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Detroit Free Press Ellen Creager Travel Column

Posted on: Sunday, 2 April 2006, 06:00 CDT

By Ellen Creager, Detroit Free Press

Apr. 2--I have traveled the world with two weeks of dirty laundry, frizzy hair and no moisturizer.

Did you ever hear of the ugly American? That was me.

I also once witnessed my mother melt a lock of hair on a curling iron in Salzburg as 220 volts surged through a 110-volt appliance.

Now you know why travelers wear hats.

Packing for a trip abroad may seem straightforward.

Yet remembering to bring a few small items can make the difference between a great journey and an uncomfortable one:

* Hair conditioner. For some reason, most hotels outside North America don't offer it.

If you'll have scary bad hair days without your Pantene, buy a small, empty plastic bottle, measure out enough for your trip and bring that. Don't lug the weight of a big bottle.

What about shampoo? Most hotels offer something to keep your hair clean, although it can be as harsh as dish detergent or as watery as a cheap bar's booze.

* Washcloths. Most world hotels offer only towels; some may have thin hand towels that could substitute for a washcloth.

If you are fussy, pack one or two old washcloths and throw them away at trip's end.

An alternative? Bring wet wipes or cosmetic wipes for washing your face.

* Mouthwash. Try those little Listerine strips in the tiny package. Your airline seatmate will thank you.

* Hair dryer. Many world hotels do have hair dryers, and you'll be thinking, why should I lug around another one in my suitcase? It's because you will inevitably encounter the hotel without one, and your wet hair will be hanging in your face at breakfast.

Buy yourself a small but powerful dual-voltage travel hair dryer to take along. Most fold in half.

Dual voltage dryers let you easily switch from 110-120 AC (U.S.) to 220-240 volts AC (Europe and most other countries).

* Adapter plugs. These are sold at most hardware and travel stores. They are a series of plugs that adapt your hair dryer or other dual-voltage appliance to the wall sockets in various countries.

The United Kingdom has a big three-prong adapter. Europe and North Africa use small, round two-prong types.

All you do is plug your appliance into the adapter and your adapter into the wall.

For more on adapters and voltage requirements in various countries, see the excellent Web site www.voltagevalet.com.

Happily, electronics such as computers, camera and iPod chargers are automatically dual-voltage and you can use them anywhere in the world with an adapter plug. To check for sure, look at your cord; it should read: INPUT: AC 100-240V.

* Fabric wash such as Woolite. If you will be gone more than a week, bring a tiny bottle of it to wash out your favorite clothes in the sink. Dry them in towels, hang up overnight and you'll replenish your wardrobe. (In a pinch, use hotel shampoo. I've even used soap.)

* Extra pair of glasses. Nothing is worse than seeing the Taj Mahal as a big white blur.

* A tiny compass, so you will never be really lost.

* Two clothespins. Various uses, including clipping together a curtain letting in the light when you are trying to sleep off jet lag.

* Zipper-top plastic bags. You'll never appreciate them until you need one. Good for carrying everything from diamonds to croissants.

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Copyright (c) 2006, Detroit Free Press

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Source: Detroit Free Press

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