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Five things (most) women should pack when traveling to a foreign country
I'm not one to whine about the hardships faced by solo female travelers. Sure, some things are frustrating, but in general, I much prefer to travel alone, and the more challenging the destination, the better. I don't go out of my way to attract trouble or visit sketchy places, but I've had my share of close calls and situations that set off alarm bells.For the most part, however, I've been treated with generosity and kindness while traveling alone, and had my most rewarding travel experiences. That said, there's a few things most women should bring on trips to foreign lands, solo or no. Guys, you got it easy.
1. Appropriate attire
More than just practicality, wearing the right clothes is important from both a cultural/religious respect and personal safety standpoint. Showing too much skin or your hair is definitely not cool in much of the Middle East or Muslim world, and skimpy attire or sunbathing topless is just plain disrespectful, not to mention dangerous, in many countries.
Remember that we're incredibly liberal here in the U.S. (too much, in my opinion) when it comes to public dress code...or lack thereof. Don't make yourself a target for crime or unwanted solicitation. You don't have to go all Victorian, but use good judgement.
2. Tampons
It may come as a shock, but to most of the world--including much of Europe--tampons are a foreign concept or a luxury/exorbitantly expensive. If you've ever tried to find tampons in Latin America, you know what I mean. Whether the reasons are cultural, religious, or geographical doesn't matter. If you're not down with wearing the equivalent of a diaper, BYOT.
[Photo credit: Flickr user fisserman]
3. Prescriptions for UTI's, yeast infections, morning-after pill, etc.There's no better teacher than life. Let's just say that enduring 14 hours of rutted highway on a janky Mexican bus while suffering a raging bladder infection is not an experience I care to repeat. These days, I travel with a full-on portable pharmacy, but at the very least, bring these basic Rx's.
As for the morning-after pill, better safe than sorry. Don't assume you can get an Rx filled overseas, so bring the actual dosage in its original packaging, and scan and email yourself copies of all prescriptions. And speaking of the morning after...
4. Condoms
You never know when you might need them, and purchasing them from a vending machine in a bar in a developing nation (not that this happened to me) because they're not available elsewhere is just asking for trouble. Don't trust foreign condoms--they're not subjected to the same FDA testing and safety standards as American brands manufactured domestically. And please: if you're having a foreign (or any other) fling, no glove, no love.
5. Hard and email copies of important documents and contact information
Email yourself, family members, and a close friend your itinerary, contact numbers (if applicable), emergency contact numbers (including bank and credit card companies), and copies of your passport and medical (and travel, if applicable) insurance card. If you're going somewhere prone to natural disasters, civil unrest, or general sketchiness, it's not a bad idea to register with the U.S. Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
Oh, and one more thing you should always bring with you:Common sense.
Don't be lulled into complacency: always walk with a sense of purpose, and keep your wits about you. Same goes for partying: the only one responsible for your personal safety is you, so go easy on the beer or local libation. If you're going to hook up, better to go back to your accommodation, and make sure an employee sees the two of you together or openly text a friend of your whereabouts and who you're with. And please, don't be tempted to use or buy illegal drugs: besides the stiff penalties for getting caught (life in a Thai prison or death isn't a good way to end a holiday), you may also find yourself the unwitting victim of a set-up. Just say no.
[Photo credits: pills, Flickr user michaelll; luau, Laurel Miller]
Filed under: Learning, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Ecotourism, Budget Travel, Travel Health, Middle East, Central America, Caribbean, Women's Travel, Luxury Travel, Travel Security
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jim Aug 2nd 2011 8:18AM
I would be careful emailing scans of your docs. If you keep them in email and your email is hacked then you have given up a lot. I would look at encrypting them first.
Trans-Amercias Journey Aug 1st 2011 7:48PM
Let's see...
A flat plastic sink stopper for hand washing small items.
Travel-size packets of Woolite for hand washing.
Ex Officio Give n Go anti-microbial undies to reduce said hand washing.
Polysporin--what's in this tiny tube will heal wounds, chapped lips and cracked cuticles. I use it every night.
Good emery boards. Like tampons, these are hard to find outside the US.
Wipes pre-soaked in Witch Hazel--great to use from head to toe when a shower is out of the question.
One of those metal clips normally used to hold big piles of papers together--they're perfect for protecting your privacy by holding curtains together that insist on gaping open.
Karen Catchpole
Trans-Americas Journey 200,000 working road trip through North, Central & South America
http://trans-americas.com/blog/
akalogan Aug 2nd 2011 12:15AM
Where is this European country that lacks tampons? Instead cups (like Diva Cups only disposable) are the only thing I've found that I need to bring. I usually end up buying toiletries to bring home. If you are ever in Germany, they have little packets of wipes for everything - hands, eyeglasses, bathroom, stains on clothing, nail polish removal, etc.
