photo by flickr user lowtech511

Throughout history, the moustache (also known as mustache, ’stache and mo) has been much more than a hairy upper lip. It is commonly said that a man’s moustache reflects climate, custom, religious belief and personal taste, but a ’stache also symbolizes honor (in the early Ottoman Arab East you insulted a man’s mother, but never his moustache) manhood (mos for men on the island of Crete) and wisdom (Confucius).

Tacky and Taboo

Past and present, moustaches have been persecuted. Banned in ancient Egypt, taxed by Peter the Great, moustaches have been often wrongfully demonized. The Fu Manchu style ’stache was sported by countless villains in literature and film. The Toothbrush, which graced the upper lip of Charlie Chaplin, was made taboo by Adolf Hitler.

photo by flickr user

More recently, an Indian hair guide declared facial hair unfashionable–this in the country of the world record holder for longest moustache (12 feet, 6 inches). And in July, Brazilians staged a moustache strike, in which people were urged to grow moustaches, post photos of themselves online and refuse to shave until José Sarney, Brazil´s mustachioed senate president accused of nepotism and embezzlement, resigned.

Moustache Awareness

From time to time, moustaches are celebrated rather than damned. Movember, a charity project in which men grow moustaches in November to raise awareness and money in support of men´s health issues, particularly prostate and testicular cancer, has taken sprouted in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland, Spain, New Zealand and Australia. Every other year, the World Beard and Mustache Championships take place, most recently this past May in Alaska. Competitors compete in six moustache categories, including Imperial, Hungarian and Dali.

photo by flickr user Steve Weaver

Have Moustache, Will Travel

Viva Man Travel believes that facial hair is an ideal enhancement to the traveling man’s appearance. In addition to looking more manly, you can save weight, space and money by leaving cans of shaving cream, bottles of aftershave, blades, and bulky electric razors at home. Beards are easy to cultivate as they need very little tending. But the moustache, which requires more concerted grooming, presents the man traveler with something that he inherently seeks in his globetrotting adventures: a challenge. Is your upper lip ready to man up?

By Nick Rosen

During the sixteenth century, European monarchs were grateful if they ever received any word from the sailors and explorers they dispatched into terra incognita. Today, for better or worse, the folks at home expect to hear from travelers much more frequently. While sending news home may no longer involve passing letters through a series of Arab spice traders, it can still be costly and time-consuming. It also seems to be the case that the destinations that cause the greatest unease among loved ones– “Wait, honey, are you sure you want to sail the Strait of Malacca?”– are the most difficult from which to communicate. Even if you are in a town with a post office, it can takes weeks for a letter to reach home, which is far too long in our age of instant communication. What, then, are the best ways for travelers to stay in touch?

Surfing Vacation

It turns out that the world wide web is, at this point, pretty much world-wide. Even small cties, from Albania to Zambia, usually have an affordable internet café or two. All of these facilities will allow you to send and

Greek internet cafe, by flickr user Daquella manera

receive messages from an e-mail service like Yahoo! Mail, Hotmail or Gmail. Those places with a faster connection will often let you have voice conversations over Skype, and many also have phone booths from which you can make cheap international phone calls.

Talking on the Go

If you’re on the move a lot, relying on internet cafés can be a pain, and the growth of mobile phone service and internet calling has made it tough to track down public phones in a lot of places. There are other options for staying in touch, however. As a simple solution, you could see if you can bring your mobile phone from home. North American travelers are at a disadvantage here, because only a few phone carriers in the US and Canada have phones that are compatible with the GSM system adopted by the rest of the world. Even if you have a GSM phone, you must make sure it works on the same frequency as the cell network in the country you’re visiting; Europe, Africa, Oceania and most of Asia use the 900 and 1800 bands, while most countries in the Americas run on the 850 and 1900 bands. If you have a quad-band phone, your phone should work anywhere on the GSM network.

