When I began this journey around the world March 12, I forgot two things: my new microfiber towel and the charger for my Braun Series 7 shaver.

I realized this in London, and since my ex was then staying in my room in San Francisco, I asked him to take those things with him to Chicago (It was Sunday) and mail them to my upcoming Portugal address Monday morning, which cost $25 for priority international shipping. It was to take 6-10 days, so I was banking on the earlier end.

Makeshift charger for my Braun shaver

Well, it ended up arriving at my Portuguese friend’s house around noon after I left for the airport. I told him not to try to ship it to me, since it would cost the same again and might fail again. I looked into buying one on Amazon.co.jp and having my friend Beam bring it to me since we will meet in the Netherlands next week, but the chargers are obscenely expensive for some reason.

So, I gave up and decided I’d learn to use a disposable shaver for the first time in my life. Yeah, what a man.

Then I had an idea. I stripped part of the wires for a lithium ion battery I have with me, and taped those to the charging contacts on the shaver. And it worked. Yay!

Makeshift charger for my Braun shaver

But then the shaver died as I had barely finished shaving my face. :-/

My next idea was to hook up the charger I use for that battery, instead of the battery itself.

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This seemed to work better, but the shaver still only lasts a couple of minutes. At least I can shave… but doing my whole body needs to be spread over a few sessions.