Westworld Saskatchewan

8 w e s t w o r l d | s u m m e r 2 0 1 5 kveta jelinek/three-in-a-box I count myself among the lucky ones every time I get a chance to travel. It's thrilling to experience a different side of myself and to challenge myself to new adventures. I get to take in new cul- tures, eat new food, enjoy a different climate and, most of all, step out of my comfort zone. en why are the days before fraught with anxiety, especially when I have to decide what to pack. Perhaps part of the answer lies in the fact that I am a "what-if " kind of person, as well as one who likes her comforts. That makes packing for a trip one of those a n x i e t y - p r o v o k i n g e x p e r i - ences. What if I get sick? What if I forget something? How can I p ossibly leave b ehind my sonic toothbr ush (but it's too big ), favourite hair dryer (too bulky), super-necessary hair conditioner (too large). Forever, the puzzle remains: how can I have all the comforts of home if I have to pack all of them into one small suitcase? Mind you, my definition of small is probably different from that of many seasoned travellers. Try as I might, I'm still not able to perfect the art of carry-on packing. Alas, I've come to realize that I can't possi- bly be prepared for every single eventuality. But more important, I've also come to see that most of the things we worry about rarely hap- pen anyway. So we do the best we can with what we have. And that means packing healthy. Even if you're on a carefree getaway, protecting your health goes a long way toward making you feel s e cure and helping your vacation r un smoothly. Although I may not have figured out (yet) the least wasteful clothing and shoes to pack, I have managed to come up with my list of healthy travel essentials: Hand sanitizer/wipes. I use these when I get on the plane; I wipe down the tray tables, as well as the armrest and remote control but- tons. (Who knows where the former occu- pant's hands have been, after all?) Once at the hotel, I again use them to wipe down the remote control, phone and any other surfaces that might harbour unwanted germs. Ginger. Since I am of the motion-sickness variety (ever hear of someone getting seasick in a kayak on a tranquil lake?), I never travel without my stash of ginger capsules. Several studies support the use and effectiveness of ginger over Dramamine. But talk to your doctor first if you are on a blood thinner, such as warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin, as ginger may increase the risk of bleeding. over-the-counter medication. Unex- pected discomforts such as sore muscles, minor cuts, headaches or colds can turn up any time, and not having a simple thing like a bandage, antihista- mine or pain medication becomes a major annoyance, especially if you're not near a pharmacy. Also remember antacids, a mild laxative, hydrocortisone cream and an antibacterial cream. snacks. You don't have to travel much to know that healthy food choices at airports leave a lot to be desired. Flights get delayed or, worse, stuck for hours on the tarmac. And good luck getting a healthy snack (if any at all) once airborne. Same goes for rail or car travel. Knowing I can turn to a snack such as trail mix, fruit leather or a power bar, filled with organic whole grain, soy pro- tein, nuts and seeds, makes me feel a little less anxious and a lot less ravenous once I reach my destination. sunscreen. Even if your travel plans don't include sitting on the beach and worshipping the sun, chances are you'll be outdoors more than normal. Even on cloudy days, the sun's damaging rays can work themselves through the clouds. You'll be glad you packed your own sunscreen, especially when you see the prices at the hotel gift shop. Prescription medications. Make sure you have enough to carry you over if the trip home is delayed. It's smart to make a list of all your meds and copies of your prescriptions and carry it with you, in case your luggage gets lost. Better yet, pack your meds in your carry-on. Miscellaneous. It's always good to include other items in your kit for unexpected events: tweezers, thermometer and AA/AAA batter- ies (chances are, something you've packed takes them). W savvy Traveller Well and Away How to pack for a healthy vacation by Sheryl Kraft

• Cover