In The Bag
Thanks for your input!
I really appreciated all the votes I received regarding what I should pack on this adventure. The consensus was:
35% said “Stick to the List” and pack what other RTW-ers pack
30% said “Wear the Shirt on your Back” and get what you need when you need it
Since it was such a close race, I decided to adopt both mentalities and have them work together as my packing philosophy. Utilizing ideas from such articles as Clay’s 9 Ways to Pack Lighter for Long Term Travel, Derek’s Gear List for Traveling Light, 10 Multi-Use Items You Should Consider Packing, and 18 Essential Items for a Trip Around the World, I tried new tactics of using rubber bands around clothing items for space control (rubber bands were annoying so I just folded everything tightly), packing multi-purpose items such as safety pins and a poncho, and only packing the absolute minimum without causing Chris to worry about smells.
The Grand List
My new Jansport Klamath 68 liter backpack packed to the brim, this is what I landed on as a final packing list.
WTI Packing List |
| aloe Only had a need in Greece but still never used it |
| aleve |
| band-aids |
| bathing suit |
| big resistance band For a little exercise on the road |
| blackberry, charger and adapters To get data coverage everywhere, e-mail and internet access and constant twitter updates |
| books (2) |
| bottle opener/corkscrew |
| chapstick (2) Essential. |
| cipro (for traveler’s diarrhea) Also essential…especially in India |
| clear make-up bags Wonderful for keeping toiletries and electronic accessories together and rather water-proof |
| clothing line Didn’t use because I always found something to hang things on |
| cold meds NyQuil, DayQuil, the works |
| comb or brush |
| comfy bra Somewhere in between Sporty and Posh Spice |
| credit and debit cards |
| driver’s license The passport was enough |
| Nikon D50 SLR |
| D50 charger and backup battery |
| day bag Jansport matching luggage combo…super cool. |
| deoderant Holla! |
| 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 (as back-up) Didn’t take for malaria prophylaxis because I kept covered and slept above the floor |
| duct tape Always useful somehow… |
| earplugs The foamy kind…very important |
| fleece and rain jacket |
| floss |
| hair things and bobby pins |
| head lamp |
| headphones (2) |
| iPod |
| iPod camera connector |
| iPod charger and cord |
| journals One for quick notes and details, One for personal stories (just use the computer if you bring one), One for budget notes |
| laundry bag (1) |
| lens cleaner spray and cloth |
| long sleeved shirt (1) |
| melatonin Absolute essential |
| memory stick |
| minimal make-up |
| mosquito repellent Off brand orange with 25% deet from home |
| nail clippers |
| nalgene |
| pants One pair black/comfy and one fisherman pants for something light in bloody hot temps |
| pens (lots) |
| pepto bismol tablets |
| playing cards |
| purell or wipes Very touristy, but for me…very important at key times |
| Q-tips 78 for 78 days |
| razor and refills |
| retainers for stress-induced lock jaw |
| sandals |
| sarong |
| scarf Functions as towel and cover-up for bathing suit |
| scrub brush and detergent a.k.a. an old toothbrush and shampoo |
| sewing kit |
| shirts (2) For Dallas, and after that…I’m buying along the way |
| shorts Boardshorts on ladies are a bit unsavory but…awesome |
| Sleep sheet |
| small camera |
| small camera charger |
| smart wool socks |
| soap/shampoo/conditioner Small bottles of sham. and cond. with shampoo working as face and body soap, clothing detergent, and for the hair as well |
| sports bras (2) |
| sunglasses First choice: missing RayBans, Second choice: $2 throw-aways |
| sunscreen |
| swiss army knife |
| toothpaste/brush |
| trekking shoes |
| tweezers |
| underwear (5) |
| USB SD card reader |
| USD in many denominations (mainly 10s and 50s) |
