Destinations Where they went Travel gear Student travel Sensible traveler
Bells, tags, tape
By Lylah M. Alphonse, Globe Staff, 07/28/02
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Destinations Where they went Travel gear Student travel Sensible traveler
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These whimsical Bicycle Bells add a little zing to your ring. They cost $20 each and are available in several sweet styles from Flax; telephone 415-468-7530 or order online at www.flaxart.com.
A sticky solution
There are an infinite number of uses for duct tape when you're on the road. Aside from the more trendy ideas (duct tape skirt or slippers, anyone?) and fix-it projects, in a pinch you can do anything from binding loose wiring to constructing a temporary fan belt with the stuff. Only problem is, those huge rolls are often hard to fit into your glove compartment, and they roll around too much in the trunk. Duck brand duct tape now comes in clever flat rolls that are small and trim enough to fit easily into pocket or purse, and provide enough tape to do most jobs. It comes in standard silver-gray and in a couple of really bright fluorescent colors; slap a strip of the stuff on your suitcase, and never again worry which is yours when you're standing by the luggage carousel. The mini-rolls cost about $2.50 and are available at most Ace hardware, Costco, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, CVS, Home Depot, Sears, and Target stores, and online at www.containerstore.com.
Tag, your bags are it
With so many identical suitcases out there, a bright ribbon or special strap may not be enough to ID your bag, especially if someone else grabs it before you do. And what about your camera, computer, or cellphone? Sure, you could go out and buy another, but then you lose the information or photos you had stored in the original. BoomerangIt offers an Internet-based global registration system that can help you get your belongings back (or safely return someone else's). Their injection-molded luggage tags and sticky polyester labels are tiny and carry individual identification numbers that you register with the service. For about $15, you can get a ``Traveler's Pack'' with two luggage tags, a metal key tag, and three all-purpose labels, allowing you to register six items for 10 years. The ``Label-it-all'' pack costs about $40 and has tags to register 30 items for 10 years. To purchase tags, or for more information, go to www.boomerangit.com or call 510-614-2400.
Lylah M. Alphonse's e-mail address is lalphonse@globe.com.