I know I have already sent this list to you guys, but because Chris and Marissa missed out on it the first go around I am posting it here. This will also make it easier to find when you start making. I have, additionally, made some changes to it, so peruse once more. I’m sure you’ll find it exciting and stimulating, maybe even titillating.
THE ULTIMATE COMPREHENSIVE LONG-TRIP BACKPACKER’S PACKING LIST
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It is important to remember that we all will have to carry our luggage around with us as we (1) traverse cities (2) search for hostels and hotels (3) wait for trains and buses (4) board trains and buses (5) go through airport security, and (6) most importantly we have to fit it all plus all of our bodies in our Ford Galaxy minivan. The better you plan, the lighter you can pack, and the lighter you pack the more you will appreciate your planning and your trip. I have traveled around Europe packed to the gills with everything I might could ever need in any situation, completely fatigued by my luggage, and feeling silly about all the unnecessary crap I brought with me. So, think and choose wisely. I.E. One book usually suffices, the extra pair of casual shoes that match that dress perfectly are generally unnecessary, and the complete Sephora salon-in-a-box has a poor weight/benefit ratio when traveling. Choose wisely. Also consider that each person can carry a universal necessity. I.E. Someone can pack shampoo and conditioner to be shared, and the other can pack a bottle of hairspray and a brush. Just food for thought.
Travel in Style – Ford Galaxy
You want to limit yourself to three (3) bags.
(A) Your carry-on size luggage bag. This will preferably have wheels on it.
(B) Your personal item bag. This can be a backpack or secondary bag in addition to your purse and/or camera bag.
(C) Toiletry bag. This will be necessary in any shared bathroom situation for keeping all of your essentials easily accessible and portable. It should be waterproof & to contain any spilled liquids that you hold inside it.
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FOR YOUR CARRY-ON SIZE LUGGAGE:
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(Trust me, the time and worry you save yourself by packing carry on only is worth leaving a few things behind. Get a regulation size carry-on bag WITH ROLLERS. You’re going to hate life if you have to carry the fucker everywhere.)
- Do not bring any valuable jewelry or purses! Do not bring your favorite shirt! Do not bring something you cannot bear to lose or damage! Leave it at home.
2/3 – Pairs of jeans (plus the pair you travel in). Jeans are good because they don’t get dirty fast and can be worn a few times without washing. They are also warmer than cotton pants. You won’t need shorts or dresses for this trip. Unless you’re trying to turn your groin into an arctic tundra. So Chris, you should probably pack a dress.
7 – pairs of socks, thick socks, give or take. Buy cheap ones at target that you can throw away at the end of the trip to make space for souvenirs.
10 – pairs of underwear (minimum) you literally can never take too many pairs of underwear. Travel is hard, you’ll change them twice a day probably. Pack a couple pairs in your personal item bag JUST IN CASE.
# – Long underwear, as many pairs as you like. I will likely bring 3/4 pairs of long thermal underwear for days when it is particularly cold or when we plan to be outside for a long period of time.
# – Thermal shirts. These are great under sweaters, keep you warm, can be worn with anything, can be slept in.
1 – “Dressed Up” outfit. I will bring a blazer and one or two pressed collared shirts. These be combined with jeans just to dress up appearances a little when necessary.
1/2 – Fleece sweater. It can double as a cushion or pillow and is very warm.
1 – Warm jacket. I’ve found the best jacket for cold and semi-wet weather to be the thick wool type. You can go to Burlinton coat factory and find them in different lengths for $50-100. A mid length one like this one here would be great, though mine is shorter:
http://www.overstock.com/Clothing-Shoes/Claiborne-Mens-4-Button-Wool-Coat/2307852/product.html
They keep you warm & dry, block all wind, and dry fast when damp. Money very well spent.
1 – Multi purpose outdoor jacket. Windproof & water resistant. Check out selection at Target (Champion), or Sports Authority/Bass Pro (Columbia/North Face). Preferably with an expandable hoodie in case of rain.
2 – Pairs of shoes. Don’t bring too many pairs, they are bulky. One pair for casual, one pair for slightly nicer occasions. Closed toe only, you’ll look ridiculous wearing sandals over there. If we go hiking you will need to bring a pair of hiking shoes. These may double as walking shoes if you get a pair that serves both purposes.
