10 Cheap Ways to Travel

Need to travel cheap?  We have a houseful of guests here on spring break and since they are using our place as a hub for their travels, I've become adept at finding low cost tickets to places near and far from here.  If you need to travel on the cheap, consider these options...

1. Megabus
2. BoltBus
3. FlixBus
4. GoToBus
5. Google Flights (check both round trip and one-way flights back and forth to your destination)
6. SkipLagged (cheap tickets but YMMV as to the legality of this)
7. SkyScanner
8. CheapOAir
9. Hotwire
10. PriceLine

Several other options include various buses from Chinatowns in the US, regional carriers in Southeast Asia (like Cebu Pacific), "chicken buses" in Central America, repositioning cruises, etc.

Travel Disasters

My news feed had a few examples of travel disasters that people should be aware of/prepared for...

• In this article, a couple on a cruise was off-loaded from their cruise ship in Mexico and left to make their way home while the wife was ill.  There are several take-aways from this incident including the need for travel/medical evacuation insurance, the fact that no one in serious medical distress should want to remain at the mercy of a ship's doctor (not that some aren't good medical practitioners but the on-board clinics are very limited and so is the doctor's scope of practice), and ships don't want the responsibility/liability of keeping an ill passenger on board so it behooves travelers to plan ahead for this sort of worst-case scenario.
• 183 passengers were stuck on an Amtrak train in the snow for 36 hours.  None of that sounds appealing but fortunately the train had electricity and food so passengers were mostly subjected to boredom on this trip.  In the case of travel planning, bringing snacks, entertainment options, and maybe a down blanket would have been a good idea.
• The past week has had several stories of stranded travelers due to snow and ice storms around the country.  Most of these travelers were stranded in their vehicles as highways closed and people were either left to their own devices in their cars or allowed to shelter in neighboring communities.  Again, no matter where you are or how you travel, you need to be prepared for whatever sort of disaster you find yourself in.  Water, food, shelter, clothing, entertainment, etc. are all each person's responsibility.

10 Reasons to Travel Overseas

42% of Americans have passports today which is a giant increase over the paltry 15% of Americans who had passports back in 1997.  That being said, more than half the people in this country never travel overseas which is a shame because there is a lot to be learned from doing so including...

1. Learning how the foreign travel process works.  Customs, immigration, planning, etc. are all learned by actually doing.
2. Forcing you to deal with a language you may not even understand (you learn quickly to get your point across whether you know the language or not in these cases).
3. Seeing how other people do things.  When you never leave America, you think that the American way is the only way but you will see that people can live the most different lives and do things quite differently than you do but the result will often be the same or better than what you experience here.
4. Seeing extremes you would never experience here.  Other countries have extreme wealth and extreme poverty and extreme social injustice and extreme differences of all kinds that you will never experience here.  It is rather eye-opening when you see poor in America compared to poor in a third-world country.
5. Experiencing new foods.  Your prepper food stockpile can increase exponentially when you include foods from around the world and the best way to learn about these foods is by trying them made by the experts--people in foreign countries.
6. Getting to know all kinds of people.  When you travel you meet the most amazing people.  Travelers, locals, cool people, unusual people, fun people...you learn pretty quickly that people are pretty much the same the world over.
7. Learning to overcome, adapt, and improvise.  Things don't always go smoothly while traveling but you figure things out along the way, often in ways you would have never thought possible.
8. Learning about yourself.  You learn to deal with difficulties and disappointments and being lost and being tired and being hungry and being stranded...all good prepper skills.
9. Breaking out of your rut.  Life sometimes becomes so routine that you could do entire days on autopilot.  This doesn't happen when you are exploring new places on a daily basis.
10. Finally, you may find some possible bug-out locations in countries you've never thought of before.  In fact, some people even decide to retire (or at lest digitally nomad) overseas when they find they like the area and that their money will stretch much further in other countries.

Traveling for the Holidays? Take These 20 Items With You

If you will be traveling for the holidays, besides packing your patience, consider taking these 20 items with you to make your travels more comfortable:

1. A water bottle (I like the Contigo brand because they don't leak.  Simply go through the TSA bag check with your empty bottle then fill the bottle up on the other side so you don't have to pay the high prices for bottled water at the airport stores).
2. An insulated thermos-type bottle (again, I like the Contigo brand; they keep your coffee hot or your cold beverages cold for nearly 24 hours).
3. An Ultra Sil folding backpack (if you like to travel with one backpack like I do, this tiny folding daypack makes a great daybag so you can leave your big backpack at the hotel while you are out and about for the day).
4. Folding jacket (depending on the weather, I will pack a windbreaker that folds up small or a lightweight down jacket that folds up small to use for an added layer).
5. Power bank (if you can't get to a power outlet, these small power banks will charge your phone or tablet a few times before needing to be recharged itself).
6. Extra credit cards (sometimes one card won't work or you find yourself stranded somewhere and need extra money, by having a couple extra cards with you, you will be able to take care of any travel crisis).
7. Food/drinks (I never travel without my own food and maybe instant coffee/tea bags/drink mix packets).
8. Waist pack (if you want to avoid pickpockets and always have your important things like wallet/cash/passport on you, ultra thin waist packs like runners use do the trick).
9. Noise cancelling headphones (having blissful quiet even if you are in the middle of a packed, noisy plane is heaven).
10. Small flashlight (if you are in a strange house/hotel, it is always a good idea to have a small flashlight with you in case of power outage, etc).
11. Spare memory cards (you never want to rely on just the one memory card in your camera or cell phone, by having spares you will always have a back up).
12. Wet Wipes (it's always a good idea to have a way to clean up in a crisis and Wet Wipes are generally the way to go).
13. Ultra Sil tarp poncho (these may be expensive but this item works to cover you from the rain, cover your gear from the rain, as an impromptu blanket, and you can even make a tent out of it!).
14. Ziploc bags (bring varying sizes of these bags, they have dozens of uses from waterproofing your phone at the beach to holding wet clothes).
15. Tablet (I'm particularly fond of my Samsung Galaxy S2 which is small but great to travel with, especially when it is stuffed with e-books and movies).
16. Petroleum jelly (a small tube of petroleum jelly works as a lip balm and it also makes a great fire starter).
17. Bandanna (another item with dozens of uses, I never travel without one of these).
18. Fisher space pen (whether you are writing someone a note or filling out customs forms, this is a great travel pen).
19. Spork (a long handled spork works great for eating on the go.  I've never had a problem bringing this item on flights but I guess "tactical" sporks are frowned on by the TSA).
20. Gift cards (when I travel during the holidays I bring a half dozen generic gift cards--Walmart, Visa gift cards, Starbucks cards--for last minutes holiday gifts).

