TODAY’S TRAVEL TIP
Today’s tips is on what you CANNOT buy while traveling.
Lots of you go traveling and think your still at home.
Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, was probably right
when it comes to buying things. “There’s no place like home”.
I have spent days searching for the most common thing,
which at home I could find very easily.
Then find out it cost 3 times as much, and
this is supposed to be a cheap country.
One very smart reader wrote me, after the last letter on
bottles that do not leak, and told me to put my bottles in
Ziplock bags. Good advice, but I am lucky. I was home for
3 weeks a year ago, and I bought a box of the gallon size
bags. I have not seen a box since. Now, I am sure that if
I want to work real hard, I can find them. I went and checked
the large super market on the Plaza de Armas here in Arequipa.
They sell cheap sandwich bags, but no Ziplock bags.
OK, so whats the point. I try to give you advice that it is
easy to do, and cheap. I can always tell you an expensive
way to do something. In example. How to travel safe in
Colombia? Easy... Take planes from city to city, and taxi’s
to the hotel...Now this is the tourist method, and definitely the
way to go if you are on a 3 week vacation. But if you are
on a 3, 6, month or longer trip then things change.
I have had travellers tell me their really wonderful systems
they have for water, clothing, etc. and I just get to
nod my head, because I cannot buy that here. They
brought it from home.
I have found 2 of those great backpack water bottles.
I have proceeded to lose 2 bottles, also. I seem to
forget them on the bus.
Things that you definitely need to buy at home:
Large Backpack. Smaller ones are cheaper here.
Tents if you want one. I do NOT recommend camping.
Maybe in Chile, and Argentina.
Twist ties, Bring a bunch, The bread ties. I have plastic
bags everywhere, but no “twist ties, to seal them good.
Ziplock bags. These can be used for everything. I keep
all my soap, shampoo, etc. Smaller than a normal bag.
Mouthwash. I like the stuff. But difficult to buy here.
Books, or current best seller. If you read a lot, like me,
then bring a few good books. There were pretty good
book exchanges in Mexico, and Central America, but
South America is bad on used books. In English. If you
read German, French, Norwegian, you are AT#%% out of luck.
You CAN pay double the cost of normal, and buy new books.
Most of the hotel book exchanges I have seen are jokes.
Something they can say in their advertisements.
The last good one I seen was in the Platypus in Bogota Colombia.
Do any of you know a great bookstore. like “Moras” in
San Jose Costa Rica in South America.
Go to this page, and submit it please. “interactive”
http://www.hobotraveler.com/books.shtml
I am trying to emphasis, that you are not at home.
Places that sell backpack supplies exist, but cost a
lot, and are scarce. I recommend you try to think
of what you can buy anywhere. These types of things
are cheaper, and easier to find. Plus when you have them
stolen, you do not want to cry. I have heard lots of
stories of travellers, that have had 1000-2000 dollars worth
of backpack supplies stolen. If I was a robber, I would
rob them also. Just makes sense. Steal from a rich
traveller, and not a poor one.
I do want to note: Peru DOES SELL TOILET PAPER.
But it is a: “CARRY YOUR OWN COUNTRY”
I have been in 4 traveller hotels, and just the other
day a nice beautiful house, lots of restaurants, etc.
NO Toilet paper.
This is definitely a “CARRY YOUR OWN COUNTRY”
How can you tell the difference between a tourist and
a traveller? “A traveller carries toilet paper”
