in your travel destination. Additionally, when the tour guides says it’s just a couple of blocks or up the street, he or she may be neglecting to mention those blocks are uphill, may be unpaved, cobblestone or involve stairs.
It’s the age of technology- use it
Seriously, there’s an app for that.
- Don’t speak the language – download Google Translate. You can type in text, take a photo or use the microphone on your phone and get a translation. You can even download an offline copy of the language translation you need
- Didn’t purchase an international phone plan – use WiFi calling, Skype and/or WhatsApp. Note: This option does require a wifi connection so it can be limiting. You may want to consider purchasing or renting a hot spot – in Florence, Italy this was an option through the hotel.
- Wondering how to get around – check if they use Uber in your destination. During my trip to Ecuador, Uber was a reliable and inexpensive transportation option. Additionally, you can download offline copies of directions or maps on Google Maps (again you will need a WiFi connection)
- Looking for some activities – check out some of the hostels. Personally, I choose to stay in a hotel over a hostel. Many of the tours I booked during my trip to Ecuador however, were through Community Adventures which was affiliated with Community Hostel. Not only did they offer tours of Ecuador and various day trips from Quito, but they also had daily activities like salsa night, yoga and happy hour. Additionally, the hostel had a nice rooftop where you could take amazing photos of the city.
A Memory and a Conversation 
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