I am pleased to share my review of Have Bags, Will Travel, written by fellow blogger and author, D.G. Kaye.
About the Author
Canadian D.G. Kaye is a non-fiction writer of memoirs about life experiences, matters of the heart and women’s issues. She is the author of five books to date: Conflicted Hearts, Meno-What? A Memoir, Words We Carry, Have Bags, Will Travel, and P.S. I Forgive You.
You can follow Debby on her Amazon Author Profile. Did you know an Amazon author profile is set up to publish your blog posts?
Speaking of blogs, head over to Debby’s blog DGKayewriter and read her recent post Caribbean Tales and Tips and Shopping, if you didn’t get enough of this book. Debby’s blog is not just about her fabulous books, but includes reviews of other bloggers (myself included) and lots of great blogging advice!
Once on Debby’s blog, consider following her social media accounts.
Now for the book! To get you started, here is an excerpt from her chapter Airport Security:
“Returning home from a vacation is always a nerve-racking event for me. Instead of flying home and basking in the memories of the wonderful time I’ve just had on vacation, I repeatedly go through my receipts from the trip so I can carefully calculate how not to exceed the fixed limit we’re allowed to bring back without penalty. I must remember which receipts correspond to the tags I’ve already cut off so I can take them out of the pile. More math!
Most people don’t worry about such things—but I have to. It’s practically like my face is on a milk carton: HAVE YOU SEEN THIS WOMAN SHOPPING? For decades now, I’ve been consistently pulled over at customs. A planeload of people pick up their luggage and sail through the exit doors to freedom, and one person (and her husband) get singled out for interrogation. This happens on ninety percent of my trips. Why is it that I’m picked out of two hundred and fifty passengers to be interrogated? I lament, but I’m familiar with all the tricks by now: don’t wear flashy jewelry, don’t dress up, try to blend in. I can’t help it, though. I have what I’ve identified as shopping face. . . “
Check out Have Bags, Will Travel on Amazon!
My Five Star Review:
What I love about this novella-length book beside the fact that it’s a fast, entertaining read, is Kaye’s hilarious look inward at herself and her serious addiction to shopping. Her book reads like a series of fun blog posts, highlighting her signature, conversational style, while sharing useful travel information!
A seasoned traveler (well, except for the over-packing part—but life is short, right?), Kaye deftly reminisces her early days of travel when life was simple and “travel was a joy.” (Before TSAs!). She then describes how her obsessive shopping habit has created the need for smart packing and planning.
With everything she has purchased over the years, one would guess she has an extra house for all her goodies! Kaye’s love for travel and adventure is evident as she shares hilarious exploits and nail-biting moments on her many trips that include London, Paris, Venezuela, the Greek Islands, and on to Las Vegas and Arizona.
Kaye shares valuable advice for navigating airport security, planning for purchases and dealing with germs. Her idea of packing sockettes in her purse to wear through the TSA line after removing her shoes is brilliant.
Kaye’s chapter “Admitted Germ Freak” resonates with all of us as we hear more of the dirt, grime and germs associated with hotel rooms, public restrooms, and restaurants.
***
Like Kaye, I do love to shop and often bring souvenirs and must-have bargains and other items home with me, whether by plane or by car.
I would like to say I’m a travel buff myself, but I have not traveled abroad other than to Mexico (I live in California so that’s not saying much!). The very thought of over-packing, paying extra fees or having my bags gone through at airports, makes me want to travel by car! My hubby and I have paid for a heavy, extra bag at airports in Mexico, but that big duffel was filled with windsurf supplies like wetsuits, harnesses, helmets and other water-related gear for both of us. I think I brought four pairs of shoes for my last windsurf vacation, and one of those pair was my water booties!
Spring is just around the corner and travel for many is imminent. Pick up Have Bags, Will Travel today!
Second Wind Leisure Perspectives 
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