Christmas Gift to Travel Blog Readers

Hi Andy, I've continued reading your blog though I haven't commented lately.

My tip request is: What should I buy to start out becoming a traveler? All I can think of is a duffel bag, a day pack and a lighter laptop, but I'm sure I'm missing things. I live in Kansas City and have a passport. I have basic hygiene stuff like toothpaste and shampoo. I have a bivy sack and a small inflatable mattress pad (so I can sleep in the wild.) I don't have a burner for cooking or very good clothing. Is there anything that a regular person wouldn't think about that is necessary for traveling (in both the short and long term?)

Thanks a lot! I still enjoy the blog.
- Patrick (pshields.net)

I think the most useful travel tips are the day-to-day ones... things like, what are the toilets like in this country- is it squat 'n' splash or WC? Which kind of plug do they use, and is it 230V or 110V?

Gear tips are also useful- specifically, the ones about what YOU use and how. For example, I took eylet-screws (screw-eyes) with me so I could makeshift a door locking system with a padlock, and I look long chord instead of a travel washing line, and I took lots of safety pins.

All of these saved me from wasting money on gear, and gave me the mental skills to improvise good solutions to problems on the road.

actually, the stuff about comoflage was also really useful. Wearing 'normal' clothes, making the backpacks look old and battered, and making zipper pouches to sew into the inside of trousers were all top tips that I followed. I think they are really useful to people, however long they go for. They helped me in a 2 month trip.

Yes, I will do day to day, however then when in a country I can give country specific tips. I am just going to tag them different so people recognize they are tips.

A few posts back you mentioned another blogger had given you tips on how to interact with the local Mayan people and not make them "mad".

What is that about?

This is Andy, I will take each of the comments under this post and make a one blog post tip when warranted.

great blog and some great travel tips.

Patrick Shields, you could start out first by visiting a traveler community, talk to them... make friends and share some ideas... you can try this: http://www.baraaza.com/contest/

Thanks...........This site is really useful to plan the trip in a BUDGET!!!!! Great gift for this Christmas,so hurry up!!!!

Thanks...........This site is really useful to plan the trip in a BUDGET!!!!! Great gift
for this Christmas,so hurry up!!!!