Hello dear friends! It’s been ages since I’ve written since there hasn’t been any real travel going on in my life. So, to stir the pot a bit, yesterday I went to Travel Packing 101 by Sharon Williams, aka the Lady Nomad at REI. It was a fabulous evening of travel packing tips by a truly travel savvy lady from Austin.
I’m condensing the notes I took here for your convenience and edification. I’ll also comment from time to time. (You KNOW you can’t shut me up.) 🙂
First of all, if you want to view Sharon’s website, see http://www.theladynomad.com/. If you write her and ask nicely, she might even email you a sample packing list!
We started off the evening by discussing the overall packing methodology. You must stop and ask yourself:
1. What is my travel style?
2. What kinds of activities am I planning?
3. What’s the baggage allowance?
As for Sharon (and myself) we pack as lightly as possible. Sharon gets by with about three changes of clothes. When I go (which is typically for around 10-14 days), I pack about five days worth of clothing.
Sharon started off by discussing the actual luggage. We saw:
• a duffle bag
• a very handy roller bag
• a Rick Steve’s carry bag with packing cubes
• a day pack
• a fanny pack
Someone mentioned the duffle bag might have been too large to fit as a carryon. To me, they seem a bit unwieldy and difficult to carry once fully loaded. However, if you prefer a duffle bag, you can get them with backpack straps. Get something with durable material and ensure that seams are multi-stitched. Sharon recommended a few brands like REI, Rick Steves, and Eagle Creek.
If you are a tall person using a roller bag, ensure that the handle is long enough for you. I’d never thought of that since I’m short, but that’s a consideration for you jolly giants out there. 🙂
Someone asked about the difficulty finding your bags on the carousel when they were all the same color. I thought it was funny that Sharon and I both used the same tactic. Tying a purple ribbon/string to the handle of the luggage.
Sharon recommends the Rick Steves carry bag with packing cubes. See http://www.ricksteves.com/ to look up this type of luggage.
These packing cubes can compact clothes and make it easier to fit into the luggage:
The Rick Steves carryon bag can double as a backpack, but has luggage handles:
You don’t have to wear it as a backpack if you don’t want to.
Reviews of this packing method have been extremely good. One reviewer mentioned that even the TSA people double-checked because they didn’t think he could get *that* much and still have it be a legal carryon (it was).
But, here’s my contention with this packing mode:
I think for the most part, middle-aged to elderly female (and maybe some male) travelers don’t like backpacks.
I packed it up (during a packing trial – which is why I recommend them), and it was huge on my back. Difficult to manipulate on and off – for a 52 year old woman who has never backpacked, and it didn’t have the back support of regular backpacks. The LAST thing I want to do is throw my back out on vacation. Having said that, it might have really been of use on that climb up 70 steps to my B&B in Edinburgh. Again, as Sharon said, it depends on your travel style. Also, you don’t *have* to use the backpack feature, but if you don’t, you’re left with (pretty much) a shapeless bag with handles. Which, to me, is as easy to carry as a duffle bag. Not my first choice.
If you want to see what I did take with me, you can view here: http://royalwench.blogspot.com/2009/09/ive-got-baggage.html
Clothing:
You want to pack as little as possible for the duration of your trip, so find things that don’t wrinkle, that are multi-functional, that are light-weight, and that are easily washable. She showed us a really cool pair of zippered pants… you can either wear them as long pants or unzip them and make shorts out of them. That went on my “must buy” list. Someone in the class mentioned travelsmith.com for travel clothes.
Again, I agree with Sharon when she says to “layer” clothing. Bring short sleeve shirts and wear them under longer sleeved shirts for warmth. This also means you have the short-sleeved shirt if it gets warm outside. Wear a lightweight, waterproof, breathable jacket and carry a fleece underjacket if you are going to colder climates.
If you’re going to a colder climate, you’ll typically be packing thicker (and heavier clothing). It may take you some different trials at what works best. I actually pre-pack a time or two to ensure I have what I need and that it fits comfortably into my bag.
