2. Items to prepare when traveling abroad

In the long run, what I am about to recommend comes from experience, and I think it might be something simple that could be very useful.

1.       power strip and adapter compatible with the electrical system of the country you are going to.

A power strip with multiple sockets can be found in regular stores. I highly recommend this item because whether you are at the airport or need to share a room in any backpacker hostel, this item will be very helpful. Make sure you have the opportunity to plug your devices into a socket somewhere (don't forget to bring an adapter or converter for the type of plug used in that country. How do you know what type of plug they use there? (On the internet has plenty of information). You will have a personal plug to charge multiple electronic devices at the same time. And since the extension cord is long, you can expand the range of use even further.

 

2.       Mini rice cooker

Sometimes you have to look for it in big, leading department stores because regular shops don't usually sell it. The size of the cooker seems to be for cooking for one person only, and that's the thing, its small size is very convenient for putting in a travel bag.

 

Don't panic just yet. Don't think it's going to be that extreme, like having to carry a rice cooker with you. Calm down, okay? Just listen to the benefits I'll explain first. Maybe in the country you're going to, they don't eat rice as a staple food. You might think it's not a big deal since you are easy to please when it comes to food and can adapt easily.

I also want to say that I'm an easy-going person, and having a mini rice cooker is an incredibly good helper. Because if you understand that cooking for yourself is cheaper than buying food every meal, and having cooking equipment nearby will get you food faster on days when you're too lazy to go out, and what about rainy days? You'll understand what I mean.

Believe me, if you have to live abroad for a long time, you won't find an electric rice cooker available everyplace you go.

Do you know? Most foreigners I meet at various accommodations, when they suddenly feel like eating rice, have to set up a pot, add rice and water, place it on the stove, and keep checking and stirring. Sometimes, it doesn't even turn out the way they want.

Having a rice cooker with you will make your cooking time easier. Just use the adapter you have to your advantage. Now, while you wait for the rice to cook, you can prepare other dishes at the same time. The weight of the pot is probably no more than 2 kg or even lighter. The price is around 500 baht. Consider it according to your own lifestyle.

 

3.       Needle and thread.

These two items are not big at all. They are lightweight but very useful when needed. Who would want to throw away an entire outfit just because it has a small tear or a button has come off? White and black threads are two colors that can blend well with many shades.

4.       Eating utensils.

Of course, hotels you stay at usually have them prepared for you. But having a spoon or two, a coffee cup, or a plastic bowl in your travel bag wouldn't hurt, right?

5.       Pen

A pen is a very useful item, but people often forget to bring it. Well, saying this doesn't mean you have to bring a dozen; two pens are more than enough.

6.       Small towel

A medium or small towel is enough. You can change clothes in the bathroom. If you're a man, it's even easier. Your bag will have more space and be a bit lighter.

7.       Nail clipper

This small item is very useful. When you need to use them, you don't have to bother asking others for them.

8.       Clothes

 

Clothes, really, just take what you need. Bringing too many sometimes means you won't use them. Especially in cold countries, even if you wear something nice inside, you'll still have to wear the same old winter coat over it. Sometimes you might even wear more than one winter coat. But having many pairs of underwear, I recommend, because sometimes you can wear the same shirt and pants again. It's so cold that you won't even feel sweaty. Having a lot of underwear can make the wait for laundry longer, which is more worthwhile.

 

What I've mentioned are usually useful items that people often overlook. As for personal belongings, we probably already know about them. I don't want to say, "Take only the essentials and just a little of everything else so your bag won't be heavy," because as you gain more travel experience, you'll come to understand and appreciate the usefulness of the phrase on your own.