november_moon

Regarding the question of when did we all become so thirsty? I think that there are 2 sides to this question.

The first is that before people really understood the benefits of proper hydration, we were all pretty thirsty a lot of the time - we just didn't realize it. We were used to being dehydrated, so it felt normal. Now that people are used to drinking a decent amount of water every day and being well hydrated, they notice the difference quickly if they don't maintain the same intake of water.

The second part of this has to do with carrying water around with us - it used to be that drinking fountains were pretty common - and you could pretty much count on them being in good repair. Drinking fountains seem to be going the way of pay phones these days - remember how we never used to carry phones around with us either? Drinking fountains are few and far between, and if you find one, you probably can't get more than a dribble out of it.

trvl_ing

Thanks for all the ideas.

And thanks to all those that agree with staying hydrated. I've been carrying a refillable bottle long before it became fashionable.

I wish that mesh bag was still available. DH found a insulated carrier in my packrat box of travel stuff. He can clip &/or wear on his belt.

Funny about the suggestions for a larger purse but all I'd read and advice from friends was to carry a smaller neck bag to be less accessible to pickpockets. I just bought this new purse.

I realized the lightweight foldable shopping bag I normally carry with me would work for me. It just says "globalesprit". I like the idea of buying a local canvas grocery bag. That's my idea a useable souvenir.

adrienne

Those neck bags are so flimsy that a pickpocket could rip it off you in no time. And they hold nothing but some money and a passport and you have to drag them from inside your shirt to get to the money. I don't get the point of a neck bag if you have to carry a shopping bag with you.

I use a medium size cross body bag. Holds plenty of things and is more secure than a neck bag.

HappyTrvlr

I can't believe the posters who make light off staying hydrated. Women should drink at least 8 cups per day, men more. When one is thirsty they are already dehydrated. It isn't an American thing, it's a human requirement. Disiness is one of the first symptoms of being severly dehydrated. So, carry those " honking" bottles as an occassional stop at a water fountain isn't enough to be both safe and healthy.

Fra_Diavolo

"Women should drink at least 8 cups per day, men more."

Sorry, but that is utter nonsense, and doubtless with AMA approval. It simply isn't true. Many years ago I tried to follow it, and ended up with headaches and elevated blood pressure.

Carry your bottles if you wish, and don't mind looking like total dorks, but that is what you are. Pedal pushers and Birkenstocks, anyone?

To understand how ridiculous it is, imagine your favorite movie scenes, with the stars swigging water . . . "As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry (glug glug glug) or thirsty (glug glug glug, again (glug)."

No no no. Much better to identify with Peter O'Toole in Lawrence of Arabia, refusing to drink until the Bedu do.

michele_d

<Carry your bottles if you wish, and don't mind looking like total dorks, but that is what you are. Pedal pushers and Birkenstocks, anyone? >

I'm a dork because I drink water and don't want to stop and purchase it...okay then. Generalize much?

ruedebuci

I always keep a small bottle of water in my purse.

cathies

Sheesh Fra, no need to be so snarky. Try a little kindness.

cynthia_booker

I don't own any pedal pushers or any Birkenstocks either, but I do own and carry when traveling a 12 oz bottle that I refill during the day. I get distracted with where I am and what I am seeing and forget to drink enough water, and then end up dehydrated. I am more comfortable when I drink water throughout the day.

thursdaysd

"Carry your bottles if you wish, and don't mind looking like total dorks, but that is what you are."

Carrying a water bottle makes you look like a dork? Oh, please. Wins the prize for today's silliest post.

KTtravel

I usually carry a cross body purse with room for a small water bottle, my guidebook, a coin purse with a small amount of money and a few other odds and ends. If it gets taken, the thieves won't get much. My passport and most of my money is tucked away in a money belt.

bilboburgler

My concern would be the idea of drinking from a bottle in the street. Clearly I don't know which is worse, the bottle or the street. I understand there are people who actually eat in the street.

Shocking.

eastave

I bought a travel purse that goes across the body that is bigger than what I normally carry at home. The plus is that it has a side compartment you can use for water bottles or umbrellas. This came in handy on our last trip when my seven-year old who was recently diagnosed with migraines needed to be able to take an Advil on a moments notice.

I find it a bit strange that this question generated all this negativity.

sparkchaser

<i>I find it a bit strange that this question generated all this negativity.</i>

Maybe, and I am going to get flamed for this I'm sure, is that all the negativity came about because it's a rather foolish and naive question that came up after a series of equally ridiculous questions in the Europe forum.

The honest answer to the question: <i>How do locals carry a 500 ml bottle of water while walking around in Northern Europe?</i> is that THEY PROBABLY DON'T. Because they are after all locals and have a home nearby from whence they can drink water before heading out to do errands. Locals aren't schlepping around trying to see 15 sights in a day. they're out doing NORMAL stuff and if they get thirsty, they're gonna stop and buy a drink.

I'm going to spend the next few days watching locals and see how they carry their water, when they carry water.

bilboburgler

Ah, there must be a cultural difference.

Nikki

"I'm going to spend the next few days watching locals and see how they carry their water, when they carry water."

Don't worry, we'll be character witnesses when the police arrest you for peering into ladies' purses.

sparkchaser

Thanks. That's muchly appreciated.

jamikins

Well as a local in London - I have a refillable water bottle on my desk so during the day I can get water easily enough. Some friends just put a small bottle in their purse if they want to carry one around.

i agree it's not really relevant what locals do as we have access to water readily through work or at home plus we all carry normal bags or purses and can stick the bottle in there.

When I travel I have a medium sized across the body bag that has enough room for a bottle if I want to carry one.

colduphere

How can the HONEST answer be THEY PROBABLY DON'T? When you say honest answer, shouldn't there be an answer?

mocha_dolce

I think the OP poster may have misunderstood about the neck bags. They are not meant to replace your entire bag, only to hold your valuables like your passport/reserve cash/CCs. You will probably do well to get a reasonably sized, reinforced cross body bag. It will be large enough to hold your water, an umbrella, a small camera, phone, a small amount of money, one CC/Debit card and other necessities but small enough and close to your body. Some of them have reinforced steel straps, a "lockable" zipper on the outside, zippered pockets inside for the cash/cards, and attach to your table leg or whatever. Pacsafe makes a lot of good products: http://pacsafe.com/products. Look at the Citysafe PAC.

Also, depending on where you are going in Northern Europe, you might find the risk (while never nil) of pickpockets less. As a traveler, you have to carry around things that a local can leave at home, so make sure you have some capacity to do so.