Panty liners. Great for days when you’re out and about in a country where toilet paper is as rare as a snow leopard. They are also great for when you’re out hiking and don’t want to bother carrying used toilet paper out with you (as all good hikers do).
Single women traveling on their own might consider buying a cheap gold band to wear while out and about. When approached by me, you can either say you’re ‘waiting for your husband’ or profess undying faithfulness and say you could never stroll down the deserted beach with another man. Of course, there are plenof ty other, more direct and to the point comments you can make to fend off unwanted attention, but I’ve found the wedding band trick provokes less ire.
Security is of utmost importance when traveling alone. I wish someone would do a 60-minute program on this issue. As a B&B owner and as a single female traveler, here are some tips I’ve learned throughout my travels:
- NEVER take a room in which the desk clerk has mentioned your room number out loud. Make them write the number down.
- NEVER open your room door to ANYONE. i.e., maintenance, FLOWER delivery, etc., until you have called down to the front desk to verify the service. You may even ask that two people, one female, be sent should you be expecting anything.
All those bottles of cleanser, moisturizer, astringent, etc., take up too much room. So … use samples given out by cosmetic counters at department stores. Usually, the contents are plenty – even for a two-week trip. Many are run by single women, who will be exceptionally helpful if you are another woman traveling alone. Always ask for special rates for a single, too.
There is a relatively new invention as a replacement to tampons and pads – when backpacking for extended periods, I always hated having to calculate/ration/carry lots of bulky tampons. One time, I even saw a customs officer open up each one, checking for drugs – then you are stuck with whatever you can find in whatever country you may be in. There is a reusable menstrual cup called “the Keeper.” It is made by a company in Canada, and they have a website. I bought one, and have used it for two years – it’s super convenient, and there’s no worry about toxic shock.
Conveniently forget to pack certain necessary clothing – that way, you will not need an excuse to buy it when you reach your “end” destination. It then becomes a necessity. It eliminates any guilt feelings. A bit abstract, but it works for me!
Buy a ladies’ rayon dress (flower print or one color) and roll the dress endwise. Keep the dress from unraveling by tying the ends with rubber bands and placing it in the suitcase. After arrival at the destination, untie and unravel the dress and notice the crinkle pattern the dress now has; not only is this pattern desirable, but it remains carefree and will not wrinkle.
