I just got back from a month of pretty intensive travel. I’ve taken more than my share of long flights from the East Coast to Hawaii, throughout Asia and back. Along the way, I was fortunate to test-drive some new finds that were random gadgets I stumbled upon, or tools that friends recommended to me. Each of them proved to be a really useful it its own way, and I felt like sharing my good fortune.
It goes without saying that Ambien is my best friend when it comes to resetting my body clock after traversing many a time zone. I’ve made the most of that fantastic little blue pill for a few years now, but there are some new in-flight amenities which have added comfort to my travels. The first is a product by Colgate called the Wisp. These tiny, disposable toothbrushes come in packs of four, and can be used in the relative anonymity of your seat or the cramped cabin bathroom. No water is necessary, and after a quick scrub your teeth feel tingly clean after hours of recycled air, airline nibbles, and several turns at the drink cart. It’s an in-flight revelation for your mouth!
My second find is a tiny atomizer of Evian. Yes, they are hard to find (you may have to order them online) and something about using them feels a little precious. However, in the middle and towards the end of a 12-hour flight, give your face a quick spritz with this purified mist of cool water, and all hesitation about carrying this little can will melt away. Revitalize both your complexion and your mood in just a few seconds.
If you’re anything like me, one of the first things to do when getting settled in your new hotel room is to connect to the internet and make sure you have no pressing emails waiting for you. After you’re caught up with business, you quickly realize that if you’re outside of the United States, you can no longer watch your favorite television shows which are blocked to users in foreign countries. For a nominal fee, you can download a service called Skydur.com, install, launch, and catch up on any content you regularly receive at home. Skydur essentially anonymizes your browsing, allowing you to select where it appears you are browsing from – it’s absolutely brilliant. I stayed connected with Lost and Brothers & Sisters during my month in Asia and Singapore!
I’m all ears when it comes to ideas that others have to make travel more palatable for those of us who do it for a living. What are the things you’ve found that make life easier while you’re out there on the road?
