What is the one thing you’d rather not be caught without on the road?
Hopefully, you have a warm jacket and a good pair of shoes to help you along the way, and maybe a swimsuit in case there’s an opportunity to hop into a body of water! A laptop, a camera, an mp3 player, and an external hard drive are common tech-nomadic items you may pack for the road. The big stuff is usually covered, but what about the little things we sometimes forget about?
We asked a group of technomadic backpackers, hitch-hikers, couchsurfers, and experienced travelers: What is the one thing you’d rather not be caught without on the road? Aside from the hi-tech devices that are key, here are the top 5 low-tech items our experts recommend you bring on your adventures.
For the environmentally minded, the one-time use plastic bottle is a thing of the past. You often found yourself buying a new one every time, and when thrown away and not recycled, they would usually end up sitting in a landfill forever (or eventually carried by the ocean currents to a Garbage Patch somewhere).
Watch The Story of Bottled Water Film!
Health-wise, it is important to note that plastic bottles contain a chemical called Bisphenol A. When this chemical leaks into the water, and is consumed, it appears to mimic the effects of estrogen, interfering with hormone levels and cell signaling systems. If you can’t use glass, “stainless steel water bottles are best,” says Donna, who is currently living in Chico, California. “I Love Kleen Kanteen because it’s from Chico, but there are many other brands out there. Anything is better than plastic!” The effects of Bisphenol A on the human body are currently not fully understood, but studies have shown that people exposed to high levels of BPA have a greater risk of developing uterine fibroids, breast cancer, decreased sperm counts, and prostate cancer. Babies and children are thought to be at greatest risk from the exposure. “No one needs any more hormonal interference, seriously,” says Donna.
For those practical types, it is also much easier and economic to get your water bottle refilled, and lets face it – if you don’t drink water you will eventually die! So let’s just say that this one is a win-win for humans and nature.
This is a technomad no-brainer. You never know when you might need one, and having one handy could literally save your life. If you can, try to snag a waterproof one, to cover all your bases. Also as a tip, “turn the flashlight’s batteries around so that if it’s accidentally turned on while traveling, you won’t empty the batteries,” says Ricky, who is currently in Tijuana, Mexico. “Don’t forget to turn the batteries back around when using the flashlight though!” he says.
For those who don’t like medications, there are several natural remedies if your condition is not too severe. Depending on where you are traveling, and what items are readily available, you might be able to get better naturally. In all cases though, make sure you are drinking lots of water. If your condition worsens, consult a physician right away, as it could be serious!
Not a gadget you’d associate right away with a technomad, but essential since we’re still basically nomads, and sharp things help get a lot of stuff done! “After a few years on the road, having lost everything before, and changing travel styles, the only luxury I really like to have is a pocket knife,” says Taylor from Nothing Held Back, who’s been backpacking since 2004 and is currently traveling through Southeast Asia on his way to Australia. “It is so handy. A compass is a close second, but I definitely feel a bit out of sorts when I don’t have a knife. “ You may be wondering if carrying a pocket knife around might cause you problems with authorities. “Rule of thumb anywhere in the world is,” he says, “as long as the blade is less than the width of your palm, you should be alright. And that’s if you’re on the street. Borders you should be able to cross with bigger. I’ve never had a problem. A mate bought a tribal sword in Vietnam, and that did cause some problems at the airport,” so always double check before you buy!
After about 8 hours on the road with her ride, Malika says the most wonderful thing happened. “When she got near her mom’s house, she invited us to stay the night. We ended up staying with them for a couple of nights and then touring San Francisco with her mom. We had the greatest time! They eventually drove us all the way to Sacramento, they really helped us out a lot.” She says this is not an uncommon experience, “I have tons of stories like that; I love the road. It’s so unexpected and full of little manifestations of love!” Her latest album not coincidentally titled “Manifest Some Love,” is now available for download online.
Don’t forget to stuff a little love in your backpacks, as you’re getting ready for your next adventure!