Don’t forget the condoms
Towel. Check. Warm clothes. Check. Lots of underwear. Check. Passport. Check. Condoms? …Yes, we mean the latex safe-sex essential (not Condom, France, the reputed home of the original lamb intestine version). It may not the first thing you’d think of when packing for backpacking around Asia or Europe… but this is one essential you’d want to make sure that you don’t forget!
Think about it: you’re on holidays. There’s bound to be some high spirits, interesting people, interesting situations, happening. And you don’t want to get caught out in the middle of the night red-faced and frustrated! Worse, try explaining in Pidgin English (or worse, body language) to the clerk in a pharmacy in the middle of nowhere what you’re looking for.
Bottom line is: an important lesson you don’t want to learn first-hand is that condoms do not grow on trees. Not all countries will stock a ready supply of Durex/Lifesytles/(insert your country’s brand here!) on supermarket shelves (or in vending machines like in Italy and Japan) … In fact, you’ll probably have a hard time of it finding your favourite brand’s ribbed or studded versions! Be a responsible traveller in all senses of the world.
More importantly, we all know that it’s better to play safe than sorry. Condoms are essential for safe sex practice – and protects you from unwanted STDs and pregnancy. We’ve all hopefully had that sex-ed lesson. And when you’re travelling, it’s just as important!
So, whatever you call them (rubbers, profilatico, French letters, pariser, love gloves or rain coats), remember to pack condoms next time you’re leaving for a trip. Take your favourite studded or ribbed, your favourite brand… just make sure that you’ve got enough to last you the trip! (Or to the next pharmacy … where hopefully you won’t have to give a demonstration of what you’re looking for!!!)
