What would you pack?

Make a list ofe verything in your suitcase and put it in your back pack.. if the airport looses your bag then you know what was in it and can claim the money back from insurance. Also a little book of your country is always good to show people along the way... i just took a picture book of scenery from New Zealand. it doesnt weigh much and doesnt take up much space really...

the money belt is also a good idea. it can be a pain when you're shopping and keep on having to get into it... but it gives you piece of mind against pick pocketing!!

well since everyone has done a great job, I just need to recommend to all those travelin Russia (myself included) a Cyrillic-Greek Alphabet is essential...i had a tough time with street names and maps especially.

Jeff

I never travel without:
duct tape ( repairs everything, seals everything, secures everything)
sarong ( skirt, dress, beach wrap, baby carrier, shopping bag, sunscreen, bedspread, sheet, beach blanket, flag, pillow, souvenir)
3-5 small ziplock bags
condoms ( enough said)
hair ties
small nail-type brush ( for scrubbing your clothes in the shower)
pocket game of Othello or chess ( can be played with no shared language)

A friend of mine gave me a good tip concerning documents (e.g. passport, tickets etc.). Why not scan it already at home an send it to your e-mail account. In this case you always have copies of all your important documents which can not get lost/stolen.

a+
kat

I think everyone covered all I thought about! Although I am by no means a light packer, I do think that these two things are super essential:

1. Flip Flops: because you never know how clean the shower will be.

2. Phone Card: the ones that are hooked to your account at home are the best because that way you can make calls without worrying that you're running out of minutes (like the international ones). The international ones are just as good, and they offer a cheap alternative to using the cell phone... I had 80$ in roaming charges... NOT FUN.

That said, I think that the first aid kit is the best thing known to man. I forgot some bandaids and Neosporin at home on my last trip, and ended up paying over 5$ for a one time use, when I got some nasty blisters. Also, a rain poncho can be helpful in cases where the weather is unpredictable.

I love threads like this!

Ok well, I agree with everything so far, and here are another few:

- A day bag that goes over your shoulder (messenger bag) so you can see it at all times without having to carry it in front of you like a backpack and so no one on Vespas can snatch it from you - I've seen it happen.

-A wallet with a chain (a thin one, not a clunky one - they're really cheap) so you can chain the wallet to an inside zipper or something else in your bag. That way, if someone tries to pick-pocket you, they'll have to figure out where your wallet's hooked to and unhook it.

-If you're taking perscription meds, get your doc to write up an extra perscription so, in case you lose them, you can get a re-fill.

-And rather than getting the pre-bought first aide kits, I like to make my own. Pepto, Gaviscon, Tylonol, Bandaides, Vitamin C pills and other stuff that may not all be included in a regular kit.

- Sewing kit. I can't sew for the life of me, but it helped me when I got a splinter (I know yuck, but it did).

Also, to add to the money belt post a while back, I wore one all the time, but kept spending money in my wallet so I didn't have to reach under my shirt to get my money all the time.

Cheers,
Katie

Don't forget the Duct Tape!!

Sorry, just bringing this thread to the top again because someone asked about what to pack.

Ian

Katie,

I'm a little confused as to how you used sewing skills when you got a splinter. . .. . it must have been one HUGE splinter!!! Did you give yourself stitches or something?

-Steph

lol, Steph...I knew all those years of watching ER would come in handy! For the record, do not sew stitches on yourself until you've at least watched a few seasons of ER If you haven't, you can just use the needle to help with a splinter, lol

Cheers,
Katie

EAR PLUGS! I have spent the night in too many noisy hotels surrounded by barking dogs, discotechs, and roaring buses.