Part One: Packing Light
First of all, it truly is impossible to pack light without forgetting something you need. And this is from someone who lives out of a carry-on size suitcase.
-My goal, LAYERS. Especially for the plane... Little secret, if it's turbulent, The heat gets turned all the way down. Warmth and bumps leads to a lot of people turning green and using those tiny little blue bags...
-Another thing I've learned is to always pack a jacket. You might be on your way to Hawaii, but seriously, you never know. Always pack one and if you don't need it, hurray. but seriously, just pack it, you can thank me later.
-I also always pack a charger in my purse. You never know if your bag is going to be with you on the plane or if you're going to be squashed next to the fatty on the plane and can't squeeze past to grab it, so a charger in the purse is always a good idea.
-Shoes. I always throw a pair of comfy sandals in the back pocket of my bag along with a pair of sneakers or flats. Limit it down to one pair of shoes that are comfy enough to walk in and a pair of sandals. That's it. You do not need more than two pairs of shoes. Period.
-Toiletries. Be smart about these. You have super limited room here, especially in some countries that are extremely strict. The hotel will have shampoo and conditioner, and chances are, if you forget anything essential here, the front desk or a convenience store down the street will have what you need.
-Medicine. I have a pretty impressive first-aid kit hiding in my purse. People are gross on airplanes, and germs are everywhere!!!!!!! So, remember your vitamins, Advil, and cold meds. And hand sanitizer. Don't go anywhere without it. And I mean ANYWHERE. Some countries bathrooms don't have soap, so just trust me here...
My motto when packing, it's all replaceable, so just make sure you have the necessities. Passport, phone, wallet..... And hand sanitizer....
Part Two: Blending In
For those of you who don't know me, I'm fairly pale, blonde, and blue-eyed girl. Lately, I've been traveling a lot to Asia... Not gonna lie, there aren't a lot of natural blondes there...
Last year, I met a random stranger I believe was named John(?) at the Louvre. He has a philosophy of being unapologetically American. For him, that was his reasoning to be exactly who he was. He was respectful to other people, as knowledgable about the cultures surrounding him he could be with his wardrobe and actions, and he made a point to at least learn a few words in the local language to help him get by, but he refused to travel and look like a ridiculous tourist with those white sneakers, and he refused to apologize for being American. I like that philosophy. I'm proud to be an American, and I refuse to attempt to blend in to the point of sticking out like a sore thumb. Sure, I will do my best, like wear darker colors in Europe and avoid those hideous white tourist sneakers, but there's only so much I can do in Asian countries. I'm going to stick out like a sore thumb regardless, so the least I can do is attempt to soften the stereotype against American tourists being ignorant and disrespectful.
I think I fully came to this conclusion in Taipei. My hair is quite long right now, and if I'm being quite truthful, it looked AWESOME that day. Well, walking through the Taipei airport, I definitely felt like I was on America's Next Top Model. I walked by and people stared... To the point where my whole crew noticed. That trip I was the only blonde and the only woman at that.... One of my crew members just looked at me, said "Work it," sassily snapped his fingers and strutted away.
So, if you can't blend in, be unapologetically American and work it! *snap*
Love, Alison
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