Hobo Traveler: Tips for Living on the Road

Today’s Travel Tip — Bottles That Leak

First a quick update.

I am still in Arequipa trying to teach English, I am not sure I am the best teacher but I do learn a lot.

I am staying in the Hostal Wilson on Puente Grau. It cost me 10 soles a night, or about 3 dollars USA. I am getting a special deal, it is normally 15 soles per night. It is a small place and in a great location. From the top of the building, I can see three different snow-covered mountains

Places I can see from the top of Hostal Wilson Arequipa Peru Chichanni, Picchu Picchu, Volcan Misti Monasterio de Santa Catalina, La Recoleta

Going broke, but having fun.

How to stop leaking bottles while traveling

After 15 hours on an all-night bus, tired, and frustrated, the last thing you need is a backpack full of shampoo. I am a pretty good traveler, but I have to admit, I have had my backpack full of shampoo a couple of times, and one pesky tube of toothpaste got me good.

The thing to know when choosing shampoo, toothpaste, etc., is the size of the hole, or lid. Small entrances on bottles do not squeeze easily and do not leak easily. Wide-mouth bottles can squeeze the lid off the bottle. Now, of course, you can carry lots of bottles for long times, and nothing happens then one day — hmmm… big problem…

I have 5 large pictures to show you the pros and cons of bottles. I had to borrow the black bottles, from some other travelers to take the pictures. I explained to them what I was doing. They said, “But we never had any problems.”

I shook my head, and said, “Well, that’s good. Some people NEED to learn the hard way, and some can learn from the bad experiences of other travelers. Listen to the stories, of problems, and learn, before it happens to you.”

As always, these are suggestions. Please realize I am giving guidance, and there are always other opinions. Please send me your constructive, and helpful opinions.

Thanks,
Andy