Tag / on cloud

by Kelly Mattei

Let’s Walk…It’s Not That Far

Let’s walk…it’s not that far.

This morning, I woke up to find a message on Facebook Messenger from my friend, Angela. She and I have been friends for 35+ years. We have been through a lot together. We have changed a lot over the years, but one thing has remained consistent: my need to walk…and walk fast. This was what she sent me this morning:

It will likely happen again this weekend, when she and I visit Tuscaloosa for the Alabama/LSU game. I will say, “Let’s walk down and see our friends! It’s not far!” And off we will go. I’m sure she will be thinking, “Right. Not far.” Add in the fact that I’m fast walker, and she’s a not-so-fast walker. I’m sure she hates it, but I can’t help myself! I love to walk! Until I had sciatica this year, I thought walking was my superpower! Now, I just consider it my superpower that needs to be rebuilt.

Last month, I visited Panamá with my cousin, Patti. I always research a place before I visit, and I had done good research on things to see and do in Panamá City, Panamá. I never overschedule, because really, I’m not a type A personality. I like to go with the flow. I like to fly by the seat of my pants. However, I do like to do at least one cool thing each day on vacation. One thing I wanted to do in Panamá was visit Cerro Ancon, also known as Ancon Hill. It’s a hill just on the edge of the city that offers a great opportunity to see wildlife (toucans, sloths, agoutis, and more), and it also offers a beautiful view of the entire city from one side of the hill. The other side offers a gorgeous view of the Panamá Canal. I had read that it’s not a difficult hike. It’s paved. It’s a gradual ascent.

On day three of our stay in the city, my cousin and I set off early one drizzly morning for Cerro Ancon. We had hired a “bodyguard” to take us anywhere we wanted to go, and he went with us too. The starting point of the hike is at a place called Mi Pueblito, which is a mock village depicting three Panamanian cultures. It’s a cool starting point, and a very sweet gentleman showed us around the mock villages before we started our hike. Then we started “climbing,” which, to me, meant “walking.” I told the cousin, “It’s one mile up and one mile down…no biggie.” That’s what I had read! However, somehow it turned out to be more like two miles up and two miles down, I think…with lots of stairs to climb too. As we walked, I would encourage her by saying, “It’s not much more, cousin.” Then, we would round a curve only to see more road and stairs ahead of us. She would say, “Sure…not much more. Grrrr.” Seriously, I had no idea it was as long as it was, and the more we walked, the madder Patti got at me. I made light of it, but I think she was really mad. We saw several beautiful toucans, lots of agoutis (they look like small capybaras), and at the very top of the hill, we saw a sloth! A real live sloth in the wild! That was my goal of the whole climb…to see a sloth in the wild! Well, that, and I wanted to get photos of the incredible views. Mission accomplished!

For the rest of the weeklong trip, my cousin cussed me for that adventure. She was not happy with her walking cousin, but I jokingly pretended I didn’t notice. I said to her, “Aren’t you glad you did it? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have seen the sloth!” I got a few looks from her, but she has to love me, because I’m her cousin. Plus, she does have one heck of a sense of humor, and thankfully, she laughed at BOTH of us pretty regularly during that trip.

I know we will always have memories of Ancon Hill.

If you’re considering walking any distances, I recommend you wear some good shoes. I prefer On Cloud 5 sneakers. You can purchase them on Amazon here. I take out the factory insoles and replace them with Dr Scholl’s insoles you can purchase from Amazon here. If you need a good travel cane, I recommend this one from Amazon…purchase here. I purchased it in pink when I was suffering with sciatica. I never had to use it, but it was nice to know I had it if I needed it, since I didn’t want sciatica to keep me from doing the things I wanted to do.

**As an Amazon Associate, I might receive small compensation if you purchase through my links.

by Kelly Mattei

Traveling Out of the US?

Traveling out of the US?

In less than two weeks, my cousin and I are traveling to Panama City, Panama. We are excited. She has never been to Central America, and while I have visited Central America, I have never been to Panama. If you’re wondering how we picked Panama, I will tell you: it’s not the hot spot of the moment. I am that weird traveler who doesn’t like to go to the latest “hot spots.” Plus, I’ve never seen the Panama Canal, one of the man-made wonders of the world! So soon, we are off to Panama.

In preparation, I have done everything I can think of to prepare for our trip. I checked visa requirements and vaccine requirements/recommendations. And then, there were other things to think about: the water situation, the insect/disease situation, etc. Trust me when I say I have done my homework. If you are planning to travel to another country in Central or South America, it’s a good idea to do your own investigating prior to travel. Check vaccine recommendations here. Also, get some international travel insurance that will help you in case of medical emergency or natural disaster. I use Allianz. See their info here. Oooh…and remember to make sure your passport still has six months of validity beyond your travel dates! It’s not always required, but it is a good rule of thumb.

