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Post by Libby on Oct 16, 2004 13:40:14 GMT -5
Did you pack an umbrella? Was it big? small? lightweight? worth it?
What about taking a second pair of shoes. England in May, do I really need sandals? Would a second pair of sneakers be the best?
What did you do with your money/important stuff when you went to sleep? Lock it up in a locker? Sleep with it?
Sewing kits....are they worth it?
A plastic cup that collapses? An essential purchase?
ARGH....the things that swirl around in my head when I'm bored!
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Post by LHR02 on Oct 16, 2004 13:52:14 GMT -5
Did you pack an umbrella? Was it big? small? lightweight? worth it?
For two of three last trips I did. I have one of those collapsable ones that are about 6 inches long when closed. Was it worth it.....I think I used it one time ever. My hands/arms were always full enough, daypack, camera, guidebook, etc....it's a hassle I think.
What about taking a second pair of shoes. England in May, do I really need sandals? Would a second pair of sneakers be the best?
Are you speaking of a 'nicer, dressy' pair of shoes or just a second pair of everyday walking shoes? If the first, depends on your plans, if the second, no way. One pair of everyday shoes is enough.
What did you do with your money/important stuff when you went to sleep? Lock it up in a locker? Sleep with it?
Once again, not a hostel person. So I never had to grapple with this. I always had a room to myself and nowadays even the most budget budget hotels have little in room safes.
Sewing kits....are they worth it?
I have a tiny little one that just includes bare basics, 3 or 4 hanks of thread, couple of needles, several buttons in ass't sizes and a few safety pins. It's not as big as a pack of cigs. And I used it several times actually, mostly for buttons. Takes up so little room it isn't an issue to me, I just automatically toss it in.
A plastic cup that collapses? An essential purchase?
My first two long trips I did not have one. This last one I broke down and got the cup and the immersion heater from Magellins.....and wondered every morning why I had not done it before! Just being able to have something hot to drink first thing in the morning or right before bed was great. Once again, takes up minimal room and for me a wonderful creature comfort.
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Post by jennifer on Oct 16, 2004 13:54:34 GMT -5
id you pack an umbrella?
Yes, I did, it was small, a compact one, i'd say about 5 inches long, it's quite the smallest I found. It was very lightweight, but it ended up just being annoying. I never thought of putting it in my daypack, and when I did, it didn't rain anyways. I sent it home half way! I had a hood on my coat, so I just popped my hood on when it rained, it's not like I wasn't having bad hair days every day anyways, so a little rain didn't scare me! ;D I never have one at home anyways, they just drive me nuts!
What about taking a second pair of shoes. England in May, do I really need sandals? Would a second pair of sneakers be the best?
I personnally just went all the way with my running/walking shoes. They were really comfortable and in Sept/Nov, you don't need sandals or boots, so I was ok. I must say I'd do the same in summer, but would probably bring a pair of comfortable sandals to walk around with because running shoes aren't very sexy with dress/skirt/shorts! Although you're a tourist, you don't have to scream it out I think! hehehe
What did you do with your money/important stuff when you went to sleep?
In my sleepsheet, I have made a little overlap on the top where I tucked in my waistbelt. In places that seemd a little more shady, I just kept in on me at all times!
Sewing kits....are they worth it?
I personnally think it could be worth it if you are prone to ripping stuff or if your kit is really small. It depends on where you're going, but a kit is easy to pick up in Europe if you ever have a loose button! If you have a small one, then it sure doesn't hurt to bring it along!
A plastic cup that collapses?
I didn't think it was worth it personally. I had a bottle, or just bought a water bottle whener I needed one. I poored my coffee in one in the morning without a problem!
An essential purchase? I'd say a sleepsheet, a watch, and ZIPLOC BAGS! I'll never say it enough, ZIPLOCS!
xoxo
Jen
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Post by WillTravel on Oct 16, 2004 14:00:30 GMT -5
Did you pack an umbrella? Was it big? small? lightweight? worth it?
On my last trip, I forgot to take one, so I bought one from a street vendor at Notre Dame. I needed an umbrella, because it rained, sometimes very heavily, about half the days I was in Europe this last trip. Also get some cheap disposable rain ponchos.
What about taking a second pair of shoes. England in May, do I really need sandals? Would a second pair of sneakers be the best?
My feeling is to take two pairs of shoes that are quite different, to give your feet a break. If you are in hostels, you might want sandals so you can protect your feet in the showers (or else take some other lightweight shower shoes).
What did you do with your money/important stuff when you went to sleep? Lock it up in a locker? Sleep with it?
When I'm in a hostel, I keep it on my body while sleeping. A money belt would work and is probably the best idea, or if you have a purse, wrap it around your wrist and sleep with it. If you feel okay about it, you could lock it up in your locker, but then you'd still have to find a way to sleep with the key.
Sewing kits....are they worth it?
I haven't needed it for anything yet.
A plastic cup that collapses? An essential purchase?
I wouldn't have much use for this. If you're at a hostel with a kitchen, they will have cups. Otherwise I have my bottle of water.
