Travel Tip: Backpackers, Keep This Thing Handy

There's one thing that's probably the most useful piece of gear I carry when I travel. It's not necessary for anything, but it's a versatile little tool independent travelers might otherwise forget to pack. I called for guesses on my last tip post and along with a couple messages from Douglas Adams fans about other uses they've found for towels (like bailing a swamped canoe), we got a lot of suggestions for other gear, including a couple I hadn't thought of at all (glue stick and eyeglass repair kit for a start). But nobody guessed my favorite:

It's a bandana.

It might be the least valuable thing I carry, but it might also be the most versatile. Here are a few examples of how you can use it:

-Blindfold when you're trying to sleep during the day or on a bus/train/plane.
-Dust mask for smoggy or dusty places (if you ever ride a motorbike in SE Asia, this is a must)
-Personal A/C system-- get it wet and tie it around your neck to keep cool—also keeps the sun off your neck so you won't get burned.
-Hand towel to dry your hands and face when you can't or don't want to get your towel out or wet.
-Bandage for minor wounds and something to stop bleeding in emergencies.
-Sweatband for athletic stuff. (Having sweat in your eyes when you go dune/volcano boarding or caving sucks.)
-Potholder/glove to handle stuff you don't want to touch with your bare hands because the stuff is too hot/cold/dirty.
-Signal to flag down buses or taxis, get people's attention (especially good for trying to get someone you're talking to on cell phone to spot you in a crowd-- you don't often hear "sorry, which person waving the bandana?").
-Hanky to blow your nose or wipe sweat off your brow (if you're feeling old-fashioned)

It does a lot of the stuff the towel did in the Hitchhiker's guide, except it's a bit cheaper, dries a lot faster, and fits in your pocket. It's a little like the rubber band bracelet in that it comes in handy in ways you probably wouldn't expect (like winning over kids with a game of peekaboo or cats by giving them something to chase). Just don't try using it to sail the River Motht (whatever planet that's on).

I suggest getting a dark-colored patterned one that doesn't show dirt too easily. Just remember to wash it every once in a while with your normal laundry, especially if you use it regularly to clean anything or handle dirty stuff, and especially if you ever have to use it as a bandage.