10 Prepper Items for Guests

We live in Las Vegas so needless to say we get A LOT of guests coming to visit.  Here are ten items I always have on hand to give our guests:

1. A power bank.  They cost less than $10 and people who come to visit usually use their cell phones so much while they are here that they are forever looking for an outlet to recharge their battery so I hand them one of these and they are back on their way.
2. Bottled water.  We keep cases of bottled water on hand and always have guests take a bottle when they head out for the day.
3. Sunscreen.  I'm always surprised that people will come here with no sunscreen but figure they can walk the Strip for hours and somehow not end up burnt to a crisp.  We keep lots of travel-sized tubes of sunscreen on hand to give to our guests.
4. Cheap daypacks.  These daypacks from Ikea ($4) are cheap and infinitely useful for our guests.  They can carry their sunscreen, bottled water, and other gear with them very easily in these packs.
5. Granola bars.  Walking around Las Vegas can burn a lot of calories and food on the Strip isn't cheap so unless people are intending to go out for lunch or dinner, a granola bar can tide them over until their next meal.
6. Handiwipes.  Vegas is a germy place so keeping Handiwipes at the ready is a great idea.  Plus these are less messy than liquid hand sanitizer.
7. Ear buds.  People are forever losing their ear buds and the entire world doesn't want to hear what you are listening to on your cell phone so these are good to have on hand as well.
8. Packet of tissue.  Oddly enough there are a lot of allergens in the air here so having a packet of tissue in your day bag is another good-to-have item.
9. Sunglasses.  Sunglasses are pretty much a necessity here yet people who come from colder, grayer climes may not think to bring these so we have several extra pair on hand.
10. Flip flops.  Again, flip flops are cheap and a good item to have on hand as people can use them when they go to the pool or when women want to get out of their heels.

10 Photos to Take at Your Hotel

When traveling this summer, consider snapping these quick photos with your cell phone:

1. A photo of the front of your hotel.  Even if you can't communicate with your taxi or Uber driver, showing them a photo of where to take you can be invaluable.
2. A photo of your hotel's business card.  Maybe your taxi driver won't recognize a photo of your hotel but the hotel's business card will have the hotel's name, address, and phone number on it so there is less confusion if your driver doesn't speak your language.
3. A photo of your room number.  People often forget their room number, especially if they have been traveling/switching hotels frequently.
4. Photos of your hotel room when you arrive (ditto for your rental car).  This way if there is any question of damages you will have proof of what the hotel room (rental car) looked like when you checked in.
5. Photos of your hotel room when you leave (ditto for your rental car).  This way if there is any question of damages you will have proof of what the hotel room (rental car) looked like when you checked out.  Make sure all photos are date stamped.
6. A photo of the emergency exit map on your hotel room door.  In an emergency you can always consult the photo on your phone to see how to exit the hotel.
7. A photo of where you park.  Especially if you are parking at a large resort with multiple parking lots.  Be sure to take a photo of the sign describing where you are parked (many lots say something like Level D, green section) so you can easily find your car later.
8. Take photos of anything you want to remember for a review or a blog post later.  If the breakfast buffet is particularly good I may take a photo of it to add to a review, if the nightclub across the street is still bumping at 3am I may take a photo of that for similar purposes.
9. Take a photo of the safe combination/pass code.  This way if you forget the code you set it will be easy enough to look it up on your phone instead of calling the front desk for assistance.
10. A photo of your paid bill (digital receipts are easier to deal with than paper receipts).

All The Gear You Need to Travel the World

I saw this article today in my feedreader about all of the gear you need to travel the world.  I'm guessing Outside Magazine gets a cut of the things they tell you to buy because there is no way you need a 55l Osprey Farpoint backpack to travel the world.  Ditto most of the other stuff they recommend.  To travel the world you need:

• Passport and other form of ID
• A couple credit cards (different banks, without foreign transaction fees if possible)
• Cell phone and charger
• A daypack/backpack, around 30l max unless you are carrying backpacking gear (I've used a cheap backpack from Walmart to travel the world before and those wear just fine)
• Change of clothes (they don't need to be ExOfficio or anything like that; stuff from the Goodwill is fine)
• Toiletries/first aid stuff in a ziploc bag

That's literally all you need.  Bring some snacks and a bottle of water and you are set.  Any other stuff you bring should be carefully considered as you can usually find anything else you need on the road as you travel and traveling lighter is always traveling better.

Preparing For: Disturbing Travel Trends

I came across this article today, 8 Disturbing Travel Trends You'll Confront in 2018, and figured forewarned is forearmed.  The spouse and I have decided that this will be a no travel year (most years we travel two to four months out of the year) and already it has had very relaxing results (we got to decline two travel offers already this year due to having a firm decision not to travel anywhere this year).  However if you do need to travel this year and you have perused the article, here are some tips:

1. Fewer consumer protections.  We all know there are fees upon fees when booking with airlines.  My answer to that is to avoid fee-heavy airlines (Spirit, Allegiant, etc) and to only travel with a small carry on bag and not check luggage (it can easily be done and saves baggage fees and a lot of hassle).  I also avoid airline hassles by not traveling during holidays and other heavy travel days, trying to book direct non-stop flights, and comparing prices for flights using Google Flights.
2. Widespread reduction of Amtrak routes.  I have taken Amtrak a few times and was pretty disappointed each time.  I am used to the train system in Japan which is extraordinarily good.  Amtrak is meh on all counts (timeliness, cleanliness, speed, etc).  I just don't take Amtrak.
3. Threats to safety.  Referring specifically to airline safety, I still have no problem flying.  It is much safer than driving if you look at the statistics.  You can also choose your airline based on their safety record as well as opt for major carriers instead of regional carriers (I'd prefer a pilot with 20,000 hours any day).
4. Hotel resort fees continue unabated.  Resort fees are a rip off in anyone's book and apparently Las Vegas has taken the lead in uping resort fees as high as possible (these don't include parking fees, club entry fees, spa fees, etc).  If I was traveling and didn't have to stay in a specific place (like for a conference) I would give my business to a hotel without resort or parking fees (there are several of these in Las Vegas but they are not on the Strip).
5. Worthless reservations.  I think in most cases airlines and hotels want to honor their reservations.  I've never had a reservation canceled so I can't really comment on this but you always have the power to handle the situation correctly (if you are told to get off the airline, get off.  It ain't your plane), to take your business to a company that will treat you right, and to book elsewhere if you end up having a problem.  You can also complain enough in a justifiable situation to demand some sort of recompense for your troubles.
6. Uber and Lyft security breaches.  Security breaches are a regular occurrence these days.  With so much technology, and ever-evolving technology, in play I don't see a time when there won't be security breaches.  As far as personal security goes with ride sharing, again, I haven't had a problem with this but always be on guard, ready to protect yourself, and above all, follow your gut and opt out of a ride if you don't feel good about it.
7. Tighter airline seats.  On the one hand, people shouldn't be the size of two or three normal-sized human beings but since 70% of the population is overweight or obese that doesn't seem like it will be trending down anytime soon.  On the other hand, I've been on some planes where all seats are sized for a slim teenaged girl which leaves out a great deal of the population.  Yes airlines are ruled by greed and they don't care if you are uncomfortable.  So your options are to not fly or specifically book a seat that will accommodate you.
8. Distracted driving still a menace.  Tell me about it.  You will see near daily fatal crashes in Las Vegas simply because people are not paying attention.  You see people still talking on their phones and driving even though this is illegal.  And you see drivers in full fits of road rage because they can't time their drive appropriately.  Driving defensively is about all you can do.  And these days you won't catch me out driving late at night (too many drunk drivers on the road around here).

