Packing Creative Extras: 2001
While we're fanatic about packing light, we all slip a goofy little extra in. Which soothing, handy, or fun packing extravagances can you justify? Here's what you thought:
More on Downy
I agree with Elizabeth's suggestion about the Downy Wrinkle Releaser. I
had originally bought a travel size Febreze bottle, but I like the scent
of the Downy better. So I emptied the Febreze into a larger Febreze bottle
that I always have on hand, and filled it with Downy. Boy, it certainly
does double duty — smooths out those wrinkles and whisks away the awful
cigarette smoke that seems to permeate everything. Downy has earned its
place as a mainstay of definite creative extras in my travel bag.
Babe <email>
St. Petersburg, FL USA 11/28/01
Wrinkle free
If there is one item of clothing you need to take and it is not wrinkle
resistant be sure to bring a tiny bottle filled with Downy wrinkle releaser.
We had one fancy affair to attend and coming from a backpack my dress would
have been a disaster without it! It's scent freshened up all other clothes
too! A luxury but I'll be taking it with in the future!
Elizabeth <email>
Ames, IA USA 11/25/01
Packing Creative Extras
"Dr. Scholl's" and "Band-aid" both have a new "blister block cushion" product.
Essential if breaking in a new pair of walking shoes.
Bruce Toy <email>
Calgary, Alberta Canada 11/21/01
If you buy posters while on your trip, here's a trick. Instead of buying
the roll-up tube type carriers (just seems like extra stuff to drag around)
I bought foam core (any rigid lightweight cardboard, etc. will do), cut
it to the size of my suitcase, and sandwiched my finds between 2 layers.
I only bought items that would fit nicely inside. It can be kept at the
bottom of your suitcase during the whole trip, and it is easy to slip new
finds inside as you go.
marcy <email>
Denver, CO USA 11/12/01
duct tape
I was in a little town in Belgium recently on a Saturday morning. I parked
my car in a lot but did not see a curbstone as I drove in. Upon backing
out, the front of the car scraped along this curbstone and pulled the low,
plastic decorative undermolding away from the car. Unfortunately, one part
of this molding was still connected to the car. I could not go forward or
backward with this thing hanging down. I also had no tools and there was
no open garage in sight. But I did remember that for some unfathomable reason
I had packed a small, 8 ft. roll of the handymans secret weapon, duct tape!
I was able to tape the whole assemby back in place and it held up nicely
until I was able to find a garage.
Grant Reedstrom <email>
LeMars, Iowa 51031, IA USA 11/09/01
Packing Creative Extras
Leather luggage tags. I print both destination and home address tags. I
put the destination tag on top for outbound and my home address/phone number
on top for the return trip. It makes no sense to only have your home address — your lost luggage will NEVER catch up with you in Europe.
Helen <email>
Steilacoom, WA USA 11/04/01
Packing Creative Extras
We spent 5 weeks in France & Germany and traveled with one carry on each — and I still took more than needed.
Here are my favorites: Baush & Lomb makes a small flat magnifier w/light
that was invaluable for reading maps. It even helped during the day for
the small fine print of many of the maps. Zip lock bags — lots — in several
sizes. I pack clothes in them, separate the various currencies, & store
receipts, tickets stubs and slips of paper. Palm pilot w/one extra set
of batteries. Buy more batteries as you travel. Flushable moist towelettes
work for everything from TP to makeup removers. And remember there is
no need to purchase items at home for the entire trip for most overseas
travel. Pharmacies, grocery stores, and small shops have everything (and
more) that we might need.
HK <email>
Steilacoom, WA USA 11/04/01
All-purpose straps
Before travelling (to Kosovo with a humanitarian aid NGO, not your usual "backdoor" experience) I made two adjustable-length straps that came in
handy for quite a number of uses. At a fabric/craft store, I bought 1" wide
heavy-duty nylon strapping and two sets of plastic buckles, both like on
a belt bag. I made up one strap about 15" long, the other something over
24" and adjustable. Uses over two different trips: strapped coats or sweaters
to my carryon backpack; wrapped some bedding together in a bundle during
one odd weeklong outing; tied shut an extra little bag to check in the airline
as I was coming home with more stuff than I left with; AND served as an
arm splint to immobilize my arm when I cut my hand fairly badly! These straps
are lightweight, easy to make (stitch a buckle on one end, fold strap around
the other buckle so it's adjustable — the hardest part is figuring out
how the strap wraps around the buckle), easy to take, and really versatile.
I've been amazed at how useful such simple little cheapo things have been!
Rebecca <email>
Gig Harbor, WA USA 11/02/01
Cards, hangers and atms
My favorite extras were, preprinted business cards, with our name, address,
phone and email addresss. It made it easy to exchange addresses with our
newfound friends. I also packed 2 inflatable hangers. It dried our shirts
much quicker than the regular hangers. We also used ATM cards with travelers
checks as back up. The exchange rate was excellent and we were able to access
cash quickly.
Julia <email>
Victoria, TX USA 10/30/01
digital camera
Made a ton of friends with my ultra compact Canon Powershot S100 digital
camera that has an LCD preview screen on the back.
Phil Leventhal <email>
San Diego, CA USA 10/24/01
locks for pack or purse zippers
If you put the lock through the SMALL holes in the zipper pulls — that is,
the ones closest to the zipper itself — it is much harder to get a hand into
the pack. Locking and unlocking are tricky, but well worth it for the added
security. Eagle Creek now makes zippers with lock-holes that overlap, so
they're a cinch to lock.
Meg Rosenfeld <email>
Santa Rosa, CA USA 10/23/01
Little Lock is Nice
I put a mini 2-digit travel lock hooking the two zipper ends together on
my daypack. Of course my real valuables were in my money belt, but I felt
more peace of mind in outdoor markets, etc., with the pack on my back feeling
like someone couldn't just unzip it and steal my inexpensive camera or other
stuff it might have been a pain to replace. Nothing is foolproof, but I
believe this is a good prevention. ps You will see a lot of Parisan woman
keep these little locks on their handbags and worry less about roving hands
on the Metro.
Tori Radaich <email>
Los Angeles, CA USA 10/06/01
the body shop makes wonderful scented travel candles in yummy scents- vanilla
is my favourite! they last a long time as well- i burned mine every night
for almost a month! it was really nice at the end of a long day to have
living light in such a soothing scent, whether in a hotel room or camping.
i also brought some incense along with me ("nag champa" from india) and
it helped get rid of musty smells in our camper van and helped us relax
after a long day. it's also nice to spark one up in a park while you have
a picnic, or if you're attending an outdoor concert.
miz g
toronto, on canada! 10/04/01
My favorite creative extra to pack is an immersion heater. Plug into an outlet, place the working end in a cup of water, and soon you're ready for tea. The heater and an assortment of tea bags fit neatly into a lightweight plastic cup.
