In The Bag
Euro-chic nights in Florence. Bush camping in the Serengeti. Mountain trekking in the Himalayas. Volunteering on the Equator.
How the hell are you supposed to pack for that sort of RTW trip? Well, it involved a lot of research and pondering, but I managed to make a list of items I couldn’t leave home without. In a 50 liter Deuter backpack, I loaded up my heart and soul, and some assorted accessories, for a seven month jaunt. My main compass for the packing came from overlanding guides in Africa and what they considered to be essential.
This list was last altered in May of 2008 before disembarking on the trip. The additions made in red are the afterthoughts that are hopefully helpful in describing what I really needed. Maybe I’ll have a dream and remember all the things I really needed and write them here soon…be on guard for that addition.
Big Journey Packing List |
| aloe Never used…but could have |
| aspirin |
| band-aids |
| bandanna Waste of space |
| bathing suit Should have brought a more heavy duty one |
| big rubber band Rarely used as a form of small space exercise |
| blackberry, charger and adapters |
| books (11) Where was Kindle when I needed it…Don’t regret bringing these though |
| CDs (3) Didn’t need on overlanding trucks because of iPod hook-up |
| chapstick (2) |
| cipro (for travelers diarrhea) |
| clear make-up bags Wonderful for keeping toiletries and electronic accessories together and rather water-proof |
| clock or use phone Used phone |
| clothing line |
| cold meds |
| comb |
| comfy bra Indeed useful |
| cords and connectors for camera |
| Nikon D50 SLR |
| D50 charger and backup battery |
| day bag Make sure it’s durable and a quality brand…not an area to scrimp |
| deoderant |
| Lady things…and if you are curious, e-mail me how I dealt with this aspect of rough travel. A delicious topic of conversation |
| doxycycline Malaria prophalaxis, which I bored of and stopped taking in Africa for the rest of the trip |
| duct tape |
| earplugs |
| fleece and rain jacket |
| floss |
| hair things and bobby pins |
| hard drive (external) The perfect alternative for a laptop: light and completely equipped to save files on the go |
| hat Only needed in cold places and could have bought there |
| head lamp Oooooh yes…essential |
| headphones (2) |
| iPod |
| iPod camera connector |
| iPod charger and cord |
| journals One of the three or four most precious items I carried with me |
| laundry bags (2) Sleeping bag cover doubled as a fine laundry receptacle |
| long sleeved shirt (2) |
| maletonin Absolute essential |
| mini maglite No |
| minimal make up |
| mosquito net (buy in Nairobi) Could have bought but didn’t need to |
| mosquito repellent Off orange with 25% deet…get ready to be crazy! |
| nail clippers |
| nalgene |
| neosporin |
| notebook For keeping notes and evacuation plans…the practical stuff |
| oral dehydration salts Didn’t bring…and needed at a few points |
| pants (black or sweats) Sweats are a luxury to be enjoyed at home, but black versatile and light pants are always on my list |
| pens (3) |
| pepcid AC |
| pepto bismol tablets Holla! |
| purell or wipes |
| Q-tips |
| rain cover for bag Didn’t have but could have used |
| razor |
| retractable cable lock Needed a few times but always seemed to find a trustworthy person to watch my bag…except for that one time in Hungary |
| sandals Either splurge on Rainbows or buy on the road |
| sarong Acted as a perfect, quick-drying towel…more essential than underwear |
| scarf A good pashmina can be warming or even spruce up the most dingy outfit |
| scrub brush and detergent Just used an old toothbrush and shampoo |
| sewing kit |
| shirt (purple, stripes, or button up) The shirts good for Italy and useless everywhere else, sent them home with my Mom in Italy or gave them away |
| shorts Gave away to a good friend and bought some awesome boardshorts on the road in Uganda |
| Sleep sheet Fold a king size sheet in half and sew…wonderful in Africa and Asia |
| Sleeping Bag Only for overlanding, then drop it like it’s far too warm |
| Sleeping Mat Again…just for overlanding…but you can buy foam on the road |
| small camera |
| small camera charger |
| smart wool socks + 2 pair socks Stick with the Smart Wools…brilliant and worth every penny |
| soap/shampoo If you use conditioner at home, there’s probably a reason why you shouldn’t stop using it… |
| sports bra (2) |
| stickers For kids…not essential…give ‘em time and energy |
| sunglass wipe |
| sunglasses I never bought sunglasses more than $20 until my first RayBans…Have had them for two years and they refuse to quit |
| sunscreen |
| swiss army knife |
| toilet paper Get en route obviously |
| toothpaste/brush |
| towel or shammy (viscose) No |
| trekking shoes Do NOT scrimp here. Merrell is awesome. |
| t-shirts (3) Exchange on the go for a new wardrobe every couple months…you need diversity in your photos |
| tweezers |
| tylenol PM |
| underwear (5) Clean in the shower with old toothbrush and shampoo, hang to dry after to be packed clean for the following morning…so many people around the world have seen my undies fluttering in the breeze |
| USD in many denominations |
| zip off pants Ha…never found these to be worth the ridicule |