I opt for a tiny USB key instead of hard copies. Encrypting it is easy: http://lifehacker.com/154465/on+the+fly-encryption-for-your-usb-flash-drive
TheInfamousJ Aug 2nd 2011 12:01AM
Tampons are very much in Europe and in the same brands we have at home. Bringing tampons to the EU is truly a waste of your luggage space. Just go to any pharmacy and there they are. Tampax. Playtex. OB. All there.
Also, if you are traveling to the EU, you can leave your scripts for UTIs and whatnot at home. The pharmacies there have different meds that - in my experience - work better than what you can get in the US. I truly prefer European allergy meds and antibiotics to what we have available in the US.
This list would work if you are going to a developing country, but you aren't roughing it in the wilds if you are in Milan, Italy, or Paris, France, so do (author) please take the time to specify where your advice is for.
Guess what, there are even razors, hair dryers, curling irons, Starbucks, and Krispy Kreme doughnuts in Europe. And HSBC bank.
Laurel Aug 2nd 2011 1:47AM
Dear Readers,
Please read the article in full before commenting. I specifically make note of developing nations as well as "much" of Europe--not all. Tampons aren't available at the corner store in rural Southern Italy or that remote isle in Greece, for example.
Travel writing about certain subjects by necessity means generalizing on things. As for Rx's, one should never travel abroad expecting to be able to find a specific drug (as opposed to a very broad spectrum one), and regardless of what drug it is, you can't always rely upon the source or manufacturer. As stated, fill your Rx's at home inasmuch as possible. But yes, if you're traveling to major European cities, tampons should await you.
Safe travels wherever you may go!
Laurel
kaisatsu Aug 2nd 2011 4:55AM
Solid antiperspirant. If you like solid antiperspirant, any girl who's ever moved overseas can tell you that this is the second most difficult thing to find (after Peanut Butter M&Ms). Even in Europe. And if you're traveling to some parts of Asia, you'll be lucky to find any deodorant or antiperspirant at all!
Magda Aug 9th 2011 2:54AM
We have M&Ms even in Romania, which is probably a country you people consider 3rd world. We have Tampax, OBs, peanut butter, Starbucks, deodorant, condoms and pills galore and basically anything you'd need.
You people are phrasing this as if, outside of the US, we all live in the dark ages.
kaisatsu Sep 19th 2011 7:27PM
If there are "Peanut Butter M&Ms" in Romania, I may need to hop a low-cost flight and stock up!
I have no problem finding M&Ms or Peanut Butter, but "Peanut Butter M&Ms" are a product all on their own. And, I might add, one that is very difficult to find in most parts of Europe. (And completely impossible to find here in Norway.)
Patricia Aug 3rd 2011 3:32PM
Great list and suggestions, especially for those who haven't traveled much or whose destination is not a major international city. I lived in Europe for three years and believe me every location is not as advanced or equipped as one might assume.
To your list I would like to add adapters and voltage converters (the type that includes plugs for various countries.
Patricia
The Chic But Cheap Traveler
Katja Aug 4th 2011 11:04AM
I just want to say, tampons are not a foreign concept in Europe neither a luxury good!
karis Aug 5th 2011 1:39PM
Refillable water bottle is a good idea too. I don't know if it's changed but when I went to Europe, beer was cheaper than water.
Betty Aug 8th 2011 10:13AM
Re: tampons, why not just opt for some brand of menstrual cup (one commenter mentioned the Diva). Forget about the disposables altogether and go for a lower or no-waste alternative. With a reusable cup, you only bring the cup and maybe a few liners. No packaging, pads, or used tampons to dispose of, which can be a problem in developing nations, or older cities with fragile plumbing, or in the backcountry. Give it a few months to get used to, then off you go, traveling lighter and no searching at your destination. Bon Voyage.
Steph Aug 8th 2011 6:10PM
what is a cup? the visualization i am getting is scary. please tell me it isn't an actual cup....
Magda Aug 9th 2011 2:58AM
No, it's just that. A tiny insertable cup. Creeps me out too.
Will Aug 8th 2011 5:26PM
MACE!
Jean Aug 8th 2011 8:08PM
Try taking mace through security. I'd love to be there to see what happens, as long as I get through before you.
Benumea Aug 9th 2011 1:27PM
Ignorant comments. Even in some towns in England, Germany, France and the States you just can't find everything from the basic suppository to a more sophisticated oat (or flavored) enemas. The article and some comments lead to believe that in some countries women use a dry rodent as tampons. The whole issue is barbaric. Although I agree, take with you what ever you are costume to, I take my wife to the United States, why? you ask, I can't find a woman like her in your country, and don't like to use condoms so, I take mine.
al gore Aug 9th 2011 3:52PM
condoms? dirty whores.
jeromettaylor Aug 10th 2011 3:50AM
Condoms? "You never know when you might need them."? While travelling alone? In a foreign country? Is sex with a random stranger is on the itinerary?!
Oh.. but always bring your common sense. Sounds like contradictory advice.