20 Jun 11 |
I only have a couple more days left to get ready for the RWA Conference. I’ll be flying out before dawn this Thursday morning and I’ll be gone for ten days. I still have shopping, laundry, packing, and grooming to do. I have two children home for summer who don’t want to be bothered with any of those things. And I have bad luggage karma, which means I have to mail items ahead and pack with precision because I can’t check my luggage. (I swear, it won’t get there if I do. Never does. I once watched a Greyhound driver shove my bag in the luggage space below the seats and yet it wasn’t there when I reached my destination.) Let me tell you, packing shoes and toiletries and ten days worth of multiple outfits a day into a carry-on is a feat of epic proportions.
There are a few must-have things that I pack to every conference:
1) Airborne – I buy the multi-pack and drink one when I get up and one before I go to bed. That schedule doesn’t really follow the every-three-hour recommendation, but it seems to be enough to keep me from coming home sick (which is so easy to do with jet lag, lack of sleep, and an out-of-the-ordinary diet).
2) Vitamins – another defense against getting sick and it helps with the exhaustion.
3) Gel insoles – these are such a feet-saver! For the most part, I stick with comfortable shoes, but sometimes comfort gives way to style and gel insoles make the sacrifice easier to bear.
4) Melatonin – sometimes, it’s hard to fall asleep and when I have an early engagement (and jet lag) tossing and turning for hours can screw up the rest of the conference for me. So I pack some melatonin for the nights when sleep is slow coming and it helps to keep me on track.
5) Business cards – my biz cards have my cell phone # on it. I go through a stack of them a day for that reason. So many times I’ll pass someone when we’re both in a rush and we say, “We have to get together!” as we race past each other. It’s so much easier to pull a biz card out from behind my badge and say, “Call me later!” then it is to hope that we’ll find each other again or to try and scratch out a number (after digging for a piece of paper and a pen).
6) Make-up remover wipes – Seriously, if I forget these, I have to go out and buy some. You know, those towelettes that you can swipe over your face and they take all the cosmetics off? They totally save me from having raccoon eyes in the morning and they make it way easier to switch from daytime to evening.
One less thing on my plate this year is my schedule. RWA’s new conference software made it possible for me to plan out my workshops, meetings, and events into an online grid that then printed up in a mini-schedule that fits behind my badge. I might actually get to all the things I want to get to this year. *fingers crossed*
So, what are your must-haves when you travel? I’d love to hear if there’s something I should be packing that I haven’t thought of. I’ve also got a copy of The Promise of Love to give away. 
© 2011, Sylvia Day. All rights reserved.
Sylvia Day is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of seventeen novels. A wife and mother of two, she is a former Russian linguist for the U.S. Army Military Intelligence. In addition to her novels, she's written numerous novellas and short stories for both print and electronic-original release. Sylvia's work has been called an "exhilarating adventure" by Publishers Weekly and "wickedly entertaining" by Booklist. Her stories have been translated into Russian, Japanese, Portuguese, German, Czech, Italian, and Thai. She's been honored with the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, the EPPIE award, the National Readers' Choice Award, and multiple finalist nominations for Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA Award of Excellence.
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Well for me it is my shampoo and conditioner along with special soap since I have sensitive skin
I never leave home without my fully loaded ereader! 
by Miranda June 20th, 2011 at 1:09 pmGreat tips, Syl! Have fun! Wish I were going!
by Debra webb June 20th, 2011 at 1:13 pmSadly, I hardly ever travel, except to a “resort” (read: collection of fishing shacks) for a long weekend of family vacation.
However, my “never leave home without it” list includes Sudafed and small pack of tissues because I always seem to find something to be allergic to. I also carry Shout wipes in my bag. I never notice the spot on the blouse until I’m out of the house!
by Hope June 20th, 2011 at 1:19 pmI’m a toiletry ‘ho and I often travel abroad where I can’t get “my” things, so I have to be sure I’ve got all my essentials. I also cannot live without my iPod, my neck pillow, my eye cover (aka the Rueben Kinkaid’s), my Kindle (because I never know what type of book I’ll be in the mood for), at least one paperback (because sometimes you just have to have a real live book), and shoes (many, many shoes because….well, just because).
by kris June 20th, 2011 at 1:39 pma couple of good books,an extra toothbrush because i usually forget mine some where on the trip, 1 fancy blouse and slacks that i can wear even if slightly wrinkled, my medications and then something sweet for my blood sugar in case it drops suddenly. other than that i and my usually clothing i can get by.
by Tammy Ramey June 20th, 2011 at 1:42 pmI don’t think I’ve checked baggage when flying in years! Probably since we moved from Hong Kong to Toronto with a summer in Madrid and a drop-a-sister-off-at-university-in-St. Louis stopover a good 10 years ago.
