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One thing I at all times carry is an extension cord. Nothing fancy, just an easy 6-foot two-prong cord that you may buy almost anywhere. It's especially handy in hotels where the outlet won’t be exactly where you need to plug in your device, but sometimes I would like it since the only outlet nearby is behind a nightstand. It also gives you not less than two outlets. An ordinary cord has three outlets, but two large plugs, corresponding to those from smartphone or laptop chargers, can block an adjoining outlet. If I actually have lots of gear, I may additionally bring a second cord or a small travel power strip, which often has multiple outlets and infrequently two or more USB plugs. For my travel gear, I attempt to avoid three-prong plugs, but be sure that you’ve an adapter in case you wish it.
If you’ve multiple USB device, or should you and a travel partner each have a phone, it is sensible to think about a multi-port USB charger. I now have a USB charger with two USB-A ports and three USB-C ports. Many newer devices, including most smartphones, now use USB C, although lots of us still use devices with the older and bigger USB-A port.
Cables have a nasty habit of getting tangled in your travel suitcase. I often pack mine in plastic pill bags which are just large enough for a cable. Another option is a braided magnetic cable that stays neatly wrapped around itself when not in use. I bought one from Amazon for about $20.
If you're going to be away from power outlets all day, it's a very good idea to bring a transportable power bank with you unless you're sure your phone's battery will last all day. However, bear in mind that navigation apps like Google Maps use more power while in use, so a phone that normally lasts all day is probably not enough should you're using it to navigate an unfamiliar area. Before traveling to an area where cell reception could also be poor, consider downloading the Google map for the world you'll be staying in.
Navigation and entertainment
Speaking of navigation, here's a Google Maps trick you may not learn about should you use it for directions. Once you begin walking, you'll see the Live View icon, which looks like a teardrop surrounded by 4 curved lines. If you click on it and point your camera at a constructing or sign, you'll see an arrow showing you the best way. It's not perfect, nevertheless it often works well.
When I fly, I often carry a small tablet. Before departure, I download movies and TV shows from Amazon Prime and Netflix, which permit subscribers to download some but not all content to look at offline. I even have a small stand to prop the tablet up on the tray table. Sometimes I watch movies on the seatback screen. Most wireless headphones include a cable that plugs into the airplane's headphone jack, but when you’ve Bluetooth earbuds, you'll need a small airplane adapter (often around $30) that plugs into the headphone jack and transmits sound over Bluetooth.
If you’re traveling for business, I like to recommend a light-weight laptop like a MacBook Air or Asus Zenbook, or several models from HP and Lenovo.
Non-technical articles
Other things I attempt to take include a small flashlight, which is beneficial on the plane, especially should you don't have your phone handy to make use of as a flashlight. I also carry a travel bottle of baby shampoo that I can use for multiple purposes, including washing clothes within the sink. Resealable plastic bags are handy for a lot of things. The jumbo bags are large enough to pack a suit, which minimizes wrinkles. I also carry smaller zip lock bags and a light-weight nylon backpack on the plane and when I am going out during my trip.
Facebook friends and followers comment
I asked my Facebook friends and followers what they prefer to bring and got several suggestions, including a shiny lightbulb for dark hotel rooms, a small electric teapot, a small first aid kit, various foreign power adapters, slippers for the plane, a mini umbrella, a transportable water filter, a lightweight wool scarf for cold planes, candy for the flight attendant, small bills for suggestions, AirTags or other trackers for luggage, Covid test kits, Paxlovid and antibiotics.
Practical apps
Apple or Google Wallet might be very handy in your bank cards and other documents. I also keep pictures of my passport, driver's license, eyeglass prescription, and other necessary documents on a cloud storage system with a link on my phone. I actually have apps from my favorite pharmacy and healthcare provider with prescriptions and other health information, and have apps from the main airlines I exploit in addition to my favorite online travel site. When you're abroad, a currency conversion app will enable you work out what things cost in dollars. I also keep my bank card app available so I can confirm the accuracy of transactions, including currency conversion, and I at all times ask it to charge me the fee within the local currency to avoid extra conversion fees.
Comcast, DirecTV, and YouTube have apps that allow you watch your shows on the go, but should you're outside the US, you could need a VPN service to look at them. I also download my favorite music to my Spotify app so I can hearken to it once I'm on a plane or otherwise offline.
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