Sharon takes one pair of shoes and one pair of tevas (comfortable, expensive rubber sandals).
I’ve never taken these as I usually go to the UK or Europe where the ground tends to be muddy and it’s cold outside. When I go, I’ll pack a multi-purpose shoe – such as this very comfy Clark’s mule:
It works for everyday walking as well as nighttime dinner and a show types of outings. If I’m not planning anything else, this one type of shoe has done well. However, I try to get in some short hikes when I can. So, I’ll also bring either sneakers or hiking boots.
Note: Hiking boots are extremely heavy. Only bring them if you absolutely have to!
Sharon brings a makeup/travel bag.
I have this one from Eddie Bauer, but I do not take it on my overseas travels. it’s a space issue for me. Why use an extra piece of luggage when a plastic bag will do? And you can easily see what you need in plastic bags. She did bring up a good point though that if you are staying in a hostel or low-budget hotel, it might be nice to have the mirror.
Sharon also packs a hard shell makeup kit (a small plastic storage box). I also don’t use something like this. Sharon likes it because it holds everything she wants held and she can open it up and see everything she has. For me, I think you can accomplish the same thing with plastic bags, less weight, and taking up less space in your luggage.
Sharon mentioned that, especially if you are doing laundry in your sink, you may want to bring a large, flat stopper (obtainable at most hardware stores). Some sinks won’t have a stopper when you need one most!
She also brings a very cool clothesline made by Rick Steves that can hang clothing without clothes pins!
Some other things she mentioned:
• Small firstaid kit and plenty of bandaids
• Power adapters and power converters if you are going into a country with a voltage different from the US. I have a small travel blow dryer that I got at an American store which works in both the UK and US and has a UK plug. I’ve taken it with me for probably the last 13 years when I travel there. Note: I *do* occasionally travel to Europe and that’s a whole other ball of wax. I do believe that I required only adapters (no converter) for the hair dryer.
• Chargers and batteries (ensure batteries cannot touch each other and spark a fire). Note: I don’t ever carry converters or adapters to England as I don’t need chargers (no cell phone and no computer).
• Myself and another lady mentioned mole skin or blister patches… if you plan to hike, be sure to bring these to prevent blistering. You don’t want your feet not working properly on your vacation! You can get blister pads from REI (http://www.rei.com/product/783068).
I used a brand called Compeed when I was in England, but they aren’t available here. Apply it like a bandaid BEFORE you go on any kind of long walk, or take them with you just in case.
There are other hiking tricks – most blisters are caused by friction, so double-sock. Voila, no friction. They make double layer hiking socks and sell them at REI. And you can also buy sock liners to wick moisture away from your feet. For more information on protecting your feet, Google “blister protection.”
• Washcloth – amen, Sharon. Most countries don’t use them. If you want one, take one. However, if you’re like me, I just use the edge of a towel when I need to.
• Night table bag – this was something that I had not thought of. Sharon packed a plastic bag with an alarm clock, and a small mag light that can also double as a night light.
• Umbrellas – I agree with Sharon that a poncho is much more useful and multi-purpose. Umbrellas can easily be blown inside out – as in my epic drenching in Dublin. A rain poncho will keep you dry, and can double as waterproofing for your backpack as well.
• Swimmer’s towel or chamois – if you are staying in places that are not exactly the Ritz, you might want to get one of these towels. You can easily dry yourself with a small cloth, wring it, and it’s ready for packing.
• Dr. Bonner’s bar soap – multi-purpose bar soap that can clean you as well as your clothing. Obtainable at most grocery stores.