I’m a master light/minimalist packer and can easily do two weeks of winter gear in a carry-on… when your standard airplane is (was) a 400-500 person 747-400 and you travel during the peak winter and summer holiday seasons, you learn to love & master the carry-on really quickly. [Anyone who has waited for checked luggage at Heathrow or Hartsfield for a flight from Asia knows what it's like when your suitcase is the LAST BLOODY ONE TO COME OUT OF THE 747. And to stand through all that waiting only to discover that it never got on... good times!]
But I digress. What I never leave home without when travelling (apart from, you know, enough knickers to get through the trip): leisure reading material! I’m one of those mad travellers who’s always at the airport 3 hours early (thanks to all those years of international flights on really big planes… I get twitchy if I’m not at my gate at least an hour before the flight) and who rarely sleeps on planes, so I end up with loads of hours to kill. My Kindle is my favourite travelling companion
by Cris June 20th, 2011 at 1:47 pmi haven’t flown in several years when i took a short trip to Florida to meet friends before that was only military flights from when i was in the Army. When traveling i always take one extra set of clothes. In case something with one of my other outfits i have planned falls through. Now thought if i did fly i’d take my kindle for sure.
Lisa B
by Lisa B June 20th, 2011 at 3:08 pmI always travel with the Body Shop’s
by MaryC June 20th, 2011 at 3:37 pmTea Tree Oil Wipes -so refreshing on hot
days!
I never leave without my camera. It is a must on any trip I take and is always there on the top of my “to bring” list. I also try to remember to bring my hair dryer. Have a great time at the conference!!!!
by Linda McDonald June 20th, 2011 at 3:49 pm1) BOOKS &/or Kindle (other e-reader). I definitely need sufficient reading material for my trip. Even if I have a Kindle full of books, I need to take at least one print book for the time that Kindle needs to be recharged.
2) Comfortable clothes/shoes
3) Perhaps one nice outfit if there’s a night at a theatre or NICE restaurant.
by Ann G June 20th, 2011 at 4:42 pmA dirty clothes bag made of cloth is a must for me. I try to multi-wear outfits but for the wear-once items, I hate the plastic bags at hotels and with roomies, I like having my own. And I ALWAYS pack a fingernail file. I invariably chip or split a nail. I also have a little “fanny pack” where I keep all my electrical cords–Kindle, iPhone, Macbook, plus chargers for camera batteries, and an extension cord. It drops into my carry-on tote for easy access on layovers.
Hope to see you in NY!
by Silver James June 20th, 2011 at 5:11 pmMust have….Motrin–liqui gels, Excedrin migraine (can’t take in late afternoon, has caffeine), band aids/neosporin
by Catherine June 20th, 2011 at 5:35 pmAlways have phone charger, used to always take books, then it was Kindle, now all books are on phone.
Also, must take extra outfit or two.
Have fun!!
I must have a hair clip on my person at all times. I have thick, curly, unruly hair that can only be slightly tamed by a hair band/clip of some kind.
House slippers. I don’t consider myself a germaphoe, but hotel room floors creep me out.
Engystol. It is the greatest thing. It is similar to airborne, but it actually fights viruses. My children’s Dr. suggested it. My hubby started taking it when he traveled and he came home fewer colds and sniffles. It’s all natural and I was told it has been used in Europe for years. When someone in my family gets sick, I start giving it to them and everyone else. I have avoided many cold and other nasty viruses. It doesn’t always work, but nothing ever does with those darned viruses.
