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Post by Libby on Dec 5, 2004 13:09:57 GMT -5
Here is what I'm thinking of so far. I packed all of this into my backpack today and it was a very tight fit and was a bit on the heavy side. The good news is that my itinerary doesn't look like I'll have much lugging anyway.
What am I missing? I did this to see if there is anything I need to ask for at Christmas ;D
Clothes
4 t-shirt
1 heavy fleece
4 pairs socks
4 pairs of undies
1 pair cotton sleep pants
2 pair of jeans
1 cotton pants
Nylon jacket
Nylon pants
Sneakers
Walking shoes
Toiletries
Soap
Shampoo
Deodorant
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Electric razor
Travel Towel
Nail clippers
flip-flops for shower
Q-tips
Earplugs
Misscelanious
Travel Clothesline
Small bottle of Woolite
Sink stopper
Sewing kit
First Aid kit
Umbrella
LP Travel Guide
Money belt
Swiss Army knife
Silk hostel sheet
Camera
Film
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Post by jennifer on Dec 5, 2004 13:46:37 GMT -5
Hi!
I would personnally bring a few extra pairs of socks. You seem here to have 4 days worth of clothes, (4 shirts) so I'd bring 6-7 pairs of socks. They take up little space and you may change them often if you sweat, step in mud, etc...! Pants you may sometimes where two days, so i'd bring an extra t-shirt as they too take up relatively little space and they can be handy too. If you have only sleep pants and you'll be wearing one of your shirts for that, than the more reason to bring an extra one!
I would strongly suggest bringing only one pair of shoes. I had my Asics running/waling shoes for 2 months and they were great. I really suggest only one pair. Shoes are so bulky and annoying to lug around!
Don't forget to put all your toiletries and stuff in ziploc bags! These are the key to happy backpacking! ;D heheh everything can be used with ziplocs, they are amazing!
I really really do not suggest bringing your electric razor! A disposable one is highly suggested and it is way smaller, it is a lot lighter and most of all, you won't need an adaptor for it!
How long will you be staying? I know I read it somewhere but I can't remember!
You may want to really think about your umbrella. It's been discussed around here before. I personnally hate this object, hate lugging it around and hate having it all wet and not knowing what to do with it. I just used my coat cap as a rain stopper! But I understand someone who would want to have an umbrella, so i mean, it's really personal opinion for this!
Swiss Army knife : Make sure you don't take in on the carry-on!
Do you have an extra battery for your camera?
DO you have enough film, cause they are expensive in Europe?
How about a traveljournal and pen (always handy)? And you can take down adresses of your loved ones to send postcards if you ever decide to.
How about a few postcards from your hometown to give out your email adress to nice people you meet on the road? I always do this but I don't know if most people do!
How about a set of ustensils? ALWAYS handy!
Well, that's all I can think of for now, but you seem to be really well packed up and ready!
xoxo
Jen
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Post by WillTravel on Dec 5, 2004 13:56:17 GMT -5
Here's me being contrary. I'd always bring two pairs of shoes, because one pair of shoes always turns traitor on me! It doesn't matter how comfortable the pair is when I leave. Plus, one pair could get wet. But I know many people, including my son and daughter, seem to be happy with one.
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Post by Libby on Dec 5, 2004 14:03:50 GMT -5
Thanks Jennifer! I'm going to Scotland and England for 1 month in May.  I did wonder about the t-shirts, you are probably right about bringing a 5th. It's just I'm not a small girl and my clothes are bigger and bulkier than others. It really is a tight squeeze. I also wondered about bringing an old, very thing and light t-shirt I have for sleeping in. It would wash easy and dry in a snap. The shoes...oh, the shoes. I actually bought a pair of walking sandals to take but I've been since informed that they would be a waste of space. I'm going to Britain in May, it's sneakers all the way. But I did think about a second pair of light walking shoes. They wouldn't be too bulky. I thought it would give both my feet and shoes a rest now and again. The electric razor is an essential for reasons I can't really get into. That thing has been to the back of beyond with me. I'm still not sure about the umbrella. My jacket is only a shell and with English weather being what it is, I'd be wet mosts of the time. It says it's waterproof, but they never are. I've heard mixed things about umbrellas. I'd have to say it's split 50/50...some say take one, others say leave it at home. I do have a small, travel umbrella though. I got Ziplocks! I took Kim's advice and picked up a hanging toiletries case but I'll ziplock stuff anyway. I can see it being quite messy if I don't. What about your clothes. Do you ziplock them as well? Oh..and the utelsils are a great idea! I have a nifty set of plastic ones I can toss in. Edited to add: I have 9 rolls of film now and I might pick up another 3...I'm not sure. My camera is brand new. Do you think a second battery is necessary? And I have a travel journal. I won it here ;D |
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Post by WillTravel on Dec 5, 2004 14:21:11 GMT -5
I had a pair of walking sandals this summer (in addition to my pair of walking shoes) and they were great. The brand was Rieker.
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Post by jennifer on Dec 5, 2004 14:26:18 GMT -5
Me again!
If you only knew how I love the fact I can talk about travelling here although I can't go, hehee thanks Lib!
Well, tell you the truth, I ain't the tiniest either, trust me. But coton shirts can turn out to roll quite small, anyways smaller than many others. Most of the time it's the accessories that take up space, not the clothes. Go with what you are comfortable, 4 shirts and a light one for sleeping is fine. You'll have to laundry every now and then but hey, joys of travelling!
