Essential Non-fiction Books For the Travel Writer

Famous writer Stephen King once said, “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” Since I came across his book called “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft,” I realized that the only way for me to sharpen my skills is through spending more time reading. Even when I’m traveling, I make it a point to read non-fiction books during my trip to keep the creative juices flowing. Let me list down the books that helped me with my travel writing career:  

“Out of Africa” by Isak Dinesen (Baroness Karen Blixen)
The book, published in 1937, explores the author’s life in Kenya as an immigrant. This classic memoir explores the culture of the Africans and the Europeans who have colonized the tribesmen.  

Image source: Vicbooks.wordpress.com

“The Great Railway Bazaar” by Paul Theroux
This travelogue released in 1975 served as a guidebook for aspiring travel writers for several decades now. Theroux’s travels from London, Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia became an inspiration for many teachers and writers of the genre. 

“Unlikely Destinations: The Lonely Planet Story” by Tony and Maureen Wheeler
Thanks to this couple, this generation’s travelers won’t have to be clueless when they explore the world. This book shares the couple’s experiences when it comes to their adventures, the business side of travel, and other fun anecdotes.

Image source: Telegraph.co.uk

My dream is to compile someday all my essays on globetrotting in one book just like the ones I listed above. For now, I have to do the groundwork by writing more.

Hi there! My name is Louis Habash and I get paid to write about the places I travel. Follow me on Twitter for more travel tips.

Air Travel Safety: Preventing Dehydration in Flight

Air travel opened the gates to globalization. People all over the world now have the opportunity to see and visit places that were previously impossible. Still, this is not a natural means of travel. The human body was not made to be in extreme depths for long periods of time. Technology has made it so that planes are extremely safe, but travelers must maintain vigilance in their health. The most common complaint is dehydration. This is caused by the low humidity levels found inside the cabin.

Thankfully, there are a few easy tips to prevent this condition. The most important is to drink plenty of water in flight. This may seem like an obvious suggestion but many travelers do not follow this and avoid taking in liquids. Health professionals suggest drinking at least eight ounces of water for every hour in air. It must be noted that while sports drinks replace electrolytes, they are not entirely recommended for long flights. Water is still the best option.

Another great tip is packing and using a light but emollient moisturizer. Skin can be hydrated from the outside with a good moisturizer which should be applied particularly around the hands and face. It is recommended to use a scent-free moisturizer to be considerate to other passengers.

Image Source: telegraph.co.uk

Travelers are also suggested to bring eye drops and nasal sprays. These can be applied as needed.

Following these simple steps can successfully prevent dehydration during long flights. Any severe cases of dehydration leading to respiratory discomfort should be immediately reported to the flight crew.

Image Source: traveldailynews.asia

Louis Habash writes about the sometimes complicated yet always enjoyable intricacies of travel. Follow this Twitter account for more of her tips.