Packing
Packing

• B1: to get ride of mosquito bites...make you taste bad to bugs.
• small bag of klenex
• panaromic disposable camera
• unscented Ben-gay soothing footcream
• fragrant body moisturizer
• liquid soap, e.g. castille soap
• washcloths
• teensy calculator on a keychain
• Instead of bringing copies of your passport, tickets, etc., scan them into small jpeg files, and email them to yourself at a free internet based service such as yahoo or hotmail. If you ever lose them, you can go to an internet cafe or U.S. consulate, log onto the internet, and print out the copies
• Ear plugs
• slippers
• diaper pins to pin hotel keys in pockets
• sleep aid
• Purell
• TRAVEL JOURNAL
• As I collect postcards, maps, books, pamphlets, ticket stubs, etc., I take along large, self-addressed manila envelopes. As this not only takes up a lot of space, it can get heavy, so, instead of toting the stuff from country to county, I just mail it home when I'm finished.
• a pair of "zippy" pants from REI
• Ziplock (slidelock) bags in small, medium and large
• Large rubber bands...very useful.
• Big brimmed soft, collapsable hat with chin strap from Nature Company.
• Wet ones/small Lysol can.
• Tape, plastic and duct type.
• Soft surgical masks for dust.
• Ear plugs/eye masks.
• Clothes pins--a few.
• Yellow highlighter.
• Empty ice bag.
• Small can air freshener.
• Address labels made out before trip for postcards.
• Small portable alarm clock
• powdered creamer packets : they don't refrigerate the milk/creamer
• Add a couple of film cans filled with baking soda to your personal kit. It can be used to replace toothpaste, freshen sneakers at the end of a long day, and a little mixed in the laundry sink will sweeten socks and tee shirts.
• 1. Stuff the toes of shoes with fabric softener sheets -- it freshens your shoes, gives your bag a nice smell and you can use them to shine your shoes after a long day of walking.
• 2. A scented votive candle to freshen up your room, as well as have light should the electricity go out (which has happened to me on many occasions).
• 3. A long scarf (chiffon or silk) -- it packs small and you can use it as a wrap in the evening (it will dress up a simple black dress), a head covering during the day, or as a cover-up for your bathing suit.
• 4. Plastic, self-adhesive, air-bill envelopes (Fed Ex, Airborne). Peel off the back and it works wonderfully as a lint remover.
• 5. Index cards with sightseeing information taped onto them. Example: when I last went to Paris I copied information from my Rick Steves' Paris guide and separated everything by district, taping all information for each district onto the same card(s). When I was in that particular district I had only to look at my cards to find addresses and phone numbers for museums, restaurants, shoppng, etc., all within the same vicinity. After visiting each district, I tossed the card, making my load lighter.
• Hershey's Kisses
• Budget 1 roll of film per day of trip.
• I travel with 'disposable' clothing. Old underwear, socks, t-shirts that are on the verge of needing to be thrown away are easily tossed to free up room for souvenirs. Remember to pack a couple extra pair of socks and underwear just in case you need more than one pair a day.
• Tylenol PM
• Safety pins.
• Rubberbands.
• Keep a 3x5 index card with your name and address printed clearly on it. Keep it handy as in your guidebook. Every time you start a new roll of film take a picture of the card first. When you get your film developed any roll that has strayed from the envelope will find its way back to you from the photo lab.
• Fem Wipes
• individually packaged Wash N Dry's
• mini-sewing kit
• kleenex and moist wipes so you can dispose of tampons in a sanitary manner and insert a fresh one after cleaning off thoroughly.
• Granola bars and packets of cheese
• pair of Eccos and a pair of Clark clogs