If your phone is compatible with the country you are visiting, you can ask your carrier to authorize international roaming on your phone; you’ll often be charged an extra monthly fee and you’ll also have to pay high international roaming charges when you use your phone abroad. Another option is to get your cell phone unlocked, then buy a new SIM card when you arrive at your destination. You’ll have a local phone number and be able to call hotels and restaurants at the local, rather than international, rate, though your calls home will be charged as international calls. You can usually buy pre-paid minutes for these SIM cards from convenience stores. If your phone is not compatible in the country you are visiting, you can always purchase a new or used phone when you arrive, then get a SIM card.

One new and exciting product is mobile internet. If you are going to be in a country for a while, you can see about getting internet service over the mobile network, freeing you from your dependance on internet cafés. The internet can be delivered either to your smartphone or to a modem you plug into the USB drive of your computer. The speed of the connection depends on where you are, but it is often fast enough to use Skype.

USB internet modem, by flickr user whiteafrican

Peter Arnett’s Favorite Way to Call Home

Mobile phones have been a great boon to travelers, but there are still large swathes of the planet that aren’t covered by the cell network. Outdoorsy-types especially will often find themselves trekking, boating and camping in areas with no cell reception. If you are willing to hand over a rather large amount of money, however, you can stay in touch just the same.

Long the domain of boaters, emergency personnel and war correspondents, satellite phones are a valuable tool for anyone who strays far off the beaten path. Skipping the cell network, these phones beam their signal straight into space, and should work anywhere with a clear view of the sky. This technology does not come cheap, however. The phones themselves often cost more than $1,000 and the calls and messages can be extremely costly, as well. One alternative is to rent a satellite phone for the duration of your trip. For this service, you can expect to pay $50-100 per week, plus the cost of any calls you make. It’s not a bargain, but then again, it’s hard to find a spice trader willing to carry your letter from the Strait of Malacca these days.

By Andrea Davoust

Just because you are on the road doesn’t mean you have to turn into an unkempt mess clomping around in hiking boots for the entirety of you trip. Yet there is no way you can lug all your princess make-up and fashionista outfits – you would be staggering under the weight of a refrigerator-size pack. Follow V!VA’s top tips to pack light and still look right.

1/ Tick the list!

If you are a seasoned traveler, you may already have your own. Otherwise, check a few online, they will help you remember the indispensable (copies of your passport, first aid kit, vaccination certificate…) and suggest clever ones you would not have thought of (alarm clock, duct tape…). Check Women on the Road’s: http://www.women-on-the-road.com/travel-packing-list.html. Then adapt the checklist to your destination. Obviously, you won’t need the same accessories to party in Paris as to hike the Himalayas!

Photo by Phineas H.

2/ Bag: Think light. And then lighter.

Unless you are about to sail on the Queen Elizabeth II, forget about the giant steamer trunk. Take a backpack or carry-on suitcase that will not contain more than 15kg of stuff – the limit for your back. Then pare down to the bare necessities! A good rule of thumb is to spread everything you think you need on your bed, then remove half of it. Remember you can always do laundry along the way, use hostel hairdryers, etc. Allow space for the souvenirs you will collect – including locally made t-shirts or earrings.

3/ Clothes: Mix and match!

Nothing worse than being invited to hit a night club and discovering you have nothing to wear but ratty flip-flops and zip-up pants. So yes you need those lil’ strappy sandals. Generally speaking, choose clothes and shoes that can do double-duty. That long-sleeved blouse can save you from mosquitoes in the jungle, or from sun at the beach, and later look classy in a nice restaurant. For more ideas on outfits both cute and sensible, read Why smart backpackers bring their dancing shoes (http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/12/18/why-smart-backpackers-bring-their-dancing-shoes/)

Photo by Jack Kennard

4/ Toiletries: think small!

For just a couple of weeks, you don’t need a family-size bottle of shampoo – just fill a baby bottle. Ditto with toothpaste (the three-quarters squeezed-out tube will do), cotton tips (a handful in a ziplock bag), etc. Or splurge on the travel kits with mini-perfumes and mini-moisturizer available in airport duty-free shops. Help yourself to mini-sewing kits given out in high-end hotels. But do bring adequate supplies of harder-to-find items: prescription drugs, tampons, and condoms (you may not plan to get lucky, but if you do, don’t rely on local brands).