It's nice to relax in the evenings with a cup of tea, maybe some cookies, and a book. Peppermint tea soothes an upset stomach and chamomile is good for frazzled nerves.
When I travel alone, I pack two cups. That may seem backwards, but I
find it's a wonderful ice breaker at hostels. ("I'm fixing tea. Would
you like some?") I don't remember ever being turned down.
Lori
Wa, USA 9/30/01
Pillow case
The best extra I brought to Paris last spring was a pillow case. On the
plane I tucked the airline pillow & my sweater inside and snoozed much better.
In several hotels I found "extra" pillows in the dresser with no cases-problem
solved. It kept down the allergies to feather pillows, was a great laundry
sack, and excellent for rolling around a bottle of wine for the trip home.
Best extra I brought!
Kerri <email>
Seattle, WA USA 09/13/01
A fun extra to bring is a pedometer that you clip on your belt or waistband.
I wore my every day and was amazed at how much walking I actually did! I
logged over 160 miles in less than four weeks without even trying! They
are inexpensive and comfortable to wear. I got mine at REI but they have
them at Walmart, etc. also.
Renee
CO USA 09/09/01
We are visiting Europe in Oct. We recently sent our daughter for a
semester of school in Scotland. I wanted to send something with her to lock
her back-pack on trips. I found "Quick Links" in the hardware section at
Wal-Mart.They are by Peerless. They are metal links that are small to very
large. The 1/8" sz. is perfect to lock 2 zippers together on a backpack.
Cost about $1.00. They will unscrew easily on one side to get on and off.
Maybe some have suggested this before, but I'm new to this site! I love
everyone's comments! I can't wait to go over!
Geri <email>
Roberts, WI USA 09/08/01
Also can take a hair clip (for putting up long hair) to keep the crack
in the drapes from seeping light all night. And a collapsable cup for drinking
wine in your room (okay, it was a very cheap room with no glasses!). And
always a cork screw!! And a knife of some sort for cutting cheese, fruit,
etc.
Karen Smith <email>
Littleton, CO USA 09/06/01
Here's the biggie. Only costs a couple of bucks, but if you need it, I'll
guarantee you would gladly pay $50.00 for..Immodium AD tablets. Also, a
small roll of masking tape, for the ever present and always annoying crack
of light between the wall and curtain in your room that seems to fall right
across your eyes when you need a nap.
David Abbott <email>
Charlotte, NC USA 08/29/01
Sean — We took our Palm Pilot's with allkinds of travel info, language
program, maps it was all we needed in 1 small package. I had notes, on how
to validate passes when Sights were open, cost etc. It was indispensable
to us.
Hasschen
USA 08/25/01
Here's an idea for all you camera buffs. I bought a thumb screw with
1/4-20 threads at a hardware store. I also purchased about 8 feet of light
chain. When I got home I drilled a hole thru the thumb screw and bent a
link of the chain and threaded it thru the hole. I then bent the chain back.
When you screw the thumb screw into the tripod hole in the bottom of your
camera, hold the camera up to your eye and stand on the chain. Pull up on
the camera to tighten the chain and your camera is now rock steady. you
have just built a "chainpod" that takes up no more space than a tennis ball
in your bag.
Milton McCleskey <email>
Arlington, Tx USA 08/24/01
When finding a daypack, consider a diaper bag backpack. They have lots
of pockets for little things, places for wet items (or to keep items dry),
insulated bottle holders that can keep your water bottles cool, and a changing
pad that can be used as a seat cushion on hard seat. Many are very fashionable
and look like a regular backpack, but with benefits! Happy travelling.
CA USA 08/21/01
The best tool will be my Handspring Visor, it's not tested as an international
travel aid but it will have my currency converter, some maps, train timetables,
address book, and a dictionary.
Sean
St. Paul, MN USA 08/15/01
My husband and I just got back from a 2 week trip in Italy. All we
brought were two backpacks recently purchased on this site. They worked
out wonderfully! Packing as light as possible was really what made the trip
so successful. Here are some other things which made the trip a delight
(besides the incredible country itself). I took advice from other people
on the wall and packed the following which proved INDISPENSABLE: 1. Downey
wrinkle releaser: absolutely, hands down, the best thing we brought with
us. Used it every time we got dressed; 2. Hanging toiletry bag (purchased
on this site): not one hotel had counter space, so this was essential and
it held everything in place; and 3. A little bottle of Spray and Wash: used
this to spot clean little stains. Thanks everyone for their helpful advice!
It made our trip much more enjoyable.
Amy <email>
Seattle, WA USA 08/15/01
Great things to bring:
1. A keychain compass. Not just for use when exiting subways, also great just in case you get disoriented anywhere (and especially if you want to make sure if your cabbie is headed in the right direction!).
2. Ziplock bags! I brought 10 for two weeks and could have used 10 more. I used them for sorting coins from different currencies, holding receipts, transporting soaps/shampoos without a mess.
3. ATM/debit card. Not just for purchases, but primarily for ATM withdrawls. Much more convenient than trying to cash a traveler's check...while other members of our tour had to find American Express offices in each new country, I had money available at any major rest stop.
The jury's still out: — Number combination padlocks. If you aren't careful,
you may accidentally reset them or, they may get jammed.
Chris Bryant <email>
Southfield, MI USA 08/13/01
My favorite creative extras begin with Fabreze. It is so handy because it
gets out any smell. Small packets of Woolite are valuable as well because
they are sealed and one packet is meant for a sinkload. Those women's facial
wipes (by Ponds?) are great for cleaning your face and body. It comes in
handy when you don't have time for a shower after a long travel day. The
products that I have used the most include my Eagle Creek daybag/backpack.
I used it every day. It contained my camera, light jacket, map, book, and
maybe lunch. Perfect for daily city-going.
A.F. Castellanos <email>
CA USA 08/10/01
Instead of buying spray-on wrinkle removers for your travel creased
clothing, carry a small spray bottle that creates a fine mist. Just mist
your clothing lightly (don't soak it) and smooth out wrinkles with your
hand. This method works so well that I also use it when I'm not traveling.
In hot climates you can use it to spray your face and body for instant air
conditioning.
Jennifer S.
San Francisco, CA USA 08/09/01
At Wal-Mart in the travel size toiletries, I found small travel size
rolls of toilet paper. They are light and small and came in handy when there
wasn't any toilet paper.
Dana <email>
Flowery Branch, GA USA 08/06/01
Still traveling and so far the "must haves" have been: combo locks
(much better than key locks), powder laundry detergent (a little goes a
long way and much easier to rinse out), and a coin purse that is actually
attached to my guide bag, so it can't fall out and it is not easily stolen.
