Learn to Love the Tape

In the weeks before throwing myself into another one of my less-than-advisably unthought out trips, I manage to do a small amount of pre-trip purchasing. Mostly hygenic products of the mini sized variety, but the one item at the top of my list is always a roll of duct tape or two.

Take this advice to heart. Never leave home without it! Infact, my roll is always attached to my day pack because it has saved my life a number of times (eg- fixed a sinking boat in Cambodia, taped a snoring man’s mouth shut in a European hostel). For some reason, I managed to get laughed at for thinking I might need it. Well, here are 5 good uses for tape when abroad.

make things hang

A wet towel can be a travelers worst nightmare. With some quick tears of tape from the roll, you can hang it out overnight, and if you are lucky enough, over a heater.

make things close

Ever man-handled a packet of biscuits so badly you have to eat all the contents, causing terrible constipation and cursed those deliciously delicate wafers whilst on the squatter? With tape, no fear! You can seal it all!

make things work

Adaptors are useful, but always annoying since they can be so huge. African power plugs are not famous for their load bearing design. Tape to the rescue.

make things stay

Ever checked into a hostel where they advertise onsuites, just to find that the bathroom has no roof and practically falls onto the bed? Whats more, there’s no door, just a flapping piece of fabric as a privacy guard.

make things waterproof

Oh the hassle of shaving without a bowl of water. I’ve seen a couple of neat ideas out there, like filling a frisbee or the bottom half of a coke bottle with water, but the best solution is always a taped solution. Make sure the sink is dry before applying the seal.

Of course there are a hunder and one different uses in that 4m of rolled up goodness. Think repairing backpacks, waterproofing torn shoes, and binding hostages. Yes, believe it or not, my beloved roll was once confiscated at Sydney Airport because it was a terrorist threat. Good thing they didn’t find that metal knife which came with my meal.