Dear Travelers,
I’m not big on Black Friday shopping, but if you are looking for some travel products, here are 17 products I love or that have been highly recommended to me by recent trip participants. I do NOT get any money back from any of these purchases outside my Vive website. If possible, buy from a small business on Small Business Saturday. All prices are estimates based on Thanksgiving Day 2024.
Because you need reading material when you travel:
La Porte du Voyage sans retour - David Diop. I loved this historical fiction about Senegal. En français and in English.
They Dream in Gold - Mai Sennaar. Whoa, first time author? Loved the rich descriptions; took me back to Senegal, New York City and Switzerland. In English. Thanks to Emily G for this recommendation.
Because you want a few fancy things, splurges, and also very practical items when you travel:
Portable Neck Fan $25 Traveling to a hot and humid place? You might like this. Several teachers who traveled with me to Senegal last year LOVED this. Right, Nathalie?
TRTL Travel Pillow - $45 Got this based on a recommendation. Keeps your neck warm on the flight (maybe that’s good, depends?) but I do find I sleep better with it on a long flight. Less head bobbing.
Reef Water Platform Sandals $21 I was not the only person on last year’s trip who wore these sandals in Senegal. Some people prefer closed-toe sandals, but I really liked these and was surprised by how comfortable they were for walking all day. I like to let my toes breathe. A good daily scrub easily cleaned them up.
Retractable, portable clothesline for travel $9 I didn’t personally use this, but some on the trip to Senegal were glad to have this in Senegal last summer. Would be great for camping too, or even a small apartment.
Travel Laundry Detergent $8 You could try another brand, but these were appreciated by some on our trip last year. We were also able to have laundry done several times while traveling, so not necessarily essential.
Anker Power Bank $18 - $120 These are great for charging a phone which can lose its charge quickly while traveling or in hot weather. The higher priced models can keep my computer going without an outlet at conferences or while on the road for most of the day.
Anker Travel Adapters $16 If you are traveling to Europe, or in our case, Senegal, these are useful. (If you are traveling to Colombia, no adapters are needed.
PacSafe Backpacks, cross-carry bags (prices vary). My husband travels a lot for work, and the design of his backpack makes it very theft proof and there’s enough room to stuff a few day’s worth of stuff in there. I'm hoping to get one of these as a gift in the next month or so. Hint, hint.
Because you can’t wait until you go to Senegal next to buy a gift for yourself or someone else:
Journals You know you will need one on your next trip. Or you are a teacher who needs to write notes in a journal instead of 100s of sticky notes.
Pillow cases These are covered in wax fabric purchased at Marché HLM in Dakar. A home décor refresh waits. Scroll to find the different patterns and colors.
Keychains A cute little gift which is useful too.
Ataya Tea Set IYKYK ;-) Great for making mint tea at home, or for your students.
(These are all products in the Vive store.)
Because you can’t wait to go to Colombia to buy local coffee:
94 Pueblos This coffee is grown in the region will will visit on our Vive Summer 2025 trip. In fact, you will likely pick the coffee berries while there. As someone who usually drinks 3 espressos a day, I can definitely recommend the Extraordinary Women coffee. It is delicious.
If you click on the following links, be sure your AVON representative is Christine Sheely (my mom)! She helps support a Senegalese friend monthly, and I’d like to support her back. Plus, she’s my mom. 🙂
Isa Knox ANEW Face SPF 30 - Flat bottle is easy to pack, definitely my favorite sunscreen I’ve ever used on my face. As a fair-skinned blond who loves the sun, ocean, and swimming, I have tried all sorts of sunscreens and THIS is my go-to. When you love a particular sunscreen, you know you will reapply it often and stay protected.
Skin So Soft Picardin Bug Guard Towelettes - Depending on your preferences, your doctor’s and local recommendations, you might prefer an alternative to DEET for your bug protection. I usually avoid single use products, but this allows me to tuck a few packets in my bags or pockets as needed, and saves me from toting around a large spray can.
What are YOUR favorite travel products?
Happy shopping,
Katy
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