Attention all travelers and photographers: VIVA Travel Guides has extended its Argentina Cover Photo Contest to November 1st!

You already show off your photos to friends and family - now you can help other travelers experience the allure of Argentina by submitting your photos for our premier guidebook to Argentina! Whether it’s a dramatic tango shot from Buenos Aires, a quaint capture of a winery around Mendoza, or a serene snapshot of the Lake District, we crave all photos authentic and aesthetic.

Winner gets $100 and the coveted cover of the travel guide! Runners up get their photo and name credited inside the travel guide.

Visit our Flickr Contest Page to read contest details and submit photos. Entering is simple and free!

Are you a well-seasoned traveler? Be sure to check out our Photography Contest Page for upcoming contests for future guidebooks

NEXT COVER CONTEST DEADLINE

December 1: Cusco and Machu Picchu

By Lorraine Caputo

Mexico has its comida corrida; Central American and Colombia, their comida corriente. Even in Chile, one of the more expensive southern nations, restaurants offer a colación. Other places may call it the menú del día or merienda. All are variations on a theme: the blue-plate special, the cheap meal of the day, costing less than $3. Throughout Latin America you will find it – save rarely in Argentina where it costs over $7. Budget travelers have no hope for a cheap sit-down meal in one of the continent’s costliest countries.

So how can backpackers eat cheaper in Argentina? Many survive their entire stay chowing down nothing but empanadas ($0.60-1 each). A boring proposition. Choose between carne, pollo or jamón y queso. With luck you might find verdura filled with acelgas (swiss chard). How can you beat the cheap-eats doldrums?

Rotiserías, or delis, prepare carry-out food that is fairly reasonably priced. Choices are usually limited to pastas, rotissiery chicken, minutas like milanesas (breaded cutlets) and pizzas. Expect to pay about  $4.50-7 for a serving or pizza. Portions are sometimes healthy, large enough for two to share. Major supermarkets also sell prepared food by the kilo. Tenedor libre all-you-can-eat restaurants cost about $7 per person.

The best budget option is to cook  in. Many hostels have a kitchen for guests’ use. Campers should have a stove and pot, though some campgrounds have parrillas (grills). Keep a stash of your favorite herbs and spices to add a bit of variety to your diet. Besides salt and black pepper (pimienta), also stock oregano and basil (albahaca), which add an Italian flavor to any recipe. Hot chile (ají picante) and curry are rare in many countries, especially Argentina. Wherever you find it, grab a bit. Add ginger, cinnamon or any other spice to your collection. For no more than a few hundred grams, you’ll become a great road chef.

Traditional easy and quick dishes to prepare are soups and pastas. Create imaginative variations on these with whatever ingredients the local verdulería (produce shop) has on hand.

Lentils and rice is a simple one-pot meal. In butter, sauté diced onion, carrots and potatoes. Add a half-cup of rice and a half of lentils and sauté. Then add two cups of water and herbs (curry is excellent). Bring to a boil for 2-3 minutes, then simmer until the lentils are tender (about 20 minutes), then add salt and tomatoes. For more lentils ideas, visit: http://homecooking.about.com/od/foodstorage/a/lentilstorage.htm.

Polenta is a ground corn much like hominy grits. A half-kilo sack of this Argentina staple costs $0.50-1. Locals serve it with tuco, or tomato sauce. An easy prepartion packing proteins and calcium is to add a sprinkling of herbs and cheese into the mixture. For a hot breakfast, serve it with butter , sugar and milk. The beauty of polenta is it cooks in a minute: just add hot water and stir.

Another quick, easy dish is individual pizzas. Slice buns in half. On the cut side, sprinkle herbs and garlic. Add thinly sliced tomato, cheese and any other topping you’d like. Toss it into a toaster oven or a covered skillet until heated through and the cheese is melted.

