A collaboration series with some fellow bloggers. It’s called “What’s in your suitcase?” and we’re talking travel tips and packing ideas.
today’s blogger is samantha, from there she goes again.
how did you get started traveling?
Well, my first plane ride was when I was three months old and coming home to the US after being adopted in China, so I guess you could say travel’s been in me since infancy :p But actually, I guess it’s always been my interest in stories and other countries. When I was little, we had all these different books filled with pictures of foreign places, and I was fascinated by all of it. My high school had this trip with EF Tours every year to Italy, and I knew I was going on this trip as far back as middle school. I’m lucky my parents could help me with traveling when I was younger while also still making me work for it. In order to go on this trip, I already knew I was forgoing a third year trip to Boston, a senior trip to Disney World, and I needed to raise at least $2,000 via part-time jobs for them to agree on me going.
when you travel, how do you pack? what do you like best about it? have you ever used another style of luggage?
I have a hardcover, carry on sized suitcase I take on short term trips (2-3 weeks or less), a backpack for weekend trips, and a regular, soft cover suitcase for trips between the US and Korea. I really like my hardcover, travel sized suitcase because it keeps me packing light, and I can check it in or keep it as a carry on depending on its weight and what liquids I have. I don’t really like wearing backpacks because I sweat insanely easily, and nothing puts me in a worse mood than feeling gross and sweaty just walking down the street.
what item can you not leave the house without?
My phone. It’s not that I keep my whole life on it, but I like the safety net of being able to communicate should anything happen or I get lost (which happens a lot…). I also do have podcasts, Audible, and music on it, which helps a long bus ride feel short.
what are your carry-on must haves?
I always need headphones, hand cream, contact solution, face cream, toothbrush/toothpaste, a face mask, and a good book (whether on my phone or a physical book). Also I have an extra pair of underwear just in case my suitcase goes missing.
do you swear by any particular toiletry products for in-transit travel?
A facemask! I live in Korea where these are plentiful, and I always pack one for the plane ride to put on in the middle. It feels refreshing and helps keep me moisturized.
what is your go-to packing tip, when people ask?
Don’t roll your clothes when you’re packing for a new place. You really don’t want to overpack before you’ve even begun your travels, and getting close to the weight limits does nothing but give you stress.
what is the oddest things you’ve seen someone traveling with? (come on, we’ve all got them!)
Hmm… well one of the girls I was traveling with last year brought a whole bottle of nail polish remover…
You can follow Samantha on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Thanks for sharing, Samantha!