Aside from that, here’s what I decided to take with me:

-OFF! Deep Woods Insect Repellent Towelettes. Malaria is alive and well in Panama. However, since we are staying in the city and the Canal Zone, we do not need to get Malaria shots. There are other mosquito-borne illnesses to consider: dengue disease and chikungunya. I don’t want either of those, so I will be slathering myself with DEET while we are there. Don’t come at me about using DEET. I’m using DEET. Purchase the four pack of 12 here. Or look at other OFF towelette options here.

-Luggage/handbag locks. It’s always a good idea to have locks on luggage/handbags when traveling. I purchased a set of four small ones that I can attach to a backpack, a handbag, or even luggage. Mostly, I’m concerned about a backpack and about my personal medications in my room. If there isn’t a safe in the room, I will lock my meds in a suitcase. The ones I bought are here. Or see lots of choices here.

–LifeStraw. I am taking some extra Original LifeStraws (shop here), and I’m taking a LifeStraw Go Series Water Filter Bottle (purchase here) for each of us. Water is different everywhere, and even though I know the water in Panama City is potable, I’d rather be safe than sorry. Fortunately, we won’t have to be constantly worried about using ice or brushing our teeth, but we can carry our own filtered water with us everywhere we go, thanks to LifeStraw.

-Hand Sanitizer. Both my cousin and I have had COVID several times, and we have both had it fairly recently. Could we get it again? I’m sure we could. However, we will have hand sanitizer with us at all times to limit our exposure to germs. No one wants to get sick on vacation. I bought Purell hand sanitizers that will attach to our handbags/backpacks. Purchase here.

-Permethrin Insect Repellent for clothes. You can’t be too careful in places where mosquitoes are likely to carry disease. Everything I read said to treat clothing with Permethrin insect repellent, so I purchased Sawyer Products Premium from Amazon for just $17.99 here. It lasts on clothes for six months or through six washes, whichever comes first. One 24-oz bottles treats five outfits (shirts/pants/socks), so I got two.

-RFID blocking card wallet. Credit card theft seems to be a problem everywhere these days. People are using RFID scanners in crowds at football games, on public transportation, and more, to steal account information. I ordered a wallet that contains RFID-blocking materials to take with me on my trip, but I will continue to use it even after I return home. There are lots of them offered on Amazon. See them here.

-Anti-theft Backpack Purse for Women. When I’m walking or shopping, I like to be hands-free, but lots of backpacks open on top or on the outside flap, making them easily accessible to passersby. I needed one that opens on the inside flap, the part that’s against my back, making it more difficult for someone to access. I purchased an inexpensive one on Amazon. See it here.

-Power Adaptors. Since Panama has the same power outlets we have in the US, it’s not an issue for us on this trip, but it can be an issue in other countries. Do your homework. Find out if the country you’re traveling to has the same. If not, purchase an adaptor before you travel. You’ll thank me. When I was a flight attendant, I had a coworker who burned off her bangs in Costa Rica.

-Comfortable shoes for walking. For daytime sightseeing, I just need to be comfortable and blister-free. I normally wear my On Cloud 5s, and I love them. In fact, I just got a new pair to take with me. You can get these lightweight sneakers here.

All these products can be found at Amazon, and yes, I earn commissions for any purchases through my links. However, I’m not recommending something I don’t really believe could be useful!

Happy shopping!

–

by Kelly Mattei

Travel Stuff

Travel stuff.

I like to travel. That’s no secret. Because of that, I’m always looking for products/items that make travel easier and more enjoyable. Without further ado, I’m going to share some of my recent discoveries:

  • Luggage System. When buzzing through airports or even going from car to hotel, it’s a big help to me that I have a luggage “system,” meaning my smaller bag stacks securely atop my carry-on! I paid too much for mine, but here’s one that is about $100, and it gets great reviews, as you will see! Click here to see it at Amazon.
  • Crockpot Electric Lunch Box. This can be great for road trips, because who doesn’t get tired of grabbing food on the go at fast food joints? I always prefer a real hot meal over that junk, so when I saw this, I had to have it! Priced at around $35, it’s a deal of the day on Amazon! Get it here.
  • Everest Wheeled Backpack. A cool concept when you only need to carry on one bag. Everest makes a wheeled backpack, so you can carry it on your bag or pull it behind you. Whatever works! See it at Amazon here.
  • Luggage Straps Set. If you need to check your bags at the airport, a bright-colored luggage strap set can help you recognize your bags more easily when they arrive at the baggage carousel. These are inexpensive and easy to use. Purchase them here.
  • Rand McNally Road Atlas 100th Anniversary Edition. Nobody loves a road atlas more than I do! Correction: my friend, Mary Ann, loves an atlas as much as I do, and we definitely used one on our big road trips. If you’re planning a big road trip, you need an atlas in advance, because they are not easy to find on the road. I know from experience. This 100th Anniversary Edition is special, featuring the history of the American road trip. You might want to keep this one as a collectible. Get it here. For one to actually take on the road with you, there’s the regular Rand McNally Road Atlas and National Park Guide. You can purchase it here. Sure, you can use GPS on your phone, but you can get a real picture of where you’re going or where you’ve been with an atlas. Highly recommend.
  • Bright Luggage Tags. Don’t want to put a strap on your checked bag? Then put a bright colored luggage tag. See some great ones here. These are great to have on your college student’s bags too. My daughter has a black backpack, but I put a bright-colored luggage tag on it, so she can recognize it quickly when it’s near other black backpacks, which are everywhere.
  • Travel Shoes. You can still dress nicely and wear sneakers. I have found the best ones for travel are from On Cloud. My faves? The Cloud 5. Purchase for women here. Purchase for men here.
  • Portable Charger. You never know when your plans will change or when you will look at your phone and see that it has only 3% charge left! Yikes! Keep a quality portable charger handy for times like that. See a good, inexpensive one at Amazon here.