10 Quick Travel Tips

And I think we are done traveling for a bit (after five weeks of vacation, chilling on the couch is a decided luxury).  Here are some quick travel tips which have proven useful over the past month or so...

1. Take a nice, sturdy bottle of water (like Aquafina, etc), drink the water, then save the bottle for travel.  You can take it empty through the security check point then fill it up prior to boarding your plane.
2. Take photos of all of your prescription meds.  The spouse ended up in the ER during our vacation and when the nurse asked me about prescription meds, instead of giving her a blank look, I whipped out my cell phone, clicked on photos, and the nurse was able to swipe through the photos and input all of the spouse's meds into the computer with ease.
3. Ditto for taking a photo on your cell phone of your hotel room number.  After staying at more than a half dozen hotels, our room number becomes a bit blurry so as soon as we check into the hotel, our first task is to snap a quick photo of the room number.  If you have trouble remembering which hotel you are in, take a photo of your hotel and it's address/business card/brochure.
4. Get the Uber and Lyft app on your cell phone.  I can't emphasize how much better these services are than your run of the mill taxi.
5. If you will be flying a lot, do yourself a favor and sign up for TSA PreCheck; it will save you a lot of time and frustration getting through security checkpoints.  Ditto for Global Entry if you will be traveling back and forth overseas.
6. Take photos of (and back up) copies of your passport, driver's license, credit cards, car insurance card, health insurance card, boarding passes, car rental reservation, etc.  If you lose these items you will at least be able to show that you indeed have them (getting them replaced is a whole other hassle).
7. I was thrilled with my T Mobile cell phone service which includes free international roaming/data/texting/teathering-HotSpot.  All of these things were useful at various points in our travels and all of these things were free (years ago, using your cell phone overseas would incur extremely high charges).  Note that TMobile doesn't seem to work in remote or even semi-remote areas but in cities it works great.
8. If you don't have to work and/or use special software, consider traveling with a tablet instead of a laptop.  General travel stuff (like reading books, saving maps, doing basic internet searches) can be easily accomplished on a tablet and it will save you a great deal of weight over a laptop.
9. Travel with one bag.  I've done this for years and slowly the spouse has come around to this way of traveling.  Avoiding checked luggage and--more importantly--not having to schlep 50 pounds of luggage around makes traveling infinitely easier.  My 32l backpack easily carries enough stuff for a week, or a month, or six months, of travel.
10. Bring food always.  Generally we always carry some sort of food at all times while traveling since you never know when/where your next meal will be.  Granola bars, bread and cheese, nuts, fruit, etc all are easy to carry and most welcome when you are starving.  The one time we didn't do this on this past trip I had the spouse waving a turkey sandwich in my face grumbling about how it cost $15 at the airport.  So prepare ahead of time or be prepared to pay out the nose for basics that would cost a fraction were you not a captive audience.

Your EDC, BOB, and Travel Bag...The Component System

I used to have bags.  Lots of bags.  I had an EDC bag, I had a briefcase, I had a gym bag, I had a BOB (actually multiple BOBs--at home, work, and the office), I had urban travel gear (suitcase and kit), outdoor travel gear (backpack and kit), a shooting bag, a trauma medic bag...you name it, I probably had an entire bag dedicated to that purpose.

Now that I am older and wiser and less likely to want to schlep around a lot of crap, my gear has been streamlined into components that can be quickly tossed into the bag of the day and easily carried about.  Now, whether I am going out for the day or leaving for a months-long vacation, I simply go to my gear closet and pack in less than five minutes.

Pick a bag.  The first choice I need to make each day is what kind of bag to use.  If I am just going out to the store my pockets will work or maybe a fanny pack (yes I know they are out of style but these are exceedingly useful).  For a run, hike, or entire day out I may need a daypack.  For a trip that includes car, bus, or airline travel, I will take a 30L backpack.  For an overnight or longer backpacking trip, a slightly larger backpack will be used.

Next I pack up the items I never leave home without: cell phone (Galaxy Note 4), wallet, keys, sunglasses, pen, and tiny emergency packet (pocket knife, single packet of Tylenol, tissue, Wet Wipe, quarters, $100 in $20 bills, small flashlight, bandaids, ear buds, alcohol wipe, matches, floss, safety pin, back-up thumb drive, needle). 

Depending on the situation I may or may not carry a concealed pistol (pistol--either a Keltec .380 or a Sig Sauer 9mm, holster, spare magazine).

Do I need tech?  If so I take my Tablet (Galaxy Tab S2 8") or my  laptop (Dell XPS 13"); occasionally both for longer-term travel.  I also pick up the bag which carries chargers, a mini travel mouse, extra batteries for the mouse, a power pack and on-ear headphones.

Clothing.  This varies by activity (gym clothes? outdoor clothes for backpacking? a slightly more extensive wardrobe for vacation travel?), and since everything is arranged in a single closet it takes moments to pick out the needed clothing.  Additional items that may or may not be needed: hat, gloves, poncho, rain gear, puffy jacket, buff, etc.

Water and food.  I generally never leave home without a bottle of water and a couple of granola bars.  For day hikes I will take a lunch, for general travel I will pack an assortment of food and an extra (empty) water bottle which can be filled up once I pass airport security, and for overnight/weekend/week-long backpacking trips I will gather all necessary food plus toss in an additional water carrier and a water purification system.

Toiletries.  For both urban and wilderness travel I carry a basic toiletries kit which includes: toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mirror, comb, soap, deodorant, razor, tweezers, nail clippers, nail file, and Vaseline.

Fix it kit.  This kit contains useful items to fix things that are broken and includes a basic sewing kit, folding scissors, zipties, rubberbands, and duct tape.

Medical kit.  For overnight and longer term travel, I bring a more comprehensive medical kit which includes bandaids, alcohol wipes, antibiotic ointment, moleskin, benadryl, acidophilous, aspirin, Tylenol, opiod pain killer tabs, Super Glue, gauze pads, medical tape, condom, Ace bandage, Thera Flu, and Quick Clot.

