what to pack

[J FO]

I have surfed the web and found some "check lists" and guides for what to pack.
Is there anything that I should NOT pack that an inexperienced traveller would?
Is there anything that I should pack that an inexperiece traveller would forget?

[Kim]

Hey! I only sent one pair home! ;D All you need is a good pair of walking shoes (I had hiking shoes) and if you are planning on being anywhere in the spring/summer, a pair of sandals-Tevas, Nike sandals etc. are great cause they can go in the shower, to the beach etc.

Completely agree with the dressy clothes thing-you think you might need them for going out etc. but you really won't, have one decent pair of pants/shirt or skirt/shirt and you are good to go. Most of the time you will be wearing everyday clothes.

I use a watch with an alarm-I use it as an alarm clock as well-saves space on not having to pack a clock.

Ziplock bags. SO handy. Put anything that might spill in them (get the heavy duty kind) and bring extras.

Sunscreen. Pack a bottle if you are travelling in sunny weather. We found it to be incredibly expensive pretty much everywhere in Europe. That chapstick with 45 sunscreen in it is another good thing.

I never bring a discman cause I never seem to use it but if you do, burn (or get someone to burn) a few mixed CD's instead of bring a whole wack of them.

A pillowcase. You are never really sure how often the bed linen in hostels gets washed. I once got pink eye from a pillowcase in a hostel in California. (I know, cause I was sick with the flu in bed for 3 days and didn't leave the room) You can wash your own pillowcase as often as you want and never have to worry.

Some sort of bowl and eating utensils. Huge budget saver for hostels without kitchens. You can have cereal for breakfast, make sandwiches with the utensils etc. I think those were two of the best things we brought.

Kim

[Eagle]

I know it's preferable to take only one pair of shoes, however I may have to settle for two pairs. I have one pair for "city shoes" (Rockports - they are REALLY comfortable!) and am hoping to buy a lightweight pair of "day hikers" for "country shoes". The Rockports are less than ideal for hiking as they don't provide good ankle support, and also the soles will be torn to shreds on rocks, etc. They're not really designed for that sort of environment. I have a pair of Montrail shoes in mind for hiking (haven't bought them yet), and hope this won't be a problem in packing them around. Any thoughts???

[Frank]

My shoes are 13s so bringing more than one pair takes up a lot of space. I wear dark brown Hi-Tec boots. For dress and hiking, how about a pair of Doc Martens?

Other things I always carry are a Photon Microlight, a book and a Readers Digest magazine, a towel, a fanny pack, 2-3 zip ties and a small roll of duct tape.

Things I don't take are a knife. I keep mine on my keyring with the Photon so I have to remember to take it off before I leave home. I don't know if the plastic ones are allowed.