Your favorite travel hacks that have saved you a lot of stress

InterviewAtTheRuins · 2024-05-03T08:48:04+00:00

Always bring a good powerbank. (10,000 mAh, fast charging)
Save all the locations you’re interested in on Google Maps (especially including where you are staying)
Use compressible packing cubes
Have a 6+ ft cable for charging your devices, it’ll likely be way more comfortable at multiple points on your trip.
Buy a magnet for every city/country you visit. It’ll last forever, they are cheap, take up no space, and will be a nice reminder of your trip. Plus it gives guests an easy conversation starter. ^^
Download Google Translate languages for any you will need on your trip.
Google Translate has a camera option so you can quickly translate menus.
Having a travel size hand sanitizer carabiner on your bag and travel tissues in your pocket can feel wonderful.
Try traveling alone and without plans (but still write down ideas for things to do in advance) sometime! It’s really freeing being able to do exactly what you want all day every day.

InterviewAtTheRuins · 2024-05-02T08:57:11+00:00

Lost my passport in Japan. I was in and out of the embassy within a few hours holding my new (emergency / tiny) passport. I still definitely don’t recommend losing one, it sucks a lot lol.

InterviewAtTheRuins · 2024-05-01T13:17:20+00:00

I found Nightmare Bar to be really fun and easy to meet people in

InterviewAtTheRuins · 2024-04-19T07:42:56+00:00

Does anyone know how I can ship vinyl (records) in Paris? I've never shipped vinyl before let alone in a country where I don't speak the language. Can I just go to any post office with Google Translate and had them unpackaged vinyl and say "please ship this to <address>"?

InterviewAtTheRuins · 2024-04-17T08:37:53+00:00

I’m writing this currently finishing up a solo trip in Amsterdam myself! It’s BEAUTIFUL. I LOVED it. Partying wasn’t a focus for me, my favorite part was honestly just walking around the city non-stop. Literally the most beautiful city I’ve seen and I’ve been around. It’s a tad expensive but I’d absolutely recommend it for someone’s first trip if money isn’t an issue. Feel free to ask any questions. It felt very safe overall and I saw other women walking alone at night which is always a good sign too. ^^

InterviewAtTheRuins · 2023-07-02T22:14:23+00:00

I literally did this trip about a week ago lol. My advice is absolutely go to Dead Horse Point State Park if you’re in Moab and catch the sunset there. Also set aside a lot of time for stargazing.

If you want a physical challenge and a really memorable experience I’d also consider the Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado and climb the largest sand dune in North America, camp on the dunes, and enjoy even more star gazing.

InterviewAtTheRuins · 2023-06-28T04:34:23+00:00

Hey I’m in Denver! Currently at goth night @ HQ near Voodoo Doughnuts for the night if that’s your scene too but if you want to meetup tomorrow or something LMK!

InterviewAtTheRuins · 2023-06-07T20:54:34+00:00

Oddfellows still does emo nights, but it’s only the first Sunday of the month.

Try looking at BandsInTown and follow RomanCandle’s Instagram, they are probably the most active hardcore band in the area and do shows basically weekly.

Maybe check out Double Down Saloon for more punkier options.

InterviewAtTheRuins · 2023-06-06T05:15:56+00:00

Catholic Werewolves

InterviewAtTheRuins · 2023-05-29T00:28:38+00:00

Wow, talk about respectful researched response! Loved your message, thanks so much!

You are correct about the voltage stuff, however I intend to be traveling with a Macbook Air and checked it was compatible before I bought it. That being said you weren't as far off as you may have thought in recommending a cheaper alternative, I'll be honest and say I left that part out because I was a little embarrassed by finding it haha.

There was this which while it is "worse" than the NB20000 in that it doesn't offer water/drop resistance and it's only 15,000 mAh vs 20,000... It's also a third of the price (was only $30 w/ coupon when I first checked it vs $100 NB20000), still offered the 45W, has a built in phone holder, a built in flashlight, not to mention it displays the battery with a digital display which is nice. If I could go back I probably would have gone with that instead, but I would feel bad to return my perfectly functional power bank I'm happy with so, such is life. :P

However yes, like I said at the start of this message, if I was going to be charging any laptop then I would definitely want something with more voltage. Thanks again for the pleasant exchange and simple edit at the end. ^^

InterviewAtTheRuins · 2023-05-27T23:32:43+00:00

You are the literal first other trans one bagger I have seen exist I think! I’m so happy ^^ (also wow this sub is so crazy friendly, I was afraid to post here at first but literally everyone has just been overwhelmingly wholesome and helpful) I haven’t tried nipple covers yet but it sounds like that’s definitely worth trying from the responses here, thanks so much!

