When I got to the end of my seven-week trip, I discovered something (with a good amount of satisfaction) that I had used every single item in my pack. And, and even better, I had never once said, “Man, I wish I’d brought…” Success!

I took a backpack and a small daypack and managed to take all of the following, plus my laptop and a travel guide. Obviously, you’ll want to modify this list for climate (I had some pretty cold weather) and activities (I did a bunch of hiking, but also went to the opera and some nice restaurants). And, if you’re running into trouble getting everything to fit, try rolling your clothes. It works wonders.

Clothes
3 long-sleeve shirts
1 short sleeve shirt
1 sweater
1 pair of jeans
1 pair of black pants
1 dress (for dressy occasions like the opera)
PJ’s (aka yoga pants and a tank top)
6 pair of socks
6 pair of underwear (I loved my quick-dry undies for cities where laundromats were scarce)
Sneakers
Comfy black walking shoes (nothing says, “I’m a tourist, rob me” like sneakers. I try to blend in whenever possible.)
Ballet flats (for feeling like a girl)
Jacket
Gloves
Earmuffs (or hat - I can’t stand hat hair)
Scarf
Capilene base layer (like long johns that wick)

Handy Stuff
Sewing Kit with safety pins
Flashlight
Single-load package of laundry detergent
Clothes line
Ear plugs (critical for dorm sleeping)
Sleep mask
Antibacterial hand wipes
Pocket pack tissues

Electronics
Travel alarm clock
Cell phone and charger
Plug Adapters/voltage converters
Camera and extra batteries (or a spare, if it’s a lithium)
iPod and charger

First-Aid Stuff
Band-Aids
Mole Skin
Neosporin
Assorted Pharmaceuticals (Pepto, Imodium, Advil, cold medicine, sleep aid)
Tweezers
Small scissors

Toiletries
Hand lotion
Deodorant
Chapstick
Facewash, etc.
Body soap
Razor
Toothpaste/toothbrush
Dental floss
Shampoo/Conditioner (I actually bought mine there to avoid checking luggage)
Quick-dry towel

Practical Stuff
Passport
Moneybelt or “gear” (I loved my Amphipod Explorer)
Credit cards
Copies of passport and financial info
Umbrella

Note: If you’re planning on staying in hostels and don’t want to use their linens (I always did, and never an issue), you may want to consider getting a sleep sack. You can find them at REI, or, make your own. Take a full or queen top sheet, fold it in half, and sew along the bottom and the long side.

Sunday, December 2, 2007 | packing