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While Away the Hours

~ A Black Woman's Musings on Traveling Well & Writing

While Away the Hours

Tag Archives: luggage

Cobblestones and the American Girl

17 Tuesday May 2016

Posted by While Away the Hours in Austria, Countries, General Travel Tips, How To Travel Well, Hungary

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abroad, Austria, Budapest, Europe, heels, high heels, Hungary, international travel, luggage, shoes, travel, Vienna

I eagerly boarded the plane for my first trip to Europe several years ago.  Packed in my luggage were two pairs of heels.  I just knew that I was going to luck up and be invited to a glitzy party.  That’s what happens when one goes to Europe, right?  Yeah, in the movies.  I wasted precious packing room, and ended up with overweight luggage before I even left the U.S.

Leave the high heels at home unless you know you are going to party.  If you are thirty and under, by all means take an extra suitcase with heels in it because the party scene is calling your name.  If you are over thirty-five, save the luggage room (and weight) to bring back a good bottle of wine.

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The cobblestones atop Fisherman’s Bastion in Budapest, Hungary are representative of the cobblestones found throughout Europe.

Ladies, cobblestones are not our friend.  Think of a paved brick road with gaps between the bricks.  That’s what cobblestones are like.  Now imagine walking down that paved brick road in your finest shoes.  Lastly, image how you will cry once you get to the end of said paved road and your heels are scuffed and ruined.  Take my advice and take only one pair if you must, to be worn on even pavement.

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You’re not missing out on much by leaving the heels at home.  True, Europeans dress better than Americans as a general rule.  It’s easy to spot the American from miles away. We’re the ones wearing the sneakers and yoga pants, ensembles most European women wouldn’t be caught dead in outside of the gym.  However, the only place that I really saw women dressed to the nines, designer heels included, was in Vienna on Kohlmarket.  It’s still a mystery how the women walked so saucily on the cobblestones without so much as a slip or caught heel.

If you’re an American traveling to Europe, do as the French do and opt for fashionable comfort.  Ditch the heels and add a classic scarf or understated jewelry.  You can be beautiful and stylish without the risk breaking your neck on Europe’s historically uneven cobblestone streets.

 

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Light Bulb Moment #5: Ditch Your Passport And Carry A Copy

27 Friday Feb 2015

Posted by While Away the Hours in How To Travel Well, Lightbulb Moments

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abroad, copy, I.D., identification, international, lightbulb moment, luggage, Passport, travel

image

When it comes to my passport, I guard it like I do my credit cards and social security number.  When abroad or getting ready to travel internationally the only time I have my passport on my person is when I need to show it to airport personnel, or for border crossings.  Even then, I keep it tucked inside a hidden pouch in my travel purse when not in use.

As soon as I get to the hotel where I’m staying, I lock my passport in the hotel safe.  I also leave something ridiculous in the safe, like a left shoe, so that I don’t forget the passport is there.  I might forget that my passport is in the safe, but I won’t pack just one shoe without looking for the other.

I do always carry a copy of my passport on my person while abroad so that I have proof of who I say I am if it’s needed.  I’m not sure if my American driver’s license will suffice, so I keep the passport copy as a backup.  I also keep a copy of my passport in all luggage so that if the luggage tag is missing I can prove that the luggage belongs to me.

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Upping Your Scarf Game

02 Monday Feb 2015

Posted by While Away the Hours in General Travel Tips, How To Travel Well

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abroad, accessory, African-American, airplane, Black woman, Caribbean, cotton, Europe, fashion, infinity, international travel, lightweight, luggage, orange, overseas, pashmina, plane, scarf, scarves, silk, travel, traveling while black, woman, wool

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

Whenever I travel, whether it be within the United States, to the Tropics or overseas, I always make sure to pack several scarves. Scarves are an invaluable and lightweight tool to have at your disposal.

Not only can scarves serve as a fashion accessory, but they can do double duty as a pillow in a pinch, or as a blanket in cool airplane cabins. I also like to wear a scarf outside if it’s windy, or if I need a quick head cover in a surprise rain shower.Scarves

A multi-purpose scarf should be at least five feet long.  The width is up to you.  I have scarves with differing widths, and love my pashminas as much as I do my other scarves.  Generally, I stay away from infinity scarves on vacation, only because they are not as versatile as open-ended scarves.

My favorite type of multi-purpose scarf is made with a cotton blend. Cotton is more lightweight, dries quickly, and doesn’t wrinkle as easily as other fabrics do. However, if you’re a silk devotee then go for it.  If you can’t live without your woolen pashmina, who am I to stand in your way?

If you can’t decide which scarves to bring and luggage space is at a premium, stick with neutral colors and scarves with minimal patterns. I like to pack one black and one brown scarf, because those will harmonize with most outfits. However, my favorite is an orange scarf that shades from darker to lighter orange along the length of the material. I love the little pop of color I get when I wear it. It’s lightweight enough to wear to the Caribbean, but thick enough to serve as a comfortable blanket across my chest during a long airplane ride overseas.

Want visual tips on fashionable ways to wear your scarf? Check out this helpful video provided by Nordstrom’s.

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