The only thing i've missed so far is a sink stopper (wish i had listened
to the tennis ball guy's idea!)
vesna jovanovic <email>
vancouver, wa USA 07/30/01
The compass is a great idea, especially to navigate in cities with
subways (I normally have an excellent sense of direction, but during my
whole stay in Vienna, Prague and Paris I was completely disoriented). However,
be careful of a couple of things. My little zipper-pull compass was completely
inadequate for hiking — if you're planning to hike you need a good compass
and a topographic map of where you're hiking showing the magnetic declination.
Yes, you can get lost, especially in bad weather, and you need the means
(and knowledge) to navigate. Second, my compass reversed polarity this year
during a train ride. Fortunately, when I got to my destination it was late
afternoon on a sunny day and I realized that there was no way the sun could
be in the east at that point! However, if it had been a cloudy day, I might
still be trying to find my way around Grindelwald, Switzerland. You can
still navigate with a reversed polarity compass, but you have to always
remember that north is south and east is west, which may explain part of
my disorientation in those cities I visited after this event!
Mary from Oregon
USA 07/28/01
We just spent 3 weeks in Greece with a side trip of 5 days in Rome.
Several items came in really handy. Number one was the Global Currency ATM
card through AAA. There were many ATMs even in the smallest greek villages
and it worked flawlessly. Exchange rates were the same as banks and exchange
offices. Because we could get cash easily and anywhere we ended up with
less currency to exchange back when we were done. Elastic clothes line-
We washed underwear almost every night and the line fit every bathroom in
one configuration or another. It was much better than the plain nylon string
we had taken before. Glue stick — Our son kept a journal and this was excellent
for sticking in all of the neat tickets you accumulate from museums, trains,
tours, etc. Rolling suitcases/backpacks — These worked great and were rolled
most of the time. The largest one was the airline max- 22x14x9- and we were
forced to check that once. Other than that- we enjoyed all the benefits
of carryon travel !
Bob Rollins <email>
Davis, CA USA 07/25/01
This tip is not yet road-tested. On my next trip, I plan to take along
several of those large suction hooks like those advertised on TV. These
will be handy to hang up toiletry kits, clothes, clotheslines, etc. and
help keep us organized in tight quarters!
Jeanie Clayton <email>
Daphne, AL USA 07/25/01
One for the "why didn't I think of that" list: While on our whirlwind
month-long honeymoon throughout Europe, my husband had a great idea to keep
our bags from popping open from train-trip to train-trip. We took a bunch
of those wire twist-tie things — the ones that come with garbage bags —
and wrapped those around the zippers. They took a few seconds to unwind,
as well, so it was a bit of a theft deterrent. We had locks for the main
bag compartment, but for the others, we used twist-ties!
Brooke <email>
san jose, ca USA 07/21/01
Creative extra for your trip — pack a compass! It is so helpful to
find your way when you are looking at your map and don't know what direction
is what!
Anne <email>
Albuquerque, NM USA 07/18/01
Everyone says rolling bags. Maybe my back is abnormally strong or I
have wheelaphobia, but I disagree. We used the Voyager pack from Lowe Alpine.
The straps hide behind a zip-up panel for easy checking when flying (so
you beat me to the train station — big deal), and it has a removable daypack
for when you can leave the rest of the bag someplace. I sure as heck don't
want a rolling bag for all of the steps we encountered in Salzburg.
Rick Theiner <email>
Greenville, NC USA 07/18/01
Febreeze small spray bottle to get ride of lingering cigarette smoke
in clothing, a swiss army knife, pack cut up strips of Bounce dryer sheets
in between some of your clothing to keep smelling fresh and help absorb
moisture. Used the Eqgle Creek Bags from Rick Steves ...they were great!
Also...mini binoculars great for seeing the ceiling at the Sistine Chapel
and assorted sites.
Debbie Phibbs <email>
Mukilteo, Wa USA 07/17/01
My Budget Towel Packing Tip: Some "dollar" stores sell synthetic chamois
cloths for polishing and pampering autos. They're made of a material similar
to those more expensive travel towels. Do this: Machine sew two chamois
cloths together for a great towel. Then sew on a little loop at one corner
to hang it on the hook in the shower stall. Machine wash your towel before
you leave home for softness and nice absorbancy. Also, cut another chamois
cloth in half & sew it into a mit, if desired, for a great wash cloth. They're
strong but light, held up well, dried quickly & didn't get smelly either.
They take up little room in your bag, much less than a big, bulky towel.
LM <email>
Philadelphia,PA, PA USA 07/13/01
I read many different suggestions about laundry detergent before my
trip to Europe. I looked at many stores for travel supplies and found
the perfect thing. It was a box with 8 single use packs of Woolite. There
was one that included a sink stopper, and one included a line. These were
great! We didn't have to worry about putting detergent and having it leak.
I found them at both Mori Luggage and Gifts and at Galyan's.
Dana <email>
Flowery Branch, GA USA 07/13/01
photocopy guidebooks, then upon returning, cut them up and use them
to describe sights in the photo album. Detailed map and specific directions
regarding your hotels.
Linda <email>
CA USA 07/13/01
The writers on this board have frequently recommended having extra toilet
paper when you travel. While that is a good idea, we also carried Cottonelle
Flushable Wipes on our last trip. They came in very handy and were kind
of like having a portable bidet along. Drop a few down in a resealable
bag and they will stay moist and ready to use throughout the trip.
Larry
Kansas City, MO USA 06/30/01
I just traveled with The North Face's "Galileo" Large Size bag. It was absolutely wonderful. This bag was so comfortable to carry, it truly becomes "one" with your body. It also converts into a shoulder bag when needed. Another addition is the detachable daypack, which had just as much body support, with a waist and shoulder strap to ensure I could hold a lot of souvenirs without getting tired.
The added bonuses were the "raincoat" for the backpack and the security strap. I hiked through a downpour in Germany and was wearing my rainjacket and the packs cover, and everything stayed dry. The pack also has an integrated security strap on the top ensuring that it would take a lot more than a pair of scissors to take my pack away.
As far as comfort goes, wow, The North Face put a lot of work into this bag. It retails for about $250, but I got mine at Adventuregear.com for $175.
Another great addition was a light sleeping bag. I used The North Face's Kilo bag with a Therm-a-rest ultralite camping pad. I was a vegabond pro in the train stations. I could not even feel the floor! Together they weighed only 2 lbs 7 ozs and compressed to the size of a coffee can. Yes, they were $150 to purchase, but I had 11 wonderful FREE nights of sleeping, which more than paid for it, and they are still in perfect condition for my next trip. (Bathing was the hard part, but hey, bathing in the sink daily and hitting a campground once every three days for a "full body" bath worked out just fine. Though, during my stay in the cities I became a little "neater" trying to blend in with the locals while not offending anyone.)