These are just a few recipes to help break the Argentine cheap-eats doldrums. Share your  favorite recipe!

As many of you may know, Honduras is currently in a chaotic state. What do visitors need to know?

What’s Going on?

In June, the Congress booted President Manuel Zelaya with the support of the army and Supreme Court, giving him a one-way ticket to Costa Rica on a military plane. He’s been trying to reclaim his office ever since.

Where is he now?

Ex-president Zelaya is holed up in the Brazilian Embassy in Tegucigalpa. There are occasional protests of support outside the building, although the army breaks them up pretty quickly.

Are they going to let him be president again?

That’s the big question. He wants to reclaim his office. There are near-constant talks between his camp and the interim government, but they mostly seem to be going nowhere. The current government is promising to arrest him if he leaves the embassy.

What happens now?

Time is on the side of the interim government. There is a regularly scheduled election coming up in November. Although there are currently sanctions by the international community now for their clumsy removal of Zelaya, it will be hard to maintain those sanctions after an election. Expect the interim government to stall the talks until November. Maybe then they’ll let him back, once his power is severely limited by the presence of a new, incoming administration.

What does this mean for Honduras tourism?

If you’re sunning yourself on Roatan, very little. If you’re in Tegucigalpa, you’ll want to know that crime is up, as drug gangs are taking advantage of the chaos to increase trafficking to North America. Also, the police are busy keeping an eye on the protests, so street crime is up even higher than usual, if that’s possible in Tegucigalpa. Sanctions are hitting the poor hard.

Anything else I need to know if I’m in Honduras?

One of the places this conflict is playing out is in the media. The interim government has closed and re-opened oppositional radio and TV stations, and suspended some liberties. Be aware of curfews.

 By Karen Nagy

 When I lived in North America, bananas for me were simply a neatly packaged fruit, easy to grab on the way out the door, peel, eat, and toss. Maybe I’d smear some peanut butter on for a crunchy, protein-filled snack, blend them with strawberries for a quick breakfast smoothie, or if I was feeling decadent, I’d slice them and eat them with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce. If I was lucky, grandma would take my brown bananas, on the verge of hitting the trash, and turn them into a sweet banana bread. For most North Americans, I think that’s about as much action as this tropical fruit ever sees.

But upon coming to South America 14 months ago, I’ve realized that the yellow banana I know is just one of many varieties, and that the multiple shapes, colors, and flavors of the bananas in the southern part of the Americas have potential far beyond what I’d ever realized in my Oregon kitchen. In a country like Ecuador, which has been producing bananas since 1700, and has grown to be the number one worldwide exporter, bananas are much more than just a mere fruit. They are a primary source of income and a staple food crop for many. And best of all, over the centuries, Ecuadorians have come up with a long list of creative recipes to utilize this abundant fruit.

The big sweet plátanos maduros are often lightly fried and eaten with menestra, a saucy bean dish, and grilled meat. The pink plátanos rojos make a lovely dessert when baked whole in the oven. Sometimes I find the amazingly sweet but tiny oritos in the grocery store, and the yellow bananos that are exported to my friends and family in the states are sold for 5 to 10 cents in just about all corner stores for a quick snack.

But it’s those plátanos verdes, also known as maqueños, that hold the most potential. They’re slightly starchier, firmer, and have less sugar content than other varieties, and require some form of cooking to make them edible. I’ve decided that they’re sort of like potatoes, in that their flavor is mild and the consistency allows them to be boiled, fried, mashed, or baked. On the coast, they’re often baked til they’re soft, then mashed and mixed with butter, salt, a bit of onion, and cheese (or chicharrón, fried bits of pork) , formed into a ball and fried, making the delicious bolónes de verde, which are usually eaten for breakfast with a bit of the spicy aji pepper sauce.

 Green plantains can be added to soups, used as a type of dough in the cheese-filled empanadas de verde, or sliced thin, baked into chips, salted, and sold as chifles, which are a common topping for bowls of ceviche (that delicious cold citrusy shrimp or fish dish). You’d be hardpressed not to find at least one bag of these crunchy chifles in just about any store in Ecuador, no matter how small or remote the place.