Have a great time at RMA!
by Shannon June 20th, 2011 at 5:37 pmbesides the usual clothes, tooth brush, hair brush, etc…i always bring my nook. i have to have my books. when i go to the store and someone else is driving, the nook comes with me.
by shadow June 20th, 2011 at 6:08 pmI love the solid shampoo and conditioner from Lush. Although you do have to be careful since the conditioner can melt if it gets too warm. I also like to take a small water misting bottle to help get wrinkles out of clothes. Other than that, hair accessories are a must. Rubber bands, combs and clips to keep my hair off my neck when it gets warm.
Have fun at the conference!
by Janel June 20th, 2011 at 6:22 pmI don’t travel much so I don’t really have any packing tips. I usually make sure I have allergy meds and tylanol with me, because we went on a trip one time when my son was small and he got sick. Couldn’t find children’s tylanol no where in the town we were in. Also I don’t want to leave out a few books.
by Quilt Lady June 20th, 2011 at 9:11 pmMy must haves are my Bath & Body Works scented shower gel and lotion (so I feel more like home), several books, comfortable shoes and can’t forget chargers for my cell phone and camera battery.
by Barbara Elness June 20th, 2011 at 10:35 pmI must have my motion sickness meds. if not, well you might not want to sit by me. i also must have my kindle, used to be a book. The other thing I always take with me is a prepaid calling card, because it never fails that I will forget my charger and need to make a call and of course the battery will be dead. Plus, I make sure that I have a snack of some kind, incase of delays. I refuse to pay ten dollars for a sandwich that is usually stale and three dollars for a small bag of chips.
by Nikki C. June 20th, 2011 at 11:26 pmWet Wipes are are travel must. I carry them in my handbag, because you just never know what you are touching sometimes.
by Mary Preston June 21st, 2011 at 12:48 amI must have my packing lists, itenerary, travel info about all of the places I am visiting and what activities we will be doing. Anal much? I insist on have enough books for the whole trip (of course, I generally end up buying books on the road). Nut free snacks. Pain killer. My trusty credit card. An extra carryon bag. Super fab pajamas. If we are staying in hotels, slipper socks. Lots of plastic zipper bags (they are always useful). And the must, must, must of all travel is hand wipes and tissues. When we fly I make sure that everyone carries their own supply!
by Jen B. June 21st, 2011 at 7:41 amA boot jack
by Lori Armstrong June 21st, 2011 at 8:55 amSylvia, when I flew 70% of the time for business, my colleagues and I swore by Airborne. Also a must for me is hand sanitizer. I sound like a germ-a-phobe, LOL. I’ve been to a lot of RWA conferences, and I recommend bringing 1 extra business casual outfit. And comfortable shoes.
by Vicky Dreiling June 21st, 2011 at 9:20 amWhat not to pack: a hat. I did that one year and ended up leaving it behind everywhere I went, PLUS it take up tons of room in a suitcase. But a squashable hat for outside is good.
This year I plan to have my schedule on my phone so I know where I’m supposed to be minute by minute.
I know it’s been said, but comfortable shoes. You will probably see me in my tennies a lot.
by Kara Lennox June 21st, 2011 at 12:46 pmEvery time I travel I worry that I forgot my toothbrush so I always pack a couple. I hope you have a great time.
by Maureen June 21st, 2011 at 8:04 pmI have to have hangers, a power bar because I’ve yet to stay in a hotel with enough outlets. I admire y’all who can survive on carry on but I just can’t do it. My solution to luggage woes is obnoxiously printed baggage … very colourful and unique. They never get lost. I am a bit of a road warrior for my day job and so far not a lost bag in 6 years and about 40 trips.
Totally agree re: Airbourne. I also buy these amazing pills in France called Turbo Draine which you take before bed and they stop you from having puffy feet in humidity or due to walking a ton. Peppermint foot cream is also a great tonic after a long day.
by Caroline A. Godin June 22nd, 2011 at 1:10 amLOL not a good at that, hadnt been anywheres in LONG time, but i actaully went to fla and stay with my uncle in fla from june 1-10. i packed about everything .
by tamibates June 23rd, 2011 at 1:21 amand still felt like i was forgetting stuff. i have gotten a couple of small things that turns in a small bag, i took those! and they came in handy