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Post by me on Oct 16, 2004 14:02:31 GMT -5
answers, in order: 1. for winter and "shoulder-season," i take an umbrella, or just buy one there. in summer, i take my chances. but, aren't you going to UK? have heard one should *always* have an umbrella there! 2. my 2nd pair of "shoes" are flip-flops [no, John Kerry doesn't travel with me!] to use as shower shoes, or around the hostels. never wear them on the street. 3. i sleep with my security pouch. was just tying it to my waist with the drawstring of the scrubs i sleep in, until it came untied one night at the Beehive. after that, i used a neck thing that i bought the next day with a Florence logo, to have it 'round my neck as i slept. 4. always take a sewing kit, have never needed it. i figure if i fail to take it, that's when i'll need it! ;D 5. never had a cup on my travels. but have always had a water bottle! Did you pack an umbrella? Was it big? small? lightweight? worth it? What about taking a second pair of shoes. England in May, do I really need sandals? Would a second pair of sneakers be the best? What did you do with your money/important stuff when you went to sleep? Lock it up in a locker? Sleep with it? Sewing kits....are they worth it? A plastic cup that collapses? An essential purchase? |
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Post by Kim on Oct 16, 2004 14:39:00 GMT -5
Did you pack an umbrella? Was it big? small? lightweight? worth it?
Yes, and it was small but we ended up sending them home as the hoods on our jackets were good enough.
What about taking a second pair of shoes. England in May, do I really need sandals? Would a second pair of sneakers be the best?
I like one pair of good walking shoes and one pair of sandals that can double as dress shoes but are still comfortable enough to walk in. They are good as shoes you can just throw on if you have to run down to breakfast and things like that as well.
What did you do with your money/important stuff when you went to sleep? Lock it up in a locker? Sleep with it?
Sleeping with it is the best plan. The easiest thing you can do is sew a pocket into your pillow or sleeping sheet. Try and avoid letting people see you put it in there. Keep everything in the money belt in the day then slip into the pouch for sleeping. Make sure to take it with you to the shower - many people have gotten everything stolen by leaving it behind unsecured while showering! Highly recommend bringing your own pillow case as you can wash it and the hostel ones aren't always that clean. It's nice to lay your head down at night knowing it's on something clean!
Sewing kits....are they worth it?
We used ours, I'd bring one - they are light and small and won't make a difference. Also bring a ziplock of band-aids, tylenol, pins, extra ziplocks, mini shout stain wipes..)
A plastic cup that collapses? An essential purchase?
I'd go with a waterbottle - not a big one as filled it will be heavy. We had cups and we used them for orange juice in the morning etc. as well as a bowl for eating when hostels didn't have kitchens (we'd buy some cereal and a small thing of milk). The bowl we used alot (just one of those camping ones) but I'd bring a water bottle over a cup next time.
Kim
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dougj
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 205
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Post by dougj on Oct 16, 2004 14:42:01 GMT -5
1. I bought an unbrella in london as it was pouring down rain just about everyday we were there. even though I had a raincoat the umbrella did come in handy. if you can find a small, light one, I say why not.
2. I brought 2 pairs of shoes and a pair of flip flops. I sent one pair of shoes back (the dressier ones) as I didn't need them (my new balance shoes were fine for everything). don't worry about wearing sneakers/hiking shoes since a lot of people over there wear them. same thing with baseball hats.
3. didn't stay in dorms so not applicable.
4. didn't take a sewing kit. didn't need one either.
5. we bought some plastic cups in a grocery store. came in handy in places that didn't provide them in the room.
one thing I'd suggest taking is a corkscrew if you're into wine. a decent one. i cracked off the one on my knife and ended up buying one on the street.
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Post by me on Oct 17, 2004 20:48:30 GMT -5
 beware the baseball cap in Italy! they might think you're a lesbian same thing with baseball hats.
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Post by Libby on Oct 17, 2004 22:27:25 GMT -5
And would that be a bad thing?  |
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Post by WillTravel on Oct 18, 2004 0:04:37 GMT -5
David's referring to an old tip of dustoffmom. Apparently in DOM's experience if a woman wears a baseball cap in Italy, she will be thought of as a lesbian and thus left alone by the men. I think that would be a good thing  . I don't like baseball caps (they just feel uncomfortable to me), so I've been sort of considering wearing a headscarf to add a matronly air. |
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Post by Libby on Oct 18, 2004 10:16:38 GMT -5
Ahh...ok.
I don't wear hats of any kind. I look horrible in them.
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Post by me on Oct 18, 2004 15:57:39 GMT -5
Maybe, yes. Maybe, no.  And would that be a bad thing? |
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Marie
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 114
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Post by Marie on Oct 19, 2004 9:07:44 GMT -5
I would also always carry a spoon in my daypack. Not always so clean, but you can wash it once at the hostel and great when you want to eat yogurt or anything else with a spoon in the middle of the day!
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beware the baseball cap in Italy! they might think you're a lesbian 
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