But my personal favorite use of these of this versatile fruit is the patácon, which is basically a plátano verde, cut into rounds, smashed, and double-fried. The first place I tried patácones was in the Ecuadorian beach town of Canoa, accompanying my $4 filet of dorado, salad, rice, and beans. Patácones often appear in coastal meals with fish, and while they seem like a simple side dish, I learned the first time I tried to replicate them in my Quito kitchen that creating a perfectly round, golden-fried plantain is trickier than you might imagine. I’d either turn them into a crumbly mess or smash them too thin, creating overly crispy pucks when fried.

But recently, I had the pleasure of spending a Latin-family style weekend with my boyfriend and his large familia at their house in the Mindo cloudforest, complete with the whole gang: parents, aunts, uncles, little cousins, and even the abuelita. Out behind the house are several banana trees, and to my delight, I got to watch as the family made homemade patacones, using grandma’s time-tested recipe. It seemed all 3 generations of the family knew the tricks, but for me, there were a couple of things I’d forgotten when I’d tried to make them on my own. The family gave me a couple dozen little green plátanos to take home with me, which I used to create my very own patácones:

1. Peel the plátanos.

Though it sounds pretty self-explanatory, the green skin can be difficult to remove from the fruit. It releases a sticky sap when you cut the peel, so it’s best to wear plastic gloves to protect your hands from the sticky mess, then cut off the ends of the banana, and cut slices lenthwise to make it easier to remove the hard peel in pieces.

 

 2. Cut the plátanos into rounds that are roughly 1½ to 2 inches in height.  

3. Heat up oil in a frying pan.

While some type of vegetable oil is undoubtedly what’s usually used in Ecuador, I found that coconut oil lends well to the high-heat frying, and adds a nice flavor to the plantain.

4. Fry!

Wait til the oil gets good and hot, then gently drop the plantain rounds into the oil, let them cook for a couple minutes, then flip them, to cook both cut edges. It’s okay if they’re not cooked all the way through at this stage.

 

 

5. Smash ‘em!

Remove the plantains from the oil, turn off the heat, but reserve the oil. Once the plátanos have cooled a bit, put them between a plastic bag to prevent them from sticking, and one by one, smash them by placing a heavy cutting board on top of the bag, pressing down slowly with both hands. Careful not to make them too thin!

6. Fry again. Yup, that’s right.

Once they’ve been smooshed into delicate pucks, turn on the heat again, and give each side another light frying until they’ve turned golden and crispy.

 7. Disfruta! 

While they’re usually seen next to fish or beans, they make great potato replacements, and are a delicious breakfast item with a fried egg and some salsa. For a snack, try patácones with a bit of salt, guacamole and hot sauce.

 

 

Have other favorite foods or recipes making creative uses of bananas or plantains? Post them here!

 

 

 

Quietly nestled between summer’s swelter and winter’s wonderland lies nature’s most majestic season of all: autumn. The air turns crisp, the leaves diversify into a kaleidoscope of colors, and fruit bids farewell with the utmost flavor and freshness. We never quite know exactly when autumn will come, or how long it will stay (all the more reason to appreciate it), but when it finally arrives and waves its wand, it’s virtually impossible not to get caught under its seasonal spell.

Autumn (or fall, as it often called in North America) is a spectacular time of year to explore the outdoors and soak in some fun-in-the-sun before winter marches on in. There’s so much to see and do during this time of year, and best of all, this season caters to the cost-conscious: most activities cost less than $15, and many are even free. If you’re fortunate enough to be traveling this autumn, be sure to bask in these budget-friendly activities:

1. Visit a Pumpkin Patch

If autumn were a fruit, it would definitely be a pumpkin. These bloated, yet beautiful melons are cheap, delicious and versatile –- perfect for the traveler on a budget. Visiting a pumpkin patch is a must during autumn. Enjoy the fresh fall air while learning about the plump fruit’s past and foraging the farmland to pick out your very own pumpkin(s). Pumpkin prices vary, but most cost between $3 and $10.