Other medical items.  Although I don't need these items, other people may so here is a list of other things people may want to pack: extra prescription meds, feminine hygiene products, make up, an Epi Pen, glucose tabs, glasses, and hearing aids/batteries. 

Wilderness emergency packet.  If I will be hiking (whether day hiking in the desert or multi-day trips) I toss in a packet that includes: sunscreen, matches, lighter, paracord, emergency blanket, compass, whistle, magnifying glass, electrolyte tabs, water purification tabs, bandanna).

Other backpacking gear.  For overnight or an extended outdoor trip I pack a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent, tent footprint, stove and fuel, toilet paper, bear spray, bug spray, trowel, GPS, maps, headlamp/batteries, water filter system, mess kit/spork, Bonners soap, trekking poles, ziploc bags, pack rain cover.

General travel items.  These include: air/bus/train tickets, passport/visas, an unlocked cellphone, extra memory cards, notebook, and power adapter.

Specialty packets.  You may want to make up a bag for the shooting range, for your portable office supplies, items necessary for your work, etc.

Note that for a BOB, all of the kits will be dumped into my largest pack and sorted out later.

By making up a variety of component kits, instead of a variety of bags, you will always have the items you need without the massive duplication of items.  I highly recommend LeSportsac bags for each packet as they wear like iron (even though they look a bit odd with weird colors and designs) and last for years.

10 Travel Tips

I was on the road the entire month of April, thus the lack of posts.  Here's some travel tips that I made note of as we went along...

1. Bring empty water bottles (we drink bottled water at home and thus have buckets of them) and fill them up after you get past security.  
2. Be patient.  I swear people are becoming dumber and ruder as the years go by (or maybe I am just getting older and crotchety-er).  Getting to the airport early, giving yourself plenty of time to check in, keeping a good attitude when you want to strangle someone, planning ahead to prevent inconveniences, etc. will go a long way towards keeping the peace and reducing your blood pressure.
3. Consider getting Amazon Prime.  I mostly use it for two-day shipping and downloading books but the spouse loved it because you can download free movies from Amazon Prime and watch them when you are off-line (like when you are on long flights with no access to WiFi).
4. Find out some things about where you will be staying.  We were at a friend's house for a few days and the friends were at work.  Cue an outdoor siren at 130 dB.  After running through my limited list of "WTF could that have been?" and ruling out tsunamis (too far in on the coast) and wondering about air raids (I haven't heard an air raid siren in decades), I hopped online and figured out that it was a siren from a local nuclear plant.  Fortunately it was a test of some sort.  I didn't even know there was a nuclear plan in the vicinity.
5. Pack small.  I pack one small carry-on backpack for weeks or months of travel.  Pack durable clothes, wear them multiple times, do laundry more often, and remember you can buy anything you need almost anywhere on the planet.
6. Consider earning and using air miles.  I only keep a couple of credit cards but Delta had an American Express deal that gave me 50,000 miles for getting their card.  That 50k miles paid for four flights.
7. Always carry extra food with you in the event you get stranded (or just get hungry); you won't be at the mercy of extortion-level prices at airports and on airlines.
8. Speaking of getting stranded, be ready to make up an impromptu camp if necessary.  Who knew it would snow in April and strand us overnight at the airport?  Instead of getting a hotel room for a stay of six or seven hours until we could catch the next available flight in the morning, I whipped up a few airport chair sections, a bunch of jackets, and a poncho into a tent-like structure which served the purpose (although my old bones are getting a bit too delicate to sleep on the rock-hard floor and be happy about it the next morning).
9. Be a good house guest.  Depending on what our hosts need, we will cook, do small home repairs, and help out other ways as needed.  We also clean up after ourselves, don't disrupt their schedule, and are basically the most low-maintenance house guests possible which means we are always invited to stay, have reduced our hotel bills considerably, and were even gifted with a week at a 5-star resort during our last trip from one friend who enjoyed their stay when they came to visit us a few years ago (we reciprocate all of the hospitality we receive when people come to visit us in Vegas).
10. Be flexible.  Have more money available than you think you will need, be ready to change plans at a moment's notice, take advantage of any unique opportunities you come across, and enjoy things as they happen (even the snow in April).

March Challenge #28 Travel

Today's challenge is to travel.  Not only does travel allow you to expand your horizons--experiencing new customs and cultures, learning new languages, etc--but you can learn quite a few things that can be useful in the event of an emergency.  Here's what to do:

• Get a passport which is required to visit nearly all foreign countries.
• Decide where you want to go (Europe?  Asia?  Africa? South America?).
• Decide how long you will be gone (from days to weeks to months).
• Determine if you need to do anything else to go to your chosen country (do you need a visa or special vaccinations?  If so, start these processes as soon as possible).
• Determine what you want to do while you travel (museums? intensive language course? humanitarian work? diving?).
• Get time off work.
• Buy your tickets (air/sea, hotel, train, etc).
• Set up everything at home (house sitter, pet sitter, bill payment, etc).
• Do some research on your destination (basic language skills, learn about the culture and appropriate behavior, tourism highlights, etc).
• Save up a reasonable amount of money.
• Pack a (small) bag of stuff.
• Go.

To do when you are traveling: try various types of transportation (bus, tuk tuk, train, jeepney, etc), try a range of foreign food, attempt to communicate with people in a foreign language (or just pointing and smiling), observe how people do things differently in other countries, practice situational awareness, try not to stand out too much, keep your cool at all times, avoid problems with the locals (and local law enforcement), try local activities, make new friends.  Enjoy your trip!

A Quick Weekend Trip

I took a quick, unexpected trip this weekend but all was well, in large part due to these basic travel tips:

1. As I posted previously, everything I need for travel is in one spot so I can be packed and on the road within about ten minutes if necessary.
2. I pack my one bag (a 30l backpack) the same way every time.  I can find anything I need, even in the dark, if necessary.
3. I unpack that one bag at my hotel the exact same way as well so that, you guessed it, I can find anything I need, even in the dark if necessary.
4. I keep enough cash on hand that I can leave for a weekend trip without having to go to the bank or find an ATM (although I nearly always use credit cards to pay for things when I travel, it is still a good idea to have cash on hand when you travel).
5. When I arrive at my destination I do a quick inspection (check the fire exits, walk around the perimeter of the property where I will be staying, etc) and make a few friends (tipping well but not excessively at the valet, front desk, restaurants, etc).
6. I have general travel apps on my phone (Google maps, Waze, XE, Kindle) then add others as needed (local transit apps, etc).
7. I keep my eating habits (I eat similarly to what I do at home, rarely splurging on fancy restaurants) and exercise habits (walking six to ten miles a day) basically the same when I am on the road.
8. These days I don't do the tourist stuff or buy souvenirs.  If there are hoards of tourists I happily head the other way (if I absolutely need to visit a tourist attraction I try to get there very early).  And souvenir crap is pretty much the same the world over so my only "souvenirs" are things I want/need that I buy at my destination (quality shoes or clothing, etc).
9. Unlike 30 or 40 years ago, everything you need to do can be done from wherever you are (banking, bill paying, shopping via Amazon, even working).
10. Most importantly, pack light.  I see people schlepping their crap (at 50+ pounds per suitcase and multiple suitcases) and have to shake my head.  With a single, carry-on sized backpack, I can be in and out anywhere (airplanes, rental cars, hotels, shops) with a minimum of effort and fuss while other people are still trying to get the wheels on their suitcase to point in the right direction. 

