Key Highlights
- Kelly Ripa reveals she always takes a pen from hotel rooms for various practical reasons.
- A pen can help avoid long lines at immigration and jot down notes if your phone dies.
- Ripa explains that pens are essential when traveling with multiple family members.
- The TV host uses pens as an in-flight distraction, especially when internet goes out.
Lifestyle Tips from Kelly Ripa: The Pen is Mightier Than the Keyboard
During a recent episode of “Live with Kelly and Mark,” television personality Kelly Ripa shared a practical tip that might seem simple but could be a lifesaver for frequent travelers. Ripa, who often travels with her husband, co-host Mark Consuelos, and their three adult children, revealed the one item she always takes from hotel rooms: the pen.
A Pen’s Many Uses
According to travel adviser Georgia Fowkes, bringing a pen can be particularly useful for avoiding long lines at immigration. “This is something I travel with a lot because typically when we travel, we travel as a family,” Ripa said during the show. “It’s a pen.” She elaborated that she often leaves pens in hotel rooms and never expects to see them again, noting that they are considered disposable.
The Importance of Pens
For Ripa, these pens serve multiple purposes beyond just writing. During her travels, she faces the challenge of navigating through Customs with 800 people making a mad dash for the few available pens at the desk. “You know when you stay at a hotel, there’s always that pen next to the notepad?” Ripa asked. “Guess what I take.” She emphasized that these pens are complimentary and considered disposable.
Pens as In-Flight Distractions
While traveling with her family, Ripa uses pens in a more personal way. “When wifi goes out on a plane… I always have something on standby to entertain myself,” she said. She explained that having a pen and notepad available allows her to work or do other activities without relying solely on digital devices. This strategy is especially useful when the internet connection fails, as it happened during one of Deja Vu’s international flights.
“I was really upset that the wifi wasn’t working,” Deja Vu shared. “The whole flight I thought that I was going to have something to fall back on with the digital part, but the analog saved me.” Ripa agreed, saying, “Analog will always save you, so trust an old fashioned lady when she tells you.”
Expert Opinion
Experts like Georgia Fowkes highlight the practical benefits of bringing a pen for travel. “I travel with an armada of pens,” Ripa said, noting that they are often left behind in hotel rooms. This habit has proven useful not only for her but also for other travelers who might find themselves in similar situations.
Conclusion
Kelly Ripa’s revelation about always bringing a pen from hotel rooms offers a simple yet effective travel tip. In an era where digital devices dominate, the humble pen remains a reliable and practical tool for various travel-related tasks. Whether it’s avoiding long lines at immigration or providing entertainment during flight delays, the pen proves that sometimes old-fashioned solutions can be the most useful.
