A week before we left for Europe last fall, one of our
friends called and asked me if I was packed yet. Packed?
Of course not. Made my list of
what I was planning to take?
Definitely. It was just a matter
of collecting everything and putting it into the proper bag. One thing we learned the hard way is to pack
half of my things into one bag along with half of my husband, Charlie’s. We can usually get by on a 10-12 day trip
with two large checked bags and a carry-on each.
When I make my packing list, here are my top ten things that
I pack first before anything else:
1.
Books/magazines or any other type of reading
material. The thing about travel is that
there is a lot of sitting. And waiting.
And sitting while waiting. It seems like a minor thing to pack, but trust me, when
you’ve got hours to kill on a plane or train, you’re going to want that
book. Having an e-reader eliminates
having to pack heavy reading material.
2.
A universal plug adapter. It is annoying to arrive at your destination
and realize that you can’t plug in your laptop, phone or curling iron because
your plugs won’t fit into the wall sockets.
Remember: Not only are the plugs
different, the power supply might be different too. Be sure your appliance has a transformer on
the power cord before you plug it in, even with the adapter. If it doesn’t then you might be better off
asking your hotel if they have a hair dryer you can borrow.
3. Medicine.
If you’re on prescription medicine, be sure that it’s in your
prescription bottles with your name on it.
This should always be packed in your carry-on bag. You do not want this separated from you at
any time. Over-the-counter medications
are sometimes just as important, although you can probably get these wherever
you are going. Just be sure the dosages are the same as you are accustomed to
taking. I always take a pain reliever,
an anti-diarrheal, and a small first-aid kit to be on the safe side.
4.
Camera and related accessories. With digital cameras today, taking film is no
longer necessary, but batteries for your camera are. A laptop could be
classified as a “related accessory”, and I take all of the cables I need to
download my pictures each day from my camera’s memory card to my laptop. And, on the subject of memory cards, it’s a
good idea to have a spare with you.
5.
Chargers.
There is nothing more disappointing than arriving at your destination,
ready to get out and see the sights, and realizing that your camera battery is
dead and you forgot your charger. Moral
of the story: don’t forget any of your
chargers – cell phone, laptop, camera, etc.
6. Travel documents and photocopies of travel
documents and passports. If you’re going to travel overseas, you’re
going to need a passport. If you’ve
never applied for a passport, give yourself plenty of time ahead of your trip
to apply for one. If you already have a
passport, make sure that the expiration date is at least six month beyond your
planned return date. You will be denied
boarding the aircraft if it isn’t. In
some countries, visas are mandatory.
Check you’re your travel agent to make sure you have all of the proper
documentation. What if you lose your
passport while gone? This is where the
photocopies come in. Make copies of your
passport and put a copy in the top and bottom of each of your bags, as well as
leaving a copy at home where someone can find it easily. Make sure your travel agent has your passport
number and expiration date as well.
7. Cell phone.
Overseas, cell phone costs can be astronomical if you use data
roaming. Be sure to turn this service
off before your plane leaves the U.S. Check
with your provider and ask about international data roaming fees. You may want to disable your data roaming so you
can’t receive emails or have internet access on your phone while gone, but can
receive phone calls in case of emergency.
8. An open mind.
Remember, you’re traveling abroad because you want to experience a whole
new culture – and sometimes, that culture doesn’t include things like McDonalds
or even Starbucks. Relax, and soak it
all in. Plan your travel agenda with
contingencies so that if things go wrong (and they just might), the result
isn’t catastrophic. And, when all else
fails, just remember, you’ve made memories that will make great stories in the
future.