10 Travel Tips

Just back from vacation and thought I would share a few travel tips that I often use:

1. Pack light.  One small backpack carried on the plane with you will hold more than enough stuff for a multi-week trip.  This saves checked baggage fees and your sanity.  Info here.
2. If at all possible, get into the TSA's Pre Check program.  This saves loads of time and hassle at security check points.  Note that frequent travelers can opt into this program while regular travelers are randomly drawn to participate.
3. If you qualify, using USOs at airports around the country and around the world is a great way to kill time in airports.  Similarly, airport lounges for frequent fliers is also a great benefit for travelers.
4. Be sure to download apps that are pertinent to your travels (like local transit routes, maps, weather, etc).
5. And don't forget to put some important phone numbers on your phone such as a number for the local taxi service, your hotel, etc.  Note, you should also carry a written list of a few important numbers in your wallet in case of the theft or death of your cell phone.
6. While you can Google questions about your travels and destinations, the quickest and probably most authentic way to find pertinent information on your travels is the subreddit for your destination (example here).  Note that redditors are also good at coming through in a crisis for those in need.
7. The best place to find flight tickets/compare prices?  I always use Google flights (and since Southwest Air is one of the few not covered by this search program I check their website as well).
8. Five items I never travel without: an Asus T-100 tablet/notebook, my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 cell phone, good walking shoes (I prefer Brooks), a Sansa Clip MP3 player (it saves the battery on my cell phone), and acidophilous (takes care of all stomach ailments quite nicely).
9. We are fortunate to live in an area with a great library system so before (and while) I travel, I download a dozen e-books from our local library--all for free--onto my Kindle app on my cell/tablet.
10. Bring more cash than you think you will need.  Most travel problems can be fixed with cash.

100 Third-World Travel Tips

Here's some tips to make your international travel more enjoyable:

PRE-TRAVEL

1. Get your vaccinations ahead of time. Tetanus and Hep A and B are standard. Ask your doctor about other vaccinations needed/required in your area of travel.
2. Make sure your passport and visa(s) won't expire for at least six months after you plan to return home.
3. Call your banks to let them know when and where you will be traveling so they won't put a fraud hold on your accounts when you try to use your ATM/credit cards overseas.
4. Email your air and hotel reservations to yourself and keep a written copy as well.
5. Keep a small notebook with you that includes important phone numbers (including the local number to contact banks and credit card offices--not their toll free numbers), your itinerary, your personal info (emergency contact person in the US, etc), embassy contact info, etc.
6. Check your health insurance coverage and see if it will cover you when you travel.
7. Bring one carry-on bag only (saves baggage fees and hassle and it is easier to keep track of).
8. Leave your drugs, alcohol, porn, weapons, etc at home (saves incarceration--or worse--overseas).
9. Back up your computer files and leave the back up in a safe place.
10. Leave all of your fancy jewelry, fancy electronics, and other expensive things at home (makes you less of a target for thieves).

EN ROUTE

1. I keep my wallet, cell phone, and passport on me at all times, even on the plane (usually in a jacket pocket or in the pocket of my cargo pants).
2. Skip the alcohol, drink lots of water.
3. Wear comfortable clothes...going overseas usually requires very long flights.
4. But not so comfortable that you would be unsafe in an emergency landing (why women wear spike heals on an airplane is beyond me).
5. Get up and walk around every so often to help improve circulation.
6. If you can afford it, the upgrade to seats that fold flat into a bed are well worth it--you will arrive at your destination awake and aware instead of tired and disoriented.
7. Always assume that your flight may encounter a delay or emergency and plan accordingly (ie: carry needed medication, a small flashlight, cash in small denominations, granola bars, and other items that would come in handy if you don't reach your destination as planned).
8. While I can recite the stewardess's safety spiel in my sleep and usually am asleep before they speak, I do make safety a priority. I always count the rows of seats, both forward and back, to emergency exits, play 'spot the air marshal', observe those around me on the plane, and imagine what kind of items on the plane could be used as a weapon.
9. I always load up on the vitamin c and zinc before I lock myself into a plane with hundreds of germy passengers for hours on end.
10. I make due with what is provided for my comfort on the airplane instead of bringing a neck pillow, ear plugs, eye shades, noise cancelling headphones, etc.  But then again I can sleep anytime, anywhere regardless of how noisy, bright, or uncomfortable it is.  I do this to save weight and the amount of things I need to haul around with me.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE

1. Try to schedule your flight so you arrive during the day time.
2. Change some of your money at the airport before you catch your cab so you won't be stuck with no local money to pay for your first few expenses.
3. Carry your cash in multiple locations and be careful not to "flash your wad" in public; this makes you a target for thieves.
4. Have an idea of the area you will be arriving in.  In most places I have no trouble hopping in a cab or taking a local bus to my hotel; in others I won't go anywhere without a local bodyguard to make sure I arrive in relative safely.
5. If possible, book your first night or two in a hotel so that you will #1 have a place to stay so you can get your bearings, and #2 not be stuck someplace that you really don't like for an extended period of time.
6. Keep your plans to yourself.  It may be the chatty thing to do, sharing information about where you will be staying and what you will be doing, but this can also make you a target for thieves.
7. As soon as you get situated in your hotel, find out where the closest ATM, hospital, restaurant, pharmacy, convenience store, etc. is.
8. One of your first stops should be to get your cell phone unlocked and a local SIM card plus minutes put on it so that you will have a way to contact people and vice versa.
9. Another thing I do right after I arrive is stock some beverages and snacks in my room in case I don't want to go out (usually because I wake up hungry in the middle of the night due to jet lag).
10. Alleviate jet lag by staying awake during the day of your arrival, no matter how tired you are, and sleeping at your regular bed time.

