Oooooh, Scarlett! I am so glad you said you brought five pairs of shoes! Now I now I will have a friend to stand up for me when I come back from Italy and tell everyone I brought my black sexy sexy high heel mules with me. We're going out for one celebration dinner with my BIL and SIL in Umbria, and no way am I wearing sensible shoes! (Even if it means going over the "shoe limit.")

I'm not bringing extras of toiletries because I read that the STANDA store in Trastevere carries a skincare line called Venus. I am seriously hoping it will turn me into one. :">

Not a bad idea, but where do you draw the line? I mean, you could drop your extra toothbrush on the bathroom floor as well and would have gritty teeth if you didn't pack a third toothbrush. :)

I always carry on extra prescription meds, have been delayed etc. a few times,additional days worth beyond length of trip.
Have more pride or selfrespect not to fix my hair and put some make up on.On a trip once and one gal never even washed her hair for one week, and wore the same clothes,she was on vacation and didn't feel the need.lisasnv

I think I would have washed it or done the mouthwash thing like Janis...no way I am not going to have a toothbrush for 3 days...Don'tyou ever drop something on the floor at home and wash it off....shoot even Julia Child did that on TV with a chicken!

Saying that I always pack a seperate weeks worth or so on Rx meds elsewhere...I've heard 2 many stories as a pharmacist of all the weird ways you can lose some!

I would have washed the toothbrush in really hot water and soap. You ingest a lot more bacteria than you can imagine every day -- it's just that you don't know about it. It won't kill you. In fact, kids who are exposed to more bacteria have healthier immune systems than those who are kept in more sterile environments.

I'll use my extra space, should there be any, for another pair of shoes any day.

Some of you are so funny.

We left the airport as soon as he arrived and drove down to a small town near the Amalfi Coast, that is why I didnt buy a toothbrush in Rome.

If I dropped my toothbrush in my own kitchen I would maybe in a pinch wash it off, but not after an airport floor with goop and urine all over it. My mouth was gritty from not brushing, but it was my own mouth, if you know what I mean.


I have traveled in alot of places in the world, but havent backpacked or stayed in really primative places, you are right about that.

Capo, I agree, where do you draw the line is a good point.

This is just a silly little thread meant to help someone who may be on a honeymoon or have some reason they may want to brush their teeth with an extra toothbrush.

I noticed in the supermarket the other day that Crest makes chewing gum. That might be a good option in case one loses a toothbrush and finds it hard to buy another right away.

Scarlett - I was just going to post the same things but you beat me to it. Arm and Hammer makes Dental Care chewing gum that is wonderful for when you can't brush your teeth.

Crest and others market similar products - I often use one of them instead of a toothbrush when flying.

Scarlett - I was just going to post the same things but you beat me to it. Arm and Hammer makes Dental Care chewing gum that is wonderful for when you can't brush your teeth.

Crest and others market similar products - I often use one of them instead of a toothbrush when flying or on long car trips.

Oops - don't know how that happened . . . .

blondie~ the Rome airport bathroom floor has "urine all over it"... REALLY?? now i guess that would be gross...

still, glad i'm not alone to consider washing, disinfecting, whatever, rather than live without a toothbrush for several days.

even hearing the details, i gotta say it one more time... i firmly believe they have, sell and use toothbrushes even in small towns on the way to the amalfi coast, my friend.

jody, good one about julia & the chicken on the floor ~LOL!

Suze, your tone is a bit odd, seems like you are taking my toothbrush incident personally.

But since you consider me your friend, I will respond, it was nighttime, small villages do not have places that stay open to sell toothbrushes. The next day was Sunday, and I didnt get to a store. Now relax.

I still find it amazing that you would pick up a toothbrush from the floor of an airport toilet, where it was soaked in urine or not, and put it in your mouth. If I didnt have an extra toothbrush, I dont think I would be carrying disinfectant either.

Julia and the chicken happened a long time ago, its old. I do like the idea of the dental gum though.

Gee, I am new to this forum, is this an
example of how a simple statement to carry extras can turn into a big deal?

Ideas: Toothbrushes are a modern invention. Early man used tree twigs to clean teeth. Cloth strips. Sanitizing - alcohol in whisky or similar product. Hair dryers, etc. Check USA products, many are dual voltage. 110/210v. Connections are problems. Visit travel shop in mall in USA. Stock up. Pre-trip, stock travel bag. Store items in ziplock type bags. Inventory before departure. On aircraft, ask FA for desired items. Carry band aid in wallet.

I also do not travel with a curling iron - but then that's probably just me

Jason

PS - I agree with GSteed - a twig would have been easy to find, but whisky! that's the best suggestion so far :)

ohblondie, I'm with you. I wouldn't dream of putting that toothbrush in my mouth! You can accomplish alot with your finger and a little toothpaste if you have to!

I do bring two toothbrushes but other than that I love to "forget" toiletry items and then buy the local stuff along the way-got some great makeup not available here. That's a great idea to buy a hairdryer in Europe-never dawned on me before but it makes sense. As for shoes, I met much dirision from my husband for 5 pairs of shoes last trip, but I wore every last one of them (including black "fancy" sandals) and even left a pair in France to make room for new ones bought along the way! No way was I wearing "comfortable" shoes to our fancy dinner in Paris!

ohblondie, truly i meant no harm. i just got a huge kick out of your toothbrush story!! if you help another traveler to have clean teeth, good hair, and nonpuffy eyes... then your note was helpful to someone. it's only i don't consider these exactly catastrophic travel problems.

Again, I'm sorry, posting on a BB, it is hard to get the tone to come across... truly i was laughing each time i wrote! susan

I four spares only, reading glasses, camera batteries, passport pictures and second credit card.

Re: <i>Capo, I agree, where do you draw the line is a good point.</i>

I typically draw the line at three extra toothbrushes: one in case I drop my toothbrush on a bathroom floor, another in case I feel the urge to use my first extra toothbrush to scrub some grafitti, and the third in case I want to use the second extra to brush someone else's teeth. :)

Well, my original was (a clean) tongue in cheek too. I know it is hard to get attitude across on a computer screen. I didnt think my problem was catastrophic, but then we usually have no control over those kind of problems, so no use posting about them.

I have noticed alot of the posts here are about mundane topics such as shoes, shorts, hair dryers, etc., so mine was just another one.

Now that I have your attention, I think I will write a trip report. Get ready, Suze. (I am smiling as I write this)