If travel accessories get any smaller, they’ll be invisible.
Visit a travel specialty store and you may think you’ve arrived at a warehouse for miniatures.
I’ve discovered garment steamers, hair dryers, eyeglass-repair kits, alarm clocks, compasses, thermometers, currency-exchange charts, book lights, staplers, spot-remover kits, puzzles and solar calculators, all designed to fit into my trousers pocket.
Well, not all at the same time.
Inflatable hangers, collapsible suitcases, pop-up drinking cups, inflatable neck pillows and backrests, a wristband that repels insects — what small thoughts will occur to manufacturers next? A teeny-weeny kit to combat jet lag, that’s what.
As I sit here at my desk gazing upon a colorful assortment of miniature gels that just arrived in the mail, I don’t know whether to laugh or breathe — deeply, of course — a sigh of relief.
Following my last few trans-Atlantic journeys, I’ve gained new empathy for travelers who suffer from jet lag. Heretofore I’d been fortunate in quickly shaking off any discomfort created by lengthy flights through several time zones.
No more.
For days after returning home, I’m up at 4 a.m. Wired for work. Eager for breakfast. And too pooped to function by late afternoon.
But thanks to Air New Zealand, my problem — yours, too? — may be solved.
The airline touts its new aromatherapy amenity kit, formulated by biochemist Daniele Ryman, as “a natural, drug-free way to combat the effects of jet lag and dry cabin air.” According to Air New Zealand’s announcement, it “harnesses the natural power of plants and flowers to hydrate, improve circulation, rejuvenate or relax the body.”
Hydrate? Rejuvenate? Why wait for a trip to New Zealand? Maybe the gels will combat freeway lag too.
Let’s see what’s inside: Here’s a tiny jar of nasal gel. Less than an inch in height. As big as a quarter. Lavender in color. Apply to the nostrils, sinus areas and behind the ears, say the instructions on a mini-pamphlet.
Rehydration gel. Same size. Aqua-green. For the face, neck and back of the hands.
Foot-massage gel. Apply to ankles, feet and calf muscles, which tend to swell at high altitudes. I can already imagine the stare from the passenger sitting next to me when I remove shoes and socks, roll up my pants legs at 35,000 feet and start rubbing this bright-red stuff on my legs.
Uh-oh, here’s a blue switch-off gel. And a misty switch-on gel. I’m confused: Do I apply these each time the aircraft’s seat-belt light is switched off or on? No, upon further exploration I learn that the switch-off gel promotes deep relaxation and sleep; switch-on gel, infused with eucalyptus, keeps us awake. Better not get them mixed up.
Also in the kit are facial spray mist, made from natural flower water, and an eye compress that contains 2 milliliters of natural flower fragrance. And all seven containers could fit inside a small purse.
Alas, most of us will still require coffee or pills, because Air New Zealand’s aromatherapy kits are provided (free of charge) only to passengers in Business and First Class. The gels (in different format) can be purchased only at Ryman’s boutique at the Park Lane Hilton in London.
But which items do travelers value most? San Francisco Examiner travel editor John Flinn recently asked his readers this question, and small accessories dominated responses.
Some don’t surprise: a small bag of moist towelettes, a roll of duct tape, a miniature screwdriver, a Swiss Army knife, glue, an adaptor that allows insertion of a three-pronged plug into a two-pronged socket, and individual packets of mustard, mayonnaise and ketchup.