So what can you do with these orange-tinted titans? Well, lots. If you’re feeling festive, you can carve them into jack-o-lanterns. The inside “guts” can be used for all sorts of delicious dishes, including pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread and spaghetti squash, to name a few. The seeds can be roasted and eaten, too, and often make a great substitute for pine nuts and/or sunflower seeds in recipes.

To find a patch near you, visit www.pumpkinpatchesandmore.org (Countries: United States, Canada, England, South Africa)

2. Take a Hike! (Or Ride a Bike)

What better way to enjoy fall’s fantastic foliage than walking or biking beneath it? Whether winding through trails on a bike or taking a leisurely stroll at sunset, getting out in nature is one of the simplest – and cheapest – ways to take advantage of autumn. The moderate temperatures will spare you the sweat and shivers of other seasons, while the gorgeous leaves will amaze your eyes and ignite your inner artist, be it in the form of a painting, a poem, or a picture.

3. Go Apple Picking

If pumpkins aren’t your passion, then try out autumn’s other fruit: apples. Apple orchards are in full bloom this time of year, and like pumpkin patches, they are a great way to enjoy the outdoors while stocking up on fresh fruit. From the sweet shades of red to the tart tastes of green, apples come in enough variety to satisfy any appetite. And since they can be peeled and eaten raw, apples make a healthy, clean and convenient snack for travelers on the road.

To find orchards in the US and Canada, visit http://www.allaboutapples.com/orchard/index.htm

4. Rent a paddleboat/canoe/kayak

End  autumn with a splash! Now’s the (last) time to get out in the water before it freezes. Check local parks for paddleboat, canoe and kayak rentals. Often you get the option of renting for a half hour, hour or for the entire day – plenty of options to suit your budget, time and comfort level. Some paddleboats are as cheap as $5 (split between two or four people), making it a great way to indulge in the weather without thinning the wallet. It’s a great activity for families who are traveling, or the backpacking couple looking for some relaxation and romance.

5. Corn Maze Craze!

Corn Maize - Afton Apple

If you’re looking to stimulate your spatial and navigational skills, then here’s your autumnal answer: the corn maze. Like the name suggests, these life-sized obstacle courses are made up of corn stalks and landscaped into a labyrinth of intricate designs. If you’re feeling a little too clausterphobic or starting to resemble a frantic rat, don’t fret: most maizes employ “corn cops” to ensure safety (and fun) is had by all.

Check out The MaiZE – the world’s largest corn maize company. To find a maze near you, visit www.cornfieldmaze.com

By Nick Rosen

Visitors, take note: a fun night out in Quito does not have to end with your head stuck out a taxi window, singing “I Know You Want Me” at full volume while the stranger you’ve been canoodling with tries to pull you back inside the cab. Oh, it certainly could– and visiting one of V!VA’s Top Ten Places to Get Inebriated at the Equator is a good way to kick off just such an evening– but there are plenty of alternatives. In fact, V!VA’s hometown has a number of nocturnal attractions to keep the teetotalers among us entertained.

Peculiar Películas

Ocho y Medio is located in Quito’s La Floresta neighborhood, but it wouldn’t feel too out of place in the trendier parts of Brooklyn. The theater uses its four little screens to show Ecuadorian movies, the latest indie hits, and strangely wonderful German art house films from the 1970s. Though the movies are subtitled in Spanish, sometimes the theater shows English-language films. Grab the opportunity to slip on your skinny black jeans and come hang out at this hipster haven.

More conventional multiplex theaters can be found at shopping centers throughout the Quito area. The most convenient option in southern Quito is the Multicines branch at the El Recreo shopping mall. The nicest theater in Quito’s north is the CineMark located at the Plaza de las Americas mall.

Live from Quito, it’s Saturday Night

Quito is also the best place in Ecuador to catch a live music, theater or dance performance. One place to make note of is the Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana, a large complex across from Parque El Ejido. The cultural center puts on plays, concerts, film screenings and art exhibitions.

