My theme song may well be, On The Road Again. It's both a blessing and a curse for the intrepid travel writer. The thing is, you can’t be a travel expert if you don’t travel. Following the election this fall got me thinking about all those campaigners who have joined the ranks of weary road warriors--those of us for whom "away from home" has almost become home. My nomadic brothers and sisters, this column is for you.
What I'm offering this week is a collection of things that keep me (and a few of my well-traveled colleagues) sane and relatively comfortable when we're away from home. This list is not the essentials--you won't find a blackberry, laptop, or cell phone on the list--because these reach beyond basic necessities.
Probably the most popular item to travel with is an iPod with headphones, which is handy when you don't want to listen to the in-flight tunes or watch the in-flight movie. I even know people who bring portable speakers for their iPods and use them in hotel rooms on the road. (Beware, I'm told that the speakers may cause additional security screening if you try to take them with you in your carry-on.)
If you're interested in escaping the audio bombardment travel sometimes brings, you might be interested in an item that's long been considered a luxury, now a must-have for many travelers: noise cancellation headphones. Screaming kids and jet engines may surround you, but you’ll think you've fallen asleep in the quiet countryside.
Peace and quiet may keep you sane, but travel takes its toll on us physically. So I'm never without water and a power bar for those times I'm stuck without something healthy to eat. That way I can always avoid the fast-food breakdown and stave off hunger if I find myself sitting on the tarmac unexpectedly. I also need to sweat it out to stay sane on the road. A plastic handle jump rope resides permanently in my suitcase. It never trips me up through security, and it allows me to get a workout in no matter what the weather conditions are outside. Keeping fit on the road keeps my mind in top-shape as well as my heart. (Plus, I'm always looking for things that do double duty. I watch the news while skipping rope.)
Tea isn't just for the English. While some folks are more persnickety than others when it comes to sipping their afternoon delight, tea can also provide a bit of comfort from home. Whether you drink black tea with caffeine or herbal for soothing, having your favorite flavor often beats the complimentary brew.
Some say sleep is the key to success. I don't know about that, but I do know I feel and perform a lot better after a good eight hours of it. So I do what it takes. Our CEO recently took a ten-day trip where half the nights were spent in the air. Her trick is to take Tylenol PM to ensure sleep sets in just after take-off. My strategy is a blankie--who says they're just for Linus? I pack a lightweight fleece blanket or a dark wrap, both can keep me warm and block out the light, no matter where the road takes me.
Whatever the reason, wherever you go--whether it’s the campaign trail or a horse trail--the key is to bring along something that feels like home. Your whole outlook on business travel can change in an instant, because as they say: In life, it can be the little things that count the most.
May 19, 2005