| In addition to the tips offered in the companion article to | | | | each have our own. It's cheap insurance against |
| this piece, there are some additional useful items to | | | | "accidents" and unkempt public lavatories. A cap, swim |
| consider before packing your bags for that Latin | | | | suit and towel can come in handy many times in many |
| American adventure you're planning. These items will | | | | ways. The ladies will make ample use of the tissues. |
| help to make your land trips by long-distance bus, more | | | | For what, you query? Ask your wife, daughter or |
| comfortable, pleasant and memorable by staving off | | | | girlfriend for a list. In about three days they'll be back |
| some "unpleasantries" typical of such unavoidable long | | | | with one; likely written on a roll of toilet paper to handle |
| hauls. Be sure to add these to your travel repertoire. | | | | the length. |
| Other Useful Items | | | | Food for the Soul |
| A few other indispensables include any number of the | | | | A few pieces of fruit will boost your spirits to no end if |
| following items. We've found all of them of value on | | | | the need for a snack should arise. Apples, oranges, |
| numerous occasions.o Playing cardso Portable board | | | | pears, tangerines and bananas are all good choices, |
| gameso Digital or video camerao Ponchoo Blanketo | | | | locally available and inexpensive in season. Don't forget |
| Towelo Swim suito Toilet papero Sweater or light | | | | at least a liter bottle of water per person. You'll need it. |
| jacketo Capo Box of tissues | | | | Forget the sugary, salty snacks. They'll just cause |
| These items allow you to strike up a conversation or | | | | more problems than they solve. |
| friendly game with fellow passengers who are just as | | | | Another handy "food" item are some small limes. |
| bored-out-of-their-minds as you are. Chess and | | | | Called "lemons" (limones) in most of South America, |
| checkers are well-know and played extensively. So is | | | | they can be used to "spice up" your bottled water. To |
| a version of "Parchesi". Portable boards that fold and | | | | clean odors and stains from your lips, fingers and |
| tuck away into a tiny corner of a bag, pack or | | | | mouth, rub the squeezed out half of a fresh lime on |
| suitcase can break barriers and build friendships like | | | | them. Believe me, works like a charm. |
| almost nothing else can. Stay comfortable on chilly | | | | So wherever you're heading to from Mexico or |
| nights or in the cold rains of the high mountains with a | | | | Panama to Chile and Argentina, don't let your Latin |
| light jacket or sweater. Locally in South America, you | | | | American travel adventure become a nightmare. Use |
| can bargain for an inexpensive llama-wool poncho. | | | | these tips and a bit of planning to smooth out the pains |
| Stave off the turned-up-too-high bus air conditioning | | | | and boredom of a marathon bus trip in Colombia, |
| with a large poncho or light blanket. | | | | Ecuador, Peru, Chile or whereever. Turn possible |
| Take documentary (and sometimes saleable) | | | | migraines into pleasant memories. Be sure to read the |
| photographs of scenery, fellow passengers and the | | | | companion article, "Surviving Marathon Bus Rides in |
| new foods you'll undoubtedly be sampling on a | | | | Latin America: What to Do". Now start packing your |
| continual basis. My wife Doris and I never travel | | | | bags. |
| without a roll of toilet paper. Sometimes, we even | | | | |