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According to the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, the towel is the most "massively useful" thing you can bring along when you are traveling across the galaxy. The Guide goes to say that "You can wrap [the towel] around you for warmth as you bound across the cold moons of Jaglan Beta.wet it for use in hand-to-hand combat...wrap it around your head to ward off noxious fumes.any man who can hitch the length and breadth of the Galaxy, rough it...win through, and still know where his towel is, is clearly a man to be reckoned with."
Although the book is written in a humorous vein and we obviously cannot travel across the galaxy, packing a towel is actually good for the environment. "What?" you say. Think about it. When you go to a hotel, you often have to leave a note for the cleaning person that says, "Please don't wash my towel." Your towel probably isn't dirty. You used it to wipe water&mdassh;the stuff that makes you cleaner—off your body. Unless you are covered in soot or fell in pigsty, your towel isn't going to get that dirty. When you use a towel to dry off, you are essentially the cleanest you are going to be.
If you bring your own towel, you can wipe yourself off time and time again without disturbing the hotel's towels. This will save you from having to write notes to the staff. You won't have to put the Do Not Disturb sign on the door, so the staff can still get in to make your bed.
Since you are traveling, weight and space are of the essence. May I recommend the MSR packtowel? It's made for mountain climbing. It's super absorbent, lightweight and easily packable. These towels are also quite durable. They'll last a decent amount of time, unless you find yourself in one too many hand-to-hand combat situations.
More on Eco-Friendly Travel:
Choose a Green Airline
Pack for a Trip the Green Way
Winter Hiking and Snowshoeing Safety Tips