FOOD & DRINK

1. If you will only be in the country for a short period, you may want to be very careful with what you eat and drink so that you can avoid getting sick (ie: drink bottled water, eat only well cooked food, don't eat vegetables or fruit that haven't been cooked, etc).
2. If you will be in the country for a while, you may want to eat and drink whatever the locals do; you will probably get sick (intestinal trouble) but at least you will get over it and then can resume your normal activities without having to watch every little thing you eat and drink.
3. That being said, know the difference between food and water that the locals use that you can adjust to and food and water that the locals use because they have no other choice and which could carry parasites and other nasty bacteria, then avoid the latter.
4. Try the local food.  You could probably subsist on American chain restaurants that are ubiquitous the world over but why?  Part of the experience of travel is trying new food.
5. Even though I am pretty liberal about what I will eat while I am traveling, I still take care to avoid food that is most likely to cause health problems (salads with mayo in them that sit out all day, fish from local waters that I know is severely contaminated, raw food, etc).
6. Take it easy with the local alcohol.  You may be able to "hold your liquor" in your home country but there are some local brews that will knock you on your ass.  Go slow to start until you know what you are dealing with.
7. Besides local restaurants (which range from fancy to a shack in someone's back yard) consider a common option of buying food at the local wet market then going to the restaurant next door and having it cooked for you.
8. When I'm hungry I eat out instead of having food delivered; the fewer people who know where I am staying and who come to my hotel room, the better.
9. If you have food allergies, write this information down in the local language and show it to your server.  Better to look like a dorky American than to die because you ate shellfish disguised as something else.
10. Ditto if you have special dietary requirements (ie: you must only eat halal or kosher food).  First, be sure to write out specifically what you can and can't eat (if your note just says halal food people may not know what you mean) then if in doubt, ask if certain ingredients are in the food (occasionally I am on a vegetarian kick and I will tell a server this only to find out that the vegetarian noodle dish has meat added "for flavor"). 

HOTEL SAFETY

1. It is perfectly acceptable to check out your hotel room prior to agreeing to rent it for the night; do this.
2. Make sure that your hotel room has a way to securely lock the doors and windows.
3. Check the fire exits in your hotel to make sure that they accessible (this isn't always the case).
4. Tipping the hotel staff well but not lavishly often ensures that you will have people looking out for you (and your room while you are gone).
5. Take a walk around your hotel, both inside and outside, to look for possible threats/problems.
6. Hide your valuables in your room, don't just leave them laying about (better yet, put them in the hotel safe), and be sure to keep the drapes in your room closed to keep people from being able to see into your room.
7. When checking in, I decline the bellhop and carry my own bag (easy, because it is only one bag).  Plus I have the habit of not turning over my bag to anyone.
8. Make your room look occupied even when you are gone (leave the TV on, the AC on, the lights on, etc).
9. Keep your cell phone, room key, and flashlight on the bedside table and your shoes next to the bed (loss of power is common in these countries and smoke detectors can be non-functional or not there at all; you may need to make a quick escape).
10. Know where you are staying; keep the name, address, and phone number of the hotel on your cell phone so you can find your way back in an unfamiliar city.

PEOPLE SAFETY

1. Keep your wallet in your front pocket (ladies should keep their purses securely on their bodies with the strap across their body and hand on the bag); pick pockets are very good in these countries.
2. Ditto for backpacks.  Whereas in most places you can carry a backpack on your back as it was designed for, in places where thieves or pickpockets are common, wear your backpack on your front.
3. It is a good idea to use ATMs during the day, preferably at banks that have visible security officers (of course other ATM safety habits apply as well).
4. Meet people at neutral locations such as at a bar or restaurant (you don't want people you don't know or don't trust in your hotel room).
5. Don't make yourself a target for theft or kidnapping (it helps to look a bit like a vagabond...but slightly better so you won't be hassled by the police).
6. Tips and bribery are common enough ways to smooth your way in many instances; know the local customs when it comes to these things.
7. Do a bit of research before you leave so you will know what kind of place you are walking in to (ie: if the local narcos are a bit restless, you may want to travel elsewhere. On the other hand, a bit of local research may inform you that the whole 'radicals overflowing in the streets' has been way overblown by the media and the area you are going to is actually quite safe).
8. If you need serious protection, hire it done.  Although your instinct may be to bring your own protection this can become a problem of epic proportions in many foreign countries.
9. Mind your manners.  A lot of things that will fly in America will cause you untold problems in foreign countries.  The ground rules are to be polite, always allow the other person to 'save face', don't be loud or boastful or cranky, don't be threatening...basically be on your best behaviour.
10. In sketchy places it is a good idea to mine your contacts for a friend or relative who is a local and who can help you out (of course you will want to reward him financially for his efforts).  Locals can do everything from acting as your tour guide and translator to getting you out of a jam with other locals or smoothing your way into places foreigners would not otherwise be allowed.

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION

1. Realize that safety standards are lacking, if there are any at all, in most third world countries.  In many places seatbelts aren't used, bicycle helmets are unheard of, and it is common to see an entire family of four on one small motorcycle.  Obviously if you think a situation is unsafe, do what you can to mitigate the problem. 
2. It is often better to use a taxi or hire a driver than trying to drive yourself in third world countries.
3. If you insist on driving yourself and/or your own car in these countries be sure that your documents are in order and you know what is required as far as registration/licensing/etc.  Also know what is expected of you in the event of an accident (could be more than you bargained for so this is yet another reason to have a local driver).
4. Oddly enough there are often more numerous transportation options available in these countries than what you will find in the US.
5. Insist on using the meter rates in taxis (sometimes the driver will try to give you a flat rate which is much higher than the meter rate).
6. Depending on where you are, gypsy taxis are either to be avoided or are a viable option to other forms of transportation, find out which it is in your new location.
7. Even walking may or may not be a good option (ie: this could be much more dangerous than hopping on a bus or into a taxi).
8. Be wary of driving in areas where there has been trouble with "banditos" or others looking to separate you from your money/watch/jewelry/etc.
9. Cheap flights can be found on local airlines that aren't found on Orbitz.  This is often a good way to get from place to place however their safety/maintenance records may not be stellar.  Use Google to find these airlines.
10. Boats for short trips (for SCUBA diving for example) can often be hired right on the beach; I usually make it a point to NOT take ferries in third world countries.

