Uh, sorry… what happened after they met is still up-in-the-air… but I can confirm that these two seemingly unrelated items did come together as part of our other important travel entourage… please read on…
Having been a Boy Scout myself since very young age, and a leader for both Boy Scout and Cub Scout for the past five years for our three older children, the Scout Motto “Be Prepared” has been well etched into my brain. Aside from the Medical Kit which I discussed at length in the “Our ‘Blue Box is Red” Blog, something that I have been pondering for a long time is a small but versatile tool kit. Without taking an apocalyptic view of the trip, I felt that we do need to prepare for the unexpected twists and turns that travel often presents. I know that these eventualities are bound to happen given the diverse destinations we will be visiting, the type of accommodation we will be using (mainly AirBnBs), as well as the long length of the overall trip. This tool kit is a distillation of experiences from my own years of global travel, the two years of living in Mali as a Peace Corps volunteer, and much time spent in the outdoors.
Finally, as a father, I want to (or am trying to) impart the importance of self-reliance for our children. Our discussions and debates on the utility and necessity of these items were a true pleasure for me, and I hope they would be useful for them in the long run. I of course, “secretly” hope some of these items will lead to impromptu fixes and creations that can transform potential challenges into great stories for this trip.
After careful consideration of each items’ utility and our weight constraints, here is what we decided to bring:
1. Victorinox Multi-Tool: This is a gift from my brother Alan over 20 years ago, which I treasure very much, as it has served me well over the years. This versatile multitool encapsulates the essence of utility and adaptability, with its assortment of tools – from pliers and screwdrivers to blades and even a can opener.
2. Duct Tape: Often referred to as the “handyman’s secret weapon”, duct tape’s countless utilities make it a lifesaver on the road. Beyond its intended purpose of mending broken items, it can seal gaps, secure belongings, and provide temporary fixes for torn bags or damaged gear. I purposely bought them in “flat-pack”, so it takes up minimal space!
3. Paracord: A durable, lightweight utility cord with myriad applications, paracord is a reliable companion for stringing up a clothesline, securing luggages, or crafting a make-shift ‘tent’ in the living room. Paracord’s strength (rated at 550 lbs!) and versatility make a valuable asset in the toolkit. I bought one with 50′ (18m) in length.
4. Super Glue: A tiny vial of super glue can be super helpful when mending everything from footwear to eyeglasses, reinforcing their longevity and saving us from the hassle of replacing essential possessions in unfamiliar locales. I bought them in small, single-use tubes so I won’t have to deal with leftovers and potential leakage!
5. Blue Tack: While seemingly inconspicuous, this reusable adhesive can be useful for temporarily fixing light items in place.
6. Sewing Kit: A small sewing kit can swiftly mend torn clothing, missing buttons or minor tears in gear while on the move. It can also extend the life of the important belongings throughout the journey. I purposely added larger needles and dental floss to the sewing kit, for mends that require a stronger seam.
7. Ziplock Bags: This seemingly humble inclusion can be invaluable for staying organized on a long-term travel adventure. They keep smaller items grouped, protect electronics from moisture, and segregate wets from dry with unlimited applications.
8. Small Flashlight: A small flashlight can illuminate pathways, reveal night-time treasures, and lend a sense of security during power outages. I got several small ones using AAA batteries for various places.
9. Binder Clips: A last-minute thought from Song, these unassuming little tools can be incredibly handy. They can keep curtains closed, seal bags of snacks or as impromptu clothespins.
10. Fire-starter: Rand and I thought of bringing a small book of matches or a flint-steel set, but given potential issues at airport security, we opted not to bring it as a standard item.
Our family as a whole, and especially Rand, enjoys cooking and baking, so we expect to cook often during this trip. We took a few kitchen-related items from our pantry which we hope will come in handy for our various AirBnB stays:
1. Kitchen Knife and a sharpener: This is surprisingly a strongly recommended item for AirBnB enthusiasts, which we did not expect. Having a sharp kitchen knife (as opposed to the standard-issue, dull, cheap IKEA knives in most AirBnBs) should make our meal preparation in Airbnb kitchens much more enjoyable.
2. Small Wooden Rolling Pin: This is one of Song’s many good ideas. As a Chinese-American family, we have a soft spot for home-made dumplings (饺子), scallion pancakes (葱油饼) and cinnamon rolls. While it might seem like a non-essential item, not having to improvise with a wine bottle can make treating ourselves to some comfort food infinitely more enjoyable.
3. Small Tupperware Boxes: Continuing with the kitchen theme, we thought small Tupperware boxes should come in handy for storing leftovers, keeping fridge tidy or packing cut-fruits for a picnic, all without having to use clear plastic wraps (one item we have largely eliminated from our home kitchen in the last few years!).
4. Baking Soda, Baking Powder, and Yeast: We brought a small bag of these powdery wonders, which may not be so easy to find everywhere. They will allow us to whip up a variety of goodies (like pancakes and quick breads) even in unfamiliar kitchens.
5. A 1/2 Cup measuring cup and a 1 Teaspoon measuring spoon: Rather than bringing a full set of bulky measuring apparatus, we opted to bring just these two items. These two sizes should get us most measures with some simple mental math conversions (which can also be a fun learning opportunity for the kids while encouraging adaptability and creativity in the kitchen).
Final note: as a general precaution against inclement weather, I have bought some 3M Scotchgard (waterproof spray) and treated all of our luggage, backpacks, shoes and coats with it. From the reviews I read, 3M Scotchgard is the highest performing and longest lasting of water-proof sprays in the market. I hope they live up to their reputation!
I hope the term “Be Prepared” does not only apply to undesirable situations, but can also be important inspiration that will create unforgettable memories for this important trip. The practicality and adaptability of these items should serve us well given the unpredictable nature of travel to handle a wide range of scenarios. I hope they will prove their worth as we explore various corners of the world.
As with the duct tape and teaspoon? I will give you updates on them (and the others) as we move along!
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Yes, ‘Be Prepared’ is a good motto
Duct tape is also very useful if you don’t want to get some part of your body wet ( avoid water getting into a wound or so).
Really enjoyed reading!