Teatro Sucre, by flickr user dimplemonkey

In the Centro Histórico, El Teatro Nacional Sucre hosts opera, ballet, theater and dance in a beautifully restored colonial building on the Plaza del Teatro. While the Centro has a checkered nighttime reputation, it is easy enough to get a taxi to take you directly to the theater; you should not be scared off from dressing up and enjoying this unique venue.

Quito’s Café Culture

Just because you aren’t drinking alcohol doesn’t mean you’re fasting, does it? By all means, warm up at Café Mosaico with a hot chocolate. Enjoy the ambience, the food, the view and maybe even your company. The hillside neighborhood of Guápulo is also chock-a-block full of atmospheric little cafés. Take your pick of Café Guápulo, Café ChiQuito or Mirador de Guápulo.

Be a Mall Rat

Alright, you probably haven’t spent your nights out goofing around at the mall since high school, but Quicentro, the city’s swankiest shopping center, is a popular hangout for the locals. Long after most streets in town are deserted, you will find Quiteños strolling and checking out the shops at the mall, which stays open until 8 or 9. If you want to stay even later, the attached bowling alley, which claims to be the most technologically-advanced one in the whole country, remains open until midnight.

Quicentro Mall, by Luigi Ochoa

Go see a movie, take in the ballet, bowl a few frames. Abstaining from drinking is not abstaining from a good time in Quito.

By Andrea Davoust

Escaping from it all? Almost! The moon and its bloody cycles (sorry) will follow you anywhere you go on this planet…so how do you deal with having your period on the road? Pack a year’s worth of feminine supplies? Cross your fingers and hope that if Coca-Cola has reached that remote Nepalese village, so will have other civilized items? V!VA shares tips to not let Nature ruin your trip.

1/ Zap it!

Who needs a period anyway? Just do away with it altogether! If you are on a contraceptive pill, take the active tablets back-to-back for a few months. After all, manufacturers only introduced the period break because they (men, no doubt) figured it would otherwise feel unnatural. So don’t worry about skipping the bleeding. However conventional wisdom has it that it is best not to take the pill continuously for longer than three months in a row. Simply consult your doctor (link to http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ate/birthcontrolandcontraception/203096.html) before leaving, for advice and an adequate supply of your pill!

Photo by Dani Lurie

2/ Pack it!

If you simply know that you will never find the exact brand and make of tampons or pads you feel comfortable with…carry a supply from home. Anyway peace of mind only comes at the price of a bit more stuff in your suitcase – though if you are good packer, your stock shouldn’t take up more space than a couple of rolled socks. “I find that OB products, since they are so small and compact, are ideal for long-term travel. They take up a quarter of the space than others,” writes Delara.

3/ Risk it!

Let’s face it, women the world over have their periods, even in the remotest African bush. So sanitary protections are available everywhere, right? Anywhere in Europe, North America and most of Asia, yes. Ditto in the large cities of the developing world, where pharmacies are usually well stocked. In the backwaters of Africa or Central Asia…guess again! “I once had to buy some in a small Brazilian village. ‘Twasn’t pretty. I could only find massive mattress-like things,” writes Stephanie. But there will always be a local solution. Plus, haven’t you ever wondered how women of the Amazon jungle or Himalayan villages coped? Time to find out!

4/ Cup it!

Photo by Michelle Tribe

Goodbye disposable products, hello re-usable, eco-friendly cups! Menstrual cups, which were invented in the 1930s but never really took off, are making a strong comeback. Now made of silicone instead of the more allergenic latex, these 5-cm eggcup-shaped devices are inserted in the vagina, collect the menstrual flow, then emptied and rinsed every few hours. “Yuuuuuck!?” Yet increasing numbers have become converts. “It takes a little bit of practice to insert, but it will be perfect for my six-month trip through South America,” says Sylviana, who has just crash-tested the device at home. Just be aware that you need access to potable or boiled water to clean it and avoid infections. Main brands are: Divacup, Mooncup and Keeper.