Clothes, notebook, passport, toiletries, liquor. A repetitive routine for every journey. Hard liquor being last on the list but no less a travel essential than the previous. Purchase from the nearest 7/11 for land travel or in-flight beverages during air travel. Hard liquor makes the travelling part of travel a whole lot easier. This goes double for the long-haul or overnight journeys. An evening nightcap. One dram relaxes the journey, two drowns the drone of backpackers, five and you will bunk down like a gentleman of fortune.
Lightly Liquored
On occasions hard liquor can replace mouthwash. A morning scoosh whets the appetite for adventure and washes away apprehension. Only a taste is necessary, enough to relax the day and not blur it. If necessary an afternoon beer will top you up to the evening.
Liquor Like a Local
Sip a glass of wine, cocktail or local beer with the evening meal then before accepting the final bill ask for a taste of their cheapest, local, hard liquor. You will more than likely be served a lot for free. This is a test. They don’t expect you to drink it; so be sure to finish. Ask for more if necessary.
Explore Back Alleys
With the added squiff in your step an approach from fellow travellers is likely. Lose them down back alleys. Get off the tourist track. Find the underbelly. Burst through unwelcoming doors. If it looks like you shouldn’t be there; this is definitely where you want to be. Locate the local booze hounds. They are often found barbecuing curious meats at roadside barbecues. Buy a bottle of local hard liquor. Whiskey, rum, moonshine. The cheaper the better. Take a seat. The kerb or ground will do. Play the local drinking game. Lose all your money. Forget the rest. Wake up. Rinse. Repeat.