HEALTH

1. Bring your own well-stocked first aid kit as there may be items you need that are unavailable in the country you are visiting.
2. Ditto for prescription medicines (although if you are a regular visitor to certain countries, you may find that your prescription meds are readily available and much cheaper than what you pay in the states; at that point you may want to buy your meds there. Note that purity may be an issue).
3. You may be surprised that other medications that are prescription-only in your home country may be freely available, sans prescription, in the country you are visiting. In this case, know what you are getting before you consider using it (ie: whenever I get so much as a cold in foreign countries people always want to give me antibiotics never mind that what I probably have is a virus!).
4. Bring packets of tissue and wet wipes (a better option than using your left hand for toilet paper).
5. My intestinal upset remedy: take acidophilous at the first sign of stomach upset.  If this doesn't work, bring on the Immodium.  Drink bottled or boiled water and load up on the fiber.
6. Realize that if you do need medical attention in these countries you will probably find it to be exponentially cheaper than in the US (although the clinic may look like someone's garage).
7. If you think you may need it (either because of partaking in dangerous activities abroad or due to current health issues) you may want to spring for evacuation insurance--it will save you a ton of money if you end up needing it.
8. Be more aware of your health (and proactive in fixing problems) in third world countries...everything from sanitary issues to local health threats to excessive heat/sun exposure can have a negative impact on your health if the problem isn't corrected quickly. 
9. Do a bit of research before you leave to find out what health issues are prominent where you will be going and how to avoid becoming a victim of said health issues (for example, Dengue fever is rampant in many tropical areas at this time. Also, if you are at much higher altitudes than normal you could get altitude sickness and not even realize it).
10. Write down your health history, current medical problems, blood type, allergies, doctor's name and phone number, and current medications; keep this in your wallet (extra points for having this translated into the local language).  It may come in handy should you be unconscious and taken to a hospital.

SEX & OTHER VICES

1. Realize that HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases can be rampant in some countries (bring condoms!).
2. If you drink alcohol, never drink until you are deliriously drunk unless you have someone with you whom you trust to watch your back.
3. If the hot girl that is hitting on you has an Adam's apple, don't be surprised if the girl turns out to be a guy.
4. Take extra care when gambling in third world countries; games are mostly unregulated and even if you win fair and square, others may not be so happy for your good fortune (and they may seek to do something about it later).
5. Be aware of the social and cultural mores (and also the legality of) vices in the country you are visiting.  In some places porn is strictly taboo, in other places using drugs can net you a prison sentence or even death.
6. No matter your vice, should things get out of hand, the local police probably won't be there to help you (and can often be more corrupt than whoever it is you have the problem with).
7. Expect that if you bring contraband into countries where laws against these items are strictly enforced, you may end up in jail...maybe even prison.
8. Just because a country is third world poor, doesn't mean a person can go there and raise holy hell.  Things that would be considered a crime in the US (rape, pedophilia, parental abduction, etc) could land you in jail there and due to changes in US and international law, could land you in prison upon your return to the US as well.
9. When paying for your vices, the preferred (usually only) method is cash.
10. Say you are a strictly anti-vice person.  Spouting off your beliefs in the foreign country you are visiting is stupid.  If you don't like the way things are done there, stay in the US.

OTHER STUFF

1. Giving gifts to the people you have encountered in your travels is an excellent way to build good will.
2. Know what you can bring back through customs (and what is strictly illegal).
3. Going somewhere where there is a real possibility of you being kidnapped? Consider executive risk insurance (they even offer training for what to do if you are kidnapped).
4. Don't expect things to work there like they do here.  That's why they are called third world countries.
5. Do a bit of homework and find out what the most common problems you are likely to experience in the country you are visiting may be...and what to do about them (blackouts, brownouts, corruption, flooding, localized disasters, strikes and protests, coup attempts, etc).
6. If all hell breaks loose, head for the closest US embassy or consulate. If this is impossible, at least try to get word to them about your location and situation.
7. Have more than enough money for your trip.  This can be in cash and money in the bank that you can access through the ATM or bank.  It is also a good idea to have a friend back home who could wire you money in an emergency.
8. Go to these countries with the idea that you are there to learn and enjoy.  Going there to bitch about the lack of hot water, your nagging intestines, or the asinine way the country is run defeats the purpose of world travel.
9. Try to help if you can.  Some countries will remain backwards for many years to come and there probably are too many problems to even begin to fix but something as simple as bringing a large ziploc bag of medical supplies or a few books to drop off at the local school can at least help out a few people.
10. Connect with others in your travels.  Oddly enough, some great friendships can come out of a chance meeting at an ex pat bar in far-flung where ever. Take advantage of these opportunities.

And a whole bunch more travel safety tips.

Update: Southeast Asian Edition

Just a quick update...I have been traveling throughout Southeast Asia for the past few weeks.  Between a typhoon, lack of power, crappy internet connection (when it is even available) and a nearly week-long illness (I was getting to the point of dragging myself to the "hospital" thinking I had Dengue or malaria but fortunately have recovered) I haven't been able to post anything.  I should have a half dozen new blog posts for you by next week however so check back back soon.

Settle Into a New Location With These 10 Questions

We are currently traveling for a year or so until we decide #1 where to live, and #2 what to do (I have plenty of business ideas percolating right now and will eventually settle on one or two to pursue). As we hop around the country now, then later the world, there is a short period of settling in required at each stop. Here are the ten questions I ask myself at each location:

1. Where are we (as in address, town/city, county, state)? Then pull out a map and see where you are in relation to major cities/towns/etc.
2. What are the major threats (natural disasters, man-made problems) in the area? This relates to number one above. This past week we had just settled in to our new temporary location and the next day, tornado warnings started racing across the TV screen. Having no one to ask since we were new in town, it was a little confusing as to where exactly we were in relation to the areas that were in the storm warning area (that's why #1 is important) and how seriously to take the warnings (I called up a friend from Kentucky who is used to such occurrences and he said "very" so down we went to the basement for about an hour until the storm passed).
3. Take a walk around the neighborhood you are staying in to ascertain: escape routes (there should be more than one way to enter and exit where you are at), water sources (there is currently a small river down the street from where we are), any apparent dangers (in a storm, the small river could become a danger), possible food sources, etc.
4. Where is the local: hospital, grocery store, post office, bank, pharmacy, subway/bus stop, etc.
5. Do you have any contacts in the area? Information, a back up, help in an emergency...having contacts can be quite beneficial.
6. What's going on in the community? This is important to know both for reference, in case you are looking for something to do, and practically (ie: if your driveway will be blocked for an entire afternoon because you live along a parade route, you want to know this ahead of time).
7. What can you learn? There is always something to learn both officially (the local university may have a regular lecture schedule) and unofficially (I have learned how to bake a killer cornbread from the lady next door...we happen to be in the deep south this month).
8. What is the culture like? Even in your own country, the culture changes from place to place. I nearly fell off my chair the other day when the couple who live next door came by and on more than one occasion mentioned something about "colored" people. I seriously hadn't heard that word since I read a Mark Twain book decades ago. So it's a good idea to find out how people are before you start spouting what may or may not be considered your liberal/radical beliefs.
9. If there is a SHTF situation, what would you do? This could be anything from an earthquake to a total government shut down to a wildfire that is coming your way. You need to have a plan, or a variety of plans, ahead of time.
10. What can you take away from your experience? There's always many take-aways from your travels. You may find a good place to bug out to in the future. You may run across some unique training opportunities. You may make friends for life.

