What’s In Your Bag: Igee Okafor
Igee Okafor is the Editor-In-Chief and Founder of BOND OFFICIAL; a men’s editorial publication dedicated to addressing various facets of modern-day men’s culture through in-depth interviews and opinion pieces. Discover this frequent globetrotters top travel essentials and favorite destinations below.
Are you a pre-planned or spontaneous traveler?
I prefer pre-planning. Maybe it’s the control freak in me. I prefer to be in the know so I can always be prepared.
What is your favorite part of traveling?
Aside from realizing my luck and privilege in being able to have access, my favorite part of traveling would have to be seeing the way people in foreign countries go about natural day to day activities differently than me or how I’m used to. The way people greet each other, the way people socially interact at restaurants and bars, language, perceptions of beauty, hard work, and overall lifestyle. It’s always so intriguing to me.
What do you like the least about traveling?
Packing – just because it’s never simple with me and somehow, I always end up packing much more than I need. Airport security can be a bit of a nuisance at times as well.
Are you usually on-time or running-late to the airport?
Typically always on time. I’m always convinced and have always feared that somehow I would risk my chances of getting on said flight if I wasn’t at the airport two hours prior or so.
Do you use a mental, digital or physical packing checklist?
A physical packing checklist is best for me. I love the act of writing and the feeling I get being able to draw a line across completed tasks.
What are your top 5 travel essentials?
My passport/boarding passes, skincare and grooming products, my phone, clothing appropriate for activities happening each day, my laptop, my journal and a suitcase big enough to carry them all. My entire apartment pretty much!
What is the most beloved possession you travel with?
Tough question. Maybe my phone? I find that I need it for almost everything.
Do you roll, fold or use packing cubes for your clothes when packing?
I actually fold my clothes. Not because it’s a preference necessarily. I went to boarding school and we were taught to fold. My mother also made sure I folded my own clothes growing up so, it’s just a habit now. I know nothing else.
What is your ultimate packing hack?
I wish I had a great one.
What is a common mistake you make when packing?
Not giving myself enough time to pack is a very common mistake. I usually always wait until an hour or two before I have to leave for the airport and I find myself always feeling a bit of anxiety. I don’t know why I always let this happen but it’s my goal to change this narrative in 2020. I’ll be making it a point to pack the day before my travels. Maybe then, I wouldn’t dread packing so much and airport security haha!
Do you have an airport ritual? Where to eat, relax, etc.
I like to get to the airport early enough to sit down and eat somewhere on the ground. They say not to eat airport food but I revel in the idea of being able to explore what an establishment like the airport has to offer. Sometimes, it’s good, sometimes, it’s bad but both reactions always make for a good story.
What is your in-flight routine?
I think I’m a lot more simplistic and easy-going than some would assume. When I get on flights, I’m usually exhausted so I am sleeping more than half of the time. I wish I had a routine like Naomi Campbell.
Airplane food. Yay or Nay?
I’m going to go based off taste only and from my experiences, they have not been the best but they also have not been the worst. It’s okay for what it is. I like to see airplane food as the appetizer for what I’m going to eat when I get off the plane.
What is your favorite travel destination?
I’ve been lucky enough to visit some of the most beautiful and magical places. Switzerland, Vietnam, Mexico, France etc but I must say that visiting Italy this past summer was a dream I did not want to wake up from. Maybe I romanticized it a bit having wanting to go for so long and having attended originally for the men’s fashion shows in Florence, and Milan. I got to see Lake Como too. I swam, I ate, I drank with friends. The sunsets were unlike anything I’d ever seen, the gelato was irreplaceable and the interactions were so honest, straightforward, and respectful. The dancing was on fire. I mean, no words to fully describe what that experience was for me and I hope to continue to relive it every time I visit. It’s a favorite for sure.
Where are you heading next?
I guess you’ll just have to follow along on my Instagram @igeeokafor to see.
Dream destination?
Currently, I’m really enthused about the idea of Asia: Tokyo, Singapore, Bora Bora, The Maldives, Bali.
What is the best souvenir you’ve picked up during your travels?
Adopting new language terms and ways of greeting. Whether it’s three kisses on the cheek meeting, someone for the first time, or going to an Italian restaurant in New York and greeting the staff in the language, some kind of conversation that allows me to reminisce about the trip always sparks allowing me to bond with someone new or make a new friend. It’s a great feeling.
For more information visit:
• Blog: Igee Okafor
• Publication: BOND OFFICIAL
• Instagram: @igeeokafor
• Twitter: @IgeeOkafor