1/2 – Belt(s)
1 – Compact umbrella or poncho. Or substitute for outdoor jacket.
1 – Pajama pants, you’ll want something not revealing because people will probably see you wearing it in the hostel. No you can’t sleep with your shirt off.
1 – Plastic bag/garbage bag/laundry bag (something to put old clothes and damp things into).
1 – Lightweight towel, cheap so that you can throw it away at the end of the trip (Walmart). Don’t bring mom’s finest Egyptian cottons.
1 – Pair of shower sandals! VERY IMPORTANT. Also throw away at end of trip.
1 – Power converter. Often times the coverter is built into the charger already, so check that it says 110-220volts, otherwise you’ll need a separate coverter.
1 – Plug adapter. For things that have a converter built in, you’ll still need an adapter. You can probably find all of these things at Walmart.
1 – Pillow case…trust me or trust the hostel. It’s light and doubles as a laundry bag.
1 – Wool cap/scarf/gloves if you like; but you’ll probably find ones over there you want to buy instead.
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FOR YOUR 1 PERSONAL ITEM CARRY ON BAG:
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(This can be another carry-on size big or something smaller. I’m going to use a mid-sized backpack for ease of carry and will probably carry it will sightseeing also).
1 – Camera / camera battery charger / extra batteries for camera / memory cards
1 – Headphones, preferably ear bud style for smaller size.
1 – Cell phone and charger.
1 – Watch (buy a $10 one from Walmart).
1 – Small flash light, bring it if you have it, can help in the hostel after dark.
- MISC: pens, notebook, book to read, sunglasses, contact lenses + accessoris, extra pair of glasses.
- I will bring (1) pair of earplugs and a neck pillow. The neck pillow is a little bit of a pain to lug around, but anytime you are flying or driving, this thing will be worth every bit of inconvenience for helping you sleep easier.
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FOR YOUR TOILETRY BAG:
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(A small, preferably water resistant/proof toiletry bag will be very useful in lugging your things back and forth from the bathroom if we use the public ones. Also, you can hit up a CVS for many of your toiletries in travel sizes.)
3/5 – Zip lock baggies (can be very handy at random times).
10 – Safety pins (These can be used to lock zippers on your bag while out in the city, smaller pins are harder to open. You can also use key rings on zippers, but they are a little more cumbersome. Various other uses pop up, like locking your pockets shut).
1 – Razor
1 – Toothbrush/paste
1 – Bottle liquid soap (liquid will be easier to carry than a bar)
1 – Shampoo/conditioner (getting a 2-in-1 will be lighter).
1 – Ladies may want to bring a roll or toilet paper or some pocket tissue packs, can also be purchased upon arrival.
1 – Deodorant/cologne/perfume
1 – comb/brush
1 – nail clippers
1 – moisturizer
1 – travel size q-tips
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DOCUMENTS:
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- Passport: Check passport expiration date, it needs to be 6 months past the date you are travelling (i.e. no earlier than JUNE 2010). Otherwise get a new one right now.
- ATM Cards
- 50-200 Cash (american or otherwise, I dont’ recommend carrying more than this. I usually take american dollars to get me to the location, then pull money out of an ATM once I am there. ATM’s are the best way to get money. I’ll keep my American Money for my expenses once I return home or exchange it in the airport).
- Driver’s license
- International Driver’s license
- I like to keep all of my vital financial cards in a wallet in my front pocket (which you can lock with a safety pin :]). For tickets, passport, and the rest I carry a small portfolio. Something with a zipper on it is best. I use a key ring to lock that portfolio in my backpack. Here is a style I like, but a cheaper version is ideal 
:
http://www.swissarmy.com/TravelGear/Pages/Product.aspx?category=personalleathergoods&product=30305701&
- TSA has allowed the use of TSA approved luggage locks. They can have combo/key locked, but they have a bypass key that TSA can use to open them to search luggage. This way you can leagally lock your luggage for transport.
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BEFORE YOU LEAVE:
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- Photocopy your Flight itinerary, ATM cards, Driver license, and passport and leave it with you family at home.
- Put a copy of your driver license in every bag you take.
- Wash dishes
- Empty Trash
- Shave
- Unplug electrical stuff
- Turn off air conditioner
- Memorize ATM card pins
- Wash dirty clothes
- Pay rent and other bills
- Empty all liquid containers
- Clear fridge of perishables
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