• Duct tape – small amount comes in handy for luggage repairs and other emergencies
• Travel guides
• Snacks – you never know when a restaurant WON’T be open
• Wipes and hand sanitizer
• Extra plastic bags. You can use plastic bags to compress clothing, store, protect against spillage, and a lot of other things. I wish I had invented plastic bags! It’s kind of like duct tape in the multi-use category
• If you’re going to a sunny area, pack a sun hat, sun screen, and sun glasses
• Medications – you must have your prescription for prescription drugs. If it’s an over-the-counter medication, keep it in it’s original packaging
• Ear plugs – Sharon said she didn’t use these much, but I have
• Small disinfectant for the toilet if you like (I don’t bother as I typically stay in decent hotels)
• A notebook for information and journaling – I also brought up that you should upload the information to the net for easy downloading if you end up losing your journal. Sharon recommended a thumb drive (which – I’m iffy about – they’re so easily lost). But, I did take one on my last trip. At the very least, though, upload your critical information somewhere where you can retrieve it (such as http://docs.google.com/).
• Pre-printed postcard labels – this was a GREAT idea! I’m horrible at printing labels, but I might try it next time.
• Toilet paper – because you just never know…
• Extra passport photos just in case your passport is lost. Someone mentioned there’s a microchip in the newer passports. People have been known to scan your information and steal your identity that way. My friend mentioned getting a shielded case. Here is a link to one: http://www.amazon.com/Travelon-Blocking-Passport-Black-Size/dp/B001CZMUM8/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3JX2VAEJZ8G2D&colid=1CULTI808A41D
They also make billfolds, so people can’t read your chip-equipped credit cards.
• Credit cards – this microchip also exists on some credit cards. In America, we have not yet begun using these types of credit cards as much as in Europe, but it’s coming. This is also a good time to let you know that if you *can* get such a card, get one. The English were a bit miffed that they couldn’t just swipe my cards with their readers. I think American Express may be the only carrier that uses them.
• Keep copies of all your critical documentation in hardcopy form
If you carry a satellite (day) pack, Sharon recommends the following items go in it:
• Poncho
• valuables
• camera
• electronics
Safety:
• Keep your money separate. Do not put all your money, credit cards, and passport in one place. All it would take is one pickpocket to totally ruin your holiday. Put some in your pocket, and some in your (locked and safely stored) luggage. Sharon uses a thin money belt, but I find that an added hassle for the type of travel I do (I do see where you might want something like that in less-desireable environments). Sharon mentioned that she also uses a fanny pack. (Note to my English friends – this is NOT what you think!) It’s similar to one that I use as well.
This doubles as my purse. I carry it close to me, always ensure that you are aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Bellehop alarm $8 at the Container Store – this is a door alarm that might save you if you plan to stay in some not-so-safe hotels or destinations
• Sharon discussed zippers a bit. Ensure they zip with ease, and that they are “locking”… they kind of zippers with a hole in them.
Get TSA combination locks for your luggage that you can lock and that TSA can open with a key. That’s most likely the type of lock pictured here.
• Someone asked about getting luggage in fashionable colors. The response was that you want to attract as little attention to yourself as possible. You don’t want to stand out as an American tourist/pickpocket target. Wear neutral clothing and carry neutral luggage.
Things Sharon didn’t discuss that are worth considering:
• Laundramats – I do not ever feel like I’ve wasted my vacation if I go to a laundramat. You don’t have to wash in the sink or depend on undependable cleaners in foreign countries to clean your clothing. It depends on the country you go to, but since I typically travel to Europe, I’ve never had an issue in laundramats. Going to a laundramat means that you don’t have to carry clothes soap or clotheslines. Just much less messy and your clothes *really* get clean.
They’re also great places to meet the locals.
• Money – what works best for overseas? Traveler’s checks, credit cards? Debit cards? Cash? What do you need to be aware of – such as the microchipped card that can be swiped. How much should you carry? How should you plan for the amount of cash you’ll need?
• Travel documents – what should you remember? E-tickets, train passes, rental car agreements, insurance… Sharon did mention possibly getting an international drivers license, but in a lot of countries they are not needed. Check with the country before going over.
• More on whether to take a laptop or netbook or IPad or something. Personally, I don’t take any of that. No cell phone, no computer of any type (I’m on vacation). But, then I know there are usually tons of internet cafes in the UK.