When I travel, I always have my little tips to get organized, to create and maintain contact with people. I will talk about them in this article. I will only choose 5 accessories even though you need more, of course.
The 5 things I always bring on a trip
- The travel notebook, it is one of the most important accessories and I always have it with me. It allows me to write down the goals I set for myself and to take the contacts of the people I meet. I also note new words of foreign languages that I learn during my various encounters. I started a first small notebook in 2009 and since then I am on my fifth. It is not a diary where I write everything I do, but rather a logbook. I also ask people to write a message or draw something.
During my stay in Bali in May 2013 or in Berlin in December 2012.
- My travel shoulder bag or satchel, I put my papers, my little travel notebook, the keys to my padlock, my camera, etc. It is one of the accessories that I almost always keep on me when I am traveling, it depends on the situation. To avoid if you go out at night in a country where it is dangerous at night. For example, when I go to Brazil in November, I will avoid taking it at night.
- My laptop. The computer is the essential accessory of the digital nomad, because it allows you to stay in touch with your loved ones, to give news, to save your travel photos. A smartphone or a digital tablet can also be similar accessories with the same functions, but I prefer a laptop because it is more multifunctional, and it also allows me to write my blog articles or watch a movie, etc. :D. I had a netbook during my 18 months of travel in 2009 which died 3 months after I came back, it did not withstand the low temperatures of France. :D.
- A large backpack, 70 liters or 40 liters and a small bag of 10 to 20 liters, depending on the duration of my trip. When I travel, I have a hard time seeing myself with a suitcase, because I change places every 2-4 days. Having a backpack when you are a nomad like me is therefore essential. I avoid putting valuables in it. For the anecdote, I had put my phone in my backpack in Thailand (September 2011), during the bus trip, my bag was in the hold and it was stolen from me. So I use a small bag where I put my important items that I never leave.
- The business card, I like meeting people and the least you can do when you meet people is to give a part of yourself (time, good moments, etc). On my business card, there is the address of my blog and my details (Name, city, phone, etc.). I like talking about travel and if people are at least a little interested in sharing their passion and being interested in others or to keep in touch. They will write you a message or visit your blog (if they are French). It looks more professional than writing your first name on a piece of paper (to exchange Facebook for example).
Here is my card, I will make another one because it already dates from 2012.
Of course, there are many other accessories, sunglasses, camera, travel kit, etc.
And you, what do you bring on every trip?
