Ask the Everywhereist

Dear Everywhereist,

How did you decide that “Everywhereist” should be spelled “Everywhereist” and not “Everywherist”? Are you ever worried that people with Germanic tendencies will pronounce it “Everywhere-iced”?

Also, what is the appropriate formula for computing how many pairs of shoes one should pack, given the length (in days) of one’s trip? If the desired number of shoes would force you to use a larger suitcase than you would otherwise require, should you pack them all anyway, or limit yourself to only as many as fit into the smaller suitcase?

-Footloose in Fargo

Dear Footloose in Fargo,

When my great-grandfather started this site in 1914, the spelling was indeed “everywherist.com”. As you can imagine, the influx of new websites to the United States during this time created a lot of xenophobia. He felt pressured to Americanize the name, and thus changed it to its current spelling. I’ve kept it, because it’s printed on all my business cards. And since those with “Germanic tendencies” (is that a PC way to say German?) pronounce everything funny, I’m not really concerned.

As for how many shoes to bring, my motivating factor is what I will be doing on my trips, rather than how long my trips will be. I generally shoot for one pair of heels, a pair of casual walking shoes, and a somewhat dressy pair of flats, to cover all eventualities. Of course, you still might not be prepared. After all, you never know when you might need a pair of slutty thigh-high boots like the ones Julia Roberts wore in Pretty Woman (what can I say? Iceland is weird).

Because who knows? You might need to go fishing. With whores.

My general rule is that you should always bring two pairs, and if you are going for more than three days, bring three pairs. Unless you have really huge feet, this shouldn’t require a bigger bag.

Yours Everywhere,

The Everywhereist

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Dear Everywhereist,

Why are knitting needles on the list of TSA allowed items, but sometimes they randomly decide to take them away from you? Either allow them, or don’t; don’t make us guess whether we can safely travel with our knitting, or whether a TSA agent may randomly decide to pull needles out of a work-in-progress, ruining weeks of work (and throwing away a perfectly good set of $15 needles).

Sincerely,

Susan

Dear Susan,

Have you considered buying a DS?

Because the TSA is intentionally vague on the subject. Basically, knitting needles are allowed, but “security officers have the authority to determine if an item could be used as a weapon and may not allow said item to pass through security.” That’s all it takes. You are at the mercy of a power-hungry idiots making $10/hour. Good luck with that.

Yours Everywhere,

The Everywhereist

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Dear Everywhereist,

1. Why was I always randomly screened when I traveled with a New Zealand passport, but once I got a Washington driver’s license, I was not specially screened again for four years?
2. What is it about my belt that could be used for evil?
3. (Special British edition) Why are there two security checkpoints at Heathrow? What could I have picked up in between checkpoint one and checkpoint two that could possibly be on the List?

Sincerely,

Jane

Dear Jane,

1. Because to most TSA agents “New Zealand” sounds made up.
2. The buckle.
3. I’m going to go with mad cow. Or possibly nunchucks.

Yours Everywhere,

The Everywhereist

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Do you have a question for The Everywhereist? Leave it in the comments section or this post, or send an email to contact-at-everywhereist-dot-com.