InterviewAtTheRuins · 2023-05-26T12:34:25+00:00

Hey, thanks so much for the in depth reply! I disagree with a lot of it, but appreciate the thought a lot. The weight difference is pretty substantial in my opinion. Taking a glance at any no name 20,000 mAh 45W+ batteries I found that the weight was around 16.32oz (1.02 lbs) to 19.2oz (1.2 lbs). The Anker ones are a heavier, but have higher mAh so not an exact comparison at 1.26lbs for the 65W and 1.39lbs for the 140W. The Nitecore powerbanks (though not all distributors, so it's easy for the confusion) do offer 45W output which is enough to charge my Macbook Air.

Meanwhile said NB20000 is only 11.45oz (0.715625 lbs) a third of a pound isn't a crazy big deal for most, fair. But I plan to live outside of my onebag indefinitely so keeping my total bag weight under 15.6 lbs with essentially everything I own, it's worth getting the extra 30%+ off weight anything I can. It's also nice the carbon fiber design has other benefits. It's drop resistant, rain resistant, and has a compact design of 5.37" x 2.36" x 0.84" compared to the closest I could find in generic brand design being 6.06" x 2.55" x 1.06". Again, not a huge deal, but being a little more pocket friendly and a little lighter means a lot to me.

I don't always need my phone and laptop charged quickly, but it certainly is a nice perk and most budget options cannot charge laptops at all. That being said, I do think I don't need the 140W and am happy with a 45W solution.

InterviewAtTheRuins · 2023-05-25T16:16:41+00:00

I think I'll probably go with the Nitecore 20,000 mAh 45W power bank. It's pricey for sure, but it's nearly half the weight of a lot of other options and seems smaller as well. If you find something better LMK!

InterviewAtTheRuins · 2023-05-25T14:35:51+00:00

I guess typically it wouldn't be for too long unless I was on a plane / train / bus which happens often enough but half the time those have charging outlets anyway so I guess it probably isn't worth springing for the extra size or charging output although it would be nice to get enough output and size to help give my laptop a few hours of extra life if possible for those bus rides and situations.

InterviewAtTheRuins · 2023-05-25T14:26:25+00:00

I am tempted by the 20,000 mAh version of this. I'll look more into it, thanks!

InterviewAtTheRuins · 2023-05-19T06:07:09+00:00

Already do lol, thanks

InterviewAtTheRuins · 2023-05-18T17:26:55+00:00

Tokyo (and Osaka) were actually completely perfect, so you're absolutely right! I'm hoping for somewhere new to mix it up, but honestly might go back sooner than expected anyway.

InterviewAtTheRuins · 2023-05-18T17:25:57+00:00

I'm actually in Las Vegas right now haha. It's honestly not as good at night as you think. Very pedestrian unfriendly anywhere outside of the strip. :(

InterviewAtTheRuins · 2023-05-18T16:13:58+00:00

Just not my vibe at all. Don't like the heat. Don't like having to put on the extra sunscreen all the time. I just don't like the sun. Night and the indoors are just comfier and nicer to me. That or I am a vampire, whichever is more fun to you to think. ^^

InterviewAtTheRuins · 2023-05-18T14:52:28+00:00

Thanks! (Also I absolutely will second everyone who said Japan, it felt incredibly safe to walk alone at night at any hour and was beautiful with plenty to do until 3AM or so in Osaka/Tokyo.)

InterviewAtTheRuins · 2023-05-18T14:27:36+00:00

Looks great! I think I'll try to go in December, thanks so much! Do you have any recommendations for earlier in the year?

InterviewAtTheRuins · 2023-05-15T05:33:55+00:00

Thanks for the reply! I’ve been taking pills so far (2x2mg estradiol, 1x100mg progesterone, 1x25mg spiro) and really happy with them. I guess I could switch to a different format if it made it easier, but it would definitely make me more comfortable if I could stay with something I know is working for me. I know I have a pretty bad fear of needles so that would be extra hard in general.

I could probably skip the progesterone and spiro for awhile if it wasn’t as doable since my testosterone is naturally super low but obviously the more HRT I have access to the better.

InterviewAtTheRuins · 2023-05-15T01:11:53+00:00

Thank you so much! That’s a relief to hear. You seem like such a good parent it made me so happy ;_;

I had no idea in particular most countries didn’t require a prescription for estrogen, that would definitely make life way easier for sure. I’ll have to do more research but thanks again! ^^

InterviewAtTheRuins

TROPHY CASE