Well, ok ok ok I must admit, you're probably right Will for the shoes, but I think this again is a personal call. I rather keep space in my pack, but if I'd go in summer I admit I'd bring my Asics and some sandals/walking sandals, so ok, for may I must admit it's not such of a bad idea!
If you need them in your own opinion, bring them! You wouldn't want to regret it!
Well if you need the electric razor, than tag it along, just don't forget all the nifty adaptors and stuff! Eagle could help you out more on that if you need help, I totally suck at technology!
Hum, in the U.K. well, i'd say an umbrella would be a better idea than a coat considering it rains a lot more than central europe...! Go ahead for a small one I guess, but one trick, bring a freezer ziploc (big) bag with you in your day pack (oh by the way, have you packed your day pack? ;D) this way when the sun comes out, you can put your little umbrella in the ziploc and not have it leak all over your stuff!
OH ZIPLOCS RULE! Trust me! heheh I had the big freezer bags where I put all my tickets and papers I wanted to keep for my scrapbook and I kept my journal in it so it wouldn't get wet or damaged. I also rolled my clothes (takes up way less space!!!!!!) and then I put them in ziplocs. Although the ziplocs didn't close, I still had my shirts in one ziploc and my pants in the other, without a hassle for reaching into your pack. Also, why not bring a mesh underwear bag, it's great not to loose your socks and undies!
Well, some batteries I had a hard time finding in europe, like a special one I need for my camera. Of course they exist, but by the time you run out, it's too late and sometimes you aren't close to a store. I bought one at home to make sure I had the right one and threw it in my daypack. You never know I guess! This is also personal paranoia hehe!
xoxo
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Post by WillTravel on Dec 5, 2004 14:36:17 GMT -5
Last trip, I had one pair of walking shoes and the one pair of walking sandals and that worked really well.
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Post by Libby on Dec 5, 2004 14:48:25 GMT -5
Jennifer, Talk all you want about this. I need all the help I can get. ;D The ziplock bag for the umbrella is a stroke of brilliance. I never even considered that. Another bit of good advice I was given today was to use elastic bands on rolled clothes. Funny, but I bought new flannel sheets and they came in a little plastic zipper bag that I thought would be perfect for packing clothes in. Anyone ever used one of those? My only concern would be no air circulation. I made up my own little sewing kit in a Altoids tin. One of the little ones if you can believe it! I'm also using a ziplock bag for my first aid kit. There is enough room in my toiletries bag to store that. I'll make up a smaller kit to use in my day pack. So..yes! I do have a day pack. It zips on to my main pack. It's only 5L, but it holds most things I need |
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Post by jennifer on Dec 5, 2004 14:52:49 GMT -5
Well, you're on a roll girl!  I have some concern about using an elastic band. Although it's a smart idea, I'm be worried about having a mark on my clothes. Most cotons, if you leave something against it to long, it takes up the shape, so a rubber band may form a line if your clothes...i think...! Haven't used a bag for sheets, but that would be perfect. What's wrong with the air circulation anyways? Just empty out the air before you close the bag and voilà!<br> Well, .... Jen xoxo |
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Post by Libby on Dec 5, 2004 16:06:49 GMT -5
So now I just need to save money...and save money...and save money!
OH ya...and buy my plane ticket. LOL
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Michelle
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 179
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Post by Michelle on Dec 6, 2004 12:26:45 GMT -5
Libby, Your list looks good. I brought most of the same things and used almost all of it. I didn't see anything on your list that I brought and wish that I hadn't so that's good! Except for you might want to think twice about the sleep sheet. Do you know which hostels you are staying in yet? If so, you should check into which ones require you to either have your own sheet, or to rent from them. In my opinion, leaving it at home and paying for sheets is a better idea than packing it and also having to wash it! I think it's better just to rent for a few euros and leave it behind for them to wash it! I would however, suggest you bring your own pillowcase. I took the advice from Kim, and I was so glad for those times that the pillow looked somewhat "questionable"! At least you know your face is on something clean!  Let me know if you need any other advice... but so far your list looks good! ~Michelle |
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Post by jennifer on Dec 6, 2004 15:50:19 GMT -5
Yup, Michelle's right!
But I must say, I rather take my sleepsheet along, don't know why, i guess it's some kind of home feeling far away from home. I made it myself out of an old ugly sheet that I cherish, so I must say even in the worst beds, it was still not so bad!
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Post by Kim on Dec 6, 2004 15:50:20 GMT -5
Yeah, I always recommend bringing a pillow case - at least you can wash it and you know it's clean!
Michelle - great to see you back and posting!!
Kim
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Post by Libby on Dec 6, 2004 16:11:23 GMT -5
I think I'm going to take a zippered pillow cover rather than a pillow case. That way I can cover the pillow and zip it up completly. I was told this is also a great place to stick your moneybelt while you sleep as well. I'd onlly worry about getting up in the middle of the night for a bathroom break and forgetting it was in there.  I can't see me adding anything more to this list other than a few locks. I think it's pretty much set. BTW...what type of lock do you recommend for the lockers? |
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Post by WillTravel on Dec 6, 2004 16:24:09 GMT -5
That's a great tip for the moneybelt. I'll be sure to use that in the future as needed.
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