Come back soon for more travel “stuff.” It’s one of my favorite topics!

by Kelly Mattei

Some New Clothing Faves

Some new clothing faves…

Yep, this one is all about what I’m finding for myself right now. I appreciate really nice clothes as much as the next person, but I don’t like to travel with all my nicest things. Why? Well, because there are times I have to check a bag on an airline, and I simply don’t trust them with my nicer clothes. I have some trips coming up, and I have added a few things to my wardrobe from Amazon…including something made for men, but women will love it too! See them here:

  • Lightweight “housecoat.” I sound like my mother when I say the word “housecoat,” but sometimes, it’s nice to have something to wear while I get ready. Yes, hotels have robes, and I have robes at home, but it’s not always easy to do hair and makeup in a heavy robe. I tend to get too hot, so I like to keep a lightweight housecoat…one I can pack easily. You can see my latest housecoat purchase here. It has short sleeves and zips up the front, making it easy to put on and off, and the sleeves don’t impair my “getting ready.” Another one I like can be seen here. It’s more like your mother’s housecoat, but it’s great too. Plus, because they’re made from lightweight fabric, they don’t take up much room in luggage. They’re priced under $30. I got a pink one and a peacock blue one.
  • One-shoulder dress. It’s no secret that I don’t love my arms. I’ve never loved my arms. However, it looks like warm weather is here to stay for a while, and I really hate to be hot. I found a cute one-shoulder dress that’s great for hot weather, and it’s also easy to pack. With a trip to Panama City, Panama, coming up in October, I need some things I can pack easily to wear in that tropical climate. This cute dress comes in lots of colors, and I feel like the color-blocking distracts from my one exposed arm. It’s cute…the dress…not my arm. See the dress here.
  • Sorel sneakers. Because I’m still having issues with sciatica, I’m wearing sneakers a lot more than I normally do. I love my On Clouds, and I’m still wearing them, but it’s nice to vary things up a bit. Therefore, I got some sneakers from Sorel, and I love them! In fact, I love them so much that I got two pairs in different colors! You can see my favorite style here. They come in lots of colors, and prices start at just over $50 for some colors. I normally wear a 9, and it worked perfectly. They’re cute and comfy! But if you don’t want to look at anything besides On Clouds, I get it. I love mine too. See them here.
  • White Jeans. I love white jeans, but at 56, it’s a lot more difficult to find jeans I really like than it used to be. A couple of years ago, a friend told me to check out NYDJ (Not Your Daughters Jeans). Let’s face it. I don’t need to be wearing the same style of jeans as my almost-20-yr-old daughter. There are several styles of NYDJ’s white jeans I have and love…wide-leg, fitted, ankle-length…check them all out at the NYDJ store on Amazon here.
  • Romper/dress. Y’all, I saw this romper dress advertised on Instagram for months before I finally decided to try to find it on Amazon. I wasn’t sure about the trustworthiness of the sellers on Insta, but I knew I could trust Amazon to back up any purchase I made. Therefore, I found it on Amazon and placed an order. I love it! I ordered it in several colors! It’s great for everyday wear in this super hot weather we are having these days. It will also be great in Panama. Yes, it’s a little short, but since it has a built-in romper underneath, it doesn’t matter! Keep in mind that it runs a little large. It’s available in lots of colors. I love the black and the brighter colors like hot pink and bright yellow. And it’s made of lightweight eyelet fabric, so it doesn’t take up a lot of room in luggage. Seriously, I have six of them. Purchase here.
  • No show socks. OK, since I’m wearing sneakers more often, I needed to stock up on no-show socks. The best socks I have ever owned are Feetures. I have a few pairs. They feel great and offer a little arch support, but they are pricey. You can see them here. I highly recommend them, but the price point might not be right for everyone. For a better price point on supportive no-show socks, I highly recommend the ones made by Saucony. See them here. I wear them almost every day.
  • Dude Robe. Yep, the last thing I’m listing was made for guys, but I love it! I got to use a Dude Robe at a hotel earlier this year, and wow! Hooded, soft, warm…and cuffed sleeves, so no floppy sleeves…perfect. It’s pricey, but that’s because it’s good. Purchase here.

So there are a few new items I recommend to carry you through the warm days ahead. Finish out the hot months in cute, comfy, inexpensive clothing…or pack it in your luggage! Happy shopping!