Neck pillow? Check.

Earbuds? Check.

But most importantly…toilet paper. CHECK and DOUBLE CHECK.

Yes, you read that correctly. I never travel without toilet paper.

And for good reason!

Have you ever landed in a foreign country, rushed off the packed flight in to the hole-in-floor loo and realized (with your pants down) that there’s no toilet paper provided?

Have you ever been hiking around in a desert wasteland where the only restroom is an ancient port-a-potty ruled with an iron fist by an elderly woman carrying a roll in one hand and a wad of cash from unlucky travelers in the other?

Been there. Done that.

Luckily, there’s a way to forestall these inconvenient surprises, and its called: put a roll in your carry-on. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s saved me (and fellow travelers) more times than I can count!

Luckily these are easy to find now days; I pick some up whenever I’m at a camping/sports/outdoors store now days, and have also managed to find a few at Five Below! There is no better piece of mind for a buck and half than knowing you’re not going to be stuck half naked in a foreign toilet of dubious cleanliness!

If you can’t find an easy-tear roll like the photo above, I recommend travel packets of kleenex for the same purpose. I have never once regretted having this stashed away in my luggage…but I have missed it when I didn’t!

Enjoy your travels, but always prepare for when nature calls! You’ll thank me later.