Maybe not Europe on $20 a day, but I sure didn't get to the $50 either.
And that includes some "coffee" in Amsterdam...
Justin <email>
USA 06/21/01
Last year for our trip, I bought a digital camera. I love it. However, even with a large capacity memory card, there is limited capacity.
My solution to this is to take a very small sub-notebook computer. I
have a Toshiba Libretto which weights only 2.2 pounds and is about the
size of large appointment book. It does have a small keyboard which is
less than ideal for typing very much, and the mouse takes some practice.
However, with this combo of camera and computer, I am able to shoot pictures
all day long and then download them in the evening. The next day, I am
ready to start all over again. Also, I get a chance to review what I shot.
Rick Sturm <email>
Boulder, CO USA 06/17/01
I packed a small bottle of Febreeze. It helps keep clothes fresh and
would have come in handy when I accidently stepped in dog poop and tracked
it into the car. Downey wrinkle remover helped with odors also and kept
our clothes relatively wrinkle-free. Also, wet wipes, a pocket knife and
flashlight came in very handy.
rp
Tampa, FL USA 06/17/01
I would like to also say good things about the Magellan's folding footrest:
how innovative. It fits just about anywhere, and you can use it just about
anywhere. I, too, have given it/them as gifts.
Nancy <email>
KY USA 06/17/01
Magellan's folding footrest! It is sturdy, lightweight, and folds quite
flat into your carry-on. Just unfold it and prop your feet on it while
on that long flight or other ride. It will help bring your knees level
with your hips and prevent painful leg cramps. It is targeted at shorter
people, but I'm 5'8" and have found the footrest so valuable that I gave
them as Christmas presents to several family members.
Carol
Reston, VA USA 06/14/01
In regards to Janis N's 5/30/00 statement about the Canon Elph camera:
I just bought one and love it! The pictures turn out great. I have the
Canon Elph LT but next I am purchasing the 370Z. I originally bought the
camera for its size. The camera does not take up much room in a pocket,
fanny pack or backpack. I am buying my second one for the same reason
but also for the quality of the pictures. Happy trails!
MiMi <email>
Newnan, GA USA 06/12/01
Do yourself a big favor and get rolling bags! My husband and I just returned from our 5th trip to Europe. Always before we had used carry-on-size backpacks. This time we used rolling bags — one rolling backpack and one rolling duffel, both carry-on-size.
It made a huge difference. This is the first time I've not found myself hating my luggage. I had worried about the wheels holding up on stone streets, but I think that as long as you have bags with in-line skate wheels it shouldn't be a problem.
Rick has added wheeled bags to his collection. You may want to have
a look at them. They look good and are lower priced than others I've seen.
Angela
Lexington, KY USA 06/11/01
The new tank tops with built-in bras, which you see in most mall stores
this summer. What a great idea, especially for those hot and humid days
in Southern Europe! I am so afraid these are just a fashion fad that I
am planning to do a "Noah" thing — buy 2 in every color... Add a matching
knit cardigan, and you are instantly in a respectable twin set.
USA 06/07/01
The best tip I picked up on this site: Downy wrinkle releaser. Pour some in a small trigger spray bottle and put that in a leakproof plastic bag.
Other must-haves: a wide-mouth spill-proof bottle from the Container store. I filled it with Woolite. After buying powdered soap on past trips and ending up with white streaks which didn't rinse out, I found Woolite works in all temperatures and on all of our knits and khakis. It sudsed well in both machines and sinks and rinsed well.
Also, those credit-card-sized flashlights slip into a purse Handy when you get back to your hotel late and can't see the keypad or keyhole.
Plastic spring-type clips to slip over hanger bars — hold slacks, skirts,
or drip dry socks and clothes that won't stay on elastic clotheslines.
Stacey S <email>
Anchorage, AK USA 06/06/01
I second the corkscrew — or better yet, a pocket knife that includes one: after opening your wine, you can use the knife to slice fruit, cheese and bread to have with it. Other useful picnic extras include a travel candle (the kind in a container that keeps it from blowing out) and a pareo. The candle and pareo also both serve double purposes: a nice scented candle can be refreshing in an unexpectedly dank hotel room — or helpful in the case of power outage, which we have occasionally encountered. The pareo is whatever you need it to be: picnic blanket, beach towel, skirt, shawl.
I also would never travel without a white mens' shirt — instant sunblock or warmth, light to carry, easily cleaned, very respectable enough when paired with a skirt or slacks to wear to a nice dinner or a concert.
Oh, and lots of extra large ziplock bags: for toiletries, wet laundry/bathing
suits, food purchases.
Amanda Goehring <email>
New York, NY USA 06/05/01
We like to carry a very small radio with us. It's fun to listen to local
music and even talk shows, whether in English or the local language. (A
tiny 2-1/2-inch hand-held TV might be another alternative — just to see
what's what on local channels.) And on a train, it's fun to ask someone
to help you find a good station — a conversation starter of the simplest
sort.
Amelia
Tallahassee, FL USA 06/03/01
I am never without a miniature spiral-bound notebook and a pen when
traveling in non-English-speaking countries. If I don't understand a conversation,
I'll ask the ticket seller to write the price, the reservationist to write
the time of the next train, the taxi driver to write the price of the
fare (from which I'll negotiate, when needed), etc. In a worst-case scenario,
I can always draw a picture of what I'm looking for, which helped me to
purchase a beautiful Spanish shawl in Madrid last week.
Lee <email>
Detroit, MI USA 06/03/01
The address book: Mine is tiny, but contains many important numbers. I record emergency contacts in case anything happens to me, plus my insurance policy number and phone number (I have my camera and video camera insured separately against theft). It contains also a phone number if my credit card gets lost or stolen.
The insurance and credit card phone numbers I keep in at least 3 different places so in case my stuff gets stolen, I still have those numbers. If the credit card gets stolen, I keep the account number recorded in code in yet another secret place. I lost my credit card once and was so glad I could call immediately and put a block on the card (they do need to know your card number).
A bit of planning like that helps a lot, and does not add weight to
your luggage.
Erika Malitzky <email>
Spokane, Wa USA 05/31/01
I always bring "Hoggy Carmichael," which is an eye-pillow filled with herbs, in the shape of a little pig. And last trip to Europe, my husband sneaked a little beanbag pig into his suitcase to surprise me with.