The bottom line is to situate yourself as quickly as possible by asking the right questions and getting up to speed on all of the things you need to know sooner, rather than later.

10 Tech Tips for Travel

We are on the road now for an undetermined amount of time. While we had at first planned to hone-base out of a relative's home, we decided to put a few things in storage then just travel for six months to a year before deciding if, when, and where to settle down again.
Technology has made long term travel, as well as earning a living while traveling, so much easier than in decades past. Here's ten tech tips for travel:

1. A GPS device can be invaluable when driving in an unfamiliar area. I always pack mine so that whatever car I end up driving, I at least know where I am going.
2. When traveling outside of the US, turn off your smart phone! I can't count the number of stories I have heard about people going on vacation only to return to a huge cell phone bill because of the roaming charges incurred when they left their smart phone on and it kept updating their email/FaceBook/etc.
3. If you have a lot of people to keep in contact with, consider setting up a FaceBook page or a blog. Instead of telling the same story a dozen times to a dozen different people or wondering who you emailed that last batch of pictures to, you can have one page to update and then just email the link to everyone who is interested in following your travels.
4. When traveling overseas I always carry a cell phone that takes a SIM card (ie: a cell phone from ATT or TMobile, not from Verizon). It's a simple process to get the phone "unlocked" then insert a SIM card used in the country you are traveling to and immediately you have a working cell phone (with rates usually much cheaper than in the US).
5. The internet makes it pretty much a no-brainer to research anything you want to know about your new location...from the broad topic of local news (www.allyoucanread.com), to local happenings and info (www.reddit.com/r/nameofcity), to recommendations for great places to eat or shop (www.yelp.com).
6. The spouse and I travel with identical tech gear (same netbooks, cell phones, iPods, digital cameras, etc). This makes the interchange of equipment (everything from charger cables and batteries to memory cards) simple and if one widget (charger, etc) gets lost you don't have to run around trying to find a new widget as you can use the other's.
7. A small headlamp is invaluable. I also carry a small flashlight but the headlamp seems to get used more. So far I have used it when I run early in the morning and it is still dark--it keeps me from getting run over by cars!
8. All of my banking, business, investing, and bill paying is done online. This is extremely convenient and can be done from anywhere in the world.
9. Besides keeping a secured file of all of my personal information and passwords on my computer, I have also scanned in all of my important personal documents (copies of driver's licenses, passports, military records, birth certificates, marriage certificate, etc).
10. I keep plenty of apps and favorites on my smartphone and netbook for anything that may be useful as we travel (currency exchange, foreign language dictionaries, travel websites, ferry schedules, city transit info, etc).

Adventures With the TSA

I spent the last couple of months flying around the US and beyond and fortunately I am happy to report that I didn't have a single run in with the TSA. Not so for others...

• TSA Groping Out of Control
• TSA Encounter at SAN
• The Indignity About the Full Body Scanners
• What the TSA Isn't Saying About the Full Body Scanners
• Protect Yourself and Your Family Against TSA Tyranny

And a bonus: 35 Secrets Your Pilot Won't Tell You

10 Items to Have With You When You Are Stranded in an Airport

I still have a few more weeks of flying before I get back home for a month or so, then it will be off to Asia, most likely before the new year. If there is one thing that is nearly a guarantee for travelers, it is that you will be stranded in an airport during at least some point in your journey. Here's ten items you need to have with you in order to be prepared for these inevitable delays:

1. A cell phone. Actually I can't think of anyone who doesn't travel with a cell phone these days and I can't imagine being stuck without the ability to contact friends and relatives who are expecting me or being able to call the airlines to rebook a missed flight.
2. Internet access. Actually I have redundant systems for this. I always carry a netbook with me for the occasional airport that offers free wi-fi access, and I also have internet on my cell phone.
3. Food. There are a few airports that have pretty great food in their (highly over priced) restaurants, but sometimes I just want a snack so I tend to carry a small bag of food with me whenever I travel. Items include: granola bars, beef jerky, trail mix, nuts, dried fruit, candy, etc. I've also been known to travel with fried chicken and separately packed components of a subway sandwich which I can put together on the run.
4. Entertainment of some sort. Whether it is a book, a Kindle, a deck of cards, games on an iPod Touch, music on your cell phone, or something else that takes your mind off of being stranded, some sort of entertainment will help wile away the hours in an airport.
5. Contact numbers. For those times when a slight delay turns into a day or more "stranded in the airport" situation, I like having numbers of local contacts that I can call up for everything from a ride into the city (for more rural airports that lack public transportation) to a meet up for a coffee or impromptu business meeting.
6. A way to secure my bag to me. Since I only travel with one bag, it makes it easier to both have all of my stuff (a change of clothes, toiletries, etc) with me and keep an eye on it. For those times, however, when you end up sleeping in an airport, a way to both secure your bag itself and secure the bag to you is a good idea. Fortunately I am a pretty light sleeper and I tend to put my bag where someone would have to hop over me to get to it.
7. Plenty of cash. This should include both cash on hand and adequate reserves in your ATM-accessible bank account and/or on a credit card. On rare occasions you could end up stranded for literally days (think 9/11 when all aircraft were grounded for days or the Iceland volcano incident which similarly grounded all flights in the area for days). In these situations, airlines won't usually cover the cost of a hotel, and if you really need to get somewhere, you may end up renting a car or taking ground transport to your destination, all of which will require additional cash you didn't plan on needing.
8. Items to make sleeping in an airport more palatable. Even though I am a light sleeper, I an fortunately able to sleep anywhere, any time. On a rock in the desert in broad daylight, above a rambunctious bar in downtown Manila, doesn't matter, I can sleep easily. Others, however, have trouble sleeping without ear plugs, eye shades, a blanket, a pillow, etc. If this is the case, either bring these items or be able to improvise them.
9. Business cards. You never know who you will meet while slogging through long hours of boredom in a shut down airport. It's a nice idea to have business cards with you in case you want to trade info with people you meet.
10. A personal info sheet. My personal info sheet has all sort of important info on it that comes in handy in a variety of travel situations. For example, I lost--probably misplaced although it could have been stolen--an ATM card from one of my bank accounts a few days ago. By looking at my info sheet, I simply called the bank (number was on the sheet), gave them my account and ATM card numbers (ditto), and had them cancel the card. Obviously I could have called information for the bank's number then asked them to look up the information but it is much more efficient to have all of this important info at my fingertips. I keep all sorts of other information on this sheet as well including airline phone numbers and frequent flier account numbers, user names and passwords for all of my online accounts (the passwords are in code of course), personal info (allergies, blood type), etc.