list no. 37 :: travel essentials

Forever trying to streamline my travel needs, while accepting and respecting my limitations boundaries, I'm learning the very useful practice of a test run. 

For instance, I've been saving a pair of sneakers for London that aren't too touristy, (aren't all running shoe wearing people in Europe usually American?), but had the genius to wear them for a walk around Friday evening. Turns out said sneakers are a bit unwieldy, and make my big feet look BIG. I'm so glad I know this before-hand!*

Did I mention my birthday is next Saturday? Rather than sink into vanity woe's me at my looming dotage, I'm hitting the road early tomorrow for a quick trip up to San Francisco with a friend. 

Because I'm packing today, here's my list, in a very long drawn out way, of my non-apparel travel essentials.

1. Current book. Because I'm driving, my bag can be a little heavier and I'll bring the hard-cover I'm reading from the library, but normally all reading material will be on the e-reader. 
2. Travel candle. Makes sharing a small bedroom and bathroom better for everyone. 
3. Go-Toobs. Thank you Leonie, for turning me onto these, they're amaze balls.
4. A clutch purse or any bag that flattens, (I like this one because it's also water-proof), when I'm not using my camera bag, to carry all my crap. (Old lady habits die hard.)
5. Instant oatmeal. Because being gluten-free means sometimes I can't find anything to eat, but I can always find hot water. 

*Same goes for the tote bag I picked up this summer that will be tested in San Francisco. It  holds my padded camera sleeve and there's room for my other essentials all the extra crap I lug around, but it might be heavy. Just in case, I'm bringing another bag that I know works well, because I had to buy it when I was in NYC and the bag I had wasn't working.