One day we were waiting for a train in the Munich Hauptbahnhof, and a tiny little boy kept running away from his mother, towards the edge of the platform (this seemed to scare her a lot less than it did us). We distracted him by bringing out a pig. "Schau, Friedrich," said his Mama, in the universal speaking-to-babies voice,"Was ist da-a-as? Ist das ein Schwei-ei-ein?" Friedrich seemed enthralled. Later, with one of our pigs, we cheered up a little Dutch girl who was crying on the ferry to Hull.
I don't know whether we're going to start a fad for traveling with swine,
but little "household gods" of that sort can provide a homey touch as
well as entertain kids. Bringing them along also gives them something
new to talk about when they get home...!
Meg Rosenfeld <email>
Santa Rosa , CA USA 05/30/01
A corkscrew. It's so nice to buy a bottle of wine and enjoy it in the
evening — a lot cheaper than in a restaurant or bar, too!
Erika Malitzky <email>
Spokane, Wa USA 05/29/01
Your favorite decongestant! Especially in Germany, where temperature
changes can occur suddenly and without warning, getting a cold is easier
than you think! I pack some every time I go to Germany, and I use it every
time because I always catch a cold sooner or later.
Erika Malitzky <email>
Spokane, WA USA 05/28/01
Earplugs. They take up virtually no room, help you sleep on the long
plane ride, and are so great to have when you find yourself in a hotel
with thin walls or in a high-traffic area — i.e. most budget places.
kim <email>
ca USA 05/23/01
All I can say is...eyedrops. With all the times you may not get a good
night's sleep, or be surrounded by smokers or irritated by unfamiliar
allergens, nothing feels better than soothing the eyes when they are dry
and burning. I especially have to have the drops when I land in Europe
from the U.S. I rarely get any sleep, and by the time I get there my eyes
feel like they have acid in them.
USA 05/15/01
"Shout Wipes" are an unbelievable way to get stains out of clothes,
without water. I have removed ketchup, chocolate, and dirt with great
success. They're especially useful if you're traveling with kids.
Karen <email>
NC USA 05/12/01
Another important item for hostelers is a long, thin, wire bike lock.
For those people who might be traveling in independant hostels (where
lockers may not be an option), use this bike lock to tie your bag to your
bed frame. I used it many times and it worked out well (even when I was
in a room with 20 strangers).
Valerie Cohen <email>
Berkeley, CA USA 05/11/01
When traveling light, I always bring a couple sheets of 'Bounce' in a plastic baggy. Then, when I have worn some clothes, I place one sheet of Bounce in my bag and all my clothes smell fresh.
Also, I always take a small chamois cloth so if I'm in a rush and don't
want to wet a towel, I can use the chamois to dry off and then squeeze
the water out. Plus, the cloth takes up barely any space.
Craig <email>
Seattle, WA USA 05/11/01
During the summer I work for Hostelling International's AYH office in San Francisco, CA. I spend a lot of my day helping people travel and this is my best tip:
Bring a set of two small key locks with you on your trip. While on a
plane, train or car, lock your zippers together to keep your bag from
accidentally popping open. It's a good idea to keep the second lock on
your day pack while walking around. These locks will make it harder for
a person to break into your bag without you noticing. I've seen them for
sale in a pack for about $7. Happy travels!
Valerie Cohen <email>
Berkeley, CA USA 05/09/01
Target sells inexpensive sets of utensils (spoon, knife, fork looped
together) in their camping sections. Costs less than $3, and perfect for
picnics!
Beth <email>
Columbia, SC USA 05/08/01
If you only want to bring a small amount of duct tape, try wrapping
some around the end of a pen. It unrolls easily and, well, yes, you have
the pen too.
jeremy
USA 05/06/01
Unless you are backpacking, I would get Rick Steves' wheeled bag (see
http://www.ricksteves.com/backpacks/wheeled.htm). My husband and I just
went on a trip to Italy with his parents. We went to Venice,Florence,
Siena and Rome. We had a wheeled bag and they had two backpacks each,
weighing approximately 20lbs each. It was so much easier having a wheeled
bag. Even with all the stairs in venice, it was still easier than the
backpacks. We would just pick up the wheeled suitcase to carry it over
bridges/stairs and it was no problem. The backpacks became very cumbersome
and heavy, they really wished they would have had a small wheeled bag
instead. It was no problem over pavers or stone roads either. The wheeled
bags are the way to go.
Vicki Hollis <email>
Charlotte, NC USA 05/05/01
In Walmart's paint section, I found a flat roll of duct tape about the
size of large match book, for about $1.60. Worked out great. Also took
a small tube of super glue gel.
Hasschen
USA 05/03/01
Many other travelers have recommended packing duct tape. I did not want
to take a whole roll as it weighed as much as my shoes! So instead I took
an empty toilet paper roll and wound about 15 wraps around it. It comes
off very nicely and squishes into any corner of my backpack. Happy travels!
Susan Barrett <email>
St Paul, MN USA 05/03/01
I cannot overemphasize Rick's tip to pack in your money belt the list
of addresses and phone numbers of the places you will be staying. We spent
a needless night wandering in a small village outside of Avignon trying
to find our way back to the bed and breakfast we had checked into that
afternoon. All I could remember was the last name of our hosts! Finally
some locals took pity on us and spent over an hour with their cell phone
helping us locate the place. It makes for a great story now but I wouldn't
relive it for a moment! Carry that information with you at all times!
Donna <email>
CA USA 04/27/01
One of the best things that I have ever packed is the compact towel
competitive swimmers and divers use. I travel cheap and many of the hostels
I stay in donīt provide towels. These are small, lightweight and dry quickly.
They are so quick to dry that you can take them in the shower with you
to wash it or use as a washcloth and it will still dry you when you get
out. Iīve used mine all over Europe, India, and South America and it never
gets that musty smell regular towels get when they are packed while damp.
[Editor's note: We at ETBD sell these Packtowls — see http://www.ricksteves.com/services/merch.htm.]
Danielle
South America 04/26/01
You can encounter some pretty bad public showers if you are roughing
it, so when I go camping I take a small plastic table placemat with holes.
I'm not sure if it replaces the shower shoes many people wear but it makes
me think I'm adding some protection from the creepy crawlies on the floor.
Carrie <email>
St. Peters, MO USA 04/25/01
I made my own sleepsack out of flannel material I bought at Walmart.
I got about 5-1/2 yards of the material and I sewed it like a sleeping
bag without the zipper. I added a pillowcase that will flip out of the
sack. Then with the leftover material I made a smaller pillowcase/carrying
bag for the sack when it is folded up. This makes a comfortable makeshift
pillow which is great for the plane or train rides. You can also open
it up if you need a blanket. (I hate using the stepped-on disposable pillows
offered on the airlines.)
