Jim Verdonik, Founder of NOT DEAD YET TRAVEL:
“If you’re still learning about the world, then you’re NOT DEAD YET.”
Jim is also a novelist, lawyer, journalist and teacher.
Here’s how I travel.
BAGS
I don’t check any luggage. My water resistant bag weighed only 20 pounds my last trip. It has shoulder straps, but also has straps that allow it to be carried like a suit case. It opens like a suitcase. No digging into a deep knapsack you access from the top. So its easy to find what you want.
I also carry a small day bag that’s about four pounds – mainly electronic devices and wires. I hate wheeled bags – a least five extra pounds and they’re hard to fit into some overhead compartments, especially on small planes that take you to remote places.
I pack clothes in zip lock clear plastic bags. Keeps them dry, makes packing and unpacking easy, separates dirty from clean and keeps out bugs you don’t want to take home with you.
CLOTHES
I don’t pack more than three of any type of clothes. Some less. I use T-shirts instead of undershirts. Can always buy an extra as a souvenir.
If I come home and never used something, I consider omitting it from my packing list.
Unless I’m going to Antarctica, I pack nothing heavy. I have light weight versions of almost all my clothes that dry fast. Hotel hair dryers help to dry them faster.
My long sleeve turtleneck ski undershirt is light, but keeps me as warm as a much heavier jacket.
I have a light weight vest with seven pockets. One pocket is big enough to hold a tablet computer. Its a bit nerdy, but practical.
A neck gaiter and golf gloves protect against wind chill. The gaiter doubles as a face mask. On a recent trip, the airport in Rio de Janeiro required face masks.
I love my Keen hiking sandals. They protect your feet in crowds, but work at the beach and swamps. Bulky to pack, but in warm weather I wear them every day except on planes.
TOILETRIES
I use mouthwash instead of toothpaste if local water is of questionable quality. You don’t need water. A three ounce bottle lasts almost a week.
LANGAGES
I’m terrible with languages. I almost flunked French in high school. In college, my German was only a little better. Google Translate worked well on restaurant menus and communicating with waiters and the porter at our condo. If you download a language before you leave America, it will it work even if you have no Internet Service. Beyond that, I smile a lot and plead for tolerance from locals.
CELL PHONE
My cell phone account gave me all the service I needed for a small charge. Check your plan. It’s easier than buying and changing out a SIM card.
PICTURES/VIDEO
I don’t take my phone out in crowds to snap pics. Phones have important docs, credit cards and access to financial accounts. Easy for someone to grab and you lose a lot. Phones are the number one targets of thieves.
I have a cheap pocket camera ($250) to snap pics. Not a big problem if someone grabs my camera and runs. All I lose is a few photos. I don’t take nearly as many pics as I did when I was younger. My eyes are the best camera. I have too many pics at home I never look at. My daughter and son in law took ten times as many pics as I did on a recent trip.
MEDICAL
Last year I got vaccinated for just about every disease I may encounter in the tropics. I used Passport Health. It’s expensive because health insurance usually doesn’t cover travel vaccinations, but I’m free to fly anywhere anytime without vaccination issues.
AIR TRANSPORT
I try to minimize travel hassles that can wear me out. Being tired can interfere with enjoying my destination.
Now that I’m older, I spring for Comfort Class tickets and business class on very long flights. Anything to avoid main cabin. My long legs and creaky joints appreciate it.
Some people have bad reactions to Ambien. I don’t. I sometimes use it for long over night flights. It helps me avoid sleep my first day. So, I adjust faster to time zone differences.
I try to get exercise in airports by walking a couple of miles before and between flights.
If I have three hours or more between connecting flights, I usually use an airline club. Airport restaurants are expensive and usually not very good. Most clubs have a light buffet and throw in free drinks. I save about $30 in restaurant bills. The extra space, quiet, comfortable chairs and places to recharge electronics are worth the extra money to me.
If the country you are going to has a national airline, you sometimes get a very good deal. I flew first class from Washington DC to Cairo on Egypt Air for about $3,300 roundtrip. Best part is that it was direct. I din’t have to change planes in Europe. Flying direct eliminates many hassles.
UBER
On a recent trip, we Ubered all around Quito Ecuador and Rio de Janeiro for about $150 total during the nine days we weren’t in the Amazon, including back and forth to several airports. It was a bargain
SITE SEEING
I often learn more while people watching at a cafe than at a museum. If I do go to a museum, I like small museums dedicated to one artist much better than museums that have a little of everything. If I like a place, I usually skip seeing something. Gives me time to enjoy what I do see and gives me an excuse to return.
GUIDES
A great guide is a great investment. In wilderness areas and dangerous cities a good guide literally can save your life. I follow advice from my guide even if it doesn’t make much sense to me. Humility means recognizing that our own skills are relevant where we live, but less so in other environments. Locals are the real experts.
Guides explain local customs and help minimize language difficulties. I try to find guides who were born in the location I’m travelling in.
MOST IMPORTANT
I always pack a sense of humor, humility, an interest in learning from local people and patience. Don’t leave home without them.
Happy Travels!
PS: Send me your travel tips.