Carrie <email>
St. Peters, MO USA 04/25/01
I use Lint Pic-Up. They have travel-size and you can buy it almost anywhere
such as Walgreens or CVS. It is very small light!
JJ
Melrose, MA USA 04/20/01
When traveling I have used a wadded-up knee-high stocking to remove
lint. It doesn't take up any room in my suitcase, and it works great on
most stuff.
A
USA 04/19/01
Paul Mitchell makes an excellent combo shampoo/body wash called Awapuhi.
It's very reasonably priced and can also be used to wash your clothes
out. Besides, it's an EXCELLENT shampoo and smells great!
Mary
USA 04/16/01
Before leaving, go to your bank and get an extra check register. It's
perfect for keeping track of what you spend, as well as your ATM withdrawals!
USA 04/15/01
RE: what to bring for laundry... Last trip to Europe I took a small bottle of liquid Tide. I was glad I did after encountering a person of "poor impulse control" in the airplane who scribbled all over my light gray jacket with an ink pen! Who would have expected? Anyway, after scrubbing about 10 minutes with Tide, it all came out.
The elastic twisty laundry lines are good, but so is just a length of
string, heavy enough for the laundry, but not too heavy to pack.
Sue Swafford <email>
San Francisco, CA USA 04/15/01
In Italy, there is usually no toilet paper available. Often, people
do sell enough for one use, or those packages of kleenex. You will even
see people selling kleenex at your car when at a stop light. Instead,
I save small mounts at the ends of rolls at home before leaving. These
easily smash into small places (a shoe, odd spot in a suitcase) and can
be carried in a pocket or money belt. Naturally, you may not want to carry
all that you need for weeks, but it helps in a bind. Sometimes there isn't
a person selling it when you need them! With me, it isn't the price, but
the environment. I wouldn't put kleenex down my toilet at home, so why
there?
E. <email>
Portland, OR USA 04/02/01
Emergency toilet paper! Although you'll do fine at a good 2-3-star hotel,
you'll soon discover that some European public restrooms either have NO
paper, or what's available may not be for you. I recently traveled thru
southern France and found myself in an "emergency" situation @ a train
station public washroom. ALWAYS carry extra toilet paper in your backpack!
Rocky Lopez
San Antonio, TX USA 04/01/01
I never travel anywhere without moleskin. Even your most comfortable
shoes can give you blisters if your feet get wet or sweaty, as my clogs
did last summer when I wore them without socks one day in Italy. Moleskin
is a lifesaver.
Susan
USA 04/01/01
Bag Balm! It is great for dry skin, chapped lips, and that horrible
raw nose you get when you have allergies/a cold. But, the best best use
of the stuff is for blisters. It keeps them from getting red and infected,
toughens the skin, prevents the resulting callouses, and speeds healing.
Wash your feet and put it on whenever you can, expecially at night. It
has saved my trip more than once, and the one time I didn't take it I
was sooo sorry, and if they sell it in mainland Europe, I sure couldn't
find it!
Elizabeth <email>
Houston, TX USA 03/31/01
I don't usually wear synthetic fabrics, but the new microfibers are
so easy-care, light and attractive that I have succumbed for travel. One
disadvantage I found early on, however, is the tendency for these fabrics
to quickly retain perspiration odors. I found a nifty trick at my favorite
yardage store: disposable dress shields. They have a self-adhesive strip
to hold their position in the armpit area and can be easily replaced or
laundered right with the garment. They add virtually no weight or bulk
and keep the odors out of my pricey microfiber T-shirts and blouses! (Although
synthetic themselves, they seem to retain less odor than the actual garment
fabric.)
Mary Engles <email>
San Diego, CA USA 03/29/01
To assist in recovery of an unexpected bout with the flu, motion sickness
or other stomach nausea (or, let's be honest, hangover), I find packing
a couple small packets of chicken boullion soup mix to be an extremely
lightweight just-add-water remedy before plowing back into unfamiliar
cuisine. How many of us, after praying for hours to the porcelein god,
really want to hit the street searching for chorizo and manchego cheese
tapas? Herb-Ox has single packets the size of a large sugar packet, which
make one large bowl of clear chicken broth. It's not only useful for a
"first aid" item, it's also good for a cheap impromptu late-night meal
in your hotel room where you might have hot water available.
Alisa <email>
Chicago, IL USA 03/29/01
We just returned from a 2-1/2 week trip, and a small (3"x5") spiral
notebook we took worked great for several things. We had a page where
we noted every time we took money out of the ATM (bank name, date and
amount). Made doing the checkbook when we got home much easier! We also
had a page where we wrote down each credit card purchase. Again, we didn't
have to go through each receipt when we got home. Also had written in
it all the recommendations we gathered from websites for restaurants and
things to do. It was small enough to put in a jacket pocket and was always
available.
m alleman <email>
Snohomish, WA USA 03/26/01
Here are a few things I packed that helped out a lot:
1. A tiny bottle of Febreeze (I put it in a smaller travel bottle).
2. A journal. We used a page for each day, wrote in our rough itinerary in pencil before we left (with confirmation #s, etc.) and when we got there, we wrote in pen what we actually did. I glued a small manila envelope to the back and kept any info that I printed off from the internet.
3. A bottle of multi-vitamin stress tablets with iron. I took them when I felt run down and it seemed to help a lot.
4. An anti-gas pill for the flight over and back. It helps with the bloated stomach caused by the long flight.
5. The thick Thomas Cook railway schedule. I wish we had taken this;
there were many times we didn't know our options because the smaller rail
schedule that comes free with your rail pass only covers the major routes.
Catherine <email>
Hyrum, UT USA 03/19/01
I am a bodybuilder, and getting high-quality, low-fat protein helps
me maintain my good health while I travel. I do *love* the cheeses available
in Europe, but eating too much of it makes my body unhappy and contributes
too much fat. So here's what I do: I pack several of the new lightweight
foil containers of tuna in water to supplement my picnic lunches. They
are extremely light in weight AND in fat and offer very high quality protein.
They also help me save money by avoiding a restaurant lunch. I also pack
a mix of protein bars and Luna bars, and take 1 or 2 small 3-packs of
vanilla soymilk to add to my a.m. hotel room breakfasts. Then, for my
evening meals, I can enjoy local restaurant foods without guilt over money
OR dietary concerns.
Sabrina <email>
Somerset, NJ USA 03/18/01
I like to pack things that the locals want from America. The Spanish
Marines would trade anything for a $10 Zippo cigarette lighter. And you
don't always have to 'trade' every time: Sometimes it's nice to give a
gift and make a friend.
Carmen Torrrise <email>
Bayville, NJ USA 03/14/01
To keep up with the constant infusion of smoke and daily wear of clothing,
pack a travel-size bottle of Febreeze. Spray worn clothes and let air
out over night. For a short trip, it beats doing laundry or bringing enough
clothing for each outing. Happy fresh-smelling travels to all!
jmf <email>
NYC, NY USA 03/13/01
We bring a small room thermometer so when we argue about whether the
heater is set too high or low we can let the thermometer tell us the truth.
Linda S. <email>
Minneapolis, MN USA 03/13/01
For those of you planning to spend a lot of time in hostels, bring a
small sleep sack. You can make your own out of a cheap flat bed sheet.
There are some hostels where it will save you money (i.e. the cost of
renting their sleep sheet). If you are willing to spend a little more
money, I recommend buying the Silk Cocoon found at most outdoor stores.
It is ultra-compact, yet still warm.
Andrea
Minneapolis, MN USA 03/10/01
Bringing Cliff Bars was one of my best ideas. They are light and can stop a low blood sugar freak-out when you can't get to food.
On the other hand, the best piece of advice I got before going to Europe
was "it is way more fun to buy it there!" I took this to heart and now
have necessities that remind me of crazy adventures.
Anneliese
Olympia, WA USA 03/06/01
Rain pants (or even snow pants, if you've got them) are a must for off-season travel (mine have taken me through winter-spring travel in England, Alaska, Iceland, Germany, etc.). They generally tend to be wind-proof as well as waterproof, which is a great bonus. (Nothing worse than a pair of jeans on a cold, windy and rainy day; I'm speaking from experience).
They can actually look quite fashionable too — I bought my latest pair at Structure, where they weren't advertised as "rain pants," just the slightly flared pant of the season, in modern, high-tech fabric. (Looks great on both men and women.)
Finally, if packed in a ziploc bag, they fold up to next to nothing.
And wrinkles, what wrinkles?
<email>
USA 03/06/01
In order to better remember what I've seen on a trip, I take ziplock
bags, one for every day. At the end of the day, I put in ticket stubs,
programs, postcards, brochures, interesting change, and used rolls of
film, then label it with city and date. When I get home, it's easy to
organize souvenirs and remember where photos are from..
Jeff Burns <email>
McDonough, GA USA 03/03/01
Dr. Scholl shoe cushions are great when traveling. They are lifesavers at times!
Instead of throwing away the white carboard inserts from things, now
I stop and save them to cut for luggage tags. Cut them into luggage-tag-size
pieces and put several into the luggage tag on each of your bags. ALWAYS
put your home address, as well as your address of destination (on top in
the window) in and on your bags. I flew domestic from Berlin to Rome during
my last trip,I had to change the address in the luggage tag window 4 times.
Having the blank little pre-cut tags already there saved me a bunch of
time.
Deb <email>
Casper, WY USA 03/03/01
To avoid the need for a plug adapter and voltage converter, I bought
a European hair dryer and curling iron in Italy and have loved the convenience
of beng able to plug in almost anywhere.
Dotti <email>
Crossville, TN USA 02/25/01
An idea for picnic utensils: We bought the hard plastic utensils (like the ones Rick sells). I took them to my wonderful father who drilled holes into the top of the handles with his drill press. Then we bought one of those binder rings with the hinges on them at the office supply store. Open it up, slip it through the holes on the utensils and VOILA! They won't get separated, they can hang on your pack to dry and you can take them everywhere!
I brought one of those tiny Swiss Army knifes on a keychain, and a tiny MagLite. These came in very handy as well. I used the flashlight many times to search around in the bottom of my daypack for misc. things or looking at maps in the dark.
I also highly recommend getting an Itch Stick — helps relieve bug bites and other irritations.
And always bring some sort of stomach medicine. Even though I didn't eat anything bad on my trip, just the excitement made my stomach flip out.
And most important of all: a camera and LOTS of film. This time I'm
bringing two — one (my regular camera) with color, and one with black
and white (in my cheap camera), just for fun. Last time, I missed so many
artistic shots that are only good in black and white. Out of all my souvenirs,
my photos are the best! Bon vacances!
Anna <email>
Bothell, WA USA 02/20/01
Several items to pack that don't take up any room but that have come
in VERY handy for me: a large piece of bubble wrap, which can be used
to cushion purchases or roll up a print in instead of buying a mailing
tube (I always carry a few rubber bands and they can be slipped around
the bubble wrap "tube"); and several large metal paper clips which are
handy for attaching receipts, etc. inside your journal. They can be unbent
to use as an emergency tie wire or even as a weapon in a pinch!
Susan Schumann <email>
Mountain View, CA USA 02/19/01
After fourteen trips to Greece and many others to Western Europe, I have found a "homemade" first-aid kit I assembled, using a small plastic fishing lure box (4 by 8 by 2 inches deep), has been worth the effort. If you become ill, or have a minor accident, you may not always be a place where you can buy items to help yourself, or feel up to a walk to the nearest drugstore.
In my little kit I include the following: tweezers, aspirin, cough drops, and Pepto Bismol tablets in an empty 35mm film can; an Ace bandage, several bandaids of various sizes, alcohol pads, Benadryl tablets, Q-tips, roll of sterile gauze, small bottle of mercurochrome, small tube of 5% hydrocortisone cream, and a small penlight.
I have taken this kit to Europe for many years, and on my last trip
to Greece my motor scooter slipped out from under me at a stoplight. My
right forearm was scuffed pretty badly, but thankfully, I had the means
to help myself.
Dick Dorsey <email>
Tierra Verde, Fl USA 02/17/01
About washcloths...buy a set of infant washcloths! They are very soft,
dry quickly, and have infinite uses other than washing.
Gayle <email>
Seattle, WA USA 02/16/01
While in England my son developed an ingrown toenail that became infected.
In England, and, I believe, most of Europe, antibiotic creams are not
available without a prescription. Were I able to purchase Neosporin or
some other kind of antibiotic cream in a pharmacy, I think we could have
avoided a nasty infection. So my tip is never to leave home without an
antibiotic ointment.
Sue Toton <email>
Malvern, PA USA 02/16/01
I always bring a assortment of keychains from my hometown of San Diego.
Then whenever somebody helps me out or is just exceptionally nice I give
them one. I've never seen such wide eyes and big smiles.
Marcus
San Diego, CA USA 02/14/01
I wanted to bring some wine back home from France, but was scared of
it breaking. I had a diaper-wearing baby with me, so...YEP! I wrapped
the wine bottles with those Huggies, and it worked like a charm! Not one
broken bottle, but some things that were in the SAME suitcase, which were
not wrapped in diapers, BROKE!
Jamie H. <email>
OR USA 02/07/01
I just found the greatest way to combine packing light & being fashionable
on the run: maps printed on silk! You can wear one or wad it up and stuff
it in a pocket, it's multi-purpose and oh so light. Check out http://www.microsoie.com
for more details — they have tons of cities and some include mass transit
systems, and they are a great price $9.95-20.95. WAY COOL! (In San Francisco
you can pick one up at Complete Traveler.)
Allison <email>
San Francisco, CA USA 02/01/01
Raincoats vs. umbrellas: First, www.travelsmith.com has a lovely poncho with a hood, that packs into a pocket. This frees your hands from umbrellas, and covers your backpack as well as you.
Second, if you must have an umbrella, don't pack one. Get one there. I just got back from France and picked up a perfectly serviceable umbrella for $4. Then I left it behind when I came home. For $4, who cares?
My other invaluable extra is a nice scarf. I try to pack black, or grey, and with a single nice scarf can dress up my outfits for dinner out.
And I always have at least one good paperback book on hand. Can't do
without it on long train rides, or going to sleep in a noisy city. And
searching for 'English' bookstores is a fun excursion in itself. When
the book is done, leave it at your hotel/hostel for another visitor.
Ginger McIntosh <email>
Dublin, CA USA 01/29/01
Instead of packing it in, I bought a hairdryer in Hungary years ago and
it has more than paid for itself. (It cost about $15, less than the converter
and adapter would have cost.) But if you want to buy it over there, make
sure you can get it there first. I tried to buy a curling iron in Germany
last year and there wasn't one to be found. I asked several German friends,
but they didn't know where I could get one. One person suggested Czech
Republic, so that's when I gave up looking for one.
Alisha <email>
TX USA 01/25/01
There is this kilt called the Utilikilt. It rocks. Made out of 100%
cotton, great traveling colors, perfect pockets. Best and only thing I'll
ever use to travel in! Find it on the Web.
dan <email>
Seattle, WA USA 01/23/01
I brought a small travel chess board with magnetic pieces, and it was
one of the best things I brought. I made a lot of friends with it and
it was a lot of fun.
Jeff Sederberg <email>
Takaoka, Japan 01/22/01
My pet camera died in Greece and I missed all photo ops until I could find a cheap replacement. After I got home I found the same cheap camera for half the price at Target. Be sure to pack a backup camera, or go with someone who takes lots of pictures and will get double prints.
I have a propane-fired curling iron, which I love. I can't say how long
the cartridges last — depends how much curling you're doing — but I can
get a month out of mine easily. Try it before you go. You can pop out
the cartridge and see how much has been used. Maybe traveling companions
can carry your spare cartridges. My 83-year-old traveling companion (Mom)
uses hers every day because of its instant intense heat.
Linda
Minneapolis, Mn USA 01/20/01
Spain, January 2001: We took a Palm Pilot that played backgammon and
between the 5 in our family, had a great time with it. While it seems
that just about everyone in Spain has a cell phone, 'Palm Pilots' seemed
rare and generated interest from folks to see what we were looking at
so intently while we waited for our dinner. For a group of 5, we were
probably more quiet than the typical Spanish family at a restaurant; the
games made us more outgoing.
P.Schulte <email>
Boulder, CO USA 01/17/01
taking only one bag: what made this work was the two packing units (i got mine on sale from travelsmith). one was the envelope for shirts and things, the other a cube for socks and underwear.
when i was in paris i had one day to look around, so i pulled out the two units and put them in a locker. my backpack now had only my sightseeing essentials and weighed next to nothing. this also left the main compartment empty for a day's worth of water and food from the market, which would be gone by the time i returned to collect my packing units.
i only took three changes of clothes, two pairs of shoes (flip-flops and doc martens), a jacket, pj's, and four chages of underclothes for a six-week trip (plus obvious essentials). i am a girl and i was fine with it. my fellow travelers and hostellers were green with envy, and i also found that all the lightweight james-bond-type travel gadgets i had carefully selected beforehand were fun and incredibly useful.
someone said they wished they had brought a raincoat instead of a travel umbrella — i stongly disagree. the jacket i took was bulky, but very high quality. still, my pack and everything else got soaked anyway (goodbye museum poster). those around me with umbrellas were dry and comfy. i found many times shelter from the rain wasn't available, or if i stopped to find shelter i would miss my train.
I also got a lot of enjoyment out of a really cheap souvenir — the patches they sell for countries and cities. they cost a dollar or two, were easy to sew on my pack in the evening, and they were conversation starters: "oh, you've been to bonn — that is my hometown!"
i cannot stress enough how much money you will save by buying all your snack foods and meals (if your hostel has a kitchen, which was the source of some of the best memories of my trip) in a grocery store. in amsterdam i found i could buy three days' worth of soft drinks, snacks, lunch, and candy for what it costs for *one* meal in even a cheap restaraunt.
lastly i took pictues — lots. the best ones are of the people i met,
especially locals who helped me out. the ones i did take i truly adore
and cherish, plus it made the subject feel like a clebrity for a moment
or two, and the ones i didn't take i regret like heck. i have warm, happy,
shy, and sometimes downright giddy pictures of everyone from belgian policemen
to german schoolchildren. don't forget to get their names!
Elizabeth <email>
Deer Park, TX USA 01/12/01
I'm always prepared for a spontaneous meal or bottle of wine. I've refined
the kit over the years but on the last trip it contained: A zippered 4x6
mesh bag, corkscrew/knife combo, small plastic square cutting board (soap
dish from Paris), wooden chopsticks, packaged handiwipes, salt & pepper
packages (unused from airplane meal), mini flashlight, and a few hard
candies just in case. I also make up similar kits for friends as they
depart on trips.
Folle Blanche <email>
San Francisco, CA USA 01/09/01
For a long trip I always take a Discman and a handful of CDs. They can
drown out noise at night, comfort you if you're feeling down, and I couldn't
imagine an international plane trip without music. Because a CD player
and CDs are great theft targets, instead of taking your original CDs,
take copies of them made with a computer CD-R drive; these will only cost
$.50 or so apiece.
Corry <email>
College Station, TX USA 01/06/01
I find that a print makes a wonderful souvenir that I can frame for
my own home (or a dandy gift). I pack two medium-weight pieces of cardboard
a little smaller than my suitcase. They take up very little room. Then
the print(s) go(es) between them. If I find by the end of my trip that
I won't be using them, there usually is another traveler who is delighted
to put this to use. It's less bulky than a mailing tube.
Margaret Loos <email>
Federal Way, WA USA 01/03/01
I took two handkerchiefs to use as washcloths. They dry very quickly and feel better (to me)
than wet wipes. I bought two for about a dollar at Wal-Mart. They are
economical and save the environment. Plus, it's putting fewer chemicals
on your skin.